Van Von Simeon Dismisses Lodewick's Outburst

In a move that seemed to be a bellwether for the future of Jonas Lodewick's presence on the team, Whole Athlete teammate Davide Van Von Simeon told the press today, in no uncertain terms, his opinion of Lodewick's statements yesterday.

"That guy is a train wreck," Van Von Simeon said when questioned by the press.  "Sure he has an impressive palmiers but those days of glory are behind him.  He's done and doesn't want anyone to know it.  Dario is our team leader, always has been.  I rode for Lodewick in San Raflaanders last year and set him up perfectly for the win and what happened?  3rd place.  Give me a break."

Van Von Simeon's harsh words may have somewhat to do with his own ambitions this Tuesday.  A known cyclocross racer, the course for the GP Ken Hushvod would seem to suit his skills perfectly.  A rider known among the fans as "The Gorilla Chested One" Van Von Simeon could well be fed up with riding in the rather considerable shadow of his (possibly soon to be former) teammate.

He is not the only rider to register disgust at Lodewick.  Stijn Cherry, Marin's own version of Viatcheslav Ekimov, also expressed his disappointment: "Jonas has no respect for his teammate and captain, Fredericcio.  Dario has more class in his yoga block than Lodewick has in his entire body."  Cherry, a savvy veteran who, despite his long years in the pro peloton, remains a competitive factor in every race he enters.  Rumors (though unfounded) have surfaced lately of an offer of a Director Sportif position by Bjarne Riis with team Saxo Bank made to Cherry who would no doubt be a tremendous resource for any pro team given his extensive amount of experience.  A one time patron of the peloton, many riders look to Cherry for guidance and his decrement of Lodewick is likely to turn many against the troubled sprinter.

Controversial Lodewick Ignites Furor on Eve of GP Hushvod

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.

Hushvod Shows form in MWC Warmup Event

Ken Hushvod moved himself onto the list of top favourites for the upcoming Ronde van San Raflaanderen with a strong sprint win in the E3 Prijs in Harelbeke, Belgium this weekend. He took the victory over the race's number one favourite, Tom Boonen, after 208 kilometres of racing. As his first win in over a year, it is a sign of good things to come for the Swede of Team TBC.

Hushvod's victory came after he followed an attack by Boonen on the Knokteberg climb at 25km to go, and along with Jonas Lodewick (Whole Athlete) formed a three-man breakaway that made it all the way to the finish line. Lodewick himself, seems to be knocking at the door once again, but the fact that is that his trademark bravado has been overshadowed by his new son Maximilliano Xavier’s crying. Lodewick states while it may mean a temporary setback for him it does cheer him to know that his son’s lung capacity is already registering in the 90+ liter V02 max range.

Hushvod manoeuvred Boonen to the front in the final 500 metres to position for the sprint and then out-gunned his rival on the Gentsestraat finishing straight to mark his first win since the Giro della Provincia di Grosseto in February 2008.

Would be contender and Marin World Cup newcomer Dario Fredericcio of Whole Athlete downplayed the result. “Hushvod gets lucky once in a while. The Hedgehog will go back underground not to be heard from again for another year or two.” Fredericcio, seen here mixing it up 3 Time Tour of California winner Levi Liepheimer, in this years pre classic 

Grasshopper Series has had strong early season results, but may be in for a rude awakening should he roll up to the start line with hardened San Raflaanders veterans like Markus Clijisters and Stijn Cherry, though it looks doubtful that a match up between Fredericcio and Mathys Foley is a go this year. While both riders seem to have been on form this Spring an untimely and suspicious back injury has rendered Foley out for this year’s edition.

Rumours abound that Foley’s injury is the result of a fight with his Fiancée and part time Super Model Meliisa AykenCock after this photo of Mathys and “friend” R. A. Von Schmidt at an exclusive beach party in Cabo San Lucas surfaced on page six the same weekend he was supposed to be “camping” with a friend in the High Sierras for altitude “training.”

Foley flatly denies he is Gay, though Cycling News never asked him that specific question. “My injury is the result of an accident while playing Wii Golf in my socks with Mark Cavendish. Just because I am devastatingly handsome, neat, dress well and have Weimaraners, doesn’t mean anything”

Meanwhile, the Red Devil himself- R. A. Von Schmidt is embroiled in yet another Sponsorship Tabloid media circus which has seen no less than thirty Belgian Monks jailed after a brawl broke out between 3 rival Monasteries during an annual Belgian Ale festival. According to authorities the a brouhaha broke out when monks from the Monasteries that produce Duvel, Chimay, and Leffe learned that Von Schmidt had made separate secret deals with all of them for promises of sponsorship should he indeed win a third consecutive Red Lantern Title in this years’ Raflaanders. In a statement released by Von Schmidt’s soigné Beppe, the Red Devil takes no responsibility for the action of “a few bad monks who drank too much of their own brew- though I know from personal experience how something like that could happen” he goes on to state that he is “truly sorry for any pain, suffering and shameful behavior my actions set into motion. I was only trying to think of my own future and providing for my family has to be utmost in my mind at this stage in my career.”

Last year this photo surfaced of Von Schmidt training with his wife before she gave birth to their Twins.At the time, Von Schmidt touted that the extra training weight had given him the winning form he had a decade before. But after a bitterly disappointing Spring ’08 season, he realized that she had been doing most of the work.

Stay tuned for details of this late breaking news update as the eve of the GP Ken Hushvod draws to a close:

Johan Finley purported to be training with Cervelo Test Team and Juiced to the gills

Leadup to GP Ken Hushvod Continues

With just under 24 hours to go, the excitement has reached a fever pitch among competitors and fans alike for the 1st running of the Gran Prix Ken Hushvod.  With the early spring semi-classics like Dwars dor Vlanderran and E3 Pris Vlaanderan behind them, the strong men of Marin are primed and ready for the hardest and most important 3 weeks of the season.  While there is often much debate about which race is the most difficult with some citing the gruling cobbles of Parix-Roubaix, the sharp bergs of Flanders or the endless kilometers and high cols of Le Tour, those who are in the know, realizes that the 3 weeks in spring that comprimises the Marin World Cup is the toughest of all.

The 3 week series kicks off tomorrow evening with the GP Hushvod, an 11 km individual time trial that covers every type of terrain imaginable.  With 2 sharp climbs, 2 fast and technical descents and a dirt fire road false flat on a windy ridge, it looks to be the longest 25 minutes of these riders' lives.  To compound the challenge, they will have to negotiate the course in the dark using lights making intimate knowledge of the route critical.  

With high profile star Mathys Foley sidelined with an injury, speculation is rampant on which of the remaining contenders has the best chance of victory.  The Italian, Dario Fredericcio, would seem to be the prohibitive favorite due to his recent podium placing in the Fontana MTB Cup and early season Grasshopper Adventure Series results.  However, given the duration of his string of high placings, one might wonder how long he can sustain such a high level of fitness. 

Local fans, in the other hand, have no doubt who the favorite is this year.  Local hero and folk legend, Ken Hushvod, is every Marinites darling when they are asked to name their pick for his namesake event.  Hushvod, fresh of his win in E3 Prijs in Harelbeke, is quietly confident when queried on his chances for the opening round of the MWC.  "I'm  feeling good.  This year I have made a commitment to my fans and have cut back on my numerious obligaions to focus on this event.  I have had to resign my post as the Chairman of the Ross Players, take time away from my special lady friend and even turn down an offer to host this years Macrame and Crochet Festival.  I am 100% for San Raflaanderrs."

Markus Clijsters has been gaining form under the rader and though many have counted him out due to a disappointing showing at Paskenta, many in the know have quietly been talking up the chances of the local.  When interviewed, Clijisters was characteristically circumspect about his chances noting that, "the course will decide."  He did, however, make a point of mentioning what he considered to be the key to the course: "The Indian Rock climb will decided the times.  Whoever goes well up that, will finish well up the leader board.  I've ridden the Koppenberg and the Koppenberg has nothing on Indian Rock.  It's a monster."  Clijisters, who makes is home within a stones throw of the route, is the closest thing to an authority there is.

Contenders Rounding Into Form for San Raflaanderrs

As the date for SanRaflaanderrs nears, most, if not all of the major players for this years race are making their final training preparations for the event. 

The Defending Champion

The prohibitive favorite is, without a doubt, last years champion and local folk hero, Ken Hushvod.  With a victory in 2008 while under intense pressure from the local fans and media, Hushvod proved many pundits wrong.  While the optimistic will point to his victory last year as proof of his ageless nature, doubters will no doubt argue that Hushvod is yet another year older with a less than ideal winter program that saw him often sighted about town with his longtime companion Ms. Plockey, attending theatre shows, formal balls and movie premieres (no doubt enjoying the resulting fruits of his victory).  These same doubters will also point to his victory in the ’08 SanRaflaanderrs  being thanks to a highly controversial ruling on a course diversion that some say allowed Hushvod to arrive at the finish with fresher legs than would otherwise have been the case. 

 

The Favorites

The obvious 2^nd choice to Hushvod would no doubt be Mathys Foley, the “Raymond Poulidor of SanRaflaanderrs,” a 2 time runner up and perennial contender who, so far, has been unable to take the last step to the top of the podium.  After a tremendously heavy race schedule in ’08 that saw few results, Foley was a notable absence from the traditional season opener, Paskenta.  An undisclosed source close to Foley hinted that his “sensitive nature and thin skin” were bruised by the criticism of the media during his mostly unsuccessful ’08 racing campaign.  Always a factor in any race that doesn’t actually matter, Foley will no doubt be an active protagonist in this year’s edition but it remains to be seen if he can make the leap to the top of the podium.

One of the most vocal detractors of Hushvod is rival Markus Clijsters, a well know, though only moderately successful, cyclocross racer who finished in the pack in ’08 after igniting the field in the early going.  Clijsters is, by most accounts, an outside shot this year due to a turbulent off season that saw him married, moving residences and an expectant father-to-be.  Clijsters’disappointing showing in the season opening Paskenta saw him get dropped by the hard driving group after only 35km and turn for home early.  His agent also indicated his intention to forgo the traditional run up event to SanRaflaanderrs, the Grasshopper Adventure Series.  Not a positive sign for Clijsters, given the demanding nature of the Ronde.

 

Any discussion of SanRaflaanderrs would, of course, incomplete without mentioning former champion, Jonis Lodewyk.  A sometime controversial figure in the pro peloton, Lodewyk, know as much for his vocal nature and stylish wardrobe as much as his powerful sprint and exceptional bike handling skills, has been experiencing a renaissance of sorts after last years aborted racing programme. With a new family, new contract, new stature within his Whole Athlete team and a mid pack finish at Paskenta, Lodewyk seems to be right on schedule for a return to spring glory.

 

The Wildcards

Every year there are unaccounted for riders who make their way into the spotlight of San Raflaanderrs.  Sometimes these men are cagey veterans who, by their experience, savvy and cunning make a return to the front of the race.  Others are young up and comers who stun the riders and fans alike by coming from seemingly no where to snatch spring glory from the favorites. 

Last year an early charge was made by budding talent Johan Finley that surprised many of the contenders into timidity.  News and sightings of Finley have been few and far between over the winter and rumors that he is laying low to avoid investigations that he is one of the names in Operation Puerto are neither confirmed nor invalidated.  Finley will no doubt be a factor this year…if he indeed is able to make the start.

 

Another new face to the Ronde will be the Italian, Dario Fredericcio, founder and captain of the Whole Athlete training center.  The possible participation of Fredericcio has sent shock waves through the Whole Athlete Team, of who his business is the title sponsor mainly due to possible conflicts with Lodewykover who will be the protected rider during the race.  Neither camp has elaborated on the situation beyond the standard, tired, “We will see who is stronger on the day” rhetoric.  Expect this situation to explode at some point before the race as Fredericcio has been on for this spring with several high finishes in the Grasshopper Adventure Series while Lodewyk has chosen to skip his traditional Grasshopper build up in favor of a lower profile Sonoma County training camp.  Is this a planned strategy of separating oil and water? 

 

To add fuel to a already combustible situation, will be the rumored start of Baen van der Standish of the Dewars Racing Team. One time teammate and mentor of Lodewyk, Van der Standish’sreputation as a dangerous threat in any race is well earned from numerous successful seasons.  Although in his twilight years during which he has been in a primarily advisory role with the BMC Pro Continental squad, van der Standish has hinted that he may well make a return to racing at this year’s SanRaflaanderrs. 

 

The Unknowns

As always, beyond the favorites, beyond the heroes, are the riders who were unlooked for at the start but impossible to forget after the finish.  This includes, Stijn Cherry of Team Northside, a savvy veteran who regardless of form will be a factor in any race, Davey van VonSimeon, who, in the past has ridden in support of teammate Lodewyk but, after a successful foray into cyclocross during the dark months, could likely decide that his own aspirations deserve to be recognized, and Jimmey Robinksi the Russian party boy who has shown flashes of brilliance between extended periods of inactivity due to surgery and copulation. 

 

The Red Devil

And let us not forget cycling juggernaught R.A. VonSchmidt who will be gunning for his record setting 3^rd straight Lantern Rouge. VonSchmidt’s last minute clearance to start the ’08SanRaflaanderrs was the stuff of tabloid legend with allegations of bribery, falsification of sponsorship documents and claims that his wife was doping his beer.  With his team support in the clear, a renewed contract with sponsor Duvel and a happy family at home, it looks to be next to impossible for anyone to have the testicular fortitude necessary to wrest the “Red Flag of Mediocrity” fromVonSchmidt’s grasp.

 

 

Next week: This Years Course Breakdown-Berg by Berg…

San Raflaanderrs now part of MWC.

San Raflaanderrs now part of MWC.

In a somewhat expected move, Joos Litvalk,Chairman of Primitief Hamerhoofd het Rennen Organisatie (Savage Bicycling Racing Organization), the organizer and title sponsor of the annual Ronde von SanRaflaanerran spring classic, announced today that this year’s San Raflaanderrs would be the final stage of the newly minted Marin World Cup series.  The MWC, a new creation of the UCI, is a 3 race spring series that, in addition to San Raflaanderrs, includes theMarin-Roubaix (formerly known as the Cirque du Camp Chinois) and The Grand Prix Ken Hushvod, an individual time trial that will essentially serve as a prologue in the series. While many are critical of the new series, calling it contrived and a blatant attempt by the UCI to draw on the prestige and popularity of San Raflaanderrs, Litvalk was characteristically firm in his convictions stating, “The Marin World Cup will serve as a test for the strongest riders in the world proving who is the best over the 3 week series.”  Only the hardest of the hardmen are expected to be contenders in the series which offers terrain as varied as the riders who will race it.  For the first time ever, in addition to the individual race trophies and the attending prestige that comes with them, there will be an overall prize awarded to the rider with the most consistent performances in all three events.  The scoring method for this classification has not been revealed at this time.

 

GP Ken Hushvod Individual Time Trial-Prologue

The opening event in the MWC is going to be an unusual and challenging test for the riders this year.  Although the TT course is only a 12km loop, it includes some of the most varied terrain ever seen in a race of this caliber.  With two significant climbs including the fearfulRoche d’Indien, significant sections of unpaved gravel road and a very fast and technical descent, it promises to be an unforgiving test ground. 

 

Marin-Roubaix

Making a return after a long absence, theMarin-Roubaix is a derivation of its French cousin Paris-Roubaix which features a virtually pancake flat parcours that is punctuated by extended portions of dirt road that inevitably create splits in the group. Several key sections that are the most critical selection points are the Prélèvement du Gallinas and the always fearful Railroad d’Arenberg.  Held on portions of the course that was originally used as the China Camp Time Trial, a prestigious local event, the Marin Roubaix rewards not only the strong but also those blessed by Lady Luck.  With the traditional finish on the velodrome at L’École Secondairé du San Rafáel, huge crowds are a certainty to see the triumphant contenders make their victory circuit.

 

Rondé von SanRaflaanderran

Truly the crown jewel of the MWC is the hugely prestigious Tour of SanRaflaanderrs. An annual rite in the principality of Marin, San Raflaanderrs is often considered by many riders to the the true National Championships of the region.  A extremely demanding race that is punctuated by short and often savagely steep climbs or bergs, the Tour of SanRaflaanderrs winds it often convoluted path throughout the many communities of Marin where the course will be lined with drunken, screaming and rowdy fans who are exuberantly cheering on their local heroes, none more popular than local-boy-made-goodKen Hushvod, last years SanRaflaanderrschampion.  At this years route presentation Gala, PRHO Charman Joos Litvalk unveiled aparcours that was judged my many to be the most challenging in years with a record 9 bergs as well as an uphill finish.

 

Next week: The Contenders for the Crown.

PHRO Announces Date for 2009 Ronde Von SanRaflaanderran Route Presentation

PHRO Announces Date for 2009 Ronde Von SanRaflaanderran Route Presentation

 

In a press release today, President and Head Chucklehead, Joos Litvalk of the Primitief Hamerhoofd het Rennen Organisatie (Savage Bicycling Racing Organization), the organizer and main sponsor of the annual Tour of SanRaflaanerrs semi-classic, announced the date for their annual Route Presentation Gala for the 2009 edition of this year’s race.  The much heralded event will take place on January 20^that a soon to be disclosed location and will coincide with a specially scheduled WWC ride to honor last year’s winner and local hero, Ken Hushvod.

 

Always an A-List event, PHRO’s presentation will no doubt be attended by the crème-de-la-crème of the racing community and will assuredly be one of the highlights of the non-racing season. Hushvod, in particular, will be in the spotlight for the evening as the days events are largely centered around a commemorative/appreciation sportive event earlier in the day that is organized by the local tifosi and Hushvod Booster Club. Hushvod’s win in the 2008 San Raflaanders was a contentious, if not convincing one, and he will be eager to put in a more convincing performance this year.

 

Other attendee’s will likely include R.A. VonSchmidt, 2 time running and current Red Lantern holder, Mathys Foley, 2 time San Raflaanders runner up as well as 2007 San Raflaanders Champion Jonis Lodewyk.  Appearances by Mario Cipollini, Ivan Basso, Johan Museeuw and Tom Boonen are also a possibility.

 

Unconfirmed rumors regarding the parcours for the ’09 Ronde Von SanRaflaanderran have this years edition being the toughest yet with (from some reports) as many as 8(!) bergs and a possible uphill finish.  Virtually assured however, is that, as tradition dictates, the course will make its way clockwise around Marin (last years course being counter-clockwise and ’07 being clockwise) to uphold the alternate year direction of the race.

 

Stay Tuned!

True Test

Take it from me...this will be a true test of skill, concentration and fitness.
Josh L. is a favorite for sure...He also has the best posted time.

Grand Prix Ken Hushvod ITT - Race Announcement

Official Race Announcement:

Grand Prix Ken Hushvod Individual Time Trial

 Presented by PHRO.

March 31st, 2009

Event Schedule:
6:45 pm – Ceremonial parade departure from the Hushvod Boosters Clubhouse on B St, San Rafael.
7:15 pm – Night of registration at race start.
7:30 pm – First rider departs on course.
8:15 pm – Last rider finishes (estimated)
8:30 pm – Results and podium ceremony. 

Event Description:

A new event to the Marin World Cup series, the GP Ken Hushvod ITT is a demanding 5 miles circuit comprised of 2 major climbs (1 road, 1 dirt), 2 very technical and tricky descents and a ridge top false flat section.  The course is run on a combination of paved road, dirt fire road and single track and is designed to be contested on cyclocross bikes. 

The course starts and finishes at the San Anselmo city limit sign on Butterfield Rd in Sleepy Hollow and is run in a counter-clockwise circuit.  It is NOT a closed course and riders can be expected to see automobiles, pedestrians, hikers and possibly other cyclists. Timing will be done on the honor system.

Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to attend.  Registration is free but the promoter is accepting donations.  Leffe, Duvel and Stella Artois are preferred but anything of Western European origin is acceptable currency.

*******This event is run entirely for fun and not for profit.  To borrow a phrase: "The less fun you have, the more you'll pay."  Anyone found taking this event seriously will be banished from all Marin World Cup events for a time period no less than 1 year.  Also, you will suck.  Safety first.********

Turn List:
START: Butterfield-Caletta Ave-The Alameda-Indian Rock Rd-Tomahawk Dr-Elkhorn Way-Miwok Dr-Pasadena Ave-Santa Barbara Ave-Salinas Ave-San Francisco Blvd-Sorich Park Singletrack-Cemetery Fire Road-Terra Linda Ridge FR-Fawn Dr-Fox Ln-Fox Single Track-Bike Path-Fawn Dr-Butterfield. (map attached).

Joos Litvalk
PHRO Chairrman and President of Marin World Cup