Flèche Wallone Preview

Posted on April 21, 2010 by

Like many of this year’s spring classics, tomorrow’s Flèche Wallone has changed its parcours in an effort to create a more exciting finale in a race that traditionally has ended with a “field sprint” up the Mur de Huy. With pitches topping-out at 25%, the iconic Mur tests the riders’ legs 3 times—with the final ascent constituting the race’s final kilometer. Beginning in Charleroi, the race makes a beeline for Huy, where it then begins the first of two laps in the Ardennes. The first tour covers 100 kilometers and 6 climbs before ending with a second ascent of the Mur. With the new parcours, a shorter, 30-kilometer tour is now all that separates the riders from the finish line. The final lap includes only 1 climb, the Côte d’Ereffe, but with the penultimate ascent of the Mur now coming a mere 30 kilometers from the finish line, some expect a much smaller group of favorites to remain in contention for win by the time the race returns to Huy.

Unlike many mid-week classics, Flèche Wallone rarely produces a surprise winner as the Mur de Huy proves adept at separating the men from the boys. That said, here’s a ranking of the top-15 men taking the line in Charleroi with realistic aspirations to take the win.

15. Pierrick Fedrigo’s been targeting the Ardennes ever since his summit finish stage win and overall title at the Criterium International in March. The BBox rider used the Circuit de la Sarthe as his final preparation for the week, finishing 11th overall in the process. While he cannot be expected outsprint the top favorites should a large group hit the bottom of the Mur de Huy, he is just the type of rider to capitalize should a breakaway emerge following the climb’s penultimate ascension 30 kilometers from the finish. It’s been a terrific spring for BBox, can the Frenchman continue the trend?

14. Fedrigo’s teammate Thomas Voeckler is another rider who might be looking to upset the main favorites from a late-race breakaway. A punchy, aggressive rider unafraid to initiate important selections, Voeckler’s clearly in shape following his 6th-place finish in the Brabantse Pijl. An aggressive ride by Voeckler would go a long way toward making this one of the most successful French springs in recent memory.

13. Joaquin Rodriguez comes to Flèche Wallone hoping to rebound from his DNF in Sunday’s Amstel Gold Race. Rodriguez might benefit should he find himself free to play the role of Katusha’s joker, covering moves and setting things up for his Russian co-captains, Alexandr Kolobnev and Sergei Ivanov. If given some free rein inside the final hour, Rodriguez could earn Katusha its first win in the Ardennes.

12. Ryder Hesjedal’s 2nd-place Sunday was the Canadian’s best one-day result to date. He’ll benefit from the Christian Vandevelde’s addition to Garmin’s squad in the Ardennes. Hesjedal’s not afraid to attack if he feels the moment is right. The Côte d’Ereffe 11 kilometers from the finish could be just the springboard he needs to take another important win for his American team.

11. Chris Horner’s 10th-place in the Amstel Gold Race followed closely on the heels of his win the Tour of the Basque Country—clearly the American from Team Radio Shack is in the form of his life. Like others, Horner’s an aggressive rider who’s unafraid to take matters into his own hands. With Haimar Zubeldia, Yaroslav Popovych, and Andreas Kloden joining him in Charleroi, Horner has the firepower and team support he needs to take the win.

10. Sergei Ivanov’s performance in Sunday’s Amstel Gold Race proved his win last year was no fluke. (His 10-day training camp in Tenerife seems to be paying dividends as well.) Overshadowed by the Russian’s victory last year is the fact that he followed it with a 13th-place finish in Flèche Wallone and a 5th-place finish in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. With a new finale and a deep team supporting him, Ivanov’s not to be overlooked.

9. Rabobank’s Robert Gesink comes to Flèche Wallone hoping to avenge a poor performance by his team in last Sunday’s race. Flèche’s relatively short distance compared to other classics benefits Gesink—especially against such tough competition. Gesink could use a win tomorrow to prove he has the mental and physical toughness to contend in major one-day events.

8. Alexandr Kolobnev is the third Katusha rider to make the top-15 for Wednesday. Kolobnev’s been knocking on the door of a big win for some time now; his last gasp attack inside the final 10 kilometers Sunday almost gave it to him. If he and his teammates can work cohesively to attack and counter-attack the lead group, one of them might just be able to break free for victory. Given his performance Sunday and his steady progression, Kolobnev is his team’s best chance for the win.

7. Roman Kreuziger and Liquigas come to the Ardennes hoping to end their spring campaign with a win. Like Robert Gesink, Kreuziger’s someone who seems to falter in the crucial moments of major one-day events, missing moves, making poor choices, or crashing on his way to just missing the win. He has the form necessary to find success Wednesday and is bolstered by a powerful teammate in Vincenzo Nibali. If he does it, he’ll take his biggest one-day win since he won the Junior World Championship in 2004.

6. Damiano Cunego awoke from his slumber to take an impressive 6th-place Sunday. Given Cunego’s quiet build-up to this week’s races, one can only assume the Italian’s better days are still to come. For a rider often known for timing his peaks too early, this might be a good thing. With a unified team supporting him, Cunego could easily take his first Ardennes victory Wednesday. Or, he could use this year’s Flèche to put the finishing touches on his form for Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège, a race that’s eluded him in the past.

5. Omega Pharma-Lotto’s Philippe Gilbert has made it known that he’s focusing more on Liège than Flèche. Seeing as he’s been more or less at a top level since Milan-San Remo, it’s hard to blame him for carefully picking his battles. That said, following his dominating performance in Amstel don’t be surprised to find Gilbert in a position to take the win Wednesday. Sometimes a good bluff makes all the difference!

4. Alejandro Valverde missed last Sunday’s race due to the volcanic ash-related European airport closures. He comes to Flèche Wallone—a race he won in 2006—in good form and backed by a proven team including world #1 Luis Leon Sanchez. That said, I wonder if the lost weekend will have a negative effect on the Spanish star. With the majority of his competition having raced last weekend, Valverde might need Flèche to “clean out the pipes” or “prime the needle” so to speak. If that’s the case, look for a relatively subpar performance Wednesday followed by fireworks in Liège. If it isn’t—well, you know.

3. Cadel Evans has ridden well this season but fallen short of scoring his first win for BMC. Flèche Wallone is his latest chance to show if his rainbow jersey will give him the confidence to win major races on a more consistent basis. He worked dutifully Sunday to position teammate Karsten Kroon for the victory and still had enough left to finish 13th, an indicator of his fitness. Evans has come close in Flèche before, finishing 5th last year and 2nd the year before. With a team motivated to earn it’s first big win, Evans might just have what it takes to hit the podium’s top step.

2. Give Astana’s Alberto Contador credit for wanting to win more races than just the Tour de France. After his 3rd stage race win of the season in last week’s Vuelta a Castilla y Lyon, the Spaniard comes to Flèche hoping to add a classic to his tally. If not for the uncertainty following changes to the parcours, Contador might be the #1 favorite, as he possesses an uphill acceleration few can match. Contador is relatively unproven in major one-day events, though. There’s a different rhythm to a stage race, especially when you’re waiting for the mountains to plan your attack. Then again, this is Alberto Contador we’re talking about—he’s simply too talented to be discounted.

1. Saxo Bank’s Andy Schleck is my top favorite for this year’s Flèche Wallone. He has what might be the best team in the race supporting him, he’s clearly in-form, and he knows these roads well. Schleck’s attacks in the finale of last Sunday’s race might have easily obliterated the field, yet he appearred strangely uninterested in taking the bull by the horns. Maybe he’s more focused on winning another Liège-Bastogne-Liège—or maybe he’s just biding his time. Regardless, look for the younger Schleck to take the win tomorrow—possibly standing atop a podium that resembles the Tour de France more than a spring classic.

So that’s my take—what about you? Who are your picks for tomorrow’s Flèche Wallone? Share your comments below.

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Monday Musette – Amstel Gold Race Wrap-Up

Posted on April 19, 2010 by

Phillippe Gilbert finally took a victory in a major spring classic, winning yesterday’s Amstel Gold Race with an impressive surge up the final ascent of the Cauberg. It was an exciting finish to a rather quiet race, as the favorites seemed content to wait until the final to begin testing their legs.

Here’s what I noticed:

1. Credit Gilbert for another aggressive performance in a major classic. Gilbert covered, attacked, chased, and still had something left at the end to take the win. I’ll admit I was a bit surprised to see him pull it off—I feared he went on the attack too early, perhaps overestimating his fitness. And credit Jurgen Vandenbroeck with some fabulous teamwork in support of his captain—without his efforts to bring back Sergei Ivanov between the Fromberg and Keutenberg, we might have had a different result. Now Gilbert heads into the Ardennes as a top favorite to take both Fleche Wallone and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, a serious threat for the first “Triple Crown” since Davide Rebellin’s in 2004. And while we’re at it, let’s credit Gilbert for an excellent spring including top-10 results in Milan-San Remo, Ghent-Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders, and the Brabantse Pijl. If he continues his winning ways, he might just make Belgium forget about its lackluster cobbled campaign.

2. As for Ryder Hesjedal, he has to be the happiest rider ever to lose a race following his 2nd-place performance. Hesjedal’s evolution from mountain biker to elite roadie is well-documented. Following an impressive ride in Pais Vasco, the Canadian seems primed for more success over the coming days. While the Muur de Huy might be a tough sprint for him to win, Liege-Bastogne-Liege might suit his talents a bit more. With Christian Vandevelde and Daniel Martin joining the team in Belgium, it looks to be a good week for Garmin.

3. I completely omitted Astana from my race preview Saturday, a terrible oversight considering I’ve been one of only a few to consistently herald the team’s recent performances. While hindsight’s always 20/20, I’m not at all surprised by Enrico Gasparotto’s 3rd-place finish considering his aggressive riding thus far. With Maxim Iglinsky, Andre Grivko, and Gasparoto, Astana’s future in the northern classics looks bright. And with Alberto Contador arriving in time for the Ardennes events, Astana’s successful spring looks certain to continue.

4. When Bert De Waele burst from the peloton midway up the Cauberg, I momentarily wondered if Belgium’s first major win of the season might come from the most unlikely of places. My hopes were immediately dashed, but chapeau to De Waele for his 4th-place finish. It’s been quite a year for Belgian Continental teams, as teams like Topsport Vlaanderen and Landbouwkrediet have more than proven they deserve invitations to bigger races.

5. As for Liquigas, Roman Kreuziger took 5th-place while Vincenzo Nibali came in 21st. The duo rode well yesterday, ultimately falling a bit short in the end. Clearly, Kreuziger’s the more aggressive of the two, while Nibali might be more suited to a role as a super-lieutenant. Fleche is a race well-suited Kreuziger’s talents, especially with Nibali covering attacks and perhaps driving the group into the bottom of the climb. All in all, with two more races and two incredibly gifted captains, there’s still hope for a big win at Liquigas.

6. I was pleased to see Damiano Cunego’s competitive performance yesterday. Clearly he’s rid of the sickness that knocked him out of Pais Vasco, and ready to make a serious attempt at winning one of the Ardennes classics. His Lampre teammates rode cohesively to position him well for the finale—a good sign heading into Fleche and Liege. If Cunego continues to progress between now and Sunday, Italy could grab its first win of the classics.

7. Led by the Schleck brothers, Saxo Bank rode another aggressive race—even though they fell short in the end. Of the two, Andy clearly appears to be the stronger man—he put in some attacks that could have been devastating had he been willing to see them through. When it was all said a dn done, Frank ended the day better than his younger brother, but I think Saxo Bank’s “all about Andy” at this point. With one more week in his legs, the champion of Luxembourg will be ready for a repeat at Liege. As for my pre-race pick, Jens Voigt failed to finish—we’re both looking to Fleche for some redemption.

8. As for Vacansoleil, Marco Mancato’s 8th-place finish was the best they could muster—but not for lack of trying. Mancato and teammates Johnny Hoogerland and Bjorn Leukemans rode an aggressive and tactically sound race, doing what they could to force a selection before the race re-entered Valkenburg. Vacansoleil has inexplicably not been invited to the Ardennes, so Amstel was effectively the end of the team’s classics campaign. But with several high finishes in the major cobbled classics, I think the Dutch squad has enough reasons to consider the month a success. The first item on Vacansoleil’s “To Do” list? Re-signing Bjorn Leukemans.

9. BMC’s Karsten Kroon led the squad Sunday with a respectable, yet unspectacular 9th-place finish. World Champion Cadel Evans raced true to his word, closing gaps and reeling-in attacks to set-up his Dutch teammate for a possible home win. (Too bad he wasn’t racing for Phillippe Gilbert this time.) Evans looks ready to tackle the races in the Ardennes, perhaps boosted by newfound confidence following his world title in Mendrisio. With Gilbert and Cunego arriving in terrific form as well, we might get a replay of last year’s fireworks.

10. Chris Horner carries the hopes for Team Radio Shack. His 10th place bodes well for the next 2 races, but it’s hard to see Horner overcoming the likes of Gilbert, Cunego, and Valverde. Still, stranger things have happened and could again—especially if Horner happens to find himself in a break with top favorites more eager to stare at one another than cover surprise attacks from a savvy veteran.

11. As for Rabobank, before the race, would you have thought the team’s first finisher would be Paul Martens? Would you have bet not one of the team’s riders would finish inside the top-10? Robert Gesink raced aggressively, but faded toward the end; while Oscar Freire did well to arrive at the bottom of the Cauberg fresh and in good position before succumbing to riders more suited to the Cauberg’s steeper pitches. In the end, it was a disappointing day for a team expected by many to be the strongest in the race. Look for Gesink to rebound at Fleche Wallone where distance won’t be a limiting factor.

12. Last but not least, give credit to Katusha’s merry band of Russians for doing their best to take the race into their own hands. Sergei Ivanov and Alexandr Kolobnev put in several attacks, hoping one would stick. Kolobnev came closest—he had a decent gap heading into the final climb but fell victim to the surges of fresh chase group. Joaquin Rodriguez abandoned after being dropped in the last hour. If he can rebound in time for Wednesday, Katusha might have what it takes to avenge yesterday’s near-misses.

And what about you? Were you as bored as I was during the first hour or two of live coverage? Please share your comments and insights below.

Come back tomorrow for a preview of Wednesday’s Fleche Wallone. And if you’re in the area, consider joining us at Sunday’s Fools Classic, a terrific classic-inspired ride in scenic Bucks County. Pre-registration’s open for another few hours!

Have a great day!

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Amstel Gold Race Preview

Posted on April 17, 2010 by

This preview is admittedly very late in coming to you—for that, I apologize. On the other hand, the unexpected delay might just have worked in my favor as it’s allowed me to take into account the effects of the Northern European airport closures due to the Icelandic volcanic eruption.

The Amstel Gold Race can be a tough race to predict. Stuck between the cobbled and the Ardennes classics, Amstel often attracts both riders hoping to make amends for missed opportunities in Flanders and Roubaix and men peaking for the following week’s Fleche Wallone and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. And then of course there are those (mostly Dutch) teams hoping to win Amstel for it’s own merits—and to please home sponsors and fans. With such a diverse group of riders, teams, and talents, I think a team-by-team approach to an Amstel Gold Race Preview is more appropriate and efficient. Let’s take a look:

5-Stone Favorites
The Amstel Gold Race is Rabobank’s Super Bowl, World Cup Final, Master’s Championship—whatever important sporting analogy you want to make. It’s also a race they haven’t won since Erik Dekker took the title in 2001—incidentally, that was also the last time a Dutchman won the event. Rabobank comes to this year’s event with what it without a doubt, the deepest and most talented roster. Oscar Freire and Robert Gesink are the team’s designated leaders, but look for Nick Nuyens to play a role as well following a brief respite last weekend. As for Lars Boom, I wouldn’t expect too much. An intense spring schedule seems to be taking its toll on the young Dutchman who admitted after last Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix that the extra distance of the classics seems to be a bit much right now. As for the race itself, look for Rabobank to attack early, possibly with Sebastian Langeveld, thus easing the pressure on the team to chase. Robert Gesink animated the finale last year—look for much of the same this year as Gesink’s form seems to be cresting at just the right time. And should those attacks prove fruitless, there’s Oscar Freire waiting in the wings, a powerful sprinter able to handle the distance and parcours. Overall, it’s Rabo’s race to lose.

If Rabobank does lose the race, the defeat might come at the hand of last year’s winning team, Katusha. Sergei Ivanov won last year following cunning ride, exploiting the youthful aggression of men like Roman Kreuziger and Robert Gesink to take the biggest win of his long career. This year, Katusha comes to Maastricht with heavier expectations, bolstered by the additions of Alexandr Kolobnev and Joaquin Rodriguez, two men with proven track records in Amstel and the Ardennes. And don’t forget Filippo Pozzato, a man looking for some consolation following a regretful spring. Last weekend’s top-10 ride at Roubaix could prove to be just the boost Pippo needs to take the classic win we all expected—albeit 1 or 2 weeks later. In the end, the team’s best chance might just be Kolobnev, a rider whose steady progression through the ranks brings him to the race rightfully expecting a win. Could he become Katusha’s second-consecutive Russian victor?

4-Stone Favorites
Omega Pharma-Lotto is the only team in the Pro Tour not to have won a race this season—a mark that surpasses even last year’s fruitless start to the season. Phillippe Gilbert looks to change that between now and next Sunday though, hoping he has reclaimed the terrific form he displayed last autumn from Paris-Tours through the Tour of Lombardy. He’s supported by a talented, but somewhat untested team—if they all ride to their potential they could fare quite well. Regardless, Gilbert is enough to make this team a contender if for no other reason than he’s maybe the strongest rider in the race. The question remains how aggressively Gilbert will race—will he go for it all in Amstel, or perhaps save a bit extra for Liege-Bastogne-Liege? Given his team’s winless record, it’s hard to believe he’ll leave anything in reserve.

Vacansoleil’s performed surprisingly well this spring, particularly when compared to teams with bigger budgets. With a talented and in-form group of riders taking the line tomorrow, Vacansoleil just might end its classics campaign on top. The only regret Vacansoleil has about Bjorn Leukemans right now is that he’s Belgian and not Dutch. With top-10 rides in most of the cobbled classics—including Flanders and Roubaix—Leukemans seems poised to be a major protagonist Sunday. In Wednesday’s Brabantse Pijl, he made the elite chase group including Phillippe Gilbert and Thomas Voeckler, indicating that he hasn’t lost a step following his aggressive ride in Roubaix the Sunday before. With Johnny Hoogerland and Marco Mancato—two dark horse candidates to take the win themselves—Vacansoleil has three men able to make the important selections late into the race.

Liquigas heads to Amstel led by Roman Kreuziger and Vincenzo Nibali. Kreuziger has grown more and more animated in one-day races, beginning with an aggressive performance at last year’s Amstel. With another year of experience under his belt, he seems poised to take what would be his first major win in a single-day event. As for Nibali, it’s hard to forget his inspired ride in the finale of last month’s Milan-San Remo. With a month of training since then, Nibali could show the world that he’s more than a Tour de France contender—giving Italy something to cheer for in the process. With a team including Manuel Quinziato, Liquigas might just have what it takes to claim the podium’s top step.

3-Stone Favorites
It’s a shame Saxo Bank’s Fabian Cancellara decided against racing Sunday, for he might just have taken what would have been an unprecedented 3rd straight major classic—not that he can be blamed following his wins in the E3 Prijs, Flanders, and Roubaix. Without Spartacus, Saxo Bank will rely on Andy and Frank Schleck to continue the team’s impressive win streak. Frank won this race in 2006, while Andy won last year’s Liege-Bastogne-Liege; clearly both men know how to peak for this week’s events. With Jakob Fulsgang, Nicki Sorensen, and Jens Voigt keeping things under control, the Schleck’s should have a comfortable ride to the point when things become competitive. And don’t forget Voigt—he’s just the type of rider to pull an upset in a race like Amstel—as evidenced by Ivanov’s win last year.

BMC has to be a bit disappointed following the cobbled classics where it’s much heralded trio of cobblers fell short of success. Since Roubaix, George Hincapie’s gone home and Alessandro Ballan continues to wait for word following his “suspension” pending some information from the Mantova drug investigation. Marcus Burghardt is the last main piece of BMC’s cobbled contingent; he takes the line tomorrow hoping for a bit of redemption. That said, BMC’s real chance for a win comes from last year’s 2nd-place rider, Karsten Kroon. Kroon’s been stuck in the shadow of more popular riders for years, but he should not be overlooked tomorrow, especially since Cadel Evans pledged his support to his Dutch teammate—at least for this week.

2-Stone Favorites
Radio Shack’s Sebastien Rosseler took Belgium’s first classics win of the year in Wednesday’s Brabantse Pijl, but despite the victory he’s not riding Amstel. Instead, The Shack’s looking to recent Pais Vasco winner Chris Horner to continue his winning form. Horner seems to have kicked the crash demons of last season; the veteran could surprise the heavy favorites if his team can keep him out of trouble in what is often a nervous and hectic race.

Lampre’s Damiano Cunego went home from Pais Vasco with a some form of a stomach flu, ironically just as the s*** was beginning to hit the fan (no pun intended) in Mantova. He’s listed as starting Sunday’s race where he’s hoping to add another title to the one he earned in 2008. I have little reason to believe he’s up to the challenge this year—especially given the depth of the competition—but Cunego’s still not someone to be ignored.

Team Sky’s focus now turns to the Ardennes, where Australian Simon Gerrans looks to build upon his top results from last season. With the support of a talented, yet underrated team (that might include Bradley Wiggins—the reports are conflicting), he just might take the next step, adding a classic to his stage wins from all three grand tours.

1-Stone Favorites
HTC-Columbia brings only 6 riders due to the race following Mother Nature’s collaboration with the Norse gods. But Michael Albasini, Tony Martin, Maxime Monfort, Marco Pinotti, and the Velits borthers are 6 riders any team would love to have. With little pressure and nothing to lose, HTC just might surprise you.

Garmin-Transitions brings a young squad to tomorrow’s Dutch classic. Ryder Hesjedal impressed many with a fine performance in Pais Vasco, while Michael Kreder’s been riding like anything but a neo-pro. While a win might be a bit out of reach given the tough competition, look for Hesjedal in the top-10 and Kreder in the top-15—if the extra distance doesn’t take it’s toll.

As for my official prediction, while I’d to see Phillippe Gilbert take what would be his first major spring classic, something tells me we’re in for a bit of surprise tomorrow. The flight cancellations have undoubtedly thrown several riders—especially those expecting to fly-in—off their typical pre-race routines. The race will be exciting and aggressive, perfect for a man like Jens Voigt. Look for Saxo Bank to continue it’s win streak!

Wherever you are, enjoy tomorrow’s race—and all apologies for the late posting. If the gods smile upon me, I’ll be Twittering away once live coverage begins. You can sign-up to follow me here.

Enjoy your evening and share your picks and comments below.

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Brabantse Pijl Wrap-Up

Posted on April 14, 2010 by

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 closer.

But the gap help, and as the leaders traded punches up the final ascent, it was easy to feel the pain in their legs. They seemed to beg one another to attack, thereby ending their shared misery sooner.

Here’s what I noticed:

1. It’s hard to believe Team Radio Shack has won a (semi-) classic and Quick Step and Omega Pharma-Lotto have not. Credit Sebastien Rosseler with what is looking to be the finest season of his career following a stage win in the Volta Algarve, a good finish in Roubaix, and now a win in Brabant. Along with Chris Horner and Tiago Machado, Rosseler and Radio Shack can head to Amstel and the Ardennes confident in their chances to take an even more impressive victory.

2. As for Thomas De Gendt, his 2nd-place finish continues the impressive performance of Topsport Vlaanderen this spring. The Belgian Continental squad now has 2nd-place finishes in both Ghent-Wevelgem and the Brabantse Pijl—that’s more than several Pro Tour teams can boast.

3. On the flipside, Jurgen Vandewalle’s 3rd-place finish continues Quick Step’s string of “close, but no cigar” finishes in major races—but not in a good way. The team now heads to Amstel and the Ardennes with no viable candidates for victories—unless Sylvain Chavanel and Carlos Barredo can turn today’s “training” into some top-level fitness.

4. Phillippe Gilbert seems right where he needs to be for the next 10 days. He cannot be blamed for assuming the day’s first breakaway would be caught and he rode aggressively to do what he could to take the win. It was the perfect warm-up for Amstel and the Ardennes, where he’ll certainly be a top-favorite. His teammate, Greg Van Avermaet, is riding well too; should Gilbert prove heavily-marked, he might get a chance to try for the win for himself this Sunday.

5. Thomas Voeckler deserves consideration Sunday as well following a solid performance in Brabant. His BBox team has been one of the biggest surprises of the classics thus far, playing a role in just about every race it’s entered.

6. As suspected, Bjorn Leukemans played an important role in today’s race, coming a bit short of the win I predicted. Leukemans is well-suited to the Amstel Gold Race; with teammates like Marco Mancato and Johnny Hoogerland riding well, the squad could score it’s biggest win to date—and on home turf no less.

7. And speaking of home turf, Rabobank appears set for Sunday’s Amstel Gold Race with both Oscar Freire and Nick Nuyens ready to try for the win. Freire seems particularly fast right now following his week at Pais Vasco. If Rabobank can bring the race together for the finale Sunday, look for Freire to grab the victory.

8. Karsten Kroon looked comfortable today, riding to a respectable 15th-place finish. Kroon’s likely to be BMC’s sole leader for Sunday in Holland—could he do what his more-heralded teammates could not?

9. And finally, give credit to Garmin’s Micheal Kreder for a terrific result (21st)—this kid’s clearly a talent for the future!

Overall, it was a terrific race, and perfect warm-up for Amstel, Fleche, and Liege. As word spreads, look for the start list to grow more impressive as well.

That’s it for me—share your comments and feedback below!

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Brabantse Pijl Preview

Posted on April 13, 2010 by

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 put on a big show for the sponsors and fans. Oftentimes, the event was won by riders more suited to the Amstel Gold Race or the Ardennes classics, hence the decision to bump it to the Wednesday before Amstel, a terrific warm-up for the next 10 days of racing in Holland and the Ardennes.

The race itself has changed as well. Originally starting in Zaventem, the race traditionally came to its conclusion following several local laps of a finishing circuit in the Brussels suburb of Alsemberg. In 2008, the race moved to begin Leuven; and this year, the race ends with several laps in Overijse, a town cyclocross fans might recognize from the annual race held there.

All in all, the Brabantse Pijl takes-in about 200 kilometers of some of the Province of Brabant’s finest roads, skirting back and forth between Flanders and Wallonia in the process. For me, the “new” Brabantse Pijl takes on a personal significance, as the course includes several of the roads I used for training during my lackluster days as student/racer. But I digress.

As I said before, the event’s new place on the calendar makes it an important appointment for riders looking to fine tune their form in preparation for Sunday’s Amstel Gold Race. Let’s have a look at the teams and riders expected to make their mark:

Rabobank’s a squad we’ll be hearing a lot about over the coming days as they prepare for the most important one-day race of their season this Sunday. Rabo’s won 5 of the last 10 editions, with Oscar Freire taking 3 of them. Freire is starting tomorrow; he’s supported by a strong team including Nick Nuyens, a man hoping to be the first Belgian to win an important race in Belgium this season.

Phillippe Gilbert’s another man hoping to earn a win—doing so would open accounts both for Belgium and his Omega Pharma-Lotto squad, one of few remaining teams without a win this year. Greg Van Avermaet joins him in a race that could just as well end in a sprint.

Quick Step’s taking heat for exiting the cobbled classics without a victory. Stijn Devolder was to be the team’s main contender tomorrow, but he’s out due to knee injuries sustained in a fall Sunday in Roubaix. The team might be better off without him though, as Devolver’s absence gives 2008-winner Sylvain Chavanel and the 2009 Clasica San Sebastian-winner Carlos Barredo a chance to race for themselves. Who would have thought this Belgian squad would have to rely on their imports to take its first big win on home soil this season?

Team Sky brings the foundation of its squad for the Ardennes including Simon Gerrans, a man hoping to breakthrough with a win in one of this year’s hillier classics. Michael Barry joins him before taking a well-deserved break following a long spring spent in service of his team.

Garmin brings a younger group to Leuven; Micheal Kreder is one to watch in what will be his first semi-classic appearance of the season. Katusha will be hoping Kim Kirchen can begin to show the form he displayed in the Ardennes 2 years ago when he won Fleche Wallone.

As for Team Radioshack, Sebastien Rosseler finished well at Roubaix on Sunday; he and Frenchman Geoffroy Lequatre lead the squad in Brabant. BBox and BMC will be relying on Thomas Voeckler and Karsten Kroon, respectively. Kroon is a rider to watch come Sunday in Amstel. And for some reason, my gut tells me to keep an eye on Raivis Belohvosciks from Ceramica Flaminia, while Cervelo’s Xavier Florencio deserves consideration following his stage win in Paris-Nice. From Belgium, Landbouwkrediet brings Bert De Waele and Davey Commeyne to races where they could earn top-5 results, and the indefatigable Nico Eeckhout will give it one more try for An Post.

But at the end of the day, the strongest team in the race might just be Vacansoleil, with the Feillu brothers, Borut Borzic, Johnny Hoogerland, Marco Mancato (who’s won some races recently), and Bjorn Leukemans. While the Feillu’s and Borzic might not be the best picks, Hoogerland, Mancato, and Leuekemans all deserve consideration—especially if Leukemans has recovered from his effort Sunday.

As for my prediction, I think Gilbert might race conservatively in advance of Sunday’s race and Freire might prove a bit rusty following some time in between races. And while I’d like to think Chavanel or Barredo could finally finish the job for Quick Step, I have to go with Bjorn Leukemans. He’s enjoying incredible form, has something to prove following a string of near-misses, and knows the roads in this area well. He’s my pick.

And what about you? Share your comments below.

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Monday Musette – Roubaix Wrap-Up

Posted on April 12, 2010 by
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 dominating performance we see in a classic only once every 20 years or so. As we did after his win in Flanders, we must credit Cancellara’s team for providing him with a stress-free ride to the race’s decisive phases. Saxo Bank controlled the peloton for much of the day, at one point having 7 men spread across the front of the leading peloton. Interestingly, the man widely assumed to be Cancellara’s strongest teammate, Matti Breschel, disappeared just as things got interesting. But in the end, the day belonged to Fabian Cancellara, a truly worthy winner, and the second Swiss rider to complete the Flanders-Roubaix Double. The question now is whether or not Cancellara will take a shot at the Amstel Gold Race and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Given what we’ve seen, I won’t discount his chances. Will you?

2. Thor Hushovd raced to a fine 2nd-place, the first of two Cervélo riders in the top-5. Thor overcame much this spring, ultimately going one better than his 3rd-place in last year’s edition. He rode a relatively quiet race, receiving some criticism for his apparent unwillingness to help Boonen chase Cancellara. While it cannot be explained why a team with two men in the group would seem so apprehensive, there’s the distinct possibility that they just had nothing to give. When you go back and watch the highlights, it’s clear that each rider was at his limit and doing everything he could just to hold the wheel directly in front of him. Congratulations as well to Thor’s teammate, Roger Hammond, for another great ride in Roubaix. Believe it or not, it’s not Hammond’s best result on the pavé though; he finished 3rd in 2004.

3. Juan Antonio Flecha put Team Sky on the podium in the team’s first foray into Hell with 3rd-place on the day. Overall, it’s the Spaniard’s third visit to the podium in Roubaix and his fifth finish inside the top-6. Sky’s pleased with the ride, but Flecha has to be wondering just what he has to do to win. His team did well to protect him into the race finale and he made no errors, tactical or otherwise. In the end, he simply succumbed to two stronger riders—nothing more, nothing less.

4. Tom Boonen was the day’s biggest loser, taking 5th in a race he was favored to win. Much can be said about Boonen’s performance—there’s a lot of blame to go around. First of all, Boonen’s Quick Step team left its leader far too isolated when the race began to intensify. Even before the Forest of Arenberg, Boonen was all but alone while his competitors—especially Cancellara—had several teammates at their sides. Heading into the final 60 kilometers with a relatively large group, Boonen’s anxiety began to show as he launched a series of unsuccessful attacks inside a span of about 10 kilometers. These were moves that should have been made by his teammates, but they were all too busy dropping-out, crashing, or chasing back to the front. Had Boonen some help in softening the front of the field, he might have had the legs to go with Cancellara’s race-winning attack moments later. Had he been paying attention, that is.

In the end, it’s easy to fault Boonen for a mistake many might have made. The road was wide, the group was tired, and a small group had just escaped to give the group some purpose. Surrounded by other favorites, it was—he thought—the ideal time to slip to the back, grab a drink, stretch his legs, and follow wheels for a bit. While Cancellara certainly wasn’t planning to attack at such a moment, once he looked back and saw Tommeke’s poor placement, he had to take his chance.
Boonen chased valiantly upon realizing the severity of the moment—he was clearly riding at a level better than his companions—but in the end it wasn’t enough to close the gap created during his moment of inattention. Overall, Boonen’s spring was one most riders would love to have had; but for a man boasting such an impressive resume, it’s a disappointment.

5. Bjorn Leukemans continued his impressive run with a 6th-place finish, two spots below his best-ever result in Roubaix. Watching Leukemans bury himself to hold Cancellara’s wheel is perhaps the best highlight of all the cobbled classics. As for his fist pound, I’m not sure Leukemans was responding to Cancellara’s speed as much as he was expressing his frustrations with a front tire that was losing air and a moto that seemed slow to accelerate. (Here’s a great link to a video of the entire sequence–feel free to form your own assumptions.) Regardless, hats-off to Leukemans—let’s see what he does in Amstel.

6. Filippo Pozzato came home in 7th-place, taking the Ballerini Prize as first Italian finisher. It was a good result for the Italian, but one that only begs the question as to what he could have accomplished had he not been hit with the flu in the week leading up to Flanders. The black kit was a nice touch, if for no other reason than it softened the effect of those god-awful Lazer helmet covers.

7. As for Leif Hoste, he can at least say he tried. His attack with Leukemans and Sebastien Hinault set-up Cancellara’s winning attack. His 8th-place finish is a solid result; but looking at the competition, it’s tough to see him ever getting the win he so craves.

Looking down the rest of the finishers from Sunday—which is easy to do considering there were only 74 of them—there are few highlights:

8. George Hincapie was literally right next to Cancellara when the Swiss rider snuck up the left side of the road. I took some heat for touting George’s chances in the days before the race; now it appears I need to read the writing on the wall. One comment yesterday compared George to Levi Leipheimer, another man known more for his misses than his hits. After another Roubaix where George seemed able to do little more than follow, it’s looking like the comparison might be appropriate. I’m sorry George, but maybe Roubaix is one nut you’ll never crack. George’s BMC teammates fared no better; none of them completed the race.

9. Other non-finishers included Peter Sagan and Lars Boom, while Stijn Devolder—after another day spent at or off the back—could manage no better than 42nd.

10. As for Garmin, we expected big things from Tyler Farrar and his colleagues—what we got was Martijn Maaskant in 22nd, the team’s only finisher.

On a day of sunshine and dry conditions, a strong headwind is the most common excuse for the attrition—that and the other-worldly exploits of a rider enjoying the best form of his career. Domination might be boring, but it never fails to impress.

Enjoy your Monday—share your thoughts below.

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