E3 Prijs Vlaanderen Harelbeke – Preview

by Whit

The Ronde build-up intensifies tomorrow with the E3 Prijs Vlaanderen (Harelbeke). At a length of 208 km and containing 12 bergs, the E3 is a true test of who’s in-it-to-win-it next Sunday. I expect the race to be a repeat of Wednesday’s Dwars door Vlaanderen: Quick Step vs. Haussler and a wild card.With Boonen, Chavanel, and Devolder, Quick Step has three riders who could win met vingers in de neus. Working together, they form an almost indomitable trio. On Wednesday, Boonen looked as if he could ride away for the win at any point; he’s just biding his time for...Continue Reading

Dwars door Vlaanderen – Quick Result

by Whit

      What a race! I was able to watch the finale during lunch. A true lesson in tactics as Quick Step completely out-muscled the competition. Boonen looked as though he could win the race at any time, Devolder blew the race apart in the middle stages, and Van Impe hung tight to take the win. Haussler continued to do what we’ve seen from him all spring, and Niko Eeckhout tried his best for another win, but in the end managed only 2nd.If this is a taste of things to come, then we’re in for a special few weeks.Unoffocial...Continue Reading

Dwars door Vlaanderen – Live

by Whit

I’m not sure if it’s going to work due to possible geographic restrictions, but here’s a link to a live stream of today’s race. Coverage begins at about 9:25am Eastern.Here’s the link.Enjoy!9:45est Update: I changed the link as the original url wasn’t working. The new one does. Just click the “link” above.10:25est Update: What a race! The weather is terrible! I picked-up the stream just before the Patersberg and in the middle of an all-out effort by Stijn Devolder to blow the main field apart. One name I left off my list yesterday and shouldn’t have: Marcus Burghardt. ...Continue Reading

Dwars door Vlaanderen Preview

by Whit

“Northern Europe is about to be invaded—again. Racing on more than 1850 km of some of Europe’s harshest roads, the world’s best cyclists are about to…”      Forget that. Too cheesy…“Beginning tomorrow, the world’s greatest athletes will begin tackling the world’s hardest and most dangerous bike races!”      Nope. Too much hyperbole…“Their blood and sweat mingling with the mud and grime from the road, tomorrow begins what many call, the Northern Massacre.”      Nah. Too Tarantino…      Ok, I’m done trying to come up with a dramatic introduction. Besides, as I’m sure we all agree, the...Continue Reading

Them’s the Breaks…

by Whit

As you’ve probably heard by now, Lance Armstrong broke his right collarbone during yesterday’s first stage of the Vuelta Castilla y Leon. The main field hit a particularly narrow section of windswept road, and when riders starting clamoring for wheels, calamity ensued.Here’s the video:Now, while I’m not a fan of the “All Lance, All the Time” method of cycling journalism, I do think the crash is interesting for a few reasons:1. It’s been a while since a Lance crash has had such “catastrophic” results (I use that term loosely since riders break collarbones all the time and he’ll probably heal...Continue Reading