Here come The Classics

Photo: Here comes my brother.

The most inspiring, powerful and sometimes brutal races start this weekend with the Het Niewsblad (Previously Het Volk). The sight of the Quickstep and Lotto powerhouses training on the cobbles is enough to send a shiver down your spine and looks like it'll be a slug out between the two teams. If you feel the Tour of California was largely overhyped, the spring classics should be enough to restore your faith.

I think there's a live feed here Sporza.be... although my language skills are of the talk louder and point variety. Great clips of past races in the multimedia section too, powerful camera work in the Lion of Flanders clip.

I'm tipping Lief Hoste to win, although I'm going to tip him for every race this spring until he manages to win one.

Merry Goo Round

The Live Stream of the Belgian Superprestige series has been an absolute bonus this year, as more often than not I've luckily turned my machine on to find the racing's on that day and starts in half an hour, just in time to get a brew on.

This weekend saw Nys wrap the series in confident fashion, as you saw Niels Albert head drop a few corners from the finish in an admission that Nys had too much power. Given Albert's worlds success and his injury blighted season it's no disgrace.

I wonder whether Wellens will reappraise his tactics for next season as his efforts have had little reward. Shame really, I'd like to see him standing on the top step more often.

One racing maneuver really caught my eye though.In the first couple of laps Nys and Albert flew into a corner just after the pits choosing to run the next section. Whilst diving off their steads, the handlebar grip was maintained as the other hand grabbed the barrier to fly around as if travelling on a childs roundabout, a merry-goo-round nonetheless. Throughout this process the bike was left to aggressively fling itself around the outside of the rider, albeit attached to an outstretched arm. Suffice to say no one tried to ride around the outside on this corner!

I flicked through Simon Burney's book and I can't find it in there. Wonder if it'll be in the next edition?

One Fast Lap

As you'll notice, a small number of illustrations have started to appear. Keep calling back, I have more in progress and some stuff to say about stuff...

...and it won't be about the Tour of California.

Promise.

Tufty Club

This guy should forget the road and be racing hardcore cross in Belgium. The 3 peaks would be a cakewalk especially with this story.

The life and adventures of of Grizzly A......Sorry I meant Svein Tuft ladies and gentlemen!

The article alludes to him riding Roubaix, I'd love to see that especially if it was a sideways hail, mud strewn affair, I think he'd thrive.

E.I.O.O

Salivating yet?

You saw last weeks post, figured out some clothing was on the horizon and lo and behold here come the Belgian t-shirts! (yeah, I know it was obvious really wasn't it).

First style available is the logo T, featuring the lion (suit wearing) man of Flanders in both Dark Brown or Black (both shown above).

I could go on, wax lyrical (anyone remember that club night in Sheffield) and sing the praises of both the design and the T's. But I won't, I'm a Yorkshireman, a spades a spade and these are T's with a logo on... and I'm pretty happy with them.

So what are you waiting for?

Put your order in, get your shirt and wear it while cheering or jeering your favourite cross or cobble rider, either hanging over the course tape, cobble sector side or sofa bound... just be careful not to spill too much of your favourite Belgian brew on it.

Ordering is a simple process:

• Choose your T-shirt colour and size from the drop down list.
• Add the postage relevant to your region and order size - Note: No order will be shipped without relevant postage paid.
• View Cart is located in the right hand margin or below.
• Checkout. Payment is handled entirely by Paypal, is encrypted and secure. The facility to pay by credit card without having a Paypal account is also available.
• Shipping. Your shirt will be shipped at the earliest possible opportunity. Please allow 7-21 days should I need to restock the item or if you're in a distant part of the world.

Sizing: S: -38 M: 39-41 L: 42-44 XL: 44+

Garment Features: All Shirts are regular fit, 200 gsm heavyweight, 100% preshrunk cotton. Taped neck and twin needle stitching for neatness and strength.

Garment Care: Each shirt is printed using DTG (Direct to Garment) technology. To maintain the integrity and lifespan of your print, wash inside out, at a temperature of 30˚C.

LOGO T - Black

Black - SIze S £18.00 Black - SIze M £18.00 Black - SIze L £18.00 Black - SIze XL £18.00

LOGO T - Dark Brown

Dark Brown - SIze S £18.00 Dark Brown - SIze M £18.00 Dark Brown - SIze L £18.00 Dark Brown - SIze XL £18.00

Postage & Packing

UK - 1 Shirt £2.75 UK - 2 Shirts £3.00 UK - 3 Shirts £3.50 Europe - 1 Shirt £7.00 Europe - 2 Shirts £8.50 Europe - 3 Shirts £9.50 USA/Aus/NZ - 1 Shirt £8.50 USA/Aus/NZ - 2 Shirts £11.50 USA/Aus/NZ - 3 Shirts £13.50

Sunday morning afternoon

Good road miles this morning.

The world was still sleeping apart from:
4 mountain bikers
6 horseriders
2 Farmers
20 something runners

Temperature was far from balmy, first decent was a lipsmacker. Sent me into a headspin wondering how do you tell you've got frostbite on your face if you can't see it (or feel it).

The cold sent my senses into overdrive, smell becoming the primary driver.
Notable aromas where:
A drystone wall radiating a weeks worth of commuter's exhaust fumes.
Steaming horses grazing in a field.
Glue?

Having though about it, the horses weren't really grazing. They were standing in a snowy field wishing for spring.

What could have been

Caught the last lap of today's Superprestige with Nys cementing his domination of Belgian cross. The course looked a real grueller, just enough mud to crush the field, what a difference a week can make.

Which neatly takes me back to the worlds.

Great win for Albert, thoroughly deserved. Are we seeing the formation of a future Cannibal?

Suprise of the century, the belgian team working together to shut down Lars Boom and the Dutch team. Caught absolutely everyone out this one. If it's a formula repeatable in future years, Belgium's dominance of the world scene will be unassailable.

The race narrative was pretty much what I expected, hard dirt contributing to a solo effort. Did manage to get the leading actor wrong though.

Trebon knocked off by a cameraman? What? Did I hear correctly? Was the cameraman a Belgian and was he part of the Belgian team game plan. Think I'll have to scour the airwaves for international fallout.

Chapeau to Jody Crawford. 31st on the world scene is nothing to be sneezed at. Fast laps comparable to the super heroes too. Fair Play.

Suprised to see 4 Spanish riders around the top 30. Is this a fledgling thrust towards the top? As whenever I've seen a Spanish team in a Northern Classic they're hanging on for dear life with ashen faced look of fear in their eyes just waiting for the DS to tell them they've done enough and can get back in the car. All except Flecha that is (but he's Argentinian so that accounts for that).

Did anyone notice Stybar's left arm as he got on the gas. Flapping like a garden gate in a thunderstorm. Compare this to both Albert and Nys. Both absolutey rock solid upperbody and controlled arms, transferring all the power to the pedals.

Chicken Tonight anybody?