With the first leg of the 2012 Marin World Cup on the horizon for Sunday afternoon, the recent deluge has caused apprehension in riders and PHRO officials alike. While a wet and cold Marin-Roubaixis often a delight for the fans, the rain, mud and rocks of the various dirt sections can cause havoc with equipment and bike handling. So treacherous is the course on a rainy day that the mere threat of inclement weather has caused Belgian superman, TomBoonen, to cancel his planned start on Sunday. The recent Flanders-Paris-Roubaix double winner was quoted as saying, "The Railroad d'Arenberg on a rainy day makes the Forest of Arenberg look like a pleasant stroll in the park. No thanks."
Ironically, Stijn Cherry, one of the riders who would be a favorite in such conditions, given his propensity for excelling in even the worst of conditions, will be absent from the start line Sunday. Cherry has been largely absent from the early season action ever since disappearing on a cycling expedition with his mysterious concubine who is only known by the moniker "El Lama." Attempts at contacting Cherry have been unsuccessful and have only resulted in irregular email dispatches written the the 3rd person. Experts have been unable to verify the authenticity of the documents and rumors of Cherry being help captive at an underground nudist camp are unconfirmed.
Another peculiar story spit out by the rumor mill has been the details of the newest training regimen employed by Markus Clijisters. Historically known as a competitor in all weather conditions, Clijisters has apparently taken his Marin-Roubaix prep a step further recently. With the threat of foul weather to the fake-race, Clijisters has been seen riding and training in the worst weather possible, perhaps to prepare for the worst come fake-race day. This, in and of itself it not terribly strange but word has it that he refuses to shower or otherwise wash off the mud after his training rides in an attempt to better become accustomed to the sensations. One can only imagine the laundry that results...
With the first leg of the 2012 Marin World Cup on the horizon for Sunday afternoon, the recent deluge has caused apprehension in riders and PHRO officials alike. While a wet and cold Marin-Roubaix is often a delight for the fans, the rain, mud and rocks of the various dirt sections can cause havoc with equipment and bike handling. So treacherous is the course on a rainy day that the mere threat of inclement weather has caused Belgian superman, Tom Boonen, to cancel his planned start on Sunday. The recent Flanders-Paris-Roubaix double winner was quoted as saying, "The Railroad d'Arenberg on a rainy day makes the Forest of Arenberg look like a pleasant stroll in the park. No thanks."
Ironically, Stijn Cherry, one of the riders who would be a favorite in such conditions, given his propensity for excelling in even the worst of conditions, will be absent from the start line Sunday. Cherry has been largely absent from the early season action ever since disappearing on a cycling expedition with his mysterious concubine who is only known by the moniker "El Lama." Attempts at contacting Cherry have been unsuccessful and have only resulted in irregular email dispatches written the the 3rd person. Experts have been unable to verify the authenticity of the documents and rumors of Cherry being help captive at an underground nudist camp are unconfirmed.
Another peculiar story spit out by the rumor mill has been the details of the newest training regimen employed by Markus Clijisters. Historically known as a competitor in all weather conditions, Clijisters has apparently taken his Marin-Roubaix prep a step further recently. With the threat of foul weather to the fake-race, Clijisters has been seen riding and training in the worst weather possible, perhaps to prepare for the worst come fake-race day. This, in and of itself it not terribly strange but word has it that he refuses to shower or otherwise wash off the mud after his training rides in an attempt to better become accustomed to the sensations. One can only imagine the laundry that results...
No comments:
Post a Comment