Cyclo-cross World Cup - Roubaix LIVE on c.tv

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:11 AM EST

Good morning, everybody! Anyone watching the c.tv coverage of the 'cross race at Roubaix? The race finishes on the famous velodrome, and the course looks really fantastic...and very very muddy! Lots of little wipe-outs so far.

Sounds like Martin is commentating, and they are on the 2nd lap: Wellems, Stybar and Boom are out front, with many others right there, chasing, including Albert and Nys.

Anyone else watching?

(Not 75 words yet, damn! Let's try this again....don't tell me I'll have to resort to typing the preamble to the US Constitution again...)

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Only the low and medium links are working for me; heck, I'm just happy to

hear Martin’s voice again!

There is a huge, muddy downhill near the end of the course, whoa, what a slippery mess!

End of lap 2, Wellens, Stybar, Boom, Mouray, Nys, Albert all there. Lots of mud!

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:14 AM EST reply actions

Vervecken there, too, 7 laps to go.

Thyss (sp?) is out front, with Mourey on his heels, and the other favorites still hanging in the frong group. There are lots of hairpin turns on this course, they are having to run a lot of the course before the steps-section because of the twisty turns and the terrible mud!

Huge crowds along the course, on a bright, sunny day!

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:21 AM EST reply actions

Stybar dropping off, there are 4 riders together

at the start/finish line in the velodrome Mourey, Albert, Boom, Nys,with three or four others close behind. Mourey and Albert leading, and they are really starting to get covered with mud now… 6 laps to go. The rest of the field has dropped in backk of these leaders now.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:26 AM EST reply actions

Mourey, Boom and Vervecken getting a gap now.

Mourey really wants this one, Brian says.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:27 AM EST reply actions

Boom in the lead now, then Vervecken, and Mourey drops back to 3rd

after slipping and sliding about. There’s a gap of 20 meters back to the 2nd group, with Mourey leading that group.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:30 AM EST reply actions

5 laps to go. Boom is pulling ahead of Vervecken now, and has a gap.

Boom has 20 meters on Vervecken, and the chasing group is at least 30 meters behind Vervecken as they leave the velodrome.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:32 AM EST reply actions

Oh, Mourey slips on a hairpin and goes even further behind,

Stybar almost hits him! Boom is tearing it up, enhancing his lead over Vervecken.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:33 AM EST reply actions

Everyone is now running down the big, muddy hill; it's become too messy to

stay on the bike through that stretch! Vervecken has almost caught Boom.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:34 AM EST reply actions

Vervecken passes Boom!

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:34 AM EST reply actions

Is no one up yet this beautiful morning? Anyone out there?

Boom drops back to about 5th place, Vervecken still out front, with the others chasing. Boom stops to clean all the mud and sticks out of his cleats, he’s dropped back to 10th place, at least.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:36 AM EST reply actions

Wellems, Stybar, and 4 others still chasing Vervecken.

And onto the velodrome. 4 laps yet. Poor Boom, he was in fantastic shape until his shoe got clogged up.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:38 AM EST reply actions

Boom lost almost 30 seconds because of that shoe problem. Thyss has joined

Boom. Nys with the Stybar group. Mourey still up there, but in about 6-7th place, and flagging.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:39 AM EST reply actions

Everyone changes into clean bikes now.

Vervecken chased by Nys, Albert, Stybar and Bart Wellems. Mouray chasing them. What a muddy mess!

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:42 AM EST reply actions

3 laps to go! It's been very exciting so far!

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:45 AM EST reply actions

Vervecken pulls away a little bit more.

Stybar chasing like mad, gaps the Nys group.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:47 AM EST reply actions

Stybar is the only rider still riding down the big muddy hill,

and this is where he’s making time on everyone. He’s caught Vervecken now!

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:48 AM EST reply actions

They're changing their bikes now on every lap, because of the mud.

Stybar now leading Vervecken, who’s stuggling to keep up with him. Nys still leading the chasing group. They are lapping a lot of other riders now.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:49 AM EST reply actions

Stybar has 5 meters on Vervecken now. He looks a lot stronger than

Vervecken now, but Nys still looks very strong, chasing.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:50 AM EST reply actions

2 laps to go! Stybar, Vervecen, Nys

and the Wellems group behind them. Nys is really pushing it.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:52 AM EST reply actions

Nys going like mad, and has almost caught Stybar and Vervecken.

Stybar still the only one that can ride down the big muddy hill.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:54 AM EST reply actions

Stybar, Vervecken and Nys together now!

I don’t know how they are staying on their bikes through all that mud.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:56 AM EST reply actions

Vervecken attacks through the sand!

Stybar and Nys stay with him, just behind. Stybar is really going strong now, just to keep up with Vervecken! Onto the velodrome. One lap to go, the bell ringing!!!!!

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 9:58 AM EST reply actions

Wellems in 4th, with Albert in 5th now.

Still leading: Stybar and Vervecken together, Nys about 5 meters back.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 10:00 AM EST reply actions

Vervecken pulling away from Stybar now, putting the hammer down!

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 10:01 AM EST reply actions

Vervecken has 10 meters over Stybar, with Nys behind him.

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 10:03 AM EST reply actions

Sorry kiddo, didn't know you had a thread going

I just got finished watching it was well – easily the best course of the year and imo the best race so far. Vervecken is the cagiest rider I can think of.

"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."

Tom Boonen

by Drew Davis on Jan 18, 2009 10:08 AM EST reply actions

Hey, buddy! I was wondering where you were! What a great race!

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

Could you believe the great racing they did through that Roubaix mud? Hoowa!

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 10:10 AM EST up reply actions

Best one all year - bad luck for Boom

I am making a prediction – at some point in his career he will podium in both Paris Roubaix and Flanders. You heard it here first.

"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."

Tom Boonen

by Drew Davis on Jan 18, 2009 11:33 AM EST up reply actions

Flanders?

Totally. I’m not as sure about Roubaix. Think he might be better in the Ardennes. Very exciting rider on the road. He has a ton of speed.

by Jen See on Jan 18, 2009 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

I look at it as

he was U23 World TT champ, and with his lanky build he’s only going to put on muscle. Paris Roubaix is made for the type of power he’ll eventually be able to put out consistently.
When you see what kind of wattage he’s putting out in an hour cross race, I think that will eventually translate into a race like Roubaix. Especially once he’s got the distances in his legs and some teammates to work for him.

"I didn't look for him and I didn't see him. If you base your race on another rider, most of the time you lose."

Tom Boonen

by Drew Davis on Jan 18, 2009 10:49 PM EST up reply actions

Wow, Stybar is really mashing the pedals, wants to catch him,

wow, on the velodrome, Vervecken wins over Stybar by only 5 meters or so. Nys in 3rd. Wow, that was a great race, full-on the whole way!

Vervecken
Stybar
Nys

I thought there’d be others joining me; I always feel silly commenting all by myself! :-) Oh, well. Have a great Sunday, everyone!

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 10:08 AM EST reply actions

thanks

it was fun to read, since I didn’t get to see it. Now I’ll have to go find a replay somewhere.

by jsallee00 on Jan 18, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for the commentary!

I wasn’t around to watch it, but it’s fun to read. LOL, so you aren’t totally talking to yourself, it’s just sort of a time-delayed conversation. Or, something like that :-)

by Jen See on Jan 18, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, you're so kind!

This has happened to me before: I’m not a terrifically eloquent or creative writer like a lot of people in our PdC community are, but I love chatting during the live races. LOVE IT!
I keep thinking that maybe there’s a shy lurker out there who will take pity on me and join the conversation. :-)

"I believe virtually everything I read, and I think that is what makes me more of a selective human than someone who doesn't believe anything."

by Ruthann on Jan 18, 2009 7:30 PM EST reply actions

So sorry I missed helping you out this morning Ruthann!

But you did a lovely job. I’m hoping to watch it on demand tomorrow. Needed to go get my back worked on this morning so I left the house pretty early. Still no excuse. I shall try to get my live cycling back in front things!
Tons of thanks for the comments though. Always fun reading them!

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Jan 18, 2009 11:14 PM EST reply actions