Bell Helmets, next generation

 So the current rumour is that Bell will release a new higher end model to replace the Volt at the top of the tree. The thing is the Volt isn't a bad helmet, it's actually really fantastic and is my preferred go to melon saver. I like the comfort and the retention is so good with it's single handed on the fly adjustment. So if it's so good, what can be improved. Weight has to be top of the list as it's a little portly compared to the current crop of helmets that have come out over the last two years. Also compared to it's sister brand Giro, Bell helmets have always been lacking in the ventilation department. So these would be the obvious areas for improvement. Compared to other players in the market place like Specialized who have not just looked at weight, ventilation but the new Holy Grail is the arena of aerodynamics. As Bell make one of the best TT lids I hope that this is an avenue they explore as Bell deserves to be on more heads than it currently is, as the Grand Daddy of the cycling helmet business I am sure that they will be able to teach the young pups a thing or two.

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Pictures tell a Story ~ Part One ~ Kristof Ramon

It's all Jon Cannings fault really. He showed me some of Kristof's work last year and I was blown away by it. I initially thought there was some serious photoshop work going on tomake the photos look the way they do. I was wrong, it is a technique with a type of flash. I think with all photographers it is how thye use their equipment as well as how they see the subject matter that can transform an image from being some blank and lacking felling to one that captures a subject and evokes passion and emotion.

 

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I got the chance to meet Kristof this year in his home town of Leuven, where he was taking photos at the Brabanste Piij race. What a nice chap, and I can only hope his career goes far, because sometimes the good guys should come first and not last. Many thanks to Kristof for allowing me to use his photos here and elsewhere on my site. That kind gesture is impossible for me to repay and this is my way of saying thanks to him. Enjoy the images as the person who created them enjoys making them, spread some love today.

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George Hincapie, and the Cobbles

 
I'm not sure that any American racer has displayed the passion and love for the Pave like George has. He's made it cool for a whole generation of young (American) cyclists to aspire to being more than a Grand Tour rider, and frankly in my books that is no bad thing.

The question is, and a one frequently asked, will George ever win Roubaix or the Ronde? He has had some close calls, his best possible chances have been in Roubaix, and there have been a few. I still think that 2002 could rightly claim the spot for the ride where he could have won. Museeuw was away, George was chasing with a team mate who was a similar height and this made identification difficult for the commentators. Slowly they where clawing back kilometres and time towards the lone escapee. Suddenly on a cobbled section George fell into a ditch, apparently suffering with 'the knock'. It was pretty cold and damp that day and obviously the effects of chasing hard to get back to him had taken there toll. Oh and the Team mate was a 22 year old Tom Boonen who started the race as another promising Belgian talent, but ended up with him becoming one of the Cobble masters, winning Roubaix three times. A move to Quick Step soon followed and the rest is recent history. On that day Boonen finished third and Hincapie sixth.

George's best placing in Roubaix was a second in 2005, when Tom won his first of three (so far) Roubaix victories. Tom did the double having won Flanders the weekend before and was on fine form. It finished in a sprint which there was only ever going to be one winner.




Watching this small clip from this years Ronde van Vlaanderen shows how much he is at ease on the stones.



But George's palmares are not blank when it comes to winning on the pave. Winning Gent-Wevelgem in 2001 and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne in 2005 would rank highly on many professionals lists, but you get the sense with Hincapie these, although important, are not the reasons he gets up in the morning to train.

George's highest placing in Flanders came in 2006 when he bagged a third behind Boonen (yep him again) in first and Leif Hoste in second. From the consistent placings over the years George knows he has the right stuff to be a winner, he's just had some bad luck (think 06 with the broken fork in Roubaix a week later) which has been the difference between the second step and first.



I'd like for George to win it once, and if it could be awarded for the never give up mantra, he should get it. This year both at Roubaix and Flanders he didn't have a chance against Cancellara as he was truly stunning. So back to the question, 'Will George ever win Flanders or the Roubaix' well I'd have to say No as the other guys around him are stronger and younger, but you can never really say never until he hangs up his wheels. George has that ability to make adults believe in Father Christmas again, but I fear that the cold reality that its not going to happen is creeping up on any die hard Hincapie fan. George comes over as a nice guy, and for once it'd be great to see the nice guy not finish last (well 2nd 3rd or whatever, but you get my point), but to see him aloft the top step.

Roubaix Video Teasers

Compared to last year there seems to be much more in the way of Previews of the Teams on the cobbles this year. Here are a few to get you in the mood for tomorrow. Looks like it may be hot like 2007, but I was secretly hoping that it'd be like 2001. So enjoy. Oh for the record I am going for:

1.Flecha - SKY
2. Cancellara - SAXO Bank
3. Boonen - Quick-Step








2001, what a race. Tough conditions and an inform Domo Team. George is left exposed with no Team mates.



and a little bit from the film that has started a million passions for this race.