2015 Really started

The cyclo cross season 2014-2015 is over. Matthieu van der Poel (BKP; son of Adri van der Poel and grandson of Raymond Poulidor a.k.a. Poupou) won the World Championship and Superprestige. Kevin Pauwels (SUN) won the World Cup. Congrats!

Last weekend the spring classics have started. First race of the road racing season is traditional the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (d'n Omloop). After a strong ride of Tom Boonen, Niki Terpstra and Stijn Vandenbergh and the others of Ettix Quick Step, Ian Stannard (SKY) was fastest and won the 70th edition of the race.

Picture: Wikipedia

Second course in a row is Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. Mark Cavendish (EQS) beat his rivals in a mass sprint.

Keep on cycling!

Le Tour

This year's Tour de France started Saturday in the UK. In 2015 it will start in Utrecht in the Netherlands. How do I know? Well, see 'my' office.

Picture: Ordina

Keep on cycling!

Race Across America (RAAM)

Today is the start of The Race Across America (RAAM), that is to say: the solo race.

Do you know RAAM? Well, it's the toughest bike race on earth. The competitors cycle from the American West Coast to the East Coast in one stretch over about 3,000 miles (4.800 km). The race isn't divided in stages; it's up to the participants when the rest and for how long. There are competitions for individuals (male/female

In 1982 the Great American Bike Race was organised. Founder John Marino was one of the four participants. Lon Haldeman won in about 9 days 20 hours (12.6 mph or 20,2 km/h). It was the start of a new event, later renamed to RAAM.

Scientist Michael Shermer was one of the participants. Along racing, it was his aim to investigate human behaviour during such extreme sporting events. The phenomenem Shermer's neck is named after him as he wasn't able to head his face up during the 1983 edition. A special frame was made to fix his head. Several athletes suffered this disorder since then. As far as I know, none of them recumbent riders. ;-)

In 1989 a Human Power Vehicle (HPV) category was created. A relay of teams of four. After a stunning race of the teams Gold Rush and Lightning, the first had to abandon the race. So the latter won and set the (relay) record: just over 5 d 01 h (24.0 mph or 38,7 km/h).

Till today, the event is held 32 times. The men solo race is won by 17 cyclists. Both the Americans and Europeans won 15 races. The 2 remaining victories were gained by an Australian racer. Jure Robic (SLO) won 5 times. Twofold winner Christoph Strasser (AUT) holds the speed record of almost 7 d 23 h (15.7 mph or 25,2 km/h) since his victory in 2013.

Today, 48 racers start: 42 males and 6 females. The standings will be pubished live on this site. Will Strasser be able to win his third RAAM?

Keep on cycling!

Paris - Roubaix

Next Sunday, the professionals will race from Paris to Roubaix. One of the five greatest cycing classics. A monument or Queen of Classics.

In fact the peloton will start in Compiegne, a town near Paris. From there they'll ride nearly 260 km towards the Belgium border. The course consist of many cobblestones.

Picture: Edmond Roger

The riders call this course the Hell of the North. However, this is not about the length or the (lack of) pavement. The nickname was born after World War I or the Great War. Riding along the former trenches, they saw the scars in the landscape (again) and realized what had happened over there.

In 2014 it's 100 year after the outbreak of WWI. For those interested, I wrote some book reviews on my other blog: 1913 and The First World War.

Keep on cycling!

It's Spring!

Last weekend the first Flandres courses are ridden. On Saturday March 1st, the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (d'n Omloop; Belgium-Dutch). We saw rain, cobblestones and slopes. Welcome back in Belgium! It was an attractive course, won by Ian Stannard (Sky). 

Picture: freshwater2006

The day after Tom Boonen (OPQS) won Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne. He's the first to win this course three times. Chapeau!

Keep on cycling!

Road racing season 2014

Now the Winter Olympics ("These were the best games ever", at least for the Dutch skaters) are over, it's time to look forward to the 2014 road racing season. Next weekend the first Flandres courses will be ridden. On Saturday March 1st, the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is on the calendar. The day after, Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne is scheduled. So, take a Belgium beer and enjoy! I will!

Keep on cycling!

Brabantse Pijl: victory for Geslin

A day after the E3 Prijs Vlaanderen - Harelbeke, the Brabantse Pijl was scheduled. The victory was for Anthony Geslin (FDJ).

Results:
1. Geslin (FDJ)
2. Pineau (QST)
3. Wegmann (MRM)

Related posts:
E3 Prijs Vlaanderen - Harelbeke: Pozzato wins

E3 Prijs Vlaanderen - Harelbeke: Pozzato wins

On March 28th the E3 Prijs Vlaanderen - Harelbeke was riden. After 200 km through the Flandres landscape Filippo Pozzato (KAT) was the winner.

Results:
1. Pozzato (KAT)

Related posts:
Brabantse Pijl: victory for Geslin
Dwars door Vlaanderen: Van Impe wins

Dwars door Vlaanderen: Van Impe wins

The 2009 edition of Dwars door Vlaanderen was scheduled on March 25th. Winner was Kevin van Impe (QST).

Photo: Dwars door Vlaanderen

Results:
1. Van Impe (QST)
2. Eeckhout (AN POST - SEAN KELLY)
3. Boonen (QST)

Related posts:
Dwars door Vlaanderen: Van Impe wins
100th Milano - Sanremo for Cavendish
Nokere - Koerse: Browne wins

100th Milano - Sanremo for Cavendish

On March 28th Milano - Sanremo was scheduled. It was the 100th edition of the classic. Due to the earthquake, the route was changed a little. Therefore the longest of the classics was this year even longer: 298 in stead of 294 km.

Photo: Milano - Sanremo

A peloton of about 100 riders arrived in the streets of Sanremo. Mark Cavendish (THR) won the sprint just ahead of Heinrich Haussler (CTT) and 2 sec ahead of Thor Hushovd (CTT).

Results:
1. Cavendish (THR)
2. Haussler (CTT)
3. Hushovd (CTT)

Related posts:
Dwars door Vlaanderen: Van Impe wins
Nokere - Koerse: Browne wins
Tireno Adriatico for Scarponi

Nokere Koerse: Browne wins

The 64th edition of Nokere Koerse was held on March 28. This year's winner is Graeme Browne (RAB) who won the sprint just ahead of Ben Swift (KAT) and Sébastien Chavanel (FDJ).

Photo: Nokere Koerse

Results:
Overall
1. Browne (RAB)
2. Swift (KAT)
3. Chavanel (FDJ)

Climber
1. Scheirlinckx (SIL)

Related posts:
100th Milano - Sanremo for Cavendish
Tireno - Adriatico for Scarponi
Vlaamse Pijl: Ghyselinck wins

Tireno - Adriatico for Scarponi

This year's Tirreno - Adriatico was held from March 11th till 17th. After 7 stages Michele Scarponi (SDA) won the event just 0'25 ahead of Stefano Garzelli (ASA).

Photo: Tirreno - Adriatico

Results:
Overall
1. Scarponi (SDA)
2. Garzelli (ASA)
3. Kloden (AST)

Points
1. El Fares (COF)

Climber
1. Martinez (EUS)

Youth
1. Lovkvist (THR)

Related posts:
Nokere Koerse: Browne wins
Paris - Nice: Sanchez gains yellow
Vlaamse Pijl: Ghyselinck wins

Paris - Nice: Sanchez gains yellow

From March 8th to 15th the peloton rode from Paris to Nice. After eight stages, Luis-Leon Sanchez (GCE) won the course. In 2006 this rider gained already the white jersey.



Results:
Overall
1. Sanchez (GCE)
2. Schlek, Frank (SAX)
3. Chavanel (QST)

Points
1. Chavanel (QST)

Climber
1. Martin (THR)

Youth
1. Seeldrayers (QST)

Team
1.Team Saxo Bank

Related posts:
Tireno - Adriatico for Scarponi
Vlaamse Pijl: Ghyselinck wins
Hoogerland wins Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen

Vlaamse Pijl: Ghyselinck wins

The 2009 edition of De Vlaamse Pijl was scheduled on March 7th. Jan Ghyselinck (BEV) was the first in the sprint and gained the victory.

Results:
1. Ghyselinck (BEV)
2. Schmitz (VVE)
3. Scheirlinckx (LAN)

Related posts:
Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen: Hoogerland wins
Kuurne - Brussel - Kuurne: Boonen again
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Hushovd wins

Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen: Hoogerland wins

From March 5th to 7th, the peloton rode in the western part of Vlaanderen. After winning the first stage, Johny Hoogerland (VAC) won also the entire Driedaagse West-Vlaanderen.

Related posts:
Vlaamse Pijl: Ghyselink wins
Kuurne - Brussel - Kuurne: Boonen again
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Hushovd wins

Museeuw is back...

Another retired rider decided to come back: Johan Museeuw (BEL) a.k.a. the Lion of Flandres. He has won the Omloop Het Volk two times. During the edition of 2009, he was driven on a motorcycle to inform the riders about the course. Who's next to make his come back?

Related posts:
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Hushovd wins
Kirsipuu is back...
Lance is back...

Kuurne - Brussel - Kuurne: Boonen again

A day after Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the pelotons drives traditionally Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne . The edition of 2009 was 194 km long.

Frederiek Nolf, who died during the Tour of Quatar, lived in Kuurne. Just after the start, the peloton stopped along his parents house to honour their former collegae.

During the first part of the race, many riders tried to escape. A group of 11 men went up to 1 minute ahead. However, the peloton came back.

Photo: Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne

About 30 km before the finish, a group of 13 riders managed to escape. QUICK STEP (Boonen, Chavanel and Wynants) and RABOBANK (Flecha, Leezer and Nuyens) both had three riders ahead.

During the last 10 km, one after another tried to escape. However, none of them succeeded. Finaly Boonen (QST) won the sprint just before Eisel (THR) and Hunt (CTT). It was Boonens' second victory in Kuurne as he won also the 2007-edition.

Photo: Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne

Results:
1. Boonen (QST)
2. Eisel (THR)
3. Hunt (CTT)

Related posts:
Vlaamse Pijl: Ghyselinck wins
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Hushovd wins
Young rider died

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Hushovd wins

Saturday 28th February, the Belgium race season started traditionally with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Because of the take over of the daily newspaper Het Volk by Het Nieuwsblad, the name of this course changed.

The course leads the peloton over a distance of 203 km along the Flandrien landscape. It starts in Arteveldestad and contains 11 slopes from which the Muur van Geraardsbergen is best known. There are also 7 sections of cobbles. The finish is in Gent.


Early during the course, Duclos-Lasalle (COF), Blot (COF), Zen (Palmans), Boucher (LAN) and De Vocht (VAC) extracted themselves. They went up to 6 minutes ahead of the peloton.

Caethoven (Agritubel), Tjallingii (RAB), Kuschynski (LIQ) and Thurau (Elk Haus) chased the front runners. However, they didn't stop for a closed railroad crossing in Nukerke. The jury disqualified them immediately.

Later on, Rabobank attacked: on the Taaienberg (147 km) Nuyens, Langeveld, Posthuma and Flecha went ahead. The others couldn't follow them. However, later on many others rejoined so a chasing group was formed. Quick Step and Silence-Lotto were in the lead.

Langeveld (RAB) and Haussler (CER) took off to the first riders and reached them later on. They stayed ahead till the last meters of the course. About 200 meters before the finish, Klier (CER) rolled out the red carpet for his teammate Hushovd (CER) which won the mass spurt just before Ista (Agritubel) and Flecha (RAB).

Unfortunately Langeveld (RAB), Pozzato (KAT) and Velits (MRM) hit the ground. What about Rabobank? They attacked whole day and didn't win.

Results:
1. Hushovd (CTT)
2. Ista (AGR)
3. Flecha (RAB)

Related posts:
Vlaamse Pijl: Ghyselinck wins
Brussel - Kuurne - Brussel: Boonen again
Museeuw is back...

Basso: no worldhourrecord attack

Ivan Basso (LIQ) won't attack the worldhourrecord. He will use all of his energy to rejoin the peloton after his two year suspension. Here at Cyclo Racing, we know some more driver who won't attack this record. :-)

Photo: Ivan Basso

Related post:
Is Armstrong able to conquer the worldhourrecord?

Kirsipuu is back...

The 39 year old Jaan Kirsupuu from Estonia is back in the peloton. He joined the Tour du Cameroun. During the first stage of that Tour, he conquered the 4th place by winning the sprint of the peloton.

Photo: Wikipedia

Related posts:
Museeuw is back...
Backstaed retires
Lance is back...