This weekend’s Paris-Roubaix has to be the unique race on the calendar. Its cobbles are enough to make the Oude Kwaremont look new. The velodrome finish is unusual but the exceptions don’t end there, this is a race where reaching the showers has become part of the ritual. Even the name stands out, Roubaix is celebrated as a strong brand by the cycle-trade when in the reality it’s France’s poorest town and rarely something to celebrate.
Another look at the UCI team rankings over three years. This week’s update doesn’t see any big changes, instead established trends continue.
A calendar change because of presidential elections this Sunday in France means the Amstel Gold Race swaps slots with Paris-Roubaix, a hilly race instead of the flattest of them. Some things stay the same though: it’s Mathieu van der Poel vs the field.
The latest standings with a solid week for Lotto-Soudal but they’ve got a long way to go to avoid relegation and another bad week for Israel-PremierTech.
165 starters reduced to duel. The third time up the Paterberg couldn’t separate Tadej Pogačar from Mathieu van der Poel. A sprint into Oudenaarde loomed and try as you might to cite factors as to why Pogačar might win, van der Poel had his rival right where he wanted.
Vlaanderens Mooiste, Flanders’ finest takes place today and arguably the only one day race of national importance. Expect big crowds, grim weather and an unusual race without local hero Wout van Aert.
Congratulations to Biniam Girmay for winning Gent-Wevelgem. A big win, a stage in his career. He was so strong Euro pro teams took notice in the Tropicale Amissa Bongo race in Gabon and he came recommended by the UCI’s World Cycling Centre.
The weekly update and it’s been great for Intermarché thanks to Biniam Girmay’s win in Wevelgem, the ranking points are a side story… but we’ll zoom in on the points here as usual for the standings.
God Is Dead by Andy McGrath
A biography of Frank Vandenbroucke and a warning about celebrity.
The weekly update and a significant moment as there’s the first change among the top-18 teams. Cofidis climb out of the relegation zone, overtaking the Israel-PremierTech team which slips to 19th place.
