You Have Been Warned

Ronde von San Raflaanderran

Tuesday April 13th, 2010

6:45pm

Gird Your Loins

Riders Gear up for China Camp Individual Time Trial

The China Camp Individual Time Trial will be held this Tuesday, August 18th. 1st rider will set off at 6:45PM.

Please arrive at the 7-ll on North San Pedro Road no later than 6:30PM for your start assignment.

Last rider off will be defending champion Dario Frederick, with last year's winning time of 24:05 at 24.34 Avg. MPH. Josh Liwack and Chris Urban also have guaranteed last-off slots as podium finishers last year.

Be Careful Warming Up!

Use extreme caution when warming up, especially if Mike Foley makes an appearance. Mike Foley had a bad fall warming up for the Susian Criterium Sunday afternoon, taking down several other competitors in the process. "That's just racing," explained Foley. editor's note: Actually Mike, that's not exactly racing...

Defending Champ Dario Frederick Confirmed but haunted by April Loss
Defending champ and favorite Dario Frederick has confirmed he will ride the China Camp ITT. Frederick is looking very strong after several high profile victories on the Mountain Bike, including a National Championship victory in Colorado. However, it seems no victory can erase the memory of the crushing 7-second loss the last time he faced Josh Litwack in a Individual Time Trial. As many recall, Litwack avenged a loss at last year's China Camp ITT with a win at the GP Ken Hushvod.

New Juniors Category

As was reported on The Whole Athlete newsletter, the China Camp ITT will again offer a Juniors Category.

Husband Hopes New shoes will improve placing

Ken Husband purchased new Road shoes Friday, replacing a pair of Sidis purchased and ridden during the Clinton Administration. "It will be the first ride on the new shoes, but I know they will shave at least 20 seconds off my time," reported Husband

Mark Christian and Mark Peuschel: Will they show?

It is rumored that veteran Mark Peuschel was the only rider offered an appearance fee for this year's ITT. Peuschel was reportedly offered a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale for starting the ride. Mark Christian, very "stoked" at the start of last year's ITT is on 24 hour baby call and may not ne "hanging loose." His appearance will be evaluated hour by hour.

Check back here for full results.

Marin World Cup 2009 Final Results

Place	Rider	GPKH	M-R	TSRF	TOTAL
1	Jonas Lodewick	1000	250	1000	2250
2	Van Von Simeon	100	0	2000	2100
3	Dario Fredericcio	500	500	0	1000
4	Baen Van der Standish	0	0	500	500
5	Ken Hushvod	250	-	125	375
6	Jimmi Robinski	0	125	250	375
7	Markus Clijsters	125	100	50	275
8	Stign Cherry	75	75	100	250
9	R.A. Von Schmidt	25	0	75	100

Defiant Van von Simeon Makes Good on Claim of Victory

Gritty 2nd Place by Jonas Lodewick Secures MWC Overall.

All the elements were in place for a legendary 3rd edition of the Ronde von SanRaflaanderrs: high winds, freezing temperatures, a top level field and a parcours that the riders are calling the hardest in recent memory.  The result?  A SanRaflaanderrs that will no doubt take it's place alongside the 1994 Paris-Roubaix, the 1969 Tour of Flanders and other historic races in the annals of cycling history.

Van von Simeon upheld his pre-race boast that he would "not [wait] for anyone next week" and rode away from the leisurely paced group over the top of the Fairberg.  Although a determined chase by a bloodied and battered Jonas Lodewick and Dewars teammate Baen van der Standish was able to bridge up to Van von Simeon on the Corbetberg, shortly thereafter a mechanical by van der Standish on the descent of the Bridgeberg caused Lodewick to elect to wait for his compatriot and allowed von Simeon to finish alone atop Seminary Hill.  Lodewick and van der Standish came in 2-3 shortly thereafter, nearly 10 minutes ahead of the rest of the field.

Van von Simeon's win was not with out controversy however, as directly after the race PHRO officials met behind closed doors with the on site race commissaires to determine if von Simeon had contravened race regulations by attacking on the Fairberg in a neutral zone while other riders were stopping for the "call of nature."  After much discussion however, the result was allowed to stand and von Simeon was awarded the victory.  

PHRO President Joos Litvalk (pictured here smoking his ubiquitious cigarillio) was quoted thusly, "While PHRO feels that the conduct exhibited by Van von Simeon was borderline unsportsmanlike and was not reflective of what PHRO believes is the 'true nature' of SanRaflaanderrs, we cannot say with any conviction that it violated the letter of race regulations.  While PHRO will not support the stratagem, we will also not intervene in the outcome of the race.  If anything, Van von Simeon is only guilty of taking himself and this race too seriously.  Future sanctions regarding his eligibility for future PHRO events is under review at this time."

A humbled Ken Hushvod finished in the pack, putting an end to his claims that Lodewick was weak and that he would triumph in spite of his points relegation in Marin-Roubaix.  A visibly exhausted Hushvod said at the finish, "Lodewick and van der Standish started to chase von Simeon at the top of the Altoberg but I could not hold their wheels, they were going too hard.  My legs were cement today, not what I had hoped for.  I will be satisfied with my [tainted-Ed.] victory in Marin-Roubaix and I plan on resting up and preparing for the end of summer China Camp ITT."

Lodewick was uncharacteristically subdued at the post-race podium ceremony and only has this to say: "Yes, I crashed twice, once on the descent of Makin Grade and again at the entrance to the Maderia Creek pavé

 but that did not hinder my performance today.  Van der Standish and I made a good account of ourselves by chasing down von Simeon but unfortunately I had to wait for Baen due to a mechanical on the Bridgeberg.  Victory was possible as I had good sensations on the climb but fate intervened."  Regarding the tactics of von Simeon he had only a few taciturn words, "Von Simeon will ride how he will ride, I cannot affect that, and he rode a strong race.  I rode with honor this night, and I have the MWC overall as a prize.  I am satisfied with my performance."

While there was an abundance of drama at the tête de la course, perhaps the most compelling story line of the event was unfolding at the posterior of the 

group.  A furious engagement was waged by multiple riders for the prestigious Lantern Rouge award for the last finisher.  An award that has seemingly been been the birthright of the "Red Devil" R.A. vonSchmidt, saw challenges from all angles over the winding byways of central Marin.  While vonSchmidt surely did his best from the outset to cement his place as the 

MWC "Red Flame of Mediocrity," Markus Clijisters and Stijn Cherry were not going down without a fight.  While for a time, Clijister's looked to be in contention with the leaders, while chasing a charging Hushvod and fighting for the wheel of Lodewick on the lower slopes of the Altoberg, he suffered what can only be described as a volcanic eruption on the scale of Mt Vesuvius.  He proceeded to go backwards as though shot from a cannon, surprising vonSchmidt and Cherry to the extent that they nearly lost the Flame right then and there.  Like it's predecessor Pompeii, Northern Mill Valley will be feeling the effects of Clijister's massive eruption and subsequent crater for years to come.  

Stijn Cherry, meanwhile, went so far in his quest to unseat vonSchmidt that he rode a mountain bike on the course!  This unconventional thinking is either a level of genius, previously untapped in Cherry or just another attempt to increase the difficulty factor to satisfy his needs for suffering.  An obvious handicap to Cherry, the bulky tires and low gears, not to mention the porpoise-like bobbing suspension actually had an unlooked for side affect: allowing Cherry to descend in a more comfortable fashion and arrive at the finish with more energy that many of the other competitors.  

This unlikely strategy seems to have backfired for Cherry and as a result, though the surprise challenge from "The Human Crater" Markus Clijsiters was unexpected, vonSchmidt was able to dig deep into his well of lethargy and successfully complete his quest for his 3rd straight Lantern Rouge.

Another edition of Ronde von San Raflaanders is in the books and it seem likely that this one may provide fodder for discussion for the years to come.

Wind May Play A Factor in the 3rd Annual Rhonde San Raflaanderrs

After two years of spectacular weather, wind may play a factor in tonight's Rhonde San Raflaanderrs. Big, meaty men like Jonas Lodewick and Jimmey Ribinski may have a distinct advantage. Fly weight riders like Macus Cijisters and Stjin Cherry may simply be blown away.

The Rhonde San Raflaanders, the final stage of the MWC begins at 6:45PM on B Street.

Ribinski Arrested!

May not start San Raflaanderrs!

Jimmey Ribinski's San Raflaanderrs may be over before the race even begins. In the early Tuesday morning hours Ribinski was arrested by San Rafael authorities for an altercation with a Storm Trooper at a local bar.

The altercation was reportedly over Russian model Nadia Shaykhlislarnova. Van von Simeon of the Whole Athlete team was with Ribinski at the time. Van von Simeon was briefly detained but released shortly after 3AM. Ribinski was booked at the county jail and is scheduled to be released just hours before the official San Raflaanderrs sign in at 6:45PM. Many feel this is just the wake up call Ribinski needs to make a strong showing.

Late Breaking News!

Federiccio close to signing one-day contract with Northside Wheelmen!

In one of the most amazing twists to the Marin World Cup thus far, Dario Federiccio may not be a scratch for the Rhonde San Raflaanderrs after all. Details are sketchy at this time, but an official close to the negotiations says the Whole Athlete rider will ride for Northside Wheelmen Tuesday night.

Stijin Cherry, Northside Wheelmen rider and a founding father was seen in a moving truck late Monday night. When asked about the late developing news, Cherry was quick to comment. “Joos Livalk has forced Frederiicco’s hand. By not allowing Whole Athlete Juniors into the race, the director has once again favored his friend Jonas Lodewick. Stupid rule! I wouldn’t be surprised if Lodewick made the rule himself. Litvalk is a puppet! There was a payoff.”

Plus, added Cherry, leaning in close explain his point, “Fredericcio is a Northsider. Always has been! Always will be!”

With Northside strongman Ken Hushvod out of the MWC overall, a partnership between the two will likely crush Lodewick’s hopes to claim the San Raflaanderrs win and MWC crown. A Hushvod-Federiccio 1-2 punch, as everyone obviously knows, would be unbeatable.

Details of the one-day contract have not been made public at this time. A phone call to the Federiccio household went unanswered at 6:30PM PDT. Not known to stay out late, it is assumed Fredericcio had retired to bed for the evening.