Devolder the Destoyer part Deux

Devolder the Destroyer part Deux

What a beautiful day for a bike race. Earlier in the year I anticipated the beauty of today, but only because last year’s race was a weather disaster. Today’s crowds were enormous and the atmosphere was contagious.

Congratulations to Stijn Devolder for another magnificent performance in the Ronde Van Vlaanderen or Tour of Flanders.

We arrived at the Kapelmuur in Geraardsbergen at about 1145 and took up a nice cozy spot diagonally across from the chapelle right on the corner as the Muur crests. We managed a spot right on the fence, a perfect location as all of the riders the crested the hill were within arm’s reach as they passed. Apparently the Kapelmuur is now a haven for tourists and non-Belgians as nearly all of the crowd specific to my cornered location were either Italian, British, American, or Spanish.

Watching the race on Belgian TV is fun, but it certainly isn’t as much fun as waiting for four hours to get a glimpse of the break, the chase, the peleton, and the trail. There was plenty of excitement to be had before the Elite men crossed my gaze, as several groups managed to punish (or sometime humiliate) themselves up the Kapelmuur. It started at right about noon as a combined randonnee of children and adults wound their way through downtown Geraardsbergen and focused their efforts in climbing out of Geraardsbergen towards the Muur.
I’m completely certain that Belgium has the market when it comes to training children to be elite cyclists. I saw no less than fifty 7 – 9 year olds climb their way up the Muur as the crowd enthusiastically cheered them on. Unfortunately all of the children were not successful as I personally witnessed a saddened girl cry because she had to get off of her bike and push up the 19.8% grade. Kid, you did well.

Following the youngsters were bunches of 12-15 year olds on Princes, Look 595s, Trek Madones, and Steel lugged classics hammering up and over the Muur like they were late for Christmas.

Following the teens were the Elite women, and yes they were elite. I’ve ridden the Muur twice and felt I was successful both times having cleared it on a 39x18 and a 39x21. These women used the same gearing, but they were as fast as hoodlums chasing a beer truck. I couldn’t believe how fast and determined they were, it was utterly nuts. And, for some reason I constantly watched them as they rode away instead of when they were approaching, I don’t get it.

The pre-race highlight was certainly seeing Eddy Merckx crest the Muur, twice. Not only did he crest the Muur he did it on a steel lugged beauty while dressed old school. Eddy still is the “Cannibal” but today he ate the cobbles and the sincere appreciation of all of the fans. It was an absolutely thrilling experience, second only to nearly being run over by Alejandro Valverde after the Paris finish of last year’s TdF.

Quick Step was on fire today, five of the top 20 over the Muur were Quick Step riders. When Devolder cleared the Muur there was a resounding “Looks like he’ll win again,” even with Boonen in 4th and Quinziato in 2nd. My hope for the day was Big George. He was about 15 riders back after the Muur and was the 2nd Columbia rider to crest. The determination in their eyes, the salt stained jerseys, the hardened steel that is their legs, and the dancing that is their feet on the pedals, it’s an endless ice cream sundae.

See all of the photos at flickr

I’m headed to Gent-Wevelgem on Wednesday and Paris-Roubaix next Sunday. I’ll blog a short report and add pictures you wouldn’t likely see on cyclingnews.com.

Check out my flickr account here – www.flickr.com/photos/37081268@N08/ follow my race within a race at twitter – www.twitter.com/cyclopathic

Oh, 7 weeks after major back surgery I’ve been given the clear to put in some road miles. It’s looking more and more like I’ll make the Etape on Mont Ventoux for this year’s TdF.

Until Wednesday,
Kris