This day has seem some stunning words come, not surprisingly, from the Jonas Lodewick camp. The charismatic but controversial sprinter has thrown down the gauntlet for the GP Hushvod and also for the upcoming San Raflaanderrs. "I am the obvious favorite," declaired Lodewick. "I am also the second and third favorite. No one is even close to me in this race. I would estimate that I will win by at least 2 minutes. Possibly 5.
With a course that has most experts predicting time gaps measured in the tenths of a second, Lodewick's claims are outrageous to say the least. Even more inflammatory are his evaluations of his competition:
On Local Favorite and Hero Ken Hushvod:
"Hushvod is finished. His win last year in San Raflaanders was a fluke result due to him cheating and cutting the course."
Regarding the injury non-start of Mathys Foley:
"Foley, HA! I heard about his "back injury" and I don't believe it. He's just scared of another whipping. He likely has a broken nail and is using it as an excuse."
On Italian fast-man Dario Fredericcio (many pundits pick for this race):
"Fredericcio is washed up. What is he like, 40 now? I heard he's racing Masters mountain bike events. Does that even count as competition? How dare he attempt to take my place as leader for this race! Inexcusable!"
In fact Lodewick has an unusual pick for his closest competition: "In my estimation, the greatest threat to my victory comes from myself. The only way I see myself losing is if I fall off my bike."
Lodewick's tirade perhaps has been, as least somewhat, the product of the controversial decision by theFredericcio to start the MWC series, a move that has incensed Lodwick who has seen himself as the star and leader of the Whole Athlete team. Lodewick has even made threats to walk out on his contract with Whole Athlete and race for his former squad, Dewars Racing.
Given the form shown by Fredericcio as of late and considering the stable of talented espoirs that Whole Athlete has invested their future in, one would tend to wonder if Lodewick's outburst is fueled by his competitive spirit or by a fear of being supplanted in the very near future as the marquee star on the WA roster. In fact, it has been quietly whispered by some that Lodewick's bluster and brashness is all he has left in the tank. We will know the answer by this time tomorrow.
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