Author Archives: Whit

About Whit

My experiences might easily fit many cycling fans' definitions of “living the dream.” Since getting hooked on the sport watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship, I've raced as an amateur on Belgian cobbles, traveled Europe to help build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux. As a former assistant director sportif with Mercury-Viatel, I've also seen the less dreamy side of the sport – the side rife with broken contracts, infighting, and positive dope tests. These days, I live with my lovely wife in Pennsylvania and share my experiences and views on the sport at Bicycling Magazine, the Embrocation Cycling Journal, and at my own site, Pavé.

Monday Musette – Wrapping-up the Ronde

Posted on April 4, 2011 by

  Two Monuments down and two to go so far this spring—can it get any more exciting? Here’s what we saw during yesterday’s Tour of Flanders: 1. With his fantastic win yesterday, Saxo Bank-Sunguard’s Nick Nuyens joined the upper echelon of contemporary Belgian classics stars, adding the Ronde to a resume that already includes the … Continue reading →

Posted in Featured, Races | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

2011 Tour of Flanders/Ronde van Vlaanderen – Preview

Posted on April 1, 2011 by

  After his dominant performance in last Saturday’s E3 Prijs Vlaanderen, Leopard Trek’s Fabian Cancellara is the undisputed top favorite for Sunday’s Tour of Flanders.  So the question remains: can anyone defeat him? Here’s a rundown of ten riders I feel have the best chance to upset Spartacus in his bid for a second-consecutive victory … Continue reading →

Posted in Featured, Races | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

3 Days of De Panne – Mid-Race Mini-Preview

Posted on March 29, 2011 by

The 35th KBC Driedaagse van De Panne-Koksijde began today with Stage 1 of the four-stage/three-day event. The final warm-up for many riders before this Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, De Panne has increasingly seen less of the Ronde’s top favorites take part as they choose to avoid risking an event often known for flu-causing weather and … Continue reading →

Posted in Featured, Races | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

2011 Ghent-Wevelgem – Preview

Posted on March 25, 2011 by

  Thanks to its newer spot on the calendar—and a longer, hillier parcours—Ghent-Wevelgem is now the more popular dress rehearsal for next Sunday’s Tour of Flanders. With many of the Ronde’s top favorites using Ghent-Wevelgem as their final warm-up, I expect we’ll seen one of the most star-studded and competitive events in years. Let’s take … Continue reading →

Posted in Featured, Races | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

2011 E3 Prijs Vlaanderen – Preview

Posted on March 25, 2011 by

  Last year, we wondered how Ghent-Wevelgem’s move to the Sunday before Flanders would affect Harelbeke’s E3 Prijs Vlaanderen. This year, we’re starting to get our answer. Tom Boonen, Filippo Pozzato, as well as the entire BMC and Sky teams have opted-out of this year’s edition, causing many to wonder just how long this terrific … Continue reading →

Posted in Featured, Races | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

2011 Dwars door Vlaanderen – What We Noticed

Posted on March 24, 2011 by

  Welcome back, Nick! With a fantastic win in yesterday’s Dwars door Vlaanderen, Saxo Bank’s Nick Nuyens resurrected a career—and a classics team—that many felt had been left for dead.  Here’s what we noticed: 1. So let me get this straight: Rabobank signed Matti Breschel—last year’s Dwars winner, to replace Nick Nuyens—this year’s Dwars winner. … Continue reading →

Posted in Featured, Races | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments