April 5, 2010

“The old ladies in Belgium are tougher than you”

IMG_0056For the first time in nearly 20 years I am back in Belgium. I probably don’t need to point out that the 94th edition of the Ronde van Vlaanderen was a good one — perhaps one of the best I can remember. The two top favorites fought it out to the end, giving the thousands of rabid fans a great show. Perhaps the best thing I was reminded of, however, was that the Belgian fans simply respect the sport. The average old granny knows more about cycling than your garden variety American Tour de France watcher. As Cancellara crossed the line yesterday, the café in which we watched the last 40km filled with applause — not golf-clap applause either, but honest, heartfelt appreciation kind of applause.

Continue Reading »
Share this Page Share this Page | Posted in General | No Comments »
October 8, 2009

A teammate and I were having a discussion today about bike racing (of course!). He posed a question for which neither one of us could really come up with a great answer. We both thought that you’d definitely be the man with the answer for this one though… How can teams like Columbia HTC control the sprint/flat stages so well in a grand tour, but seem to be helpless when it comes to the classics? Thanks for the insight on this one!

peiperScott Carmichael - Sparta, Tennessee

Scott, you and your buddy are indeed correct. I will be able to give you an answer to this one. Realize though, that I am friends with the team's directors, so I can tell them what you said if you don't send me some money.

You know, I walked up to Brian Holm at the Tour of California this year, and he told me he nearly didn't recognize me because I looked like "a eeepy" (hippy)

But to answer your question -- I believe there are several reasons why certain riders and teams murder it in the stage races and then seem to come up a bit short in the classics.

Continue Reading »
Share this Page Share this Page | Posted in Q & A with Joe | 5 Comments »