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.