CyclingSmarter

Ed Roadside in Belgium: From the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday, Ed’s gang of ‘Race Chasers’ moved a little down the road for the second race of the Belgian opening weekend – Sunday’s Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne and more cobbled action. A stunningly dry day for a northern Classic, but that wouldn’t ‘dampen’ the atmosphere.

# Read Ed’s previous day’s adventure at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad HERE. #

I love the drive from Gent up to Kuurne, staring out of the car window at the fields, the canals, tree lined avenues, the steeples, tiny concrete roads that would be great to explore on the bike.

There was a little rain on the way up but by the time we got to Kuurne it was a mild, sunny morning, ideal for wandering down the main drag where the busses line up and checking out 2020’s new hard ware. Deceuninck apart, access to the busses and those shiny bicycles is no bother – albeit the patch does get busier with each passing year. At the windows and floors boys encampment it’s different, the crowd of worshipers is thick round the bus as they strain for a glimpse of their lupine idols in blue and white. Every team is well presented, especially the big budget outfits like Trek – another difficult bus to get close to with everyone desperate to see Het Nieuwsblad winner, Big Jasper.

We especially liked the Cofidis De Rosas and the Wiliers of Total Direct Energie.

We also liked Belgian champion Merlier’s (Alpecin – Fenix) white Canyon with understated red, yellow and black bands on the chainstay. Discs: not all the teams or on them, Ineos, AG2R, Vlaanderen and UAE all stick to the old faithful rim brake.

Ineos even give their riders choice of the 28 mil tyre friendly K10 or the ‘even more aero’ F12 – either one would do me – but both with rim brakes. For the Classics some of the Shimano teams are replacing the Dura Ace front discs with the heavier duty Ultegra and even XTR mountain bike discs, saying that the Dura Ace disc isn’t robust enough. However, the XTR discs can’t cope with the heat build-up on long mountain descents so aren’t a panacea. There’s also the issue of rotor size standardisation and axle clamping – some mechanics saying it’s fine to use power tools to secure the thru axle and others saying it’s not, running the risk of stripping the threads on the axle receiver. In short, there’s still development to be done on disc brakes.

Bikes duly skeked we also spotted a few ‘names’ – like the resurgent Bjarne Riis at one of the NTT cars and an inscrutable Marc Madiot navigating the FDJ team bus in.

And, of course, we have to snap one of the crazy bands; all that done we headed for our first spot, the top of the Volkegemberg, the first climb of the day, long straight, cobbled at the top and 32 kilometres in. Once we were out of the shelter of the buildings in Kuurne the wind was much more noticeable.

There were five away, with a minute plus; an Alpecin, a Brussels Wallonie, an Astana, an Uno X and a UAE.

Behind, whilst it wasn’t ‘a bloc’ they weren’t wasting time either as the carbon rims ‘clacked’ across the cobbles.

The last time I snapped big German ‘Classics Man’ Nils Politt (Israel Start-Up Nation) he was zipping round the boards at the Bremen Six Day; the surface was a tad gnarlier today. The second spot of the day was the top of Bossenarstraat, the third climb of the day, 79K in, a nasty, steep concrete ramp. The house at top was where famous Flemish landscape painter Valerus de Saedeleer lived and worked – this is the stuff you don’t get on other websites.

Before the Elites arrived, the junior Kuurne Brussels Kuurne streamed past with almost as much fanfare as the pros and just about as many motor bikes and vehicles involved. Cian Uijtdebroeks would run out eventual winner covering the 122K in 2:59:39.

The five escapees had built their lead to 5:30 and again, whilst it wasn’t full on, there was no chatter in the peloton.

Mads Pedersen was well positioned, obviously not wanting to miss his bottle and there were a few big names well to the fore; Trentin, Stuyven, Rowe, Degenkolb. . .

And who says men can’t multi-task; this CCC was riding up a steep hill in the gutter amid a big bunch, hands free, taking off a layer whilst on the brink of munching an energy bar – respect
Kuurne is a difficult race to see more than a few times due to the nature of the parcours and we plumped for our final sighting at the top of the legendary Oude Kwaremont of Ronde fame, the tenth and penultimate climb with 58K to ride.

At the top, just before it re-joins the main road, the break was down to four men with Astana leading through.

Our boy Callum was snapping away and grabbed some nice images; this one of the rear of the break as they crested the hill.

He also got a nice picture of a suffering Merlier riding the smooth but tricky gutter line.

He also recorded that it wasn’t a good day for the guys with the nicest jerseys in the peloton, with neither Merlier nor Pedersen ‘troubling the time keeper’ as they used to say in ‘Cycling Weekly’ magazine when someone had a ‘bag of spanners’ day.

Ineos hardy Welshman is usually at home in races like this – but not today.

Nor was it a good day for Bora’s former Austrian Champion Lucas Pöstlberger who hit the deck – but did bounce back up; with thanks to Callum for some nice images.

I was a little further down the hill and caught Matteo Trentin on point behind the break with Stuyven, GVA, Benoot and eventual winner, ‘Danish wolf’ Kasper Asgreen all handily placed.

But not everyone who’s off the pace is having a bad day – Iljo Keisse’s job was done after working hard for Kasper for the first 100K.

‘Einde Wedstrijd’ and the green flag means the race is past and the roads are open.

But #115, Luis Mas Bonet had waved the vehicle past, he was getting off that bike at the top of the hill. We headed down to Ronse and our favourite bar, L’Escale where the owner switches off the soccer and gets the pils poured when he sees us.

We were organised in time to see Asgreen drop breakaway survivor Boris Vallée (Bingoal-Wallonie Bruxelles), who he had bridged up to, hold off the peloton by seconds and put a smile on Patrick Lefevere’s face.

All that was left was for us to say to our host; ‘au revoir, l’annee prochain, Monsieur.’ Or was it ‘tot ziens volgend jaar meneer.’

# Keep it PEZ for 2021 Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne report and result and more news from Belgium in EUROTRASH Monday. #

The post PEZ Roadside: Cobbled Fun in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne’20 appeared first on PezCycling News.

Race Report: The Deceuninck – Quick-Step team dominated the first Classic of the season and launched Davide Ballerini across the finish line of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad first. The young Italian held off Jake Stewart and Sep Vanmarcke in a sprint from a large group.

All happy at Deceuninck – Davids Ballerini wind Het Nieuwsblad 2021

The ‘real’ season started in Gent at 11.05am as the starting gun sounded for the 76th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

No fans at the start this year

An early escape was not long in coming. After a few kilometres Kenny De Ketele, Bert De Backer, Yevgeniy Fedorov, Matis Louvel and Ryan Gibbons escaped the peloton. In the hours that followed, they were given plenty of room with a lead of 8 minutes.

The early break

Early crash for Pieter Vanspeybrouck (Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert Materiaux), Jhonatan Narvaez (INEOS Grenadiers), Dries Gestel (Total Direct Energie) and Mark Padun (Bahrain-Victorious)

With 140 kilometres to go, Movistar and Deceuninck – Quick-Step started to worry about the gap to the five at the front. With two riders each in the lead, they were bringing them back bit-by-bit.

Train coming?

The first climbs loomed on the horizon with the Leberg, Den Ast, Kattenberg and Holleweg. After each ascent the nervousness in the peloton increased. There were a number of crashes: Mark Padun, Paul Martens, Sonny Colbrelli, Sep Vanmarcke and Otto Vergaerde all hit the deck before the finalé had even started.

Typical Flanders

Kasper Asgreen took a chunk out of the lead of the early break at 70 kilometres from the finish with a hard turn on the front brining the lead down to 2:30. It became clear that the first attacks were not long in coming. Victor Campenaerts and Julius van den Berg tried, but were just as quickly pulled back.

Kasper Asgreen was working hard

Windmills – Not only in Holland

Jonas Rutsch was next to try, the German took off at 68 kilometres out. The 23-year-old rider caught sight of the leading group, but was caught by the chasers after the Wolvenberg – 52 kilometres from the finish.

Greg Van Avermaet – Always a favourite

The action had now started. On the way to the Molenberg, Olav Kooij and Johan Jacobs broke away from the peloton. They were the first to catch up on the early break. Among the favourites; Movistar and Jumbo-Visma were very active.

De Traktor – Tim Declercq

No roadside fans, but the best TV shots

Ten rider including Julian Alaphilippe, Greg Van Avermaet, Sep Vanmarcke, Tom Pidcock and Davide Ballerini, crossed the Molenberg and went towards the second passage of the Leberg and the Berendries with a 30 second lead.

World champion out front

Alaphilippe made his move on the Berendries. The World champion gave it a go and rode Van Avermaet, Vanmarcke and Pidcock off the wheels. With 30 kilometres to go, Alaphilippe was heading for the finish solo.

The chase was on behind – Ide Schelling (BORA-hansgrohe)

The Deceuninck – Quick-Step rider quickly took a 30 second lead, but just before the Muur van Geraardsbergen, all the groups were together. A peloton of forty riders rode up the wall together.

Alaphilippe still working

Gianni Moscon tried after the Chapel. The Italian’s attempt ended a few kilometres later on the Bosberg. On this last climb we saw another attack by Tom Van Asbroeck, but he was unable to tear himself away from the peloton either.

Van Avermaet and Pidcock were well to the fore

A bunch sprint was then on the cards. With Bryan Coquard, Christophe Laporte and Alexander Kristoff, there were still a few fast men at the front. Deceuninck – Quick-Step controlled the peloton for Davide Ballerini.

An easy sprint for Ballerini

A mechanical problem in the final kilometre ruled out Kristoff, but the Norwegian could probably not do anything against the dominance of Deceuninck – Quick-Step. The Belgian WorldTour team piloted Ballerini easily to victory in the last meters. Stewart was second, Vanmarcke third.

A job well done

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2021 winner, Davide Ballerini (Deceuninck – Quick-Step): “A dream come true! I have no words for this team achievement. I love this team. This is the best start to the classics. We are here and I win. Alaphilippe then came to say to me: it is your day. And if the World champion says that, then so be it. I am very happy that I was able to finish it. This corona period is not easy for many people. I would like to thank the race organisation for making this race possible. Keep it up!”

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Result:
1. Davide Ballerini (Ita) Deceuninck – Quick Step in 4:43.03
2. Jake Stewart (GB) Groupama-FDJ
3. Sep Vanmarcke (Bel) Israel Start-Up Nation
4. Heinrich Haussler (Aus) Bahrain-Victorious
5. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Lotto Soudal
6. Alex Aranburu (Spa) Astana-Premier Tech
7. Florian Sénéchal (Fra) Deceuninck – Quick-Step
8. Matteo Trentin (Ita) UAE Team Emirates
9. Kevin Geniets (Lux) Groupama-FDJ
10. Nils Politt (Ger) BORA-hansgrohe
11. Ivan Garcia Cortina (Spa) Movistar
12. Amaury Capiot (Bel) Arkea-Samsic
13. Christophe Laporte (Fra) Cofidis
14. Silvan Dillier (Swi) Alpecin-Fenix
15. Anthony Turgis (Fra) Total Direct Energie
16. Bryan Coquard (Fra) B&B Hotels p/b KTM
17. Cedric Beullens (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise
18. Tom Van Asbroeck (Bel) Israel Start-up Nation
19. Oliver Naesen (Bel) AG2R Citroën
20. Dries De Bondt (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix
21. Gonzalo Serrano Rodriguez (Spa) Movistar
22. Owain Doull (GB) INEOS Grenadiers
23. Søren Kragh Andersen (Den) DSM
24. Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal
25. Jordi Warlop (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise
26. Lawrence Naesen (Bel) AG2R Citroën
27. Marco Haller (Aut) Bahrain Victorious
28. Aime De Gendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
29. Tiesj Benoot (Bel) DSM
30. Dimitri Claeys (Bel) Qhubeka Assos.

# Stay PEZ for Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne on Sunday and all the news in EUROTRASH Monday. #

The post HET NIEUWSBLAD’21: Deceuninck Domination! appeared first on PezCycling News.

The importance of family is instilled in all of us. Whether it’s the families we create or are born into, despite the challenges, arguments, ill-feelings, and miscommunications. Through all of the turmoil, family matters. This consistent espousing of family values could be the reason many people are late to leave the nest.

Economic woes, health issues, low-wage jobs, housing discrimination, and the constant redefining of societal norms could also be contributing factors. Although we don’t grow up to live with our parents forever, sometimes it can end up just that way, with multiple generations in the household. One in five Americans currently lives in a multigenerational household.

Whether it’s a choice or not, multi-generational living should be navigated with care, concern, understanding, and love if it’s to be a peaceful living situation. Let’s use this article to discuss this phenomenon in depth. We’ll also tackle why this sort of home life is so challenging and offer a few pieces of advice for those currently finding their way through multigenerational living.

What is Multigenerational Living?

Multigenerational living is when multiple generations live under one roof together. Also referred to as multi-gen or next-gen homes, this living arrangement is becoming more and more the norm versus simply a choice. A few key factors contributing to this trend are:

• People marrying later in life.
• A tougher economic climate and competitive job market.
• Varied health and wellness issues that impact a person’s ability to live independently.

The affordability and practicality of multigenerational living make it an easy decision for many to make, but others experience the challenges of this type of living more than the benefits. Although a multigenerational household can be chaotic to navigate, many enjoy the culture of a large household, the multi-layered support system it provides, as well as how wholesome the experience is to be a part of each family member’s growth. Multi-generational living also allows for family members to ensure their loved ones are well-cared for, a growing concern with one-third of nursing homes being found negligent.

For it to be true multigenerational living, there have to be at least two adult generations in the household. This could be parents and their adult children. More common is the three-generation household consisting of maybe a great aunt or uncle, mom and dad, and children. We’ve even seen four-generation homes consisting of great grandparents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren in the home.

The Challenges of Multigenerational Living

Coexisting peacefully under one roof can be quite challenging for those in a multigenerational household. The individual ages, personalities, values, futures, and expectations all contribute to the chaos that plagues many multigenerational households. Also, each generation has specific cultural, family, and personal values that influenced the economic, societal, and worldly views they experienced growing up.

We draw so much from our families, learn so much, depending on each member for even the unspoken things. So, we oftentimes look past the toxic or unhealthy dynamics expressed in a multigenerational household. For example, the inability to accept a family member’s sexual orientation or gender identification. Even being unmarried and cohabitating with your long-term partner among conservative family members is a cause for disruption in a multigenerational household.

The most noticeable challenge of multigenerational living is that privacy is almost nonexistent. Family members find it difficult to set boundaries, let alone get everyone in the household to respect those boundaries. Lack of privacy can severely inhibit a person’s ability to live a life of their own, nurture their relationship with self, and unapologetically pursue individual passions.

Advice for Surviving Multigenerational Living

Where you live can impact your mental health. So, it’s especially important to find a way to survive multigenerational living in the most peaceful, respectful, fulfilling way possible to give yourself the best chance at life after leaving the nest.

One way to make multigenerational living easier is to make your space your own and encourage family members to do the same. A functional, personality-filled room could give you the feeling of peace and happiness needed to sift through chaos. For example, children with autism often require sensory-friendly environments, so designing your living space with the right furniture and decor can create a calm environment that allows those with autism to thrive. Maybe you love pink, so coming home to an entirely pink room every night gives you the vibes necessary to continue to the next day.

Surviving multigenerational living could also be a matter of preparing to buy your own home in the future. Explore some of the most common reasons people get cold feet in the homebuying process. Jot down ways you can avoid those doubtful feelings, and this could give you some relief knowing you’ll be ready to leap when the time is right.

If it’s at all possible, explore designing a separate living area, kitchen, and entrance to the home that enables members of the family to have some sort of independence. In a multigenerational home, each generation will benefit from having their own separate space and privacy.

Overcoming the challenges of multi-generational living won’t be easy. Ease the experience by preparing yourself for the future purchase of your own home, experimenting with room designs that reflect the different personalities and needs of each family member, and designing extensions to the home that prompt independence if at all possible. While you’re there, also enjoy the benefits of having so many family members in one room because there are people out there longing for this exact dynamic.

Photo Credit

Image by Omar Medina Films from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Jori Hamilton

Jori Hamilton is a writer and journalist from the Pacific Northwest who covers social justice issues, healthcare, and politics. You can follow her work on twitter @HamiltonJori, and through her portfolio at Writer Jori Hamilton.

Slovenia’s Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar won cycling’s season-opening UAE Tour as Australian Caleb Ewan claimed Saturday’s seventh stage sprinting honours in Abu Dhabi. The 22-year-old Pogacar dominated the race to turn the tables on Briton Adam Yates, who had edged the Slovenian in last year’s coronavirus-curtailed edition of the World Tour event.

Pogacar took command of the general classification in Monday’s time-trial, then won Tuesday’s summit finish stage and carefully managed his lead in Thursday’s second summit finish.

“This is really big,” said Pogacar who gave his UAE state-sponsored team a second success in their home race, four years after it was won by Portugal’s Rui Costa.

“It was my first goal of the season and my first home race, so it was really important and I’m super happy…This is one of our best achievements.”

In the closing stage, Team Ineos’ Yates fell 40 kilometers from the line, but climbed back on his bike to rejoin the peloton.

Up front, Lotto rider Ewan pounced and passed Sam Bennett in the shadow of the finish to deny the Irishman a third stage win this week.

“We came here to win a stage and there was only one more left to take,” said Ewan, who had claimed his first win of the season.

“It was a bit of a relief when I crossed the line. I haven’t been this far into the year without a win in my whole career.”

STAGE 7 RESULTS

OVERALL RESULTS

RBA/AFP Photos: Bettini

The post 2021 UAE TOUR STAGE 7 RESULTS appeared first on Road Bike Action.

Davide Ballerini continued his strong start to the cycling season by sprinting to victory on Saturday in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the opening Belgian classic of the year. The Italian sprinter who rides for Deceuninck-Quick Step edged Briton Jake Stewart of Groupama in the bunch finish at the end of the 124 mile run from Ghent to Ninove. Sep Vanmarcke of Israel Start-Up Nation was third.

In a race that was marked by the usual attacks, Ballerini was part of one dangerous breakaway that also included heavyweights Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe and Belgian Greg Van Avermaet.

26-year-old Ballerini won the first two stages of the Tour de Provence earlier this month but the victory in a WorldTour level race was the biggest of his career.

“It’s a dream come true,” Ballerini told broadcaster Eurosport.

“This is the start of the really big classics. I love it and I love this team. It was my dream since I was a baby when I saw my first race on TV.”

RAINBOW WIN

In the women’s race, world champ Anna van der Breggen took the second victory of her last four starts. Van der Breggen attacked the lead pack on, the Bosberg, the final cobbled climb of the day. She held off the chase group and finished with a 23-second lead over Emma Norsgaard and her teammate Amy Pieters.

MEN’S RESULTS 

WOMEN’S RESULTS

RBA/AFP Photos Bettini

The post 2021 OMLOOP HET NIEUWSBLAD PHOTO GALLERY AND RESULTS appeared first on Road Bike Action.

PeloPics: This Saturday the first big single-day race in the north of Europe kicks off in Belgium; The Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. What better reason to pull out some old retro photos from the Cor Vos archive. Back in 1983 the season opener was known as the Het Volk and started and finished in Gent, now the finish is in Ninove with the Muur-Kapelmuur and the Bosberg coming in the finalé.

Photography was different in those days, film was expensive and the photographers had to make each click of the shutter count, so there are less pics in this photo gallery.

It was a warm spring day on March the 5th for the first race of the Belgian ’83 racing season. Unlike most editions of the Het Volk the riders were in short sleeves with no arm-warmers in sight and were not expecting to have to ride, or even walk on slippery cobbles.

Australian Allan Peiper was a team man and was probably working for Phil Anderson. They both finished together in a big group at 4 minutes

As far as we can see, Didi Thurau didn’t ride Het Volk in 1983 although his photo was in the collection, but he was one of the coolest riders in the peloton. By 1983 he had seen his best seasons, winning Liège-Bastone-Liège, Tour de France and Giro d’Italia stages, Vuelta points competition and two National road titles. He raced for seven more years, changing team every year, until retiring at the end of 1989

Thurau just looked right on a bike

Ex-World champion, Jan Raas was a multi winner of Classics and Grand Tour stages, but 1983 was his last big year

Fons De Wolf was to be the next Eddy Merckx, but it never happened. At 27, 1983 was his last year of note, apart from a Tour de France stage win in 1984 and a Vuelta a España stage win in 1985, that was it over.

On one of the cobbled sections on the course with around 40 kilometres to go; Jan Raas attacked and was joined by Fons de Wolf, and that was the decisive point of the race.

Belgian champion Frank Hoste was a local boy from Gent and had won Gent-Wevelgem the previous year, but was better known as a stage winner and took the Tour de France points jersey in 1984. He was 13th in Het Volk ’83

Sean Kelly won from Spring to Autumn, but never did win Het Volk, or De Ronde, two races that suited him perfectly

Gregor Braun was a track rider who won World and Olympic titles, but he was a strong man on the road and during his 14 year pro career he won many races including the 1982 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. He was also German sportsman of the year in 1976

It was expected that Raas would beat the young upstart De Wolf even though the Belgian had won the previous year, but as this was the first big race of the ’83 season no one was sure of the form. De Wolf had trained well with his new Italian Bianchi team, while Raas had problems through the winter with a jaw infection.

Jan Raas was expected to win the sprint

When it came down to the sprint, De Wolf easily beat Raas to the line. Raas went on to win Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne the next day, followed it with victory in De Ronde van Vlaanderen and the Dutch championships, but at 30 years of age in 1983 his career was on the way down.

Winning the 1983 Het Volk only made the ‘next Eddy Merckx’ label even worse

In 1983 De Wolf won the Coppa Ugo Agostoni, Giro della Romagna and the Tour of Tuscany, from then on he was the guy who could have.

A welcome drink for Gregor Braun, the big German finished 45th

1983 Het Volk was a good year for the Anglos. Paul Sherwen was the best placed English speaker in 16th place, Phil Anderson 22nd, Eric McKenzie 29th, Allan Peiper 30th, Sean Kelly 40th and Stephen Roche was 50th.

Gerrie Knetemann and best placed GB rider, Paul Sherwen. Sadly both are no longer with us

Sean Yates

GB champion John Herety

1983 Omloop Het Volk Result:
1. Fons de Wolf (Bel) Bianchi-Piaggio in 5:33:00
2. Jan Raas (Ned) TI-Raleigh-Campagnolo
3. Luc Colyn (Bel) Fangio-Tonissteiner-OM Trucks at 2:21
4. Kim Andersen (Den) Coop-Mercier-Mavic
5. Etienne de Wilde (Bel) La Redoute-Motobecane.
6. Johan van der Velde (Ned) TI-Raleigh-Campagnolo
7. Adrie van der Poel (Ned) Jacky Aernoudt-Rossin-Campagnolo (Father of Mathieu)
8. Jozef Lieckens (Bel) Safir-Van de Ven-Moser
9. Rudy Matthijs (Bel) Boule d’Or-Colnago at 3:54
10. Ludo Peeters (Bel) TI-Raleigh-Campagnolo
11. Pol Verschuere (Bel) Bianchi-Piaggio at 4:05
12. Jan Van Houwelingen (Ned) Boule d’Or-Colnago
13. Frank Hoste (Bel) Europdecor-Dries-Eddy Merckx
14. Eric Vanderaerden (Bel) Jacky Aernoudt-Rossin-Campagnolo
15. Léo van Vliet (Ned) TI-Raleigh-Campagnolo
16. Paul Sherwen (GB) La Redoute-Motobecane (RIP)
17. Ferdi van den Haute (Bel) La Redoute-Motobecane
18. Marc Madiot (Fra) Renault-Elf
19. Valerio Piva (Ita) Bianchi-Piaggio (Now CCC DS)
20. Eddy van Haerens (Bel) Safir-Van de Ven-Moser
21. Adri van Houwelingen (Ned) TI-Raleigh-Campagnolo
22. Phil Anderson (Aus) Peugeot-Shell-Michelin
23. Eddy Planckaert (Bel) Splendor-Euroshop
24. Jos Op Het Eyndt (Ned) Europdecor-Dries-Eddy Merckx
25. Jean-Louis Gauthier (Fra) Coop-Mercier-Mavic
29. Eric McKenzie (NZ) Splendor-Euroshop
30. Alan Peiper (Aus) Peugeot-Shell-Michelin
40. Sean Kelly (Irl) Sem-France Loire-Mavic
45. Gregor Braun (Ger) Vivi-Benotto-Selle Italia
50. Stephen Roche (Irl) Peugeot-Shell-Michelin.

The post Retro: Omloop Het Volk 1983 Photo Gallery appeared first on PezCycling News.

By Troy Templin

How does a company like Specialized launch a new line of wheels that are designed with tubeless specific shapes, look like they have the appropriate specifications and even come with tubeless accessories but they claim are not tubeless in 2020?

Let’s step back a few months when Specialized dropped off the new Tarmac SL7 to the palatial, well-lit RBA office. This was about a month or two before the launch and they were, like normal, telling us how great the SL7 is. Much of the focus was around the pinnacle S-Works models. We remember clearly noticing the different rim profiles front to back and asking what the deal was. The Specialized reps told us that they would connect us with the Roval team, as they were still working on final launch details. We were left with the SL7 Pro model that we reviewed and is delivered with a new set of Roval Rapide CL wheels. These wheels don’t seem to be available for aftermarket and were not in our Roval launch material. On top of that Specialized was nice enough to build and tune our new bike so there was no small parts box or materials included.

Since the launch quite a few people have emailed me asking about the wheels and whether they are tubeless. Then the team at Roval and Specialized reached out to see if I would update my review saying they are not tubeless. This was a shock because while I rarely read the press kits telling you all the “great things” a bike has, I was sure I had deliberately removed the tires from both wheels to check internal construction as well as taken my own measurements.

JUST ASK THE SMART GUY

Since one of our smartest test riders (he is a NASA rocket scientist) had the bike I asked if he could bring it in for me to check and to get his feedback. He is not an official expert in bike wheels but he has raced for a world champion jersey on the track (leaving with a respectable bronze) and is a passionate cyclist. Upon yet another inspection of the rims our assumptions were correct.

The wheels have all the telltale signs of a tubeless wheel. They are internally wide at 21mm, they have a large bead shelf for the normally more robust tubeless beads and there is a distinct 0.4mm (ETRTO max) rim bead hump/lock (not required for tubeless but NEVER on a non-tubeless rim). The well of the rim is fairly shallow for easier tubeless setup too. Then they use their Roval tubeless ready rim tape to put a little icing on the cake.

“Without any response from Roval and Specialized, we can’t properly determine the true risk of utilizing a tubeless setup on their new Rapide and Alpinist lines…”

Our local smart guy (from NASA) commented that in his opinion they were designed to be tubeless and a better design than most in fact. His comment was that the fact that Roval claims they are not tubeless means that something didn’t pass inspection at the last minute and they were too invested to change it. It’s as if he could read our thoughts, and was just further verification that something is up.

Maybe the bead shelf wasn’t the correct diameter (we don’t think this is the case) or the bead wall fails when running overinflated pressure (we doubt that because it would effect a tube setup too.) It is more likely that the full line of Specialized tires are not compatible but this is only a guess. For us, all the tubeless tires we tried (different brands) worked flawlessly. We have not done any long-term tests but the setup, bead retention while deflated and performance on a handful of rides was flawless.

While Roval and Specialized have not responded to the request for more info but instead have just asked that they are not promoted as tubeless. We reached out to a few of our local shops and have gotten mixed feedback. Some said that the first few complete bikes with the new wheels came with tubeless valves in the small parts box (early delivery launch timing) but since then have not been included.

WHAT WE RECOMMEND

We would always encourage people to follow the manufacturer’s specifications. Road tubeless has evolved very quickly in the last two years with much better performance, reliability and compatibility but as you can see, mistakes still happen at the highest levels. Enve has a tire compatibility list for their different wheel lines. Most of the incompatibility comes from tires not meeting the hookless requirements that some of their wheels have. We personally had no issues with our tubeless attempts on our Rapide CL wheels and even came away impressed. The addition of the bead lock (previous Roval road tubeless rims didn’t have this) makes it much easier to maintain tubeless system and the reason we believe there is more to the story than Specialized will tell. Without any response from Roval and Specialized, we can’t properly determine the true risk of utilizing a tubeless setup on their new Rapide and Alpinist lines and for that, we would steer clear until there is more information available.

If we get a response we will add it to this article, but don’t hold your breath.

The post SPECIALIZED TUBELESS GONE WRONG appeared first on Road Bike Action.

2021 Giro d’Italia Preview: The first Grand Tour of the season is the last to announce their route for 2021. As always the ‘percorso’ has everything, including a time trial finalé. Ed Hood has run an educated eye over the course for the ‘PEZ Giro d’Italia First Look’.

Repeat final stage over-turn in 2021?

Read the PEZ Previews of the 2021 Tour de France HERE and 2021 Vuelta a España HERE.

The Giro is back in its rightful place with just 10 weeks until; ‘all the world is pink.’ The organisation has released the percorso for our delight and delectation. It starts and finishes with a chrono but this is no race for the rouleurs with multiple stage finishes atop climbs. Total distance is 3,450 kilometres with 46 vertical kilometres within those. Let’s have a wander through a percorso which neglects the deep south but does delve deeply into Italy’s most closely packed contour lines.

Stage 1: Torino, 9.0 km (Individual Time Trial)
Torino again hosts an opening chrono, last time it was a TTT, back in 2011 with HTC winning and ‘chronoman’ Marco Pinotti taking the jersey – another specialist will win this one and it’ll be Ganna in pink.

I think we know who might win the first TT

Torino is a great city – close to the Alps, big enough and small enough to spend some time on either end of a cycling trip to Alps.

Stage 2: Stupinigi (Nichelino) to Novara, 173 km
For the sprinters with Big Fillippo still in pink; Cipollini to win – what’s that, he quit, when?

Turn back the clock

Stage 3: Biella to Canale, 187 km
A little lumpy towards the end but the sprint trains will still be fresh and hungry and some of the sprinters will know they ain’t gonna make those mountain time cuts so they must ‘make hay. . .

Stage 4: Piacenza to Sestola, 186 km
Is for the breakaway BUT the GC boys just might probe on that climb to the finish?

Stage 4 – Too tough for the sprinters

Stage 5: Modena to Cattolica, 171 km
PAN flat for the sprinters – Minali hasn’t quit too, has he?

Flat enough for Nicola Minali

Stage 6: Grotte di Frasassi to Ascoli Piceno (San Giacomo), 150 km
That’s one big ‘hump’ in the middle then a mountain top finish to give 3,400 meters of climbing, the pencil sketch of the GC is forming by now.

Stage 6

Stage 7: Notaresco to Termoli, 178 km
A doomed breakaway and sprint stage with the requisite crazy finale.

Stage 8 – Uphill finish in Guarda Sanframondi

Stage 8: Foggia to Guardia Sanframondi, 173 km
A breakaway stage for sure – but will they survive that GC onslaught to the finish?

Nothing new in a bit of gravel

Stage 9: Castel di Sangro to Campo Felice (Rocca di Cambio), 160 km
One for the climbers with four categorised climbs and a mountain top finish – seasoned with a little gravel.

One for the sprinters?

Stage 10: L’Aquila to Foligno, 140 km
The sprinters get an even break before the first rest day – despite the early lumps and bumps for the breakaway.

Yes, more gravel

Stage 11: Perugia to Montalcino, 163 km
This one includes 35 kilometres of gravel, a climb at the end but a downhill finish – for the strongman/baroudeur today. The climbers best be on their guard on that gravel – Martin and I ‘were those roadside soldiers’ when Cadel Evans won a similar stage in horrific weather conditions back in 2010, it’s one tough day at the office.

Stage 12

Stage 12: Siena to Bagno di Romagna, 209 km
For the breakaway and a good day to garner montagne points with four categorised climbs.

No Ed, Ivan has retired

Stage 13: Ravenna to Verona, 197 km
Pan flat and made for Ivan Quaranta, he was World Junior Sprint Champion and Marco Villa reckons he’s quicker than Mario – eh, he’s retired too?

Zoncolan – As ugly as Pez Sez here.

Stage 14: Cittadella to Monte Zoncolan, 205 km
The Zoncolan is one of those climbs which PEZ soothsayer and mentor, Viktor shouldn’t be included – preposterously steep and suiting only a handful of the skinniest of men. But the TV and tifosi love it – and Vik will be watching it just like everyone else. A day you can lose the Giro.

Slovenia for the day

Stage 15: Grado to Gorizia, 145 km
For the breakaway and pops into Slovenia whilst the GC guys get their breath back.

The Passo Padoi

Stage 16: Sacile to Cortina d’Ampezzo, 212 km
A monstrous, as in 5,700 metres, Dolomites stage with Passeos Pordoi at 2239 metres ‘Clima Coppi’ as the highest point in the race and the Giau not far behind it at 2233 metres but with a long downhill run to the finish.

The Giro battle will be full on by now

Stage 17: Canazei to Sega di Ala, 193 km
Another hard day at the coal face with a mountain top finish allowing no scope to make up lost ground as there was on Stage 16.

Stradella stage 18 finish

Stage 18: Rovereto to Stradella, 228 km
Velocisti and a difficult day for the commentators. . .

A stage for Bernal?

Stage 19: Abbiategrasso to Alpe di Mera (Valsesia), 178 km
Bernal has already been out to recce this new climb to Alpe di Mera – will this be the day the race is won and lost? Ah, sorry, no, that’s tomorrow. . .

Alpe Motta

Stage 20: Verbania to Valle Spluga-Alpe Motta, 164 km
Another ‘monstro’ with three mega ascents in the second half, two of them topping 2,000 metres; a total of 4,800 metres climbing on this penultimate day.

Important final TT

Stage 21: Senago to Milano, 29.4 km (Individual Time Trial)
Good to see a final time test rather that a ‘procession’ – the organisers will be hoping for a repeat of last year.

I protagonisti:
It’s perhaps too early to talk about potential winners but Patrick Lefevere is launching last year’s race revelation, Portugal’s Joao Almeida back into the fray for Deceuninck; 2020 Tour winner, Egan Bernal is INEOS man for the job – with all those vertical metres right up his passeo; twice a winner, ‘Home Boy’ Vincenzo Nibali will be there for Trek – but Father Time has hacked his power meter; France’s Thibaut Pinot hopes that the lack of huge home expectation will enable him to achieve what everyone at Groupama believes he is capable of but has yet to achieve; ‘Mickey’ Landa has Bahrain hoping he can be victorious for them but it’ll be hard for the Spaniard to shake off his ‘nearly man’ tag; Simon Yates is back with Team BikeExchange to attempt to finish the job the ‘Brit’ started but failed to complete in 2018 and that other Frenchman who’s not quite lived up to expectation but who’ll revel in the climbs – and descents – Romain Bardet will be there in a new maillot, that of DSM, hoping that his new broom will sweep clean. And best not forget Astana’s Russian revelation, Aleksandr Vlasov. Teams-wise, all the big names are there but a shame Androni don’t make the cut, those boys know how to ‘honour the pink race’ – Wanty will take up that role though.

Will Evenepoel be the revelation of the 2021 Giro?

What the riders say:
Remco Evenepoel: “My big goal is to be ready for the start of the Giro. As you all know, last year, I was not able to compete in the race because of an injury after my crash at Il Lombardia. The course for this year seems to be really hard, and beautiful too. So I think it will be a nice race. I’m looking forward to feeling the Italian atmosphere and seeing all those amazing tifosi!”

Peter Sagan: “My participation at the Giro d’Italia last year was a wonderful experience and something that I’d always wanted to do. Now I am training in the Canary Islands ahead of the new season and hope to return to Italy ready to race.”

Bernal: Swap yellow for pink?

Egan Bernal: “I’m really happy to be preparing for the Giro d’Italia. This is a race that I have been wanting to do for a long time, since I first came to Italy. This year, I am really happy to be racing it and I have already been up Alpe di Mera, to try out that stage. This will be a difficult race, but still, I cannot wait to do it, as this one will be a beautiful Giro. I’ll be expecting all the fans to be cheering from home, in front of the tv, for both myself and for all the riders and teams that will be there.”

Vincenzo Nibali: “I do like this year’s course, and I’m happy about the way it’s been designed. There are a lot of climbs – some of these are major ones, like the Zoncolan! For now, I’ll focus on preparing for the race in the best way possible.”

Ganna in pink

Filippo Ganna: “I’m really happy that the 104th edition of the Giro will start from Turin and my home region, Piemonte. The course for Stage 1 looks like a really fast one and I’m ready to do well in it. I’m looking to start the Giro on the right foot and replicate what I did last year, trying to wear the first Maglia Rosa.”

All that pink is good for the soul, the scenery is fantastic, the Tifosi are always fun, the vibe not too janitorial – and it’s impossible to get a bad cappuccino. Role on My 8th when the world turns PiNK. . .

# Stay PEZ for everything Pink. #

The post 2021 Giro d’Italia: The PEZ First Look! appeared first on PezCycling News.