Cycling is popular in Europe but more so in some places than others. Here are the key heartlands of the sport. 1. BelgiumNo country in the world takes cycling so seriously. This doesn’t mean that all 10 million Belgians love cycling, just as all Canadians don’t follow Ice Hockey and all Japanese aren’t into Sumo. … Read more
Do the maths: sideburns + Brooklyn jersey + Gios bike = total class Roger de Vlaeminck is one of only three riders to win all five monuments, along with Rik Van Looy and Eddy Merckx. They called him “The Gypsy” and also “Monsieur Paris-Roubaix”. His family were not travelling folk, although his parents did sell … Read more
Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix is the biggest one day race on the French calendar. I can’t add much to the fantastic previews out there already. Instead three small points: The Hell of the NorthThe north of France is a grim place. It has pockets of high unemployment, the far-right National Front scores well and scores on other … Read more
Following Samuel Sanchez’s aggressive win in the Queen Stage of the Tour of the Basque country yesterday, Omega Pharma-Lotto are now the only Pro Tour team not to have won a race this season. When will their numbers come up? You might ask “so what?”, there will always be a team that has to wait … Read more
A run of the mill moment for Dumoulin He might be one of the smallest riders in the bunch and he might ride a compact chainset but Samuel Dumoulin collected his sixth win of the season so far yesterday in the Circuit de la Sarthe. He’s now equal with André Greipel on six wins but … Read more
Because things don’t always go to plan Following last Sunday’s ride, Fabian Cancellara will start Paris-Roubaix as the nailed on favourite. Not just nailed on, but glued, tied and bound with a toestrap too. But that’s to ignore the beauty of sport and cycling. Sport means the winner is never certain and this holds true … Read more
Valverde’s got the squirrel by its nuts Following my piece on the Basque country and Valverde’s ongoing presence in the bunch, reader Alex Murray left a comment asking whether Valverde’s team sponsor had taken a stance. I was curious about this too, after all whilst the team is Spanish, Caisse d’Epargne is a a French … Read more
Today’s stage finish Whilst many cycling fans will be focussed on the Flemish Classics and the upcoming Paris-Roubaix, don’t forget the stage racing in Spain. The Tour of Catalonia is done and today sees the Queen Stage of the Tour of the Basque Country, finishing at the San Antonio sanctuary above the small town of … Read more
Imagine everyone shouting your name Today sees the Scheldepriijs race, aka GP de l’Escaut, take place in Tom Boonen’s backyard, near Antwerp. He got a huge welcome and needed a police escort to get from his home to the start. Now not everyone in Belgium cares, but a lot do. Tom Boonen is already a … Read more
Me? I’d rather have chronic back pain… French squad Ag2r-La Mondiale have signed a sponsorship deal with Swiss shoe company MBT. Famous for their rounded sole which apparently helps the skeletal muscles, the deal is presumably for off-the-bike shoes. Expect to see the likes of Cyril Dessel and Nico Roche rocking and rolling around the … Read more