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