2011 Classic Season Awards – Part 1

Posted on May 5, 2011 by

Fotoreporter Sirotti

With the Giro d’Italia imminent, the terrible truth is that the Classics Season has drawn to a close. We here at Pavé thought it would be fitting that in lieu of bestowing Rider of the Month (which we have probably already made quite clear) and Team of the Month, as we are accustomed to publishing, we could commemorate such a spectacular set of races with a series of awards. The award articles will be unveiled in two parts; stay tuned for Part Two shortly. As with Rider of the Month and Team of the Month, any of the winners may feel free to be in touch with us for a gift basket.

Best Team

Despite the team’s failure to win a Monument, Leopard-Trek was the spring’s most consistent team, placing a rider on the final podium in Milan-San Remo, the E3 Prijs (the squad’s lone victory), Ghent-Wevelgem, the Ronde, Paris-Roubaix, and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, with Frank Schleck also winning the Criterium International. While the squad failed to live up to the hype it created heading into the season, Leopard certainly performed better than any other first year team in recent years, and many if not all of the peloton’s younger squads like Sky, BMC, and Vacansoleil.

Most Spectacular and Amusing Crash

Congrats to Bjorn Leukemans (Vacansoleil) for winning this dubious award for one of his many crashes during Paris-Roubaix. The Belgian rider crashed just before the race entered the Mons-en-Pevele sector, slowly sprawling over Europcar’s Said Haddou in a comical fashion: let’s go to the video tape. Unfortunate for his race, sure, but we’re glad he wasn’t injured.

Best Comeback

While many were hoping that Danilo Di Luca would once again reclaim the title of peloton’s most exciting rider… – ha! Just kidding. Best comeback goes to Nick Nuyens, who has quietly reestablished himself as one of the world’s underrated hardmen. His win at Dward door Vlaanderen alone was enough to make his Belgian fans smile, but he went the whole nine yards by winning de Ronde with a smart racing strategy which was topped off by a cunning and well-timed move in the race’s final kilometers.

Most Disappointing Rider

This year, it seemed that several riders fought very hard for this prestigious award – many in the peloton, it seemed, wanted this to grace their palmares. The clear favorite, however, was Stijn Devolder of Vacansoleil for an outstanding display of disappointment. The current Belgian road race and time trial champion is marketed as a Classics specialist, and due to a disastrous 2010 season he wanted to come back fighting strong. However, due to crashes and ill fortune, his results so far this year have been lacklustre: 69th in Amstel Gold, 37th in Brabantse Pifl, 105th in Paris-Roubaix, 90th in Scheldeprijs, 50th in E3 Prijs, 38th in de Ronde, and 61st in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Needless to say, the Belgian is determined to keep fighting in the hope that his results improve – and in his words, “Resultaten kunnen niet uitblijven.”

Thanks for tuning in, and check back tomorrow for Part 2! Meanwhile – what to you was noteworthy during this year’s Classics campaign? What stood out, and what disappointed? Share your thoughts below.

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

The Sticky Bidon – May 4, 2011

Posted on May 4, 2011 by

Copyright Team Quick-Step/Tim De Waele


Interesting cycling items from across the Internet, May 4, 2011

Seen any cool links we missed? Share ’em in the comments below!

Posted in Featured, Sticky Bidon | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Boonen to BMC? Don’t Be Surprised

Posted on May 4, 2011 by

Photo by Luc Claessen, ISPA Photo

 

While everyone’s talking about the pending divorce of Omega Pharma-Lotto, little has been said about the fact that Mr. Tom Boonen’s contract with Quick-Step expires at the end of the 2011 season. Boonen recently announced that he would be riding the Tour and the Vuelta in preparation for a world championship course that suits him immensely. After all, a new rainbow jersey would certainly enhance the fading Belgian star’s marketability or possibly entice a new team to pull the trigger sooner, hoping to get a deal on a rider that might soon become World Champion.

But who might that team be?  While the door has presumably been left open for the Belgian to return to Quick-Step, I have a hunch that Boonen will end-up at BMC next season. Here’s why:

1. There’s a vacancy. With the latest round of announcements regarding the Mantova doping ring, Alessandro Ballan is likely headed for a quick exit. 2012 will also be George Hincapie’s final season—possibly just the first half of it—freeing up even more cash for a rider that can command a high salary.

2. BMC has been in the market for a proven classics star since the end of 2010. The squad was one of the teams rumored to have been courting Fabian Cancellara and they’ve also been mentioned as having interest in Philippe Gilbert (although who wouldn’t). Clearly, the money and desire are there. And while Gilbert is the ultimate prize of what could be an interesting market for classic’s stars, Boonen’s worst cobbled campaign is still far better than those of only a handful of riders, making him a more than worthy consolation.

3. The presence of Boonen at BMC would enhance George Hincapie’s chance to win Roubaix in his final try. To anyone watching this year’s race (and maybe the last two or three editions) it’s clear that the window has closed for George to win as a protected team captain. With Boonen garnering most of the competition’s attention, Hincapie could certainly profit from playing the role of a talented, super-domestique—one similar to that played by Johan Vansummeren this year. (And an oft-common Roubaix-winning scenario.)

4. Jim Ochowicz is just “old school” enough not to be worried by Boonen’s antics. It would take more than a little nose candy to scare away a man who’s been around the block as much as Ochowicz has. Cynical yes, but worth mention nonetheless.

5. BMC appears adept at offering new chances to riders seemingly at crossroads in their careers. Before his world title and subsequent move to BMC, Cadel Evans looked to be a rider who just couldn’t get it together to win a big race. Since moving to BMC though, one could argue the past two years have been the best of the Aussie’s career. (Greg Van Avermaet appears headed down a similar path.) After nine years with Patrick Lefevere and Quick-Step, Boonen—who is only 31 next season—would benefit from a change as well.

6. Lastly, Boonen’s presence would offer Taylor Phinney a chance to develop relatively free from pressure while perhaps offering a bit of (I say this with a hint of hesitation) “knowledge” and “expertise” to the young American. At times, Boonen has seemed a bit bored with cycling, perhaps the product of so much success so early in his career. Maybe playing the role of mentor might breathe new life into his career, while offering him a bit of motivation lest he be usurped by his young protégée.

So there you have it—six reasons why I would not be surprised to see Tommeke wearing red and black in 2012. One final disclaimer: this is speculation, not rumor-mongering. I have no inside knowledge to support my claims, just some insights and observations that lead me to believe this is one possible outcome of what is certain to be an exciting transfer period.

Share your comments below.

 

Posted in Featured, Teams | 11 Comments

Product of the Week: Classic Cycling Essentials

Posted on May 4, 2011 by

Classic Cycling Essentials Products

A few weeks ago, I received a package from Classic Cycling Essentials, a small handcrafter of embrocation and cyclists’ toiletry accessories. Brad Ford, the brains behind the business, is a supporter of Pavé, and generously sent us some of his product for us to play with. Plenty has been written about embrocation before – the internet is strewn with writers of cycling websites waxing poetic about the nostalgic, evocative, romantic smell and PRO feel of “belgium knee warmers,” but for a few years, I’ve found a simpler truth. In wet weather, in in-between weather, or in variable weather, an embrocation helps keep the legs comfortable when conventional knee warmers or leg warmers get waterlogged, or hot, sweaty, and clingy.

 

Classic Cycling Essentials’ embrocation comes in two flavors, Mild and Warm, both of which follow a tried-and-true homemade formula – mix oils with beeswax and flavor liberally with capsicum and essential oils. The cedarwood and orange peel give it a bright, woody, and pleasantly pungent smell – not sweet or slightly fruity like Mad Alchemy (which now has to share space on my shelf). Both the Mild and the Warm blends have kept my legs in a warm, pleasant glow when I’ve stubbornly gone riding or racing without legwarmers.

Classic Cycling Essentials also sent Been-Olie Multi-Purpose Massage Oil, which I immediately placed next to the shower for post-legshaving rubdowns. The smell of clove and cedarwood combine to form an almost gingery effect, and the oil sooths and warms the legs nicely. Also occupying a spot on the bathshelf is CCE’s Odie Kallone Wash Tonic, a bright, crisp, and freshly scented tonic that’s perfect for wiping myself down after a quick ride or commute when I don’t have the need or the time for a full shower. It’s not strong enough to turn heads, but it’s a nice way to wipe off a layer of sweat, and, via your nostrils, perk you up when it’s hard to transition from the part of the day when you’re riding or training, to the rest of your responsibilities.

Having had the opportunity to try all these products – the Warm embrocation slightly begrudgingly on another unseasonably un-springlike cold and rainy race day here in Minneapolis – I’m pleased to recommend them.

Editor’s Note: As special thank you to our readers, Classic Cycling Essentials is pleased to offer a special discount to anyone who includes the code “Pave 2011” with an order. In addition to your discount, a portion of the proceeds will help support Pavé. Thanks!

 

Posted in Equipment, Featured | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

The Sticky Bidon – May 3, 2011

Posted on May 3, 2011 by

Fotoreporter Sirotti


Interesting cycling items from across the Internet, May 3, 2011

Seen any cool links we missed? Share ’em in the comments below!

Posted in Featured, Sticky Bidon | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Gilbert Needs A Lieutenant

Posted on May 3, 2011 by

Fotoreporter Sirotti


There is some reporting floating around that Phillipe Gilbert is interested in racing with Vacansoleil’s Bjorn Leukemans at whatever team he winds up when his contract with Omega Pharma-Lotto expires.

Gilbert and Leukemans aren’t strangers to each other, clearly. They took first and second at the Brabantse Pijl this year, riding away from the field together and staring each other down as they entered the final kilometer. They are two powerful racers who know each other’s racing style, strengths, and share an affinity for the classics.

Given Gilbert’s intention to win all five Monuments, Leukemans would be a valuable asset. At Omega Pharma-Lotto, Gilbert does not lack for capable domestiques. In addition to Jelle Vanendert, who rode an impressive Ardennes week in support of Gilbert and netted some decent results (including 6th at la Fleche Wallone), Gilbert could count on Jussi Veikkanen, Jurgen Van Den Broeck, and Jan Bakelants (up until the closing kilometers of Liege-Bastogne-Liege, that is).

But to win the rest of the Monuments – specifically, de Ronde and Paris-Roubaix – Gilbert doesn’t need a domestique. He needs a Lieutenant, a powerful foil in the group behind him that would make rivals unable to respond to his attack (on a hellingen or on the pavé) unwilling to chase, lest they give a free ride to the front to a potential winner. Gilbert’s got guys who can put the hurt on a field, chase down a late break (see Amstel Gold 2011) and set him up for an attack. But he needs a teammate who can win a race, and with that threat, give Gilbert a long enough leash to leave the rest of the race behind.

I think Leukemans is that guy. Will they wind up together? We’ll see. This year’s transfer season promises intrigue for the 2012 Classics Season, as QuickStep and Omega Pharma-Lotto both look to be shook up with expiring contracts with both sponsors and riders.

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