Marin-Roubaix 2012 – Results and Report

Wild and Wooly Fake Race Leave Lodewick Atop Podium

The Bikes of Marin-Roubaix

Perhaps the best thing that could be said about Sunday’s Marin-Roubaix fake-race is that, eventually, it finished. Without a doubt, story on everyone’s lips afterwards was the stunning manner with which Ken Hushvod, the overwhelming favorite on the day, managed to blow yet another victory to Jonas Lodewick when it looked as though Hushvod had the finish well in hand.

At the Startline

On a clear and warm afternoon that most expected to harbor high tempo attacking riding, this year’s edition of the "Hell of the North Bay" saw an unusually tactical fake-race and as usually is the case when the speed is low the resulting messy crashes and mechanicals. While the Pauw-Cloof sector was re-routed due to a greens-keepers strike, riders tackled the never before used Biscayne sector. Markus Clijisters and Hushvod (on his signature "tractor" bike setup) both made probing attacks that were quickly countered by Thibauld Thomas, R.A. vonSchmidt and Lodewick and at one point Hushvod and Lodewick were away together but had visibly angry words with each other with several spectators reporting hearing Lodwick repeatedly denouncing his breakaway companion as a “coward” for not riding. Perhaps as penance for his outburst Lodewick would briefly hit the deck, sliding out his wheel in the Bucks-en-Pévèle sector shortly thereafter.

Evidence of Lodewick's brief tumble

Multiple mechanicals were sustained over the next several sectors, with both von Schmidt and again Lodewick having rear wheel punctures just before the entrance to the dreaded Railroad d’Arenberg. Several helpful spectators who had obviously been “camping” under the motorway proffered helpful advice to the riders with one gentleman repeatedly exhorting them to “use some of that Slime stuff.” Tempers flared however shortly thereafter after vonSchmidt pointed declined one fans generous offer to share his bier while another spectator accused Clijisters and Thomas of “being cops or something.”

After forcing his way clear in the Railroad d’Arenberg with a shattered Lodewick clinging to his wheel, Hushvod repeated his fatal error of one year ago, taking a wrong turn in the penultimate intersection and handing a 3^rd consecutive victory to an incredulous Lodewick.

Meanwhile, an equally compelling narrative was unfolding behind in the battle for the final podium placing. The three-man chase group composed of vonSchmidt, Thomas and an aggressive Clijisters engaged in what can only be called hand-to-hand combat for the bronze placing. Clijisters, who had been an aggressor in the early portion of the route looked to be set up for the sprint while a confident and smooth riding vonSchmidt led the trio over the final sector of pave into the L’Ecole d’San Rafaaell stadium. However, a resurgent Thomas, who had earlier taken a nasty tumble over the bars in the Lagoon d’Arbre sector, jumped his chasing companions with nearly a lap to go and managed to hold off a desperate but ultimately futile pursuit by Clijisters to nap the final placing. VonSchmidt was fortunate to extend his streak of 5 consecutive Lantern Rouges and keep his perfect record intact.

Final Results:

1. Jonas Lodewick

2. Ken Hushvod

3. Thibauld Thomas

4. Markus Clijisters

5. R.A. vonSchmidt

The Podium

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