All the elements were in place for a legendary 3rd edition of the Ronde von SanRaflaanderrs: high winds, freezing temperatures, a top level field and a parcours that the riders are calling the hardest in recent memory. The result? A SanRaflaanderrs that will no doubt take it's place alongside the 1994 Paris-Roubaix, the 1969 Tour of Flanders and other historic races in the annals of cycling history.
Van von Simeon upheld his pre-race boast that he would "not [wait] for anyone next week" and rode away from the leisurely paced group over the top of the Fairberg. Although a determined chase by a bloodied and battered Jonas Lodewick and Dewars teammate Baen van der Standish was able to bridge up to Van von Simeon on the Corbetberg, shortly thereafter a mechanical by van der Standish on the descent of the Bridgeberg caused Lodewick to elect to wait for his compatriot and allowed von Simeon to finish alone atop Seminary Hill. Lodewick and van der Standish came in 2-3 shortly thereafter, nearly 10 minutes ahead of the rest of the field.
Van von Simeon's win was not with out controversy however, as directly after the race PHRO officials met behind closed doors with the on site race commissaires to determine if von Simeon had contravened race regulations by attacking on the Fairberg in a neutral zone while other riders were stopping for the "call of nature." After much discussion however, the result was allowed to stand and von Simeon was awarded the victory.
PHRO President Joos Litvalk (pictured here smoking his ubiquitious cigarillio) was quoted thusly, "While PHRO feels that the conduct exhibited by Van von Simeon was borderline unsportsmanlike and was not reflective of what PHRO believes is the 'true nature' of SanRaflaanderrs, we cannot say with any conviction that it violated the letter of race regulations. While PHRO will not support the stratagem, we will also not intervene in the outcome of the race. If anything, Van von Simeon is only guilty of taking himself and this race too seriously. Future sanctions regarding his eligibility for future PHRO events is under review at this time."
A humbled Ken Hushvod finished in the pack, putting an end to his claims that Lodewick was weak and that he would triumph in spite of his points relegation in Marin-Roubaix. A visibly exhausted Hushvod said at the finish, "Lodewick and van der Standish started to chase von Simeon at the top of the Altoberg but I could not hold their wheels, they were going too hard. My legs were cement today, not what I had hoped for. I will be satisfied with my [tainted-Ed.] victory in Marin-Roubaix and I plan on resting up and preparing for the end of summer China Camp ITT."
Lodewick was uncharacteristically subdued at the post-race podium ceremony and only has this to say: "Yes, I crashed twice, once on the descent of Makin Grade and again at the entrance to the Maderia Creek pavé
but that did not hinder my performance today. Van der Standish and I made a good account of ourselves by chasing down von Simeon but unfortunately I had to wait for Baen due to a mechanical on the Bridgeberg. Victory was possible as I had good sensations on the climb but fate intervened." Regarding the tactics of von Simeon he had only a few taciturn words, "Von Simeon will ride how he will ride, I cannot affect that, and he rode a strong race. I rode with honor this night, and I have the MWC overall as a prize. I am satisfied with my performance."
While there was an abundance of drama at the tête de la course, perhaps the most compelling story line of the event was unfolding at the posterior of the
group. A furious engagement was waged by multiple riders for the prestigious Lantern Rouge award for the last finisher. An award that has seemingly been been the birthright of the "Red Devil" R.A. vonSchmidt, saw challenges from all angles over the winding byways of central Marin. While vonSchmidt surely did his best from the outset to cement his place as the
MWC "Red Flame of Mediocrity," Markus Clijisters and Stijn Cherry were not going down without a fight. While for a time, Clijister's looked to be in contention with the leaders, while chasing a charging Hushvod and fighting for the wheel of Lodewick on the lower slopes of the Altoberg, he suffered what can only be described as a volcanic eruption on the scale of Mt Vesuvius. He proceeded to go backwards as though shot from a cannon, surprising vonSchmidt and Cherry to the extent that they nearly lost the Flame right then and there. Like it's predecessor Pompeii, Northern Mill Valley will be feeling the effects of Clijister's massive eruption and subsequent crater for years to come.
Stijn Cherry, meanwhile, went so far in his quest to unseat vonSchmidt that he rode a mountain bike on the course! This unconventional thinking is either a level of genius, previously untapped in Cherry or just another attempt to increase the difficulty factor to satisfy his needs for suffering. An obvious handicap to Cherry, the bulky tires and low gears, not to mention the porpoise-like bobbing suspension actually had an unlooked for side affect: allowing Cherry to descend in a more comfortable fashion and arrive at the finish with more energy that many of the other competitors.
This unlikely strategy seems to have backfired for Cherry and as a result, though the surprise challenge from "The Human Crater" Markus Clijsiters was unexpected, vonSchmidt was able to dig deep into his well of lethargy and successfully complete his quest for his 3rd straight Lantern Rouge.
Another edition of Ronde von San Raflaanders is in the books and it seem likely that this one may provide fodder for discussion for the years to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment