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| Photo credit © Bettini |
190k classic in northern Italy with about 70k on gravel/dirt roads. This is not a race for the faint of heart or a rider who is light in the saddle. This is a race of the diesel engine, head down, hardmen of cycling. A Classics rider de jour. One does not finish a 190k race with long sections of gravel/dirt because they are a "good rider". The riders that finish this race are not human, they look like humans, but they ride with otherworldly power and strength. When Pain sees these men, Pain thinks "oh, man this is going to be a long day at the office, I'd better call in sick".
I am a fan, or should I say student of cycling? I love cycling, and I love to learn about it's rich history good or bad. Watching races unfold, seeing the team's tactics, trying to look layers deep to find the nuances, this is what being a fan/student is all about. I am a fan of the Rouleur, the Classics rider, which brings Philippe Gilbert to mind every time I say or write Rouleur or Classics. Yes, there are other names -but I am a fan of Gilbert. To me he epitomizes the Belgian hardman. He will attack a group of sprinters with 1k to go, and never look back. He is dangerous on an uphill finish, and he crushes single day hard stages. What is not to like about this guy?
Gilbert is from the Wallon region of Belgium a French/German speaking area. Philippe started his career with Francaise des Jeux in 2003 and has enjoyed several victories. At the end of 2009 he was on fire and pretty much unstoppable winning Lombardia, Paris-Tours, and the overall at Ster Elektrotoer. One of my favorite Gilbert moments happened in the Vuelta '08 when he and a teammate attacked the field gained a few mins on the peloton and then hid behind a wall, watched the group go by and then reintegrated into the back of the field. Classic. Who says you can't have fun at the professional level?
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| Photo credit © Fotoreporter Sirotti |
Anyway, I can't think of a better rider to have won on the Strade Bianche. It was good to see Ballan and Cunego up in the mix. Ballan was a dud after winning the World Champs two years ago, but he is a great rider and I like to see him produce. Plus, he rides for BMC. Cunego has had some bright spots, but the last several years he has been a little lack-luster. Cancellara crossed the line in 5th, can you say "on form"? Take a little trip down the results and you will see at 22nd place Craig Lewis of HTC, more importantly the author of File Under Pain. -One of my favorite blogs. Nicely done Craig.
2 Alessandro Ballan (Ita) BMC Racing Team
3 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - ISD
4 Jure Kocjan (Slo) Team Type 1 - Sanofi Aventis
5 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Leopard Trek
6 Angel Vicioso Arcos (Spa) Androni Giocattoli 7 Oscar Gatto (Ita) Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
8 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Farnese Vini - Neri Sottoli
9 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team
10 Fabian Wegmann (Ger) Leopard Trek
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