Hopeful Friday 4/4/2008

Section head text.

This weekend there is a veritable log jam of racing options. Saturday has: the Sandy Hook time trial for those who like to spray their race clothes on, there’s the Johnny Cakes Race at Coxsackie for those who cannot resist off-color jokes, CRCA has a club race, and a Spring Series Saturday race at Prospect.

THEN there’s the Spring Series Sunday at Floyd Bennett Field, with Bethel winding things up on Sunday.

That’s a lot of racing.

And don’t forget this Sunday brings the Ronde van Vlaanderen, the Flemish Super Bowl! It looks to be a great race, with Gilbert and (gulp) Chavanel on fantastic solo break form. And don’t forget my newly minted man-crush Cancellara who busted one of my all-time favorite wins at San Remo, leaving the sprinters like gulping goldfish on the shag carpet with 2k to go.

We have to also mention Boonen (because he’s so dreamy), who’s been quiet but has shown flashes of form, especially when he was trading pulls and attacks with Fabian in the E3. Ballan has also shown himself in the early races.

We also have the perennials: Nuyens (who now has a valuable teammate and 1-2 punch in Chavanel), Flecha (one day you will taste success, Juan Antonio), and of course, Captain 2nd place Hoste, who may not win, but will undoubtedly go the front of the race and gesticulate like a over-caffinated meter-maid.

Norway could also have a great day. Kurt-Asle Arvesen could play Servais Knaven to Fabian’s Museeuw, or mighty Thor SMASH! could finally have his break out year in the big spring classics.

Have you noticed I haven’t mentioned Pozzato? How can you take anyone seriously when they’ve adopted a look that make K-Fed look like 50 cent?

I’m thinking either Gilbert or Cancellara.

140 Comments

kaminski

Will they combine fields or shorten laps on saturday. Just something about getting up at 4am to race in rain and 30+ degress that just sounds like a blast.

Anonymous

Isnt Belgium the place where monks used to flog themselves, and were driven by misery so great they turned to making beer? No part of me, a leisure and pleasure-focused creature, would partake of racing all week in 40 deg and rain and living in some hovel like a gypsy. God bless him, but I actually feel sorry for the poor bastard (how many sports make you feel bad for upcoming pros?). Does that make me less of a cyclist? No doubt, Im sure. I guess 10 M Italians and an equal number of Spaniards would probably agree with me though

Anonymous

sacred ground for bike racing. even the italians worship the “belgian pavee and ardennes”…but a place to develop…ouch!
seems that anywhere on the mediterrae coast of Spain/France/Italy would be better choice? Maybe? but of course then you would miss the mad fans, the bergs, race around the church, and what would a recovery shake be compared to home made blood sausages!

288

,for past 5 years, Danielson finished 13th in uphill TT in Redlands. Beaten by bunch of domestic pros, and Sevilla who did not race for two years. Tom on the way to greatness again.

NON real man kaminski

You see, the difference between Wiswell, you and I is that he’s paid to race in the rain and cold and also I guess hes a “REAL MAN”. you gotta be kidding me get off yourself.

Anonymous

I love vaughter’s comments on danielson basically saying all this “next” talk is way out of line and the best the kid could do is win a stage.

frankly he had 1 GREAT race in langkowi (spelling?) on the strongest dirtiest domestic team of the era. chris horner was ALWAYS stronger and better than him and you don’t hear people say he’s going to win the tour.

Anonymous

we’ve gone out and raced in shit weather every week this year… result – 4 of the 5 guys on our team got really sick last week.

Anonymous

The Connecticut Coast Cyclists do not race in foul weather. Their kit is made from only the finest Merino Wool. Do you know what rain water does to Merino wool??

Anonymous

I have generally avoided outdoor training when weather is bad this year, and have not even had a sniffle so far. Of course I cant ride fast either. Damn!

Anonymous

yes how about him. he’s done. Santiago Slotero was way far down the list too, right in front of Freddy R. and you know Botero is still all juiced up.

Anonymous

You know, there is always the option of not racing saturday if its wet and raining. I mean, that is a crazy thought, but sleeping in does have its advantages, mostly not getting uber sick.

Anonymous

you dont have to tell me twice. I aint gonna be anywhere near the start line if its 40 deg and raining at 5am. THe Hard Men are sick men. Ill be nice and rested, and have a nice trainer ride at the gym mid day.

A wool lover, not a hater

“Do you know what rain water does to merino wool?”

Yeah, it gets it wet, just like plastic jerseys. The only difference is wool still keeps much of its insulating properties. Like, uh, sheep. Most helpful, particularly this time of year.

kwk

i dislike tommy d because all of his hype was due to a wattage test on a tread mill. he got a huge contract with Fosso not due to results. and another from Disco again not for results, but a freaking wattage meter. if you dont belive me look at the results he has had. Georgia, a stage in the veulta, and Lankawi. that is very very far from the results of Bobby j and horner and dozens of others riders

you can not compare him to domestiques because he will never be one, he is billed as an overall finisher in stage races. and that boat has sailed.

Anonymous

But I have to give it up to the club and the subteams who really make the race out of town full. IF you look at the big races out of town and take away the CRCA teams (Battenkill and Jiminy) I would guess you loose 30-45% of the entries in some fields (mostly 4s, 3s and masters). Keep it up!

Anonymous

my posts?

SCHNEIDER SCHNEIDER SCHNEIDER SCHNEIDER SCHNEIDER SCHNEIDER SCHNEIDER SCHNEIDER SCHNEIDER SCHNEIDER SCHNEIDER SCHNEIDER

time stamp 3:46pm. let’s see how long it takes them to delete this.

Anonymous

Why do you guys censor everything now, I guarantee if you do, site hits will drop precipitously. Nobody wants to only read cat 4s discuss whether or not they are going to wear arm warmers tomorrow. Lets have some freedom of speech and not take everything posted so goddamn seriously. I mean really? do you guys lose sleep at night based on whats posted on this site?

dolan

well… for what it is worth the jason schneider comment made me belly-ache laugh out loud and pee my pants. that guy would destroy any hints of cooperation in a break and then attack you after not pulling for miles. i’m not sure why posts about breakaway behavior are censored in the breakaway discussion… but i’ll grant you they were funny!

Anonymous

wait, where do you see cat 4s posting about wearing arm warmers tomorrow? my team has been debating the long-sleeve vs. arm warmer all day. any useful insights there?

dolan

can you spend more time fixing all these goddamn errors i keep getting and less time censoring comments?

i’m told by some sleeper cell of anonymous posters that they are getting frustrated.

schmalz

Boner was throwing a hissy because they were at the front (and slapped a guy on the butt), then Devolder went to the front and actually pushed one guy backwards by the shoulder.

Ironic

Turn the log in on again. Watch everyone without a spine disappear. Point proven. Freedom of speach is only valuable if people have the balls to leverage it.

Anonymous

What is the model here? More adverts, then open; subscribers then log in…
Would I pay for this? probably not…unless of course there was actually effort to have results and photos worth paying for, not volunteer content

Anonymous

Andy, Marco, Kozak, OA – hope you all sleep in tomorrow and don’t go to take pictures of these ingrates for a few weeks. Then charge $20 to access the site.

Anonymous

If AVD updated the race results before Saturday night he might have known that the PDF links are dead. At least we know who’s leading.

Anonymous

That was Marc Cesare 2nd and Damien Di Costanzo 4th

In P-1-2-3 think it was John Durso 1st, Gavi Epstein 2nd then two ChampSys guys – maybe Franklyn Burgos

Tri Guy

Does anyone know if it was a PB for O’Donnell? Can we get the power files, or do we have to go to proteineast.com?

Anonymous

Belgian Leif Hoste took a dig at Filippo Pozzato. “Pozzato? He will be wondering whether to get his shoes dirty or not,”

Anonymous

The 2007 Sandy Hook Time Trial will feature timing and scoring protocols that should make the day run smoothly and rapidly. Results will be posted near the start line on a rolling basis. A 1500 minutes protest period will begin when category results are posted. After this period has elapsed results will be final.

Anonymous

Seems this event was a bit messy (again). I know that my time was accurate, but others in my field might have been given overly fast times, which is a bit frustrating. I hope the organizers turn this event over to Westwood. Those guys did such a good job with Silvermine, they are the logical choice to clean up this event.

Other than the timing issues, it was a fun race on a good course.

910

Dude below pick Big George for the win. I don’t know about that, but I keep thinking he will be involved in the finale somehow.

Orcutt

Unfortunately, the Sandy Hook race has become synonymous with incompetence in recording and producing results. I appreciate anyone who puts on a race but it’s the same problems year after year, and it’s hard to understand why these guys don’t avail themselves of the Westwood/Silvermine system or the Mike Green/CRCA system – the truth is out there.

Rick

Technically, if they weren’t keeping accurate time, then they didn’t put on a race, just a meet-up for people with dorky helmets.

sandy schnook

WODonnel P/1/2/3 14:32
DLinenberg P/1/2/3 15:28
SGoldman M35+ 15:28

everyone else followed those 3. ODonnel’s position is scarey fast. insane he can pedal it.

Anonymous

Over heard at the results area…”Wow, that’s a fast time,” Reply, “Yeah, but it’s 90 seconds off what I rode.” To say the least there were timing issues. In other cases the times were 30 seconds off.

Anonymous

Time trialing as part of a stage race is bike racing. Time trialing as a standalone event is not. That’s why you can’t use TT results for upgrade points.

K-Fed Pozzato

I just woke up an shit, all hung ovah & shit, an what does I see? You guys stylin’ the BOMB K-Fed Pozzato, yo. (Dat’s Me mutha-fuckaz) You guys is da SHIT!!!
Word. Audi 5.

Anonymous

Your bike only needs to be UCI legal for few selected events in the USA. That is how stupid USACF rules are. NRC, National Championships, and Junior events that are qualifiers for worlds need to comply with UCI. The rest does not. How stupid is that?

Anonymous

looks pretty similar to Levi’s in the Tour of California, and that was apparently legal. And it’s fast.

tony settel

I think Will’s position is legal as his extensions are parallel to the ground. They have a high s bend rise like levi’s but are not tilted up like floyd’s. He seems to be the type of rider that can fit a position like Levi’s. He only avg. 320 watts yet still went quite fast. Super aero I guess. I am impressed.

Keep it Real

If you think his extensions are parallel to the ground you’re on crack or blind. Levi’s extensions are not parallel, but his forearms create a 90 degree angle-UCI legal, while Wills forearms are more like 130. If the UCI rules don’t matter, why the hell don’t we all just go ala Grame Obree and use the bullet or superman position which are way faster than any crap O donnell could come up with?
Keep it Real

schmalz

What would’ve Devolder’s chances been today w/o Boonen on his team?

Nice ride, but the presence of the Boner had all the chasers’ legs locked.

Keep it Real-er

uh … is the good doctor riding the protour now? take it up with the CAS, jackhole. o’donnell’s a strong guy, trains hard, races well. props to him.

furthermore “Time trialing as part of a stage race …” nailed it. disputing the UCI legitimacy of a rider’s position at the sandy hook time trial? damn – good trolling. congrats, you got me.

wait – mebbe that comment was a subversive pelotoneast advert. damn! clever. ok, you got me one way or the other. you win.

unless of course my comment is an anti-counter-subversive pelotoneasy advert as well.

schmalz

The coverage ended at 7, and I said spoiler alert, and non one in the chase wanted to attack and risk taking Boonen along.

Anonymous

had enough legs to be the best of the rest. I’m sure they were all tired after 6.5 hours in the cold and rain.

Anonymous

check out his diary, he expains the rules very thoroughly. It is amazing to me how the anon. posts bread all this jealousy and hate. He is a great guy, good for the local scene, and dedicated. Stop hating and start trainingd, then go beat him with whatever position you like.

Anonymous

when he started the race. I don’t think he has the same 1 day strength as a Cancellara or Boonen, or the Hincapie of old. He spent too much time trying to become a climber to help Lance.

Anonymous

TTs are retarded. You do like 5 a year, if you’re lucky. How is that something to specialize in? Plus, look at all the guys that “specialize” in them. Harris, O’donnell, both of whom are daily ripped up on this site. Coincidence?

Anonymous

I wasn’t aware that Harris was a TT specialist. I would say that O’Donnell is. He does many more than 5 a year, and gets many more wins in Road Races as well. He certainly isn’t a 1 trick pony. On toop of that, if ridicul on NYVelocity was how anyone ruled their life, they would need an awful lot of help.

Anonymous

stop posting and go find some pictures of me. It has been 12 hours since I raced and I haven’t seen me yet.

schmalz

George had an agressive race, he wasn’t weak by any means – he’s just at the point on his career where anything except a classics’ win will be considered a loss. And everyone knows my heart belongs to Thor SMASH!

Anonymous

I am talking out my ass. My TIVO didn’t record it automatically, and I got home just early enough to catch the last 1/2 houor. Devolder was already away.

Anonymous

1 more thing: try going outside and riding, it can be quite fun. Sometimes even better than sitting in front of the computer watching it.

conflict of interest

Since when can the manager of Targetraining be the official of the race? He seemed pretty excited to be ringing the preme bell.

make it stop

there were at least 3 tv programs more compelling than the windy ass cold dreary day and a time trial on sandy hook. only spot windier than sandy hook is floyd bennet fields. at least you get to draft and ride in the grass (and glass) at FBF.

a tt isn’t a race but a win is a win.

will o’ (the good dr.) obviously puts mad time into riding his bike and reading his power meter. good win today. i bet he sleeps like a praying mantis to maximize his comfort in that position. he’s a good guy but if you are going to publish and then ADVERTISE your blog every week with screen shots of your power profile you deserve a little ribbing – to say the least.

similarly – ken deserves a LOT of ribbing for that helmet. He’s obviously an aero weenie (helmet, bike position, 15 powertap wheels) so that’s why he is mentioned as a TT freak. schmalz, you should be able to put two and two together on this one.

george is a lot of things. one of them is a dull knife when it comes to cunning race tactics. he’s like the big strong dummy who you just wish would win once to justify all the penis rubbing that bob and phil when they talk about him.

Anonymous

Bethel, CT – – Local authorities confirm that they are investigating the puzzling participation of Target Training’s cycling manager as an official at the Bethel spring training series criterium. Targettraining superstar, Justin Lindine, prepared the following statement:

“Um, yeah. He rang the bell.”

Local police chief had this to say:

“They really didn’t have many options. It was him or cancelation. And we couldn’t risk having a rowdy crowd. So it was him.”

A NYC based cyclist who wished to remain anonymous stated:

“Where the hell are the photos from the 3/4 race? wtf?”

Local fans didn’t seem too concerned about this apparent “conflict”, but more than one noted:

“Adler rode a smart race.”

Additional details to follow as this important investigation continues to unfold . . .

make it stop

when are NJ race promoters going to get a clue?

like i’m going to drive to MARLTON and pay 28 dollars when the payout is 350 over 10 places.

shit branch brook was WORSE this year. that race used to be THE SHIT now it is too early, too short and too expensive.

so long as i can ride 3 blocks to central park and race for 22 dollars where the payout is 550… you need to do better if i’m going to cross a river. like holding a race in the warm part of the day with a hot dog stand, a dunk tank and a few balloons.

NJBA needs to hold a meeting and discuss the watering down of the “crit capital.” we don’t need another 30 mile closed circuit race to line someone’s pockets. either step up and make a compelling reason for me to leave this island or you become another CRCA – holding small field races that really nobody cares about outside the MAXXIS CUP.

dolan

i couldn’t agree more with the demise of Branch Brook series… its a shame because there used to be big fields there. or maybe i was small young and impressionable… hard to say.

dolan

i remember winning a 3/4 race (when i was young and impressionable) at branch brook and receiving a pair of size 7 womens winter booties as my prize. then i got 2nd the next week and ray reached into his trunk and gave me some wheel bags that were probably a promotional item at his shot.

i guess things haven’t really changed.

Anonymous

they just reposted sandy hook results on the rutgers site. even more incorrect and disgusting than the official post-protest results posted that day. what a F’ing mess.
next year, i suggest we all skip that event. 2 years in a row. total fubar.

Anonymous

was the victem of mother nature this year. I am amazed we think $30 is way too much to pay for an event. Tri guy must be embarrassed to be a part of this site. They pay much more, and receive much more in return. I would gladly pay $50 to race my $10,000 bike that I use for my part-time hobby.

Anonymous

don’t go to Jersey.

Problem solved.

And PS for conflict of interest: the vast majority of local races have local club members running them. Big whoop

Anonymous

first… my bike frame/fork cost $450. if i crash and break it i will replace it for the same. please send my apologies to Cadence for not spending 10G this year.

second… if i spend 30 bucks i expect to get paid that 30 bucks back for placing. unfortunately you don’t even make your entry fee back for high placings in the 1/2/3 at Branch Brook. I whitnessed first hand Ray Smith paying Mike Miller cash because he didn’t cover his race fee for a 4th place. 4th is pretty good i think… i got 10 bucks for my 6th place.

sorry… but you’re not going to get serious racers out there with those payouts. when you race 50-70 days a year it gets expensive if you can’t earn some of that back.

hahaha

It’s your perogative to not to go to races that don’t pay more prize money, but the “it gets expensive if I can’t win it back argument is such a joke” Dude, if you care about money don’t be racing bikes at your low level

AA

On the topic of race payouts….. I received a check on saturday for the Christiana stage race which took place in August. I thought that money was long gone. The promoter even included a short explanation and apology. I was shocked AND delighted.

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