Despite the year-round activity, the cycling season has a true moment when it all begins. The Tour of Langkawi? Het Volk? The first Kirsten Gum sighting on OLN? Nope, it's the Ronde van Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders. This Sunday, Live on ABC!
OK, I made up that last part. It's clear that it will take time for this country to recognize that the coolest sporting event of the weekend has nothing to do with baseball or college hoops. John Tesh's music alone set cycling's popularity back in this nation a good ten years. Anyway, we All Love baseball and college hoops, but there is something monumental about the Tour of Flanders that is almost unrivalled in sports. It is the centerpiece of the spring cycling calendar, the premier race in one of cycling's most storied nations, and it all happens in a single day. No long-drawn out drama, just a year's worth of preparation and dedication put on the line, hanging in the balance of each decision about whether to chase down that acceleration by Bettini.
OK, I am being dramatic, but the Ronde is a true Classic, and every April I find myself wondering if the five-week run of races isn't more exciting than the Tour.
Anyway, the Ronde has an English website which looks like a press center more than anything fan-friendly. But don't miss the course profile, which I think is a good demonstration of why these races are so interesting. The first 140km are board-flat, but from 140-240 the profile looks like a 19th century logger's sawblade. In other words, there will be plenty of selection going on.
Another aspect of the Ronde is that it's time for the MSR sprinters gaggle to take a back seat. Actually, the sprinter set does include guys who can make it to the line in Meerbeke -- witness the recent podium finishes by Stuey O'Grady, Erik Dekker and Romans Vainsteins. This isn't Liege. But more often than not the winners come from that special Classics blend of versatile riders, combining sprinting prowess with a little Ardennes hard-man: Museeuw, Van Petegem, Criquelion, as well as headliners like Gianni Bugno, Moreno Argentin, Michele Bartoli, Jan Raas, Eric Vanderaerden. Merckx won twice here, one more than the immortal Tom Simpson.
So... who now? Van Petegem has clearly been aiming for this and must be watched. Boonen had a nasty crash this week, making his marginal favorite status even more so; perhaps Quick Step will throw their weight behind Bettini instead. The CSC boys are everywhere, but who is their designee, Jens Voigt? Julich? And will there ever be a Rabobank sighting at a major race, besides Michael Boogerd's annual narrow defeat at Amstel Gold?
Discovery says they're featuring Hincapie and Devolder... I love Hincapie, and I'd never rule him out, but he's had a slow spring. Devolder's win today at Three Days of the Bread bodes OK, but it's no preview of the Ronde. Strange they don't mention Leif Hoste, second last year. Maybe they don't want to talk about how last year he and fellow Belgian Bruylandts marked each other out in the last km, leaving the road open to a German, Steffen Wesemann. Or maybe they are just keeping their own counsel.
Update: Ronde defending champ Steffen Wesemann bailed from Dreidaags this morning with a stomach problem.
So ... who are you tipping in Meerbeke?