E3 and Gent

Marvin said "what's goin' on?"

I'm sure you have heard by now that Cancellara is being tested for actually being human.  It's true, he just might be a god or demi-god, is it a coincidence that we call him Spartacus?  I don't think so.  Garm-elo is sitting around the breakfast table wondering what the heck went wrong.  Arguably the strongest Classics team on the face of the earth was systematically dismantled by Fabian in little than a few peddle strokes.  The ten or so riders that he passed were later treated by the race doctor for third degree burns and bruised egos.  Cancellara was even plagued by several tyre changes, he even needed to change to his back-up bike -but none of this could stop the one man Classics killer slayer of mortals.

Ok, deep down I kind of wanted Voeckler to stick it.  I know how cool would it be?  Thomas is on fire right now -check his wins from Paris-Nice, the final stage in the rain and cold was legend.  QuickStep was forced to start and All-Star line-up for some WorldTour points or something made up by the UCI, kind of like bike inspections and magical frame $tickers.  Anyway Tom wanted to race E3, but had to settle for winning Gent.  Now that's something to cry about.  I'll say it...I'm a Boonen fan thick or thin, winning or whining, Coke or Pepsi, I like his style.  Sprinter, Classics, the tougher the better.  You can love him or hate him, but you better respect, he has three cobbles hanging on his mantel.  (that's a Paris-Roubaix reference).

This is a primer for Ronde de Vlaanderen, you have Super-Human Cancellara on form in the red corner, and Boonen who looks to be the white-lining Tom of a few years ago in the blue corner.  Baring any unforeseen players coming out of no-where this is going to be all out war.  We might see Thor in the mix, Haussler could throw his hat into the ring.  I think Cavendish is a non-factor right now, but his form will come around and look for him to wear every points classification jersey in the Grands.  Speaking of HTC Goss is a dark horse so don't leave him off the score sheets.  The forever bridesmaid Bennati is going to have to get on the top step sometime this year.  Farrar is always in there and you can almost bet he will podium when he is on.  I like Boom, with his CX roots and his Dutch blood, he is an outside contender fo' sho'.

Last but not least, "I will race in 2012" George.  He is a multi-national fan favorite from the Tifosi to the orange wearing Dutch in the Alps.  Hincappie showed us that he still has what he has always had...legs and the brains to put them in the right place.  Light a candle, say a prayer, send good thoughts, what ever you might do, do it for George this Classics season.

Like St. Patrick's day we are all a little Irish, during the Classics we are all a little Flemish. Grab some strong beir, friets and the mayo.  Wrap yourself in the Flag of Flanders, learn some Dutch swear, take Monday off for the Vlaanderen hang-over, and do it all over for Roubaix.  It's Classics season, hope you trained.