More Post Race Quotes from Marin-Roubaix

Jonas Lodewick - Team....?

"I gave everything I had but Hushvod out manouvered me in the finale.  He obviously profited from sitting on my wheel all day.  I tried to force the pace on the Railroad d'Arenberg but no one else would work.  No one would come through the entire race and I was forced to chase down every break by myself.  Perhaps I did too much work in L'Camp Chinois and the Railroad but at least I rode with grinta.  The field raced like cowards today."

Markus Clijisters - Domesticated Bachelor Racing

"Oooof.  I did not have the legs today to ride with the leaders.  My form is not where I was hoping it would be at this point but I tried to ride conservative and follow wheels but the pace was too high.  I will rest this week and prepare for the Ronde where I will look to attack.  Hushvod was strong but his course cutting was improper.  I gave him my wheel because my Director demanded it, but I'm, not sure why.  I saw him talking with Hushvod back in the team cars before Pauw Floof."

Stijn Cherry - Team Northside - THC

Weak.  This race was again too easy.  It needs to be at least 3 times as long with more rain, possibly some sleet, then I would triumph easily.  I believe Fredericcio deserves the win, Hushvod cheated, no question.  Would that I had skipped the sector at Pauw Floof, I would have been fresh for the Lincolnberg as well.  Hushvod has a well know history for these kind of tactics and that the commissaires allow it is disgraceful.  I suspect agreements were made and envelopes changed hands.  I have no proof but I know Hushvod."

Damiano Fredrichiolli - Whole Athlete - Directeur Sportif

"I refuse to accept this result.  That Hushvod cheated is clear, why he was allowed to retain the victory is not.  Yes, Fredericcio is still in the hunt for the overall but he was robbed of the win.  I am lodging a formal complaint with Pat McQuaid and the UCI to strip Hushvod and award the race to Fredericcio.  These local judges are more crooked than the Havenberg.  I will see justice.  We will protect Fredericcio in San Raflaanderrs and work to get him the overall win.  That ingrate Lodewick is going strong but we have a plan.  This aggression will not stand."

Van von Simeon - Whole Athlete

"It's on. I'm not waiting for ANYONE next week.  Implosion my ass!  Those f***ers didn't wait for me at an intersection the one time I was off the back.   There are so many last minute course changes it is next to impossible to keep up with the routing of the race.   Next week They will all get the treatment I got.  I'm spending every waking minute memorizing the course and I will not wait for your sorry asses.  The Gorilla declares: anyone left behind at any intersection is fair game.   Just as I was last week.   Just see who reigns supreme next week: pussy ass bitches who look good in spandex or someone who makes a living using navigational skills."

(Editor's note: Van von Simeon apparently was reported to have lost is anti-psychotic medication while out on course.  More on this story as is develops.)

Hushvod Guarantees Fireworks at San Raflaanderrs!

A somber and subdued but very professional looking Ken Hushvod briefly met reporters outside the Northside Wheelmen Corporate Offices in Emerytwerp the morning after his thrilling victory at Marin-Roubaix.

“I do not have the time or the patience to discuss my disqualification from the overall of the MWC. I will say, however, that I am very disappointed. Therefore, I am dedicated to attacking every berg at next week’s San Raflaanderrs. Jonas is a great rider and I have respect for him, especially after he took his medicine before Marin-Roubaix. Fredericco is also a great a rider and long-time friend. However, neither rider is a champion. They do not deserve to be the sole front runners for the overall MWC. I will make San Raflaanderrs hard. Very Hard."

Hushvod, then rushed into a black Lincoln Town Car that whisked him away, reportedly to club seats for tonight’s opening night match between the Giants and Brewers.

Hushvod Claims Marin-Roubaix Trophy

The home crowd in San Rafael, who, after waiting for hours at the stadium in the freezing rain, got exactly what they had hoped for: a win by home town hero Ken Hushvod in an epic edition of the Marin-Roubaix.  With a fearsome attack on the last lap of the velodrome which left main protagonist Jonas Lodewick behind, Hushvod held off the Italian, Dario Fredericcio in the final sprint to apparently take the win in front of his home town fans.  Lodewick  was able to hold off a hard charging Jimmy Robinski at the line to hold on to a podium placing.

In a stunning twist of events however, race commissaires have ruled that, due to two seperate incidents during the race that saw Hushvod cut the Pave sector #1 at Pauw Kloof as well as accept  illegal mechanical assistance from Markus Clijisters to repair a puncture at the foot of the Lincolnberg, while Hushvod would retain his victory trophy, he would receive no points for the victory.  The victory is a bittersweet one for Hushvod as this ruling will all but eliminate him from the overall Marin World Cup competition.

Fredericcio filed a complaint petition directly following the finish with PHRO President Joos Litvalk requesting relegation of Hushvod for the violations and that victory be awarded to him as a result.  In a statement issued by the PHRO press secretary, Litvalk stated that, "While there is some question about the advantage gained by Hushvod's violations, there is no doubt that Fredericcio had every oppurtunity to claim victory in the finale.  While PHRO supports his claim that Hushvod did indeed incur two seperate violations, Fredericcio  has no one to blame for his runner up position but himself."

While obviously dissapointed with PHRO's somewhat unsympathatic decision in the matter, a typically philosophical Fredericcio was at peace with the outcome.  "I cannot say I agree totally with Litvalk's decision but I still have hope for the overall.  I believe the events were pretty clear cut but I am not suprised by the lack of courage shown by the commissaires.  Hushvod is like a god in this region and perhaps his relegation would have resulted in riots which would be good for no one.  I will prepare for San Raflaanderrs and look to secure victory in the overall."

Hushvod however express indignance with Fredericcio's claim.  "The course was poorly marked on the approach to Pauw Kloof and the front group was following Clijisters.  If anyone is to blame it is him.  That is why he gave me a wheel at the foot of the Lincolnberg; he felt he owed it to me and at that point, his race was finished.  I commend Fredericcio on a tremendious performance but if he expects to win a PHRO race, he's going to have to learn to come around someone at the finish.  One does not win a classic with a pen and paper."

How the race unfolded:

The promised foul weather was holding at bay as the peloton rolled out from the start but the fireworks were soon begun as the cagey veteran Stijn Cherry attacked from kilometer 1, pullling the Russian, Jimmi Robinski  with him.  Robinski then immedietly countered Cherry and held off the group to claim the 1st hot spot sprint.  With a lead group having a sizable gap at the sprint point, Markus Clijisters continued to push the pace on the approach to the 1st pave section at Pauw Kloof.  While Jonas Lodewick was pushing the pace, creating a few minor seperations, it was grupo compacto leading into the next sector at Camp Chinois where again, with a show of impressive power Lodewick again attempted to create a selection.  Showing good form early was Van von Simeon who seems to be coming into his own this season as well as Hushvod and Fredericcio.  The group of four rolled through the 2nd sprint point without contesting it with full points going to Lodewick.  Several attempts were made over the following few sectors to break up the lead group but at the entrance of the Railroad d'Arenberg it was all together again.

In the Railroad d'Arenberg Lodewick once again went to the front with a massive effort that shattered the group and created what would end up being the final grouping for the finale.  Included in the group were Lodewith, Fredericcio, Hushvod and a suffering Robinski.  Despite a strong early effort, Clijisters and wiley veteran Stijn Cherry were out of contention after offering assistance to Hushvod who had punctured on the Railroad.  Van von Simeon was just off the back of the leaders when he suffered what looked to be a massive implosion, likely due to his early efforts.  He went backwards up the Lincolnberg as quickly as the front group was going up.  His day was finished and he climbed into the team car, opting to save his energy for next weeks San Raflaanderrs.

The front group of Lodewith, Fredericcio, Hushvod and Robinski arrived at the finishing stadium together it looked to be a 4-up sprint for the finish line.  However, with a couragiously strong move heading into the back stretch of the velodrome, Hushvod attacked hard with only Fredericcio able to hold his wheel and with a tremendious effort was able to hold on to the finish.  Lodewick  was able to out sprint Robinski for 3rd, rounding out the podium.  Clijisters and Cherry rolled in nearly a minute back for 5th and 6th respectivly.

Results:

Placing	Rider	Elapsed Time	Gap
1	Ken Hushvod	1:48:26	-
2	Dario Fredericcio		-
3	Jonas Lodewick		+ 00:05
4	Jimmi Robinski		-
5	Markus Clijsters		+ 01:22
6	Stign Cherry		+ 01:25
7	Van Von Simeon		DNF

Overall MWC Series Standings:

Place	Rider	GP Ken Hushvod	Marin-Roubaix	Total Points
1	Jonas Lodewick	1000	250	1250
2	Dario Fredericcio	500	500	1000
3	Ken Hushvod	250	-	250
4	Markus Clijsters	125	100	225
5	Stijn Cherry	75	75	150
6	Jimmi Robinski	0	125	125
7	Van Von Simeon	100	0	100
8	R.A. Von Schmidt	25	0	25

Early Edition Cycling News

Incliment Weather on the Horizon for Marin-Roubaix

An unexpected rainstorm that blew into the region has drenched the roads around San Rafael and looks to be a huge factor in the race this evening.  To many fans the only true Marin-Roubaix, is a wet Marin-Roubaix with the wet and sloppy conditions expected to weed out all but the hardest of the hard men.  With the race scheduled to start regardless of weather conditions, we could very well be in for a legendary edition of the mid-Spring monument.  With a hot and dry Tour of Flanders only two days in their rearview mirror, it is unlikely that any of the top contenders for the European races will be a factor tonight with a huge edge going to the local strongmen who relish the cold and wet.  Equipment selection will be a key factor no doubt, but the winner will not be determined in the warm dry mechanics tents but out on the cold, wet and dark "la terre cassee."  The only result that can be guaranteed is that the victor will earn their glory.

Marin Hardmen Ready for Battle

As the hour fast approaches, the favorites are making their final preperations for Marin-Roubaix.  We were able to catch up with a few of them and get their thoughts on tonights race.

Stijn Cherry-Team Northside-THC.

"I have good sensations this day.  The weather suits me and the colder and wetter the better.  I predict that many of these fancy boys like Lodewick and Foley will likely melt in the rain.  Robinski is certainly one to watch as is Hushvod as always.  I will look to attack in the Railroad d'Arenberg.  Otherwise I will work for Hushvod."

Jimmy Robinski - Whirlpool Spa Racing

"This race is mine to lose.  I am peaking at the perfect time and I see no one who can stop me from claiming the Marin-Roubaix. Lodewick is nothing, a non factor.  Yes, he was at my party but he was not invited, in typical fashion.  I will dedicate my win to the ladies."

Van von Simeon - Whole Athlete

"ARRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.  FEAR ME!!!!"

Dario Fredericcio - Whole Athlete

"I am tranquility.  I have been meditating and fasting for 6 days straight in preperation for tonight.  The Roubaix demands total focus and calm.  I have blocked out that mother-f***er Lodewick and his media circus.  Budda will guide me to the velodrome."

Last Minute Changes to Course Made for Rider Safety

PHRO President Joos Litvalk has made several last minute, although relativly minor changes to the finishing approach to the legendary San Rafael velodrome.  Litvalk stated that the modifications were necessary to prevent rider injury as the traditional single track access to the stadium was rendered unrideable by the recent storms.

"While PHRO has total appreciation for the tradition and history of Marin-Roubaix, we felt that the safety of the riders was our paramount concern.  The possibility of injury on the singletrack approach was to great a risk to take."  

When it was pointed out that the "tradition and history" he was referring to was actually non-existant due to the inaugural nature of tonight's race, Litvalk dismissed the remarks claiming, "Always, always, always there will be those who dismiss the heritage of our great people."  Unwilling to elaborate on this puzzling statement, the ever enigmatic Litvalk then walked out of the press tent without a further word.  What his words mean is still being debated throughout the peloton.

After Border Raid of Vehicle, Lodewick Proclaims Innocence

In a shocking development in the Lodewick missed-test scandal, San Rafael authorities confirmed that Lodewick, along with his fashion model wife, was stopped at the San Rafael-Kentfield border and was subject to a through search of his personal Audi.  Although a spokesman for the San Rafael P.D. issued a statement that this was part of a routine drug enforcement campaign, many are speculating that it was the large quantity of un-marked bottles found hidden under the carpet in the boot of his car that the police were tipped off about.  When subsequent laboratory tests confirmed that the bottles were indeed not drugs but a huge variety of hair and body care products, Lodewick claimed the personal care products were for his wife. With a reputation as a rider who cares almost more about his appearance than he does about results, Lodewick's claims were thin indeed.

In a statement taken by police at the local police headquarters, Lodewick stated for the record, "That while I may not indulge in the kind bud, I will always be a rider who drinks his share and abides by the rules of engagement.  PHRO's 1 shot penalty will not phase me in the least."

He then went on a 48 minute rant about "Those who would seek to seek to poison and destroy me."  

Lodewick let loose with a barrage of expletive filled statements including these, choice gems:

-"Hushvod is grasping at straws in his pathetic attempt to recapture last years glory.  He is finished...he just doesn't f***ing know it yet.  I will give him a map to the glue factory."

-"Let them bring on their 'sanctions.'  Like the great leader, Dr. King, 'I will overcome!'"

-"Frerericcio, bah!  He nurses his loss in the time trial like a wounded lamb.  Maybe he should do some more yoga today so he can pat himself on the back tonight after another 2nd place finish."

Lodewick apparently seems unconcerned with throwing down the gauntlet for the remainder of the MWC series but he may well find that he has few friends in the peloton remaining after the events of the past week.