If Saturday’s Tour of Lombardy marked the end of the season for many, the Chrono des Herbiers on Sunday was surely the last moment pro riders could be seen in action?
Well no. Next weekend sees the Japan Cup one day race in Utsunomiya, 100km north of Tokyo. The Herald Sun Tour in Australia is asleep for 12 months because of the Worlds being held Down Under.
The curtain really falls with the traditional end of season race in the Caribbean, the Amstel race in Curacao. An invitation criterium backed by the Dutch brewer, it’s barely a race and seems to exist primarily for daft photo opportunities involving dolphins, bikinis and riders scuba-diving in bib-shorts. The levity of the occasion suggests the off-season has already begun.