The Final Cycling Weekend of the Year
This is the final weekend of 2021 of any importance in the world of cycling. We are ending with a bang: Paris-Roubaix, the hell of the North, an exclusive affair only reserved for the strongest.
But first,
Remco’s Public Relations Team Earned Their Keep
Remco has a serious image problem. During the world championship, he and his PR team provided an answer. He worked for the Belgium team. He forewent his own chances. He pulled hard.
Merci Remco, Merci.
Bedankt iedereen!
— Remco Evenepoel (@EvenepoelRemco) September 27, 2021
Merci a tous!
Thank you all!#bestfans #Flanders2021 https://t.co/Vlkq7SYjNf
And yet, his participation in the Extra Time Koers television show, provided yet again more fodder for the tabloids.
Did he pull too early, so he didn’t have to ride against his teammate, Julian Alaphilippe? Did he disobey team directives by pulling too early? Did he try to sway the team coach on Saturday morning by asking clarifications on the team strategy?
Who cares!
Jose De Cauwer said it best: let’s have a beer or coffee to talk it over … and move on. Indeed, move on! The Belgian team didn’t win. That’s cycling.
There is still a lot of work ahead to turn Remco into Mr Sympatico.
Paris Roubaix, the Hell of the North
This weekend is a rare (covid-19) fall edition of Paris Roubaix. The race is always hectic and chaotic. It is a test of the equipment, as much as it is about the riders. You need to be strong and have a lot of luck to win this race. Because of it, Paris-Roubaix isn’t my favorite race. Nevertheless, it is heroic.
To get into the mood, this Friday evening, I am watching the 1976 documentary, A Sunday in Hell. The documentary provides a rare behind the scenes of what the race was in the 70s, among the GOAT, Eddy Merckx, Monsieur Paris-Roubaix, Roger de Vlaminck and many others.
And then there is always Tommeke! (Does he also carry the title Monsieur Paris-Roubaix? He is worthy of it.)
Less than a month before Paris-Roubaix 2018, the first one since the legend Tommeke retired... 🏆🏆🏆🏆#ParisRoubaix pic.twitter.com/BmfdGROru2
— Paris-Roubaix (@Paris_Roubaix) March 15, 2018
One last time this year waking up very early California time to watch pro-cycling.