Paris Roubaix - I am a little disgusted today

First of all it was won by a time trial specialist. (Check the Sweet video) That's just wrong.

Second his name is Fabian. Call me old school but Tom or George seems like a more appropriate name for a Paris Roubaix winner. Fabian Cancellara should be at the Circuit de la Sarthe or something.

Third, what the hell is up with this train thing. And all those guys that got DQ'd for crossing before it came?

Fourth, I know it is not his fault but I am annoyed with Hincappie for getting smoked. I bet the component guys are all freaking out cause his forks broke.

Fifth, Saul Raisin better get well and back on the bike. Its starting to look like he is the only hope for American cycling.

Sea Otter - I don't get it

I don't really get the Sea Otter Cycling Classic.

It's a festival, its a race... it's a trade show, it's a charity ride. It's a mountain bike race, its a road race, it's kind of confusing. What the hell is it? In addition to all that they run all the races on a race track. I guess it might be fun to camp out for the weekend.

The primary emphasis seems to be on the trade show/market place component. Check out the map of the area. Regardless, the Aussie contingent, which seems to get bigger every year, dominated the finish with a 1-2-3 showing.

The cork screw looks pretty fun. It's the only turn the race track won't provide footage of.

The Bisceglia Affair

So the USA Cycling CEO got fired which judging from reactions is a sudden and not terribly popular move. Why is this interesting? Because it looks like it is a conspiracy to keep Lance Armstrong and company out of the line of fire.

A guy on my team sent a great article about how USA Cycling is controlled by Tom Weisel (pictured on the right), Lance Armstrong, and their cronies. It is pretty well put together. I am going to have to get Weisels bio. I think the french would love to add this layer of complexity to the Armstrong/L'Equipe story. It would be great if there was a master plan and villain in this story.

G-DUB this Wednesday

(The Kemmelberg)

I am rechristening The Gent Wevelgem G-DUB. Since it is the closest thing to a Spring Classic us American's can win, it should have a good American monicker. So... from now on, it will be known as G-Dub (or GW). A few more Americans are entered or listed as reserves.
1. George - He's won this one before, looking good right now, boonen will probably take it easy.
2. Aaron Olson - didn't finish the Ronde, welcome to the big leagues
3. Fast Freddy - will probably get bumped by a Belgian
4. Guido Trenti - The Italian America, he'll finish and bust his but for somebody good, like say Boonen or Bettini
5. Bernhard Van Ulden - is listed as an alternate for Navigators, way cool! I hope he rides.
6. Canadians - Walters is pretty old, Barry got smoked on Sunday, Dionne didn't finish Sunday

KBC Driedaagse De Panne - Koksijde is the club that puts the race on. Check out the Organization link (my flemish is getting good) thoe dudes in the brown jackets are the guys that run cycling in Belgium, i love it.

No Surprises - Belgian, Belgian, Hincapie

Video of the Finish: Click text next to video, it is pretty choppy.
1. Tom Boonen (B), Quick Step 6:24:26 (40.414kph)
2. Leif Hoste (B), Discovery
3. George Hincapie (USA), Discovery, at 1:17

Interesting thing is Hincapie sounds pissed, I bet Hoste screwed him to get second.
"My legs were great today," Hincapie said after the finish. "Probably better than ever. And I wasn't really able to show that."

De Ronde, De Ronde - US Will Suck Out in Another Classic

De Ronde is tomorrow, so I am assuming Boonen or some other iron dutch boy will win. How is it that the US can produce half of the top 10 in the the Tour but can't get one freaking "Classics" win. The closest we have ever come is Hincapies 2nd in the Paris-Roubaix last year but that was an out of contention second. It kind of feels like we are becoming the new Spanish with no guys that can ride the cobbles. Bascially I only think there are a handful of real classics.
1. Milan San Remo - But who cares about La Primavera other than the Italians
2. Tour of Flanders - The Ronde, a cooler, but if you aren't Flemish who gives a shit
3. Paris Roubaix - The Hell of the North, this is the one i think american's should shoot for.
4. Liege-Bastogne-Liege - Tyler won this, does that still count though?
5. Tour of Lombardy - Another Italian special, Tour of the falling leaves has a nice ring to it though.

What are American chances like tomorrow? Let's see...not good since only two american's are on the start list. I'll include the canadians to make it a real list. I think there are more aussies than russians this year!
1. Aaron Olson - I'm liking him because he took over for Horner and is pals with Dionne. Still up and coming though.
2. George Hincapie - Probably The best US hope but no way.
2.5 Fast Freddy - I don't see him on the official start list. I m sure he was bumped for a belgian dude.
3. The Canadians - Dionne (no way), Barry (no way), Hesjdal (isn't he a mtn biker?)

So... US/Canadian chances? Slim to none. I guess all the US guys are getting ready for Sea Otter.

The Horn Squad Returns - Amgen Tour of California

I have been on hiatus for way to long. I blame the job not the baby, who by the way got her picture taken at the SF GP with Katheryn Curry the women's national champion, of course I can't find the pic anymore which is killing me! I will post here when i find it again.

The horn squad turned out in force for the Amgen Tour of California. It was 10 minutes from work so a couple of us went over with our cowbells to raise a ruckus. It was a beautiful February day and we freaked out a couple of the riders. We got these totally funny looks as if... "What the hell is going on". It was seriously the middle of nowhere east bay nor cal (union city to be exact) and there are like a couple hundred people with cowbells standing around in the middle of a work day for almost the whole route.

The Amgen tour is deffinately worth checking out. My only complaint is that the live feed web feed was down the first two days. The Grassy Knoll project, fan community generated video and pics, is pretty sweet idea...a totally good community application.