RVSR WrapUp and Post Race Quotes

VonSchmidt Basks in Scarlet Glory

R.A. vonSchmidt

In what may well be his final SanRaflaanderrs, R.A. vonSchmidt brought his MWC record 6th consecutive Lantern Rouge home in style finishing a staggering 13 hours down on winner Jonas Lodewick. Looking at times relaxed yet strained, vonSchmidt was philosophical when asked to reflect on his (somewhat dubious) achievement:

"It has been said that true style is found only in first and last place. While the roster of SanRaflaanderrs winners is long and illustrious, at the bottom there is only one: vonSchmidt. While I am neither the fastest, the strongest, the handsomest or the most sexually adept, the cycling world will nevertheless bask in the scarlet glow of the Red Devil of SanRaflaanderrs."



Clijisters Rueful Over Missed Opportunity

Markus Clijisters

After a strong Marin-Roubaix showing where an active Markus Clijisters made the move that forced the final selection, many a MWC insider was quitly tapping the former two-time SanRaflaanderrs champion as the thinking man's pick for victory this year. Early on, the wager was looking promising but after being caught napping by Lodewick's attack on La Ligne de Sud Marin, Clijisters was left to wonder what might have been:

"I had the legs, I knew the course but when Lodewick attacked, I was at the back of the group adjusting my 'gentleman's sausage.' I went to the limit to try and bring back Lodewick and Hushvod but Moezzerts' slowed us down when he pulled through. I give him credit for being strong and working with me to try and bring them back but Moezzerts has some learing to do when it comes to riding the cobbles of SanRaflaanderrs. What a disappointment, I hope I'll get to sleep inside tonight."

Dejected Hushvod Resigned to Defeat, Questions Future
Many thought this was Ken Hushvod's year, never more so then when he was putting time into Jonas Lodewick on the early portions of the Fishberg. However an inopportune moment of weakness turned what looked like a sure and long awaited victory into yet another demoralizing massacre at the hands of his long time nemesis. A shattered Hushvod searched for answers post SanRaflaanderrs:

"There was nothing I could do. One moment, I'm feeling strong and pulling away, the next, my legs are completely blocked and I'm watching Lodewick disappear up the road ahead of me. I have no answers and there is no strategy on the Fishberg. I had good sensations all week and expected to be there at the finish. but once again Lodewick was better than me. I'm not going to lie, this is a crushing blow to my confidence. I'm no longer sure that I have what it takes to compete at this level. I must look deep in the coming weeks and see if I still possess the passion."

San Raflaanderrs Results and Report

Lodewick Stamps Authority on Controversial RVSR
Dewars Rider Solos in from 25k While Peloton Strikes in Protest

In the end, there was no doubt. While some questioned the form of Jonas Lodewick after a lackluster Marin-Roubaix performance and a string of mediocre Nikaseeo Kermesse results, his authoritative victory in yesterday's SanRaflaanderrs silenced any remaining questions. With a 25k break in which he rode solo for the last dozen kilometers, Lodewick claimed the second consecutive back-to-back SanRaflaanderrs crown (the last being Markus Clijisters in '10-'11.)

However, another other major story line, was developing simultaneously in the bunch, nearly 9 minutes back. While Hushvod and Lodewick were taking turns figuratively punching each other in the mouth up front, an earnest battle for third place was heating up. In the chase, surprise Marin-Roubaix champion Ravan Moezzerts, MWC stalwart Thibauld Thomas, the redoubtable Clijisters and impressive new comer Jeffe Sterndevaux took turns forcing the pace. Thomas and Sterndevaux repeatedly gapped the rest of the chase on the Bridegberg and Fishberg, while the bike handling prowess of Clijisters and Moezzerts allowed them to take advantage on the descents. 

This pattern repeated itself until the penultimate climb, the Humbleberg where, with a vicious attack, Thomas and Sterndevaux broke clear over the top, only to come to distress on the narrow and very technical descent with an encounter with a spectator's automobile. Thomas managed 

Jeffe Sterndevaux

to slide past by the merest of margins but Sterndevaux was not as lucky, taking the "Starsky and Hutch" route across the hood. Luckily, no major injuries were sustained aside from some cosmetic damage which will no doubt compromise Sterndevaux's post SanRaflaanderrs modeling career. However, the entirety of the peloton chose to strike for the remainder of the course in protest over what they deemed in a post fake-race statement as "overly dangerous and unrealistic fake-racing conditions."

As It Happened
After a combative first hour of fake-racing, Lodewick seized the fake-race by the scruff of the neck on the La Ligne de Sud Marin, leaping clear of the bunch and dragging an opportunistic Ken Hushvod along for company. With all the work being done by Lodewick, Hushvod was none the less indispensible, repeatedly apologizing to frighted and startled spectators as Lodwick rumbled through like an overweight TGV. By the time the duo exited La Ligne, they had an advantage of over 4 minutes and everyone else was fake-racing for the lowest spot on the podium. Hushvod and Lodewick cooperated well on the road to the Fishberg with Lodewick doing the majority of the work and Hushvod, who looked initially to be the stronger of the two, setting a steady pace on the Bridgeberg and Lagoberg.

Approaching the forbidding Fishberg shoulder to shoulder, Hushvod made the first move, riding a strong tempo on the lower slopes that opened of gap of 25 meters on Lodewick. The legions of MWC fans choking the climb were sure they were seeing Hushvod finally fling the Lodewick-monkey from his back but a mere 200m from the summit, cracks began to appear. Lodewick steadily overhauled the suddenly struggling Hushvod, cresting the Fishberg with a 30 second gap. Over the remaining 15km, Lodewick steadily increased his gap, finishing with an advantage of nearly 2 minutes at the finish. Hushvod, looking every bit a beaten man, rode in sweaty and alone for a bitter second place, victory having slipped from his grasp in the space of a mere dozen pedal strokes.

MWC Mail Bag - Joos Answers Reader Questions

Where Oh Where Has Foley Gone?
Dear Joos - 
My favorite fake-racer is Mathys Foley. He's dreamy! How come he hasn't been in a MWC fake-rake in over 3 years? I long to rest my gaze on his smooth wrinkle free visage, admire his well formed but not bulging guns and yearn for a glimpse of his "pro" riding form. Will we see Foley in a MWC event ever again?
-Sincerly
Patiently Waiting

Dear Patiently Waiting:
I wish I knew. Foley was a MWC mainstay and provided much animation to the early portions of SanRafllaanderrs (although rarely was he seen after critical selections were made). Mathy's PHRO license expired in 2010 and has not been renewed by his handlers. While PHRO has no first hand knowledge of his status, rumors on TMZ claim he is now fake-racing in a junior cycling circuit. We wish him the best but share your opinion (although not your feelings) about Foley returning to grace the MWC with his presence.
-Joos


Is Robinski Ro-Kinky?
Dear Joos - 
What's all this I hear about there being a cover up on Jimmy Robinski being out of the MWC due to injury that was sustained while "surfing?" As a long time member of the Robinski Red Army, I can state with conviction that there is NO COVER UP happening and that rumors that Robinski was injured while attempting self-fellatio are totally FALSE. Please clear up this confusion for fans of the MWC.
-Best Regards
Joe Blob

Dear Joe:
I can neither confirm no deny the cause of Robinski's injuries. While he has been know to flail about in the ocean while chained to a board, I would hesitate to refer to his hobby as "surfing." With regards to the insinuation that his bruised rib were injured in some kind of horrible auto-erotica contortion, I have no comment. Having said that, I have heard that Robinski has been on a very regimented and demanding yoga and flexibility program as of late. For what reason, I would decline to speculate.
-Joos

A Bear Market on Clijisters?
Dear Joos - 
Why won't you let my sister top local women's fake-racer Angelica Stevensteers into the MWC? We both know that Markus Clijisters is the one wearing the red silk thong in that partnership. 
-Signed
The Best Women's Bike Racer in the US Right Now (Or So I've Heard).

Dear TBWBRITWRNOSIH
Who is this? Would you mind taking a look at my portfolio?
-Joos

Hushvod HGH, RVSR Stats and More! Marin World Cup - Mid Week Edition

HGH Found in Hushvod Family Vehicle At Border Stop

A disoriented Hushvod exiting
his office Wednesday

In a (not really) stunning development, a Marin County border official has confirmed that unopened packages of GenF20 Plus, a popular HGH supplement were found in the vehicle of Ken Hushvod during a routine border stop while returning from a day trip to Novato. The substance was not seized by agents as it is not currently any kind of controlled substance. When contacted for comment, Hushvod claimed in a statement via his PR Agent that the supplement must have been placed in the car by without their knowledge or perhaps by "malicious Lodewick fans trying to destroy me."

There have been many anecdotal reports by anonymous source about Hushvod questioning other about HGH and the potential benefits/side effects but nothing that was recorded on record. Some have speculated that Hushvod was taking the supplements, not to improve his on-the-bike performance but rather to help him get through his high pressure advertising agreement with HP, not to mention the lack of sleep due to his recently arrived progeny. The ramifications of this development are unclear since PHRO does not have any restrictions on substances, banned or otherwise. 

Ronde vonSanRaflaanderran 2013 Course Has Record Amount of Climbing
This years RVSR will be the longest on record and will feature an unprecedented 6000+ feet of climbing in the route. The starring berg of the route this year, the Fishberg a dirt wall which maxes out at a leg breaking 19 percent gradient, has generated tremendous controversy as many teams during reconnaissance rides had great difficulty summiting the climb without resorting to walking their bikes. When confronted by the specter of disgruntled fake-racers fomenting unrest among their peers, PHRO Head Jackmonkey Joos Litvalk, dismissed the protests out of hand:

"These doughboy, Nancy men would do well to take a lesson from their compatriot Helene Drümme, who rode Marin-Roubaix on a mountain bike (!!!) yet still finished in the top 10. Great champions do not whine like homeless dogs about the course being too hard. They should put on their big-boy pants before they take the start line on Sunday."

So apparently, that settles that.

Sponsors unveil new Jersey, Podium Girls in honor of vonSchmidt's Marin Roubaix record breaking victory

R.A. vonSchmidt rode into the record books for a sixth straight Lantern Rouge title at the 2013 edition of the fake race. Despite overwhelming odds, the "Red Devil" of Fiar-fiax, deep in the heart of hill country steeped in the lore of the giants of cycling's history eclipsed them all as he climbed onto the top step of the podium and into the history books Sunday. "Anquteil won the tour on only five occasions; I surpassed his ability to imbibe decades ago, and now I have surpassed his palmares on the bike as well"
When an incredulous reporter asked how he could possibly compare himself to "monseuir chrono" the reply from a non-plussed vonSchmidt was: "We both ride alone. For honor. We make no apologies for our preparation methods."

His sponsors were not only overjoyed by the unprecedented finish but astonished by the fashion with which he claimed the title: "Here at Duvel, we celebrate excess- while other competitors hold press conferences to apologize for cheating, the Red Devil is the pinnacle of a ne'r do well who unflinchingly measures his ability, finds it wanting, yet pereserveres to win at all cost anyway." In accordance with the terms of his contract, his sixth straight win entitles him to not only an unlimited supply of his recovery drink of choice but his choice bottle opener as well. (attorneys for his sponsor should have been more specific in defining the term "bottle opener" in his contract-ed) "When you leave everything on the course as I do, recovery is of utmost importance" Asked how he was able to defend his title yet again despite such a deep field of competitors, he simply replied: "Competitors? Ha! Until Hushvold looks himself in the mirror and is honest about his dark side, no one in the peloton can compete with me- no rehab program on earth will overcome his level of cognitive dissonance"

 
 

Bizarre 24 Hours: Hushvold Apologizes, Enters Rehab

In a bizarre 24-hour period, a post-race tirade by a visibly intoxicated Ken Hushvold was followed by an apology, capitulation and ultimately, entrance into rehab for OCD.  As of press time it is unknown whether Hushvold will be at the start line of the San Raflannders this Sunday.

Following Marin-Roubaix in which Hushvold, the apparent winner,  was regulated to last place for cutting the course, Hushvold was met with several reporters leaving Mattuccis Pub in East St. Anselmo. He was accompanied by three very young "party girls," none of which was his beautiful and faithful wife that just gave birth to the family's first child.

Photo of one of Hushvold's companions early Monday morning.

Hushvold was impertinent to the reporters, his fans, the PHRO and especially race director Joos Litvalk. 

"I won Marin Roubaix today. Litvalk is a fool! The lack of course markings at Marin-Roubaix have again snatched victory from me. I will never race in this amateur fake race again. Joos cost cutting has cost me countless victories, and thousands of dollars in endorsements and prize money. I have been robbed again!" 

When asked about his companions, Hushvold responded with an expletive rant as he rode away on a vintage 1961 Schwinn, his escorts close behind.

Later Monday morning, a rested and sober Hushvold met with reporters outside his home in St. Anselmo with a prepared statement.

"For all that I have done, I am so sorry.

I know I have bitterly disappointed all of you. I have made you question who I am and how I could have done the things I did. I am embarrassed that I have put you in this position. I have let you down, and I have let down my fans. For many of you, especially my friends, my behavior has been a personal disappointment. To those of you who work for me, I have let you down personally and professionally.

I take full responsibility for my actions. I let down my fans, cheated my competitors, tarnished the PHRO and shamed my family. Litvalk puts on a very professional race.  Moezzertens deserved to enjoy the victory in front of his hometown fans. I resorted to shortcuts: on the course and in life.  

The pressures to win this race became too much for me to handle. I reached deep into myself and I came up far short. I now realize that I need help, that I cannot continue with the life I have been leading. I therefore must get myself better before I can be a better husband, a better father, a better racer, and a better friend. I am entering a center that can help me with a very rare and debilitating obsessive compulsive disorder.  My only hope is that I can recover and be forgiven.  Thank you."

Hushvold was immediately whisked away in a late model dark SUV and did not answer questions.  Stay tuned as this bizarre story unfolds.

Marin-Roubaix Results and Report

First Timer Moezzertens Wins Controversial MR After Hushvod DQ'd.

It isn't often that an up and comer surprises the grizzled veteran hardmen of SanRaflaanderrs on the rough windswept roads of Marin-Roubaix but with a badgerlike tenacity and a surprise late move, Ravan Moezzertens has done just that. 

It was not a win without (the now seemingly obligatory  controversy though as many in attendance thought local hero Ken "The Hedgehog" Hushvod rode alone into the stadium at L'Ecole d'San Rafaaeel and celebrated a seemingly dominant win over the bunch. Official review of the replay showed, however, that Hushvod, who on the lead into the finale on Route d' Jewell cut the course and vaulted himself from a distant 5th wheel up to 10 seconds in front of the leaders. Moezzertens alone recognized the situation and with an early jump past a stunned Jonas Lodewick, Thibauld Thomas and Markus Clijisters was able to hold off a desperate Lodewick charge for the line while ahead an oblivious Hushvod celebrated his empty, soon to be vacated victory.

As It Happened
Rides rolled out under clear but windy skies and covered the 55km to Pau Clouf in a very brisk first hour. Regardless, all the contenders were together at the entrance to Pointe Camp Chinois. The high pace continued and the group started to fracture in the technical byways of Cirqure du Camp Chinois where Hushvod, seeing a gap accelerated hard and was away on his own. Clijisters, Moezzertens and Thomas gave chase while a disgruntled Lodewick held back with a group containing Helene Drümme and Stijn Cherry while R.A. vonSchmidt was left to plow a lone furrow, his Lantern Rouge preparation seemingly spot on.

Hushvod managed to maintain a 20 second gap over the chasers through l'Arivee d'Bucks and onto the Levee Santa Venetia. Lodewick, awoken from his slumber, made a determined charge through the groups on the road to regain contact with Hushvod as they entered the Suites du Embassee sector at which point, Hushvod immediately sat up. The pace was high though the punishing trench of Railroad d'Arenberg but the real fireworks were lit when Clijisters put in a blistering attack on Los Ranchitos to force the final selection. 

Rolling into the stadium at L'Ecole d'San Rafaaeel the front pairing of Lodewick and Clijisters were taken aback to find Hushvod a half lap ahead and on his way to celebrting victory. Moezzertens was the first to take advantage with an early jump in the backstretch to gain a gap he held to the finish. A visibly exhausted Lodewick took second with a resilient Thomas rounding out the podium. Clijisters rolled in just behind for a disappointing fourth with Drümme and Cherry arriving shortly thereafter for fifth and sixth with vonSchmidt protecting his Lantern Rouge crown. A tearful and enraged Hushvod was relegated to last place despite his vows to protest the commissares decision.

MWC-Breaking News: Single Speed Category Request Denied

On the eve of the Marin World Cup opener Marin-Roubaix, Cycling News is reporting another bizarre twist from Cjijisters-Stevensteers camp.

Katie Hewsonstein, long-time PR manger for Markus Cijisters has sent a letter requesting a single speed category starting 3 hours after the actual Marin-Roubaix. While this has shocked many, PHRO president and chairman Joos Litvalk quickly dispelled any rumors.

"A single speed race?  Is he kidding?  Am I running a race for urban hipsters?  Has Markus lost his mined? The PHRO will not support a single speed category for as long as I am President nor while I am alive! If Cijisters would like to ride a single speed in the race is up to him.  To ask for a special category undermines the history and stature or the Marin World Cup.

Once again, the Stevensteers-Cijisters camp had "no comment."

  

MWC News - Early Edition

R.A. vonSchmidt Details Lantern Rouge Training Regimen

5 time Lantern Rouge winner, R.A. vonSchmidt gave an impromptu interview last night at the local watering hole, Ironberg Springs Hofbrau where this reporter happened upon him enjoying a pint of his favorite bier. Many have wondered what it takes to finish dead last time and again: the strength of will, the weakness of legs, the dedication. When asked to describe his preparation process for his run at a sixth consecutive Lantern Rouge, vonSchmidt gave his surprisingly basic program: 
1 - Beer
2 - Kids
3 - More Beer
One can only assume that with this level of resolve, the Red Light of Mediocrity will once again shine bright in the window of the vonSchmidt compound tomorrow evening.

Stijn Cherry Defends His Go-Slow Racing Style to Detractors

While no one who has any knowledge of the pedigree of SanRaflaanders hardman, Stijn Cherry, would think to questions his palmares, questions have quietly risen as of late about his actual chances at winning either of the two Marin World Cup races. Critics point to his "Slow is Fast" doctrine as being outdates and no longer effective in today's high octane peloton. When questioned about his detractors, Cherry invoked the old Tortoise and the Hare parable, claiming that, after the carnage at the front in the upcoming fake-races, he alone would still have the ability to finish first. A local journalist ventured to make the point that none of the other riders were likely to take naps during the Marin-Roubaix to which Cherry replied, "The Hare never had to compete against Stijn Cherry."


Questions Swirl Amid Lodewick's Performance in Today's Nikaseeo Kermesse.
Bookmaker's odds on Jonas Lodewick winning his 4th consecutive Marin-Roubaix tomorrow had dropped to a paltry 2:5 as recently as last evening, his surprising mid-fake-race withdrawal from the weekly Nikaseeo Kermesse this morning has caused his odds of winning to jump to a mere 6:1. Lodewick, who has looked to have good form in the recent mid-week classic Tour of Pt Reyes, has likely raised more questions than he answered with his no-show in the Nikaseeo Sprint and subsequent mid-point turn off. Never again seen in the bunch in the run up to the finish, Lodewick avoided all press and his camp has not issued comment at this time. 

Unibet.com Posts Odds for Marin-Roubaix Favorites

Lodewick's no longer favorite after mid-race withdrawal from Nikaseeo Kermesse this morning.

S. Cherry	40:1
A. Clijisters	8:1
M. Clijisters	10:1
H. Drümme	15:1
K. Drümme	9:1
M. Foley	28:1
K. Hushvod	5:2
S. Lengyll	6:1
J. Lodewick	3:1
D. Lyndsee	25:1
J. Robinski	scratch
T. Thomas	15:1
B. Van derStandish	25:1
R. vonSchmidt	500:1
V. vonSimeon	85:1

Proposition Bets:

3:5   Lodewick crashes

3:1   Hushvod Goes Off Course

2:1   vonSchmidt Finishes Last

5:1   Cherry has a punture

6:1   Cherry has LESS than 2 patches on punctured tube

2:1   Cherry has MORE than 2 patches on punctured tube

1:2   M. Clijisters Starts-Marin-Roubaix:

10:1   A. Clijisters Starts Marin-Roubaix

6:1   Foley hits a pole/gate/obstacle

20:1  Someone other than Hushvod wins intermediate sprint

2:5 Winning move happens on Railroad d'Arenberg

Dometic "incident" reported at Markus Clijisters San Anselmo Estate

Will it be Clijisters or Stevensteers at the Marin Roubaix start line?

Just days before the start of the 2013 Marin Roubaix, a domestic "incident" was reported at the Markus Clijisters estate in picturesque San Anselmo.

Neighbors in this exclusive neighborhood reported hearing a heated argument Thursday evening.  A San Anselmo police cruiser was dispatched to the gated estate.

The argument was reportedly over which family member should be at the Marin-Roubaix start line Sunday, March 17th. Both cannot be at the start-line due the care of their daughter, under 4 skuut world champion Daniela Clijisters.

While Markus Clijisters has been a veteran of the Marin World Championships and a former San Raflannders champion, his form, commitment and love of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale has been questioned. One vocal critic, according to several reports, has been Kaiser Permanente rider and wife Angelica Stevensteers. While both Clijisters and Stevensteers "had no comment" regarding the incident, neighbors reported hearing an extremely heated argument over who had the better chance of claiming a victory for the family. 

Neighbors reportedly could hear Stevensteers yelling, "Frankly, you're fat, and what have you won lately?  It is my turn to bring an overall championship into this house.  Winning is in my blood!" Clijisters poor performance of late and his absence at the epic mid-week Tour of Point Reyes would confirm this criticism.  It is assumed that Stevensteers mention of "winning is in the blood" refers to sister Eveleena mild success in the Women's Pro Tour, a lesser known race series than the PHRO.

Calls to race organizer and president Joos Litvalk to confirm the Sunday's start list have not been returned.

Marin - Roubaix Route Released

On Eve of MWC Opener, PHRO Makes Course Changes Official

With a scant 4 days remaining until the annual rite of spring, the Marin World Cup, PHRO President and Chairman of Sitting In Chairs Joos Litvalk today announced the office race route for this years gladiatorial role of the dice known as Marin-Roubaix. While following the traditional counter-clockwise direction around the Camp Chinois, there are a couple of minor changes from years past.

Most notably and perhaps disappointingly, is the removal of the Pau Clouf section of golf cart track that has traditionally served as a bit of an amuse-bouche for the riders before they tackled the famed pavé of the route. While always a popular section, a United Union of Greenskeepers strike has closed Pau Clouf for all sporting endeavors. Rumours that former fake-race Campionissimo, Jens Wynachtskenhoff engineered the strike in an attempt to gain publicity for his soon to be released memoir "L'Homme Grande Terrible" are, as yet, unconfirmed.

To fill the void left by the departure of Pau Clouf, a new sector, Pointe Camp Chinois, has been added as the first sector of pavé  bringing the total to 8. Included at the last minute in 2012, "le Pointe" as it's know to the locals, will certainly serve as a fitting first course.

As in years past, Marin-Roubaix will start at the former meeting hall of the Hushvod Boosters Club, at 1000 Bst in San Rafaaeel at 3:30pm and will finish with 1 1/2 laps of the track at L'Ecole d'San Rafaaeel stadium.

PHRO Drops RVSR Course Map at Press Conference

Litvalk Claims "Hardest Route Ever"
(but he says that every year...)

At the highly anticipated press conference today, PHRO Dictator in Chief Joos Litvalk revealed the route for the 2013 Ronde von SanRaflaanderran in a ceremony that was notable for it's unusual lack of pomp and circumstance. 

What was notable however, was the parcours itself which featured several never before used bergs as well as an unusually high number of lengthy offroad sectors. The inclusion of the new "Fishberg," a brutally steep, unpaved berg that is over 1km in length, and a nearly two km section of gravel road dubbed "La Ligne de Sud Marin" were a tie for most notable development this year. Those riders who manage to navigate the lengthy Ligne de Sud with a puncture will be rewarded for their efforts with the slippery dirt wall of the Fishberg.

Also announced was the now traditional route of the Marin-Roubaix which for the past decade has been run in the counter-clockwise direction, ending in the stadium of "L’Ecole d’San Rafaaell." 

Check back next week for our route analysis and other news as it develops.

Route Maps are available below for your viewing pleasure:

Details Leak on 2013 RVSR Route

While the course of Ronde von SanRaflaanderran is not generally a closely held secret, PHRO has gone to great lengths this year to keep the parcours under wraps until two weeks from the start. With a Press Conference scheduled for March 3rd, it is widely assumed that PHRO Chairman of the Bored, Joos Litvalk will present the full course at the event. However with just under three weeks until the traditional season opener Marin-Roubaix kicks off the Marin World Cup, this columnist has learned from confidential sources of several key components of this year SanRaflaanderrs route:

According to the source, the route this year will include several prolonged dirt/gravel sectors which is a marked contrast to recent editions which have had the key points in the fake-race occur on paved climbs. The move by PHRO to expand the off-pavement sectors of the route are likely a response to pressure by the fans to liven up the latter sections of the contest. 

Also, the riders will allegedly contest a key new section, the Southern Marin de l'Arbre, a 4.8km portion of seldom used gravel road stretching from near the summit of the Camino-Berg and exiting above the Woodland-berg. 

Perhaps the most interesting detail to be learned is that none of the standard fare key bergs from years past such as the Kingberg, Redwoodberg, Havenberg or Ironberg will be included. Instead a trio of little known climbs will be featured including the Upper-Toyonberg, the Fossberg and, what could to prove to be the decisive climb of the fake-race, the Fishberg, a fearsome 1.2km gravel wall featuring grades up to 18%. Also included in the standard 11 berg roster will be the gravel Sorichberg and Lagoberg.

More details are sure to come. Check back later this week for our Contenders/Pretenders/Retreads breakdown.

Marin World Cup 2013

Marin World Cup

2013

Marin-Roubaix

Sunday, March 17

3:30pm

Ronde von SanRaflaanderran

Sunday, March 24th

3:30pm