Brabantse Pijl Wrap-Up

by Whit

I was only able to catch the last 15 kilometers of today’s Brabantse Pijl, but I was impressed by what I saw. The changes to the course created an exciting finale, thanks largely to a finishing circuit containing 3 difficult climbs, including a steep drag to the finish. Belgium held it’s breath as the 3-man all-Belgian breakaway fought to give the home crowd it’s first Belgian victor of an important Belgian race this season, while the select chase group with Phillippe Gilbert, Bjorn Leukemans, Thomas Voeckler , and Paul Martens (the latter two being French and Dutch, respectively) crept ever...Continue Reading

Brabantse Pijl Preview

by Whit

Lost in the hullabaloo surrounding Ghent-Wevelgem’s calendar move to the Sunday before the Tour of Flanders was the race already occupying that date on the calendar. Ironically, the Brabantse Pijl seems to be one of the only events to have benefited from its new spot. Previously held the day after the E3 Prijs, the Brabantse Pijl often suffered from a lackluster start list thanks to the mini-Ronde taking place the day before. Couple that with a rather uninteresting course profile offering none of the climbs or cobbles from the following Sunday’s monument, and you have a race that often struggled...Continue Reading

Monday Musette – Roubaix Wrap-Up

by Whit

All Photos by Tim Vanwichelen Admit it, you found yesterday’s race a bit boring. Unless Cancellara happens to be your favorite rider, there was something a bit anti-climatic about the way he quickly and authoritatively disposed of his competition, motoring away from them all with a little less than 50 kilometers remaining in the race. There was no drama, no tension, and no tactics; he simply picked his moment, and rode off to victory.1. But let’s not allow our unfulfilled expectations to prevent us from giving Spartacus his due. His ride yesterday was nothing short of astounding, the kind of...Continue Reading

Paris-Roubaix – 2010 Live Stream

by Whit

Here’s a link to a USA-friendly live stream of today’s Queen of the Classics, Paris-Roubaix.Follow us on Twitter for live commentary!Enjoy! ...Continue Reading

Paris-Roubaix – 2010 Predictions

by Whit

And you thought I’d leave you without a prediction. In fact, I have two:My heart wants a win for either George Hincapie or Filippo Pozzato, with Hincapie getting the nod because he’s running out of time for it. I want him to win solo, with time to savor the moment. Post-race, we’ll see a long line of defeated men waiting patiently to shake his hand.Result:1. George Hincapie2. Tom Boonen3. Fabian Cancellara4. Juan Antonio Flecha5. Matti BreschelHowever, my head thinks the win goes to Juan Antonio Flecha, after taking advantage of a moment of hesitation from Cancellara and Boonen. Boonen will...Continue Reading