This was the moment the front of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad's men's race crossed the top of the Muur van Geraardsbergen, cheered on by the vociferous Belgian support, small gaps all over the place forged by the double-digit cobbled savageness...
Leaders heading over the Muur! pic.twitter.com/LkCEkQm8mc
— Jamie Banjo (@jamie_and_bikes) February 24, 2024
A short while later, but unfortunately seemingly not on film anywhere — except for one photo taken by Nieuwsblad (the newspaper that sponsors the race), specifically by photographer Peter Malaise — a lone rider passed the chapel ahead of another group containing Luke Rowe and Gianni Moscon.
'Strange,' some of the crowd must surely have thought. The rider wasn't wearing an obvious kit of any team competing but did have a number on the back of his bike. Perhaps a more obscure national champion?
Nope, a gatecrasher...
Local amateur rides up the Muur during the Omloop, says he was running late, rushed to the race, was allowed on the course and didn't realise he was between groups of racers https://t.co/GisMtVb1mK (🇳🇱)
— the Inner Ring (@inrng) February 26, 2024
The Belgian newspaper managed to track down 20-year-old amateur rider Jaro Spitaels after noticing that in Malaise's photograph his race number (36) was the wrong colour and in fact should have been with Intermarché-Circus-Wanty's Mike Teunissen. A frame sticker visible with Spitaels' name gave the game away, although the amateur rider, who says he was simply "late" to watch the race, insists we was "completely unaware" his tardiness had ended with him in the middle of the race...
"I was completely unaware that I was on course until I reached the top of the Muur," he told the newspaper. "I had left too late, so I knew it was going to be close, but when I entered the course at the Geraardsbergen hospital, I asked the officer if I could still continue. He said that was possible.
"I never saw a rider, motorcycle or racing car, so I never noticed anything.
I only realised that something was wrong when I got all the way to the top and saw all the support cars on the road ready to take part in the race. Then I thought: Shit, riders must have already passed here…"
He then pulled over at the roadside and saw the backmarkers pass.
Flanders Classics, the race's organiser, has taken a pretty dim view, calling it a "stunt" and appearing to disbelieve the accident account.
"It is a shame to hear that some people feel called to pull a stunt," a spokesperson said. "By doing so you not only endanger the safety of the race, but also your own. The fact that the sport is practised on public roads makes the race vulnerable. That is why it is nice that in almost all cases we can count on everyone: signallers, law enforcement, emergency services and the public."
Some have asked: why would an amateur rider have a race number attached to the back of their bike? Is that not the clue this was a deliberate act of deception? According to Spitaels it is just a memento of his last race and he always has it on his bike... fair play for getting up the Muur without blowing your cover that you're not one of the world's most elite cyclists... I reckon we'd all get caught pretty quick on that front...
He's back...
The white Tuscan roads await. Here’s our lineup for #StradeBianche🇮🇹:
🇮🇹 @Filobaroncini
🇨🇭 @janchristen04
🇲🇽 @ISAACDELTOROx1
🇨🇭 @MarcHirschi
🇸🇮 @DomenNovak
🇸🇮 @TamauPogi
🇧🇪 @Tim_Wellens#UAETeamEmirates#WeAreUAEpic.twitter.com/9d1GRNrPiA— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) February 26, 2024
No, I don't mean Domen Novak, Tadej Pogačar will return to racing at Strade Bianche this weekend, the start of a campaign that will include (all going to plan) some big one-day races, the Giro and Tour de France, and a world champs course seemingly designed with him in mind. How much sweeter that palmares could look come 2025...
What do you mean you weren't up at 4AM ON A MONDAY to race on Zwift, like Alex Dowsett was?
We enjoyed reading this during a scroll of social media this morning, Josie Procter sharing some pictures from the White House pub on Abingdon Road in Oxford, where no customer parking is provided, but "we have lots of cycle racks".
"Yes White House! This is the way," Procter told followers, confirming the pedalling pub delivered with some very good pizza (including vegan options, if you're that way inclined) and beer too. Señor Lazkano, fancy a few pints in Oxford soon?
In reply to one question about whether such a strategy would be financially viable, Procter replied: "They seem to be doing pretty well. Also teeny tiny car park. Fit maybe four cars if [you do some] Tetris, yet tens of bikes. So staff plus disabled car and tens of bike racks makes a deal of financial sense to me?"
Another commenter feeling especially cheery this Monday said they would never use a business that values staff parking over its customers... "Shows they don't care"... apparently...
There are like 4 parking spaces. You might edge one more without the bike racks. But they’ve chosen to put in racking for 50 bikes instead. It’s right inside lots of densely populated housing and on a bus route. Local trade really doesn’t need to drive.
— Josie Procter 🔶🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@JosieProc) February 25, 2024
That works for us...
Last week it was Adam Hansen and Chloe Hosking going at each other over the CPA's response to Patrick Lefevere's comments about Julian Alaphilippe...
Adam Hansen, the president of the CPA riders' union, isn't one to hold back. He's penned another lengthy Twitter essay, again responding to criticism from Hosking, this time after she questioned his thoughts on Adam Yates' UAE Tour-ending concussion.
The President of the @cpacycling who was also acting in the role of race safety delegate at the @uae_tour where @AdamYates7 crashed heavily and resumed the race isn't sure whether the @UCI_cycling concussion protocol was followed. https://t.co/gwxPtCqJ6B
— Chloe Hosking (@chloe_hosking) February 24, 2024
In reply, Hansen wrote (*deep breath*)...
Thank you again for showing so much interest with me and my role as president. Firstly, concussions are very complicated. It's not so simple to diagnose them. People can fluctuate with their responses. The UCI roadside assessment cards are more designed for DSs or mechanics, who did not study medicine, so they can easily come to a conclusion without any medical education.
Team doctors, race doctors or the ambulances are going to carry out their own assessment based on their education in their country or protocol required by law. Of course, I hope it's done at a minimum level as the UCI cards. But I was not there, so I can not say for a fact, I can only hope.
What I do know is, UAE's team DS, Marzano, saw Yates and he looked like he was riding fine. However, when Marzano asked basic question to Yates, Yates failed to answer them correctly. Marzano removed him from the race instantly. I think it went effectively, considering the team pulled Yates out of the race, going against what Yates was trying to do, continuing.
I can see why you were a good bike rider. The amount of energy you channel trying to confront every step I take is impressive. That energy channelled towards cycling made your career.
🤣 We'll be watching Wout van Aert and his scooting security guard on repeat all evening 🛴🔁#KBK24 | @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/h9ROKXwlRw
— Eurosport (@eurosport) February 25, 2024
Another Strava QOM for two-time national hill climb champion Illi Gardner's collection.
No stick required, just lean the pedal into the gradient. According to Strava, that's a 1.57km climb averaging 15 per cent... and maxing out somewhere in the mid to high 20s. One of those where the descent might even be worse than the way up. Rim brakes, no issues...
> REVIEW: Vielo V+1 Race Edition Force AXS XPLR 2024
Bikes, bikes, bikes. Check out Stu's review of the above... "All the capabilities of an adventure bike, but with the performance, low weight and characteristics of a gravel racer..." Could the V+1 become your next N+1?
Elsewhere, Simplon believes its Pride II is still the fastest bike on earth, we took a deep dive into a stunning custom version for Bike at Bedtime...
It was the 'Opening Weekend' of the classics season, Visma–Lease a Bike winning just about everything they possibly could. Omloop Het Nieuwsblad men's race? Jan Tratnik. Omloop Het Nieuwsblad women's race? Marianne Vos. Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne? Wout van Aert. O Gran Camiño stage three? Jonas Vingegaard. O Gran Camiño stage four? Jonas Vingegaard. O Gran Camiño GC? Jonas Vingegaard. Some weekend for them. Lennert Van Eetvelt's UAE Tour victory atop Jebel Hafeet and Tim Merlier's sprint the day before at least giving someone else a shot.
There was a British victory to note too, Joseph Blackmore winning another stage to secure GC victory at Tour du Rwanda, ably assisted by superdomestique Chris Froome. Not a bad celebration either...
Now that’s a celebration! 😍
All class from Joe Blackmore to win the final stage and wrap up the GC 👏#TourduRwanda2024🇷🇼 #YallaIPTpic.twitter.com/ID4tBGt5QA
— Israel – Premier Tech (@IsraelPremTech) February 25, 2024
One man not in attendance for the Belgian races was Frederik Frison (the peloton's chief Peter Sagan impersonator) who missed out due to... *checks notes*... "quite extensive damage to private parts" following dog attack. I'll leave the jokes to you lot in the comments section...
Away from racing we reported the outcome of a sentencing for a hit-and-run driver who was racing another car driver when he crashed into and killed a cyclist. Muniir Ali was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison after being convicted by a jury at the Old Bailey of causing death by dangerous driving.
No need for a photo finish here...
🍺 @LazkanoOier, cerveza de trago.
😅 Hasta Van Aert alucinaba.#KBK24 | #LaCasadelCiclismopic.twitter.com/G5FoVTJZJT— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) February 25, 2024
Tim Wellens: Maybe doesn't drink, maybe just didn't want to, do what's required, move on, no big deal.
Wout van Aert: Professional, been here too many times before, one sponsor-obliging sip and smile, hold the comically oversized beer to the camera, job done, bigger targets later in the spring.
Oier Lazkano: Buzzing to even be on the podium, chugs the lot, almost gets Van Aert's leftovers...
Oier Lazkano vs resto del mondo #KBK24pic.twitter.com/ZvCfhcaunw
— Leonardo (@Leonardo44447) February 25, 2024
We'll wait with anticipation for the day the Spanish national champion finishes on the podium of a beer-sponsored race for the showdown versus Tadej Pogačar...
A disgrace to the british isles pic.twitter.com/NxTRKyNQiQ
— #SiempreGino (@NairoInGreen) April 16, 2023
> Tom Pidcock unimpressed by Amstel beer... but Pogačar chops the lot
Pidcock doesn't drink and apparently those halves were alcohol-free anyway, so fair enough. Everyone in cycling has a way to go to catch up with this swim, bike, run, chug star...
We like to drink with Sam...
🍺🍺🍺 #IMWC2022pic.twitter.com/bHnFgJ8MkB— Triathlon Out Of Context (@TriathlonOOC) October 9, 2022