Lesser known races 2024 edition

[Salvarani]

The Hushovd effect might be a strong contributor when it comes to the cycling boom in Norway. The Gustav Larsson effect in Sweden didn't kick in as hard, maybe.

I think Emma Johansson and Jenny Rissveds did more in terms of exposure, than Gustav.

Cycling is a big recreational sport here. Something a lot of people have taken up as they have gotten older. Like people in their 30s and 40s. There has definitely been a big cycling-boom in that regard. "Vättern-rundan" is something a lot of people rides each year. 300km around our second largest lake.

It is a staple where you also ski 90km (Vasaloppet), swim 3km (Vansbrosimmet) and run 30km (Lidingöloppet). It is called doing the "Swedish Classic", pretty much word for word translated, you must do within one year. All four things.

Anyway... among the younger generation cycling has not become a big thing though, as far as I know. Just using it to try not to be late for school.

 

[Sciatic]

Me too! In Jr. High we used rigid poles, but then starting my freshman year of HS we got bendy poles and my PR went up 18" as soon as I learned how to ride the bend, then another 12" as I improved on it. Unfortuanely the progress slowed and then platued from then on. Image gaining 3 feet in one year, and then ony another foot the following three years!! Sorry for the ramble off topic...

CONGRATS BC!

Love to hear it What size school were you at? The neighboring city school next to our small-town school, where we had a meet once a year, had the all the updated stuff (poles, foam pit, composite track, years before our school had any of that. In fact, after they installed their modern landing pit, we noticed they left the bags of foam that made up their old pit piled off to the side unused. Our own pit was so bad that a vaulting buddy and I felt justified (in out adolescent mindset) to climb over their facility fence one winter night, and steal one of big bags of foam.

 

[tobydawq]

and now they'll get a whole generation of little Swedish pole jumpers instead?

Does he even speak Swedish?

 

[Salvarani]

Does he even speak Swedish?

I would not say he is fluent, but he can definitely speak it and answer questions.

 

[jmdirt]

Love to hear it What size school were you at? The neighboring city school next to our small-town school, where we had a meet once a year, had the all the updated stuff (poles, foam pit, composite track, years before our school had any of that. In fact, after they installed their modern landing pit, we noticed they left the bags of foam that made up their old pit piled off to the side unused. Our own pit was so bad that a vaulting buddy and I felt justified (in out adolescent mindset) to climb over their facility fence one winter night, and steal one of big bags of foam.

I grew up in a small (~2,000 people) logging town in north Idaho. We had a nice vaulting pit, but a cinder track and runway. I loved it when we would go to meets that had a composite track and runway!

 

[RedheadDane]

I grew up in a small (~2,000 people) logging town in north Idaho. We had a nice vaulting pit, but a cinder track and runway. I loved it when we would go to meets that had a composite track and runway!

At least you didn't have a cinder vaulting pit.

Looks like my post poking fun at the Swedes has vaulted this thread in an unexpected direction.

 

[DNP-Old]

As far as the race goes this probably interests nobody, but the Redlands Classic started today in California, near Anaheim. Five day stage race, that once marked the breakthrough of Adrien Costa Powless, McNulty and AJ August. Well, the reason I am posting this is this backdrop behind the Highland Circuit. This is pure ciclismo.

(My money is on Tyler Stites to win btw)

 

[QueenStagiaire]

As far as the race goes this probably interests nobody, but the Redlands Classic started today in California, near Anaheim. Five day stage race, that once marked the breakthrough of Adrien Costa Powless, McNulty and AJ August. Well, the reason I am posting this is this backdrop behind the Highland Circuit. This is pure ciclismo.

(My money is on Tyler Stites to win btw)

Wow, truly stunning and beautiful! That Californian tarmac is unrivaled.

 

[Sciatic]

As far as the race goes this probably interests nobody, but the Redlands Classic started today in California, near Anaheim. Five day stage race, that once marked the breakthrough of Adrien Costa Powless, McNulty and AJ August. Well, the reason I am posting this is this backdrop behind the Highland Circuit. This is pure ciclismo.

(My money is on Tyler Stites to win btw)

Thanks. I would go watch if I lived down there.

 

[jmdirt]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGLgTA-uC_U

 

[Rob5091]

Tomorrow Friday 12 April it's time for the 4th Classic Grand Besançon Doubs (1.1 the only races worth watching!) 171.3 km, start 11.40 CET, TV from 13.30 CET
Startlist at https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/classic-grand-besancon-doubs/2024/startlist
Worth noting that FDJ have both Gaudu and Little Lenny M down on the startlist at the moment. How this will play out with the rumoured move to Bahrain by Little Lenny M will be interesting to watch. Otherwise, there's Gall & Martin.

The big finish will be the second ascent of ...

 

[Rob5091]

Classic Grand Besançon Doubs coming to last 25 km - break still with over 2 minutes but FDJ chasing.

 

[search]

they are on the final climb now. Holter has 45s with 3k to go

 

[Samamba]

Martinez just went nuclear from the bottom

 

[Samamba]

Langelotti just destroying al the WT guys lmao.

 

[Nick2413]

Nice finish by Martinez

 

[JosefK]

Lenny Martinez with a fun-to-watch victory. Next hope for France grand tours?

 

[Samamba]

Martinez looked to be cracking but still got it

 

[tobydawq]

Aw, too bad, not often you see a Monegasque win from a Spanish ProTeam.

 

[Rob5091]

Little Lenny M wins again! Chapeau! Gaudu nowhere, behind some pro team riders. FDJ will miss Lenny M next year.
Edit - I see Gaudu made it to third spot - he moved up a lot after following.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Aw, too bad, not often you see a Monegasque win from a Spanish ProTeam.

True, but we haven't yet seen anyone do it for a non-Spanish ProTeam.

 

[tobydawq]

True, but we haven't yet seen anyone do it for a non-Spanish ProTeam.

Nor from a Spanish non-ProTeam.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Nothing against Langelotti (I remember him being top 3 in an uphill prologue in Valle d'Aosta), but with all those false flag Monegasques winning big stuff it wouldn't be that big of a deal...

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Aw, too bad, not often you see a Monegasque win from a Spanish ProTeam.

Seems to happen most years recently...

 

[Rob5091]

Wow! Just recovering from Little Lenny's masterclass, and we're doing it all over again on Saturday at,
Tour du Jura Cycliste - Domblans to Mont Poupet (Salin-les-bains) 174.6 km (1.1 of course, the only races worth watching!) start 10.10 CET, TV from 11.15 (? not sure about that 11.40 CET on L'Equipe))

startlist at https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/tour-du-jura-cycliste/2024/startlist (about the same as Friday's race) - Go Little Lenny M! Finish is a tough one -