Kuurne- Brussels-Kuurne

[L'arriviste]

I was there!

I was there on the Oude Kwaremont, getting soaked after my prized golf umbrella was destroyed by the gales as soon as I got out of the car!

http://www.mikepadgett.com/editorial/kuurne-brussel-kuurne/

And the previous day's Omloop btw:

http://www.mikepadgett.com/editorial/omloop-het-nieuwsblad/

I have *never* seen a bike race run in those conditions! One BMC guy - could have been Chad Beyer - was looking at us looking at him and he was laughing, presumably at the madness of it all.

 

[Big GMaC]

I was there on the Oude Kwaremont, getting soaked after my prized golf umbrella was destroyed by the gales as soon as I got out of the car!

http://www.mikepadgett.com/editorial/kuurne-brussel-kuurne/

And the previous day's Omloop btw:

http://www.mikepadgett.com/editorial/omloop-het-nieuwsblad/

I have *never* seen a bike race run in those conditions! One BMC guy - could have been Chad Beyer - was looking at us looking at him and he was laughing, presumably at the madness of it all.

Great Photos! Thanks for sharing

 

[TRDean]

Major congratulations to EVERY rider who finished. Every one of these guys should be held in the highest esteem!! Traksel is such a deserving winner.

My personal favorite rider came home in 17th...Kenny van Hummel. Up next... 3-daagse van West-Vlaanderen!!

 

[Highlander]

The temperatures weren't too bad (roughly 10°C) but it rained from beginning to end and the wind was absolutely merciless. Our garden furniture didn't survive the day; and at one point the break was going all out against the wind and they simply couldn't go faster than 25 k/h (that's 25 mph).

I did a race in similar conditions to this before and I'm just impressed with anyone that was willing to stick it out and finish. My own race only 2 lasted hours (it should have been less, but my legs were frozen), so it was drastically shorter than KLK, but all I was thinking for the bulk of the bike was that I don't want to ride anymore. I would have dropped out if we had any support staff that could have taken me back to where my car was.

I wonder if this will prompt some of the riders to change their early season schedule. Racing in Qatar and Oman is nice for getting miles in your legs, but it doesn't prepare you at all for the reality of racing in the north and really makes the weather that much more brutal because they aren't used to this type of weather.

 

[Anonymous]

I was there on the Oude Kwaremont, getting soaked after my prized golf umbrella was destroyed by the gales as soon as I got out of the car!

http://www.mikepadgett.com/editorial/kuurne-brussel-kuurne/

And the previous day's Omloop btw:

http://www.mikepadgett.com/editorial/omloop-het-nieuwsblad/

I have *never* seen a bike race run in those conditions! One BMC guy - could have been Chad Beyer - was looking at us looking at him and he was laughing, presumably at the madness of it all.

Fantastic pictures, thank you for the links. I trust these will not be the only two races you share with us this spring?

 

[sublimit]

must have been shagged. Did what he could for Thor before blowing totally. Theres no point just rolling to the finish. Getting straight in the neutral car was a canny move!

yes, I didnt realise it was so cold during the race and seems like his legs must of just given up. think how bad it was for the riders near the back of the main group/groups, they must of suffered big time.
Impressed with Raulston hanging on and looking quite strong at the end - a very solid rider.

 

[L'arriviste]

Fantastic pictures, thank you for the links. I trust these will not be the only two races you share with us this spring?

Thanks. Yes, I do hope to get to see some other races too, hopefully with better light for the photos (and weather for me)!

 

[gingerwallaceafro]

A massive 'Chapeau!' To Bobby Traksel and also Flens and Stannard (God save the Queen '. That's what it's all about!

 

[Night Rider]

A great result from Hayden Roulston, he must have felt right at home in all that bad weather. A storm like that is a nice day in the bitter South

I guess a good move move in the transfer season too, he might get a bit of protection from the team in the classics this year.

 

[thehog]

I guess a good move move in the transfer season too, he might get a bit of protection from the team in the classics this year.

He finished 4th out of 22. Thats not hard to do. Keep a lid on it.

 

[craig1985]

Thanks. Yes, I do hope to get to see some other races too, hopefully with better light for the photos (and weather for me)!

Nice photos mate

 

[Night Rider]

He finished 4th out of 22. Thats not hard to do. Keep a lid on it.

One could say, he finished 4th out of 198 starters, or 4th out of 22 finishers. It depends on whether you're a glass half full, or a glass half empty sort of guy. I'm picking you're the later.

 

[flicker]

How men ride bicycles. Real women too!

Gutsy ride for KBK. To me this is what cycling is about!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtURgQvi-eU&feature=player_embedded