SanRaflaanderrs 2012 Results and Report

Lodewick Does MWC Double After Tense Showdown with Clijisters on Redwoodberg

At the Start Line

Heading to the start line on Sunday afternoon, the 2012 Ronde vonSanRaflaanderran, unlike years past, was a fake-race without a prohibitive favorite. The past week's Marin-Roubaix failed to produce a strong candidate: although Jonas Lodewick took the victory, it was largely due to Ken Hushvod's navigational error in the finale. Thibauld Thomas who rode strong last week was scratched due to a failed doping control while reigning two time RVSR champion Markus Clijisters and perennial Lantern Rouge R.A. vonSchmidt were unknown factors.

Clijisters looking comfortable
 on the Monte-SanRafaael

The group rode out under unusually warm sunny skies which apparently warmed the cockles of Hushvod to the extent that he made a spirited move on the first climb of the day, the Highlandberg. Clearly feeling the whispers of SanRaflaanderrs past and with the looming specter of the Monte-SanRafaael, Hushvod soon saw the wisdom of his ways and made his way back into the fold of the field. 

Lodewick leading the group
over the Monte-SanRafaael

No sooner had the bunch crested said climb, then Hushvod again scampered away, clearly gunning for the first mid-fake-rake hot spot sprint which he took easily, although he would soon pay dearly for his enthusiasm. 
Over the punishing Lindaberg, the familiar Fawnberg and the newly minted Winkleberg, the group rode as a single rider, clearly biding their time for the fearsome Ironberg where almost immediately, Hushvod uttered a prodigious 

Hushvod showing the 

effects of the Ironberg

grunt (what locals call "The Mating Call of the Hedgehog"). Paced by a strong riding vonSchmidt, who was himself intent on sewing up the Lantern Rouge, clearly Hushvod's day was finished. 


After a strong move on the Ironberg by Lake Tahoe regional champion Servais Lengyel that spilt the field asunder, Lodewick, who had managed to just hold Lengyel's wheel, attacked down the tricky and technical backside of the Ironberg. Clijisters, in a bid to make it three straight RVSR titles, made a suicidal decent in 

VonSchmidt and Hushvod
formed an alliance

pursuit of Lodewick and managed to close the gap by the start of the Scenicberg climb. While Clijisters made several halfhearted moves, seemingly to gauge Lodewick's 
resolve, the duo rode steadily shoulder to shoulder over the Scenicberg and Humbleberg and on to the lower slopes of the Redwoodberg.

Servais Lengyel rode 

strong for 4th

Finally Clijisters, not content to take his chances in the sprint with Lodewick, launched a strong attack on the last switchback before the summit of the Redwoodberg in an effort to rid himself of his breakaway rival. Lodewick though, refused to panic and steadily closed the gap before putting Clijisters to the sword with a decisive move over the summit. While Clijisters gamely gave chase, Lodewick only increased his advantage over the Havenberg and rode to the finish with a gap of just under a minute to claim victory.

R.A. VonSchmidt Celebrating 

his 5th Lantern Rouge

Clijisters soloed in for second while a resurgent Hushvod, who had been left for dead on the Ironberg, managed to out fox Lengyel and vonSchmidt for 3rd. VonSchmidt easily extended his record setting streak of five consecutive Lantern Rouges.

For the first time in five years a tearful and emotional Lodewick sprayed the bubbly from the top step of the SanRaflaanderrs podium to claim the Marin World Cup double of Marin-Roubaix and the Ronde.  

Podium