Official Race Announcement-Marin Roubaix

Official Race Announcement:

Marin-Roubaix

Presented by PHRO.

April 7th, 2010

Event Schedule:

6:45 pm – Ceremonial parade departure from the Hushvod Boosters Clubhouse on B St, San Rafael.
7:00 pm – Neutral Zone Ends

7:05 pm – 1st Rider enters Railroad d'Arenberg. (estimated)

7:30 pm – Lecole d'Vincent

7:45 pm – Levee du Pedro

8:00 pm – Camp Chinois

8:15 pm – San Rafael City Limit Hot Spot Sprint

8:30 pm – 1st Rider enters L'Ecole du SanRafael finishing circuit. (estimated)

8:45 pm – Results and podium ceremony.

Event Description:

As the middle event in the Marin World Cup "Super Month," the Marin-Roubaix could easily be over-looked as riders prepare for the upcoming Ronde von SanRaflaanderran but these riders would be sorely mistaken to do so. The Marin-Roubaix is a grueling test of mind body and spirit that demands total attention by those who hope to triumph. Run on a virtually pancake flat circuit, the Marin-Roubaix is defined by the 6 sections, numbered in reverse order, of "la terre cassee" (literally "Broken Earth), which are dirt tracks and gravel roads and will likely determine the winner and losers of the contest.

The most (in)famous section is the formidible Railroad d'Arenberg, a roughly 1400m section that runs slightly uphill and that often creates the final selection in the group. The 2010 edition however tackles the Railroad d'Arenberg in the downhill direction at in the early stages of the race so it's effect on the results will likely be minimized. A new sector this year is Lecole du Vincent, an extended sector of over 3km in length.

The riders will finish with 1 1/2 counter-clockwise laps on the San Rafael High track.

The course starts and finishes at San Rafael High and is run in a clockwise circuit. It is NOT a closed course and riders can be expected to see automobiles, pedestrians, hikers and possibly other cyclists.

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

Official Race Announcement:

Ronde von san Raflaanderran

Presented by PHRO.

April 14th, 2010

Event Schedule:

6:45 pm – Ceremonial parade departure from the Hushvod Boosters Clubhouse on B St, San Rafael.
6:55 pm – Neutral Zone Ends

7:00 pm – Miraberg

7:45 pm – Bridgeberg

8:15 pm – Shaverberg (cima Jimmi)

8:45 pm – Finish (estimated)

9:00 pm – Results and podium ceremony at Hushvod Boosters Clubhouse.

Event Description:

The premiere event and crown jewel of the Marin World Cup "Super Month," the Ronde von San Raflaanderrs is a legendary event in the storied history of Marin County. Heroes are made and broken on the steep slopes of the many bergs, which are the signature in this test of courage. Littered throughout the countryside, these often savagely steep climbs are as varied as the riders who will contest the victory.

While the field will come from a myriad of backgrounds, San Raflaanderrs caters to the strongmen of the spring, riders who are able to attack with power up the short climbs as well as descend with abandon are the rule of the day. The only sure outcome is that whoever ends up on the podium will, no doubt, have earned their place.

The course starts at B St and finishes at the top of the hill at the San Anselmo Theological Seminary. It is NOT a closed course and riders can be expected to see automobiles, pedestrians, hikers and possibly other cyclists.

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

Late Edition Cycling News

Details Leaked about 2010 SanRaflaanderrs

An unnamed source revealed today that this year's edition of the Spring Monument Ronde von San Raflaanderran will be even more ambitious than the 2009 edition which was largely agreed to have been the most difficult and challenging parcours ever.

The 2009 running of SanRaflaanderrs saw a recalcitrant Van Von Simeon proclaim his intention to drop the field and win alone atop the Presbyterberg a week prior to the start and then, astonishingly proceed to do just as he promised. The nine bergs on course decimated the field who dribbled across the finish to the sight of a salubrious Von Simeon celebrating with a gaggle of podium girls. A bloody and resentful Jonas Lodewick was forced to accept a bitter second place despite his relentless chase of Von Simeon with his team mate Baen VanDerStandish.

Public consensus was of the opinion that PHRO had gone too far with the parcours that included the seldom visited Kingberg which bent the backs and broke the spirits of many a competitor on a day that will live in infamy. Despite the prevailing sentiment that expected a lighter and more friendly route tailored to the aging local paladin Ken Hushvod with his generous pelt and bandy legged pedal stroke, if rumor is to be believed the 2010 edition will include a staggering 11 bergs as well as an extended cobbled climb of between 2-3Km in length.

While the specific routing and road that are to be used remains to be revealed, this journalist can only speculate on the carnage that will be witnessed out on the cold, hard, merciless cobbles of the bergs of Marin. We will released more information as it is acquired. Our coverage is only beginning...

Lodewick-Fredericcio Rift Mirrors 2009 Astana Situation

A situation that had seemingly sunk back below the waves of the peloton, the schism on the Whole Athlete Team between director and patrician Dario Fredericcio and aging sprinter and gentleman of leisure Jonas Lodewick has finally boiled over. Following their spat at the 2009 GP Ken Hushvod and the subsequent war of words that ensued, Lodewick was summarily dismissed from the WA Team when his contract was up in January and Fredericcio fleshed out his roster with a bevy of neo-pros and espoirs.

Meanwhile, Lodewick has signed a corporate sponsorship with PodiumLook.com, an online cycling fashion giant who has (it's been rumored) committed to an annual budget of 13 million Euros to support Lodewick's quest for the top step at SanRaflaanderrs. An unheard of sum, PodiumLook founder and CEO Iacomo Bruzzino (shown here with his heiress mistress) has a reputation for flashy and exorbitant gestures in support of the athletes he admires. Whether he is able to give Lodewick the support he needs, remains to be seen.

Both Lodewick and Fredericcio maintain that their relationship is not strained and both have publicly stated that they wish the other only the best. The talk among other riders in the peloton seems to contradict these public statements however as several riders who preferred not to be named, say that the on-the-road interaction is predictably frosty. One rider even went so far as to mention that "This situation makes that Alberto-Lance thing look like cupcakes." While the meaning of this quote is unclear, what IS clear is that SanRaflaanders will be nothing less than a clash of titans.