Chapeau!

A “tip of the hat” to this week’s top performers.

Un coup de chapeau a Sep Vanmarcke. The young Belgian was the strongest man at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. The 23 year old marked the decisive move on the Taaienberg which resulted in a select group of riders. Sep then went on to attack on the breakaway forcing his main rival’s teammates to be dropped including former World Champion Thor Hushovd.  He was then strong enough to work with Tom Boonen and Juan Antonio Flecha to stay away. Boonen opened up the sprint at 200 m to go. The cycling world assumed the race was over only to watch Sep come over the top and beat Boonen in the final sprint. The youngster and his manager had called Jonathon Vaughters to ask the team to work for him. The “turtle neck” responded by telling Sep he needed to stand up in the team meeting and ask to be a protected rider.  He did and he showed that he was the strongest man in the race. Chapeau!

Un coup de chapeau a Tom Boonen. Although Boonen came away with no wins in the first weekend of Belgium races, he showed that he has returned to his spring classics form. After being away all day at the Omloop, Tommke attempted to animate in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne as well.  Once again he was in the break but Team Sky was just too good and the break was eventually caught. Good to see Boonen back in the mix for guys to beat when the real classics begin.

Un coup de chapeau a Mark Cavendish. Looking resplendent in the World Champion bands, the Manx Mouth did what he does best, win. It seems all other sprinters look to Cav when the bunch sprint is on. The strategy seems to be to get on to his wheel and hope for the best. Once again, his lead-out was superior and no one seems to be as fast as World Champ when his teammates get it right.

Un coup de chapeau a Team Sky. The Manx Missile’s lead-out train was perfect at the end of K-B-K. Team Sky also played the tactics perfectly. Tom Boonen and Tyler Farrar were in a breakaway that never was let out of their sights. Once that group was brought back they allowed a second break that never gained more than a minute. Total control, perfect tactics, and the fastest man in the bunch will equal many wins for this team.

Un coup de chapeau a Mike. Early season leader. He had the audacity to pick up a reviled rider in Mark Cavendish and it paid off. By the looks of it, Cav and Mike are primed for many wins this season.

Un coup de chapeau a Omloop. What a race! The cobbles, Belgian country side, and the attacks made this race a truly great one for the books. I just dreamed of being there, drinking beer, and eating frites.