The pre spring classics thread - or pre, pre, pre TdF 2009

Poststructural Pub
1

I’m really, really looking forward to the spring classics this year.

The two silver medals in the Beijing Olympics (Gustav Larsson, Emma Johansson) has generated a great new interest for road cycling in Sweden. The biggest annual amateur race, 300 km round the central lake Vättern in June, sold out before the turn of the year with 18000 participants :slight_smile:

Lances comeback has been big news but in my opinion the thing that will make cycling fun to follow this year is the new Pro Tour team constellations with lots of good riders and even teams.

I have been awaiting a breakthrough for Thomas Lövkvist during the past three seasons and even though he has performed very well and made great efforts for his teams he has been just out side the podium places, until last sunday.
So this year might be it! :smiley:

Take a look at his spectacular win of the Eroica 2009 in italy.
That final climb gives me goosebumps.
Here is link to the last 11 km of the race, some thrilling attacks and counter-attacks:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8lg99_monte-paschi-eroica-2009-22_sport

Cheers!
/MarcusR

2

The Eroica seems to have gotten semi classic status very quickly since its inception. Thanks for the link. I’d like to ride in Tuscany and its “white roads”, almost as much as some of roads on the Tour of Flanders.

Its much too early to think about the Tour. I’m just waiting for the classics to get here.

3

I always had dreams of winning the cobble.

4

So am I, and I agree. I’ll rename the topic.

It’ nice to see some good cycling again though, I like that spring feeling. But as you are located in California I bet you have a good cycling season all year around.

On the other hand, one of the benefits of living in a long nordic country like Sweden is that one can optimize spear time activities. Next week I’m going skiing up north, the week after I’m off to cycling training camp in the south :smiley:

I’m just about to finish another road cycle building project. I’ll upload some images when it’s ready to roll.

Cheers!
/MarcusR

5

I just finished updating an old Cannondale and am working on an '83 Trek 720, have to spread the rear drop-outs on that one. I am trying to persuade my chief financial officer I need some welding equipment so I can make some custom racks for that bike. I am suppose to take a friend shopping this evening for a Trek Madone not sure which model, his has broad discretion so he can pretty much get whatever he wants. He’s got cable so maybe I get to see some races this year for a change.