Boys of Summer Flocking to Flanders?
by Chris... on Oct 27, 2009 3:12 AM EDT
in News
90 comments
One unexpected name will be on the Ronde van Vlaanderen startlist next spring: Andy Schleck. This comes from a Sporza translation but Schleck apparently wants to try his hand at some cobbled races in anticipation of the sections of Paris-Roubaix to appear in the Tour de France. The money quote, translated badly, sounds like Schleck is concerned that this stage is a place where he could lose the Tour if he's not careful. History shows that there's much to his concerns. Ask Iban Mayo, circa 2004. Actually, you could write a pretty cool post listing the ways famous cyclists have ditched their Tour chances on the quirky tracts of northern France. [Slippery causeway, anyone?]
With Schleck hunting for race-day cobbles practice, it begs the question, what other luminaries will be signing in at the Grote Markt in Bruges next April? Can Contador justify sitting out? Does Lance come back to Flanders, as he contemplated this past spring? Will the Liquigas juggernaut, with its glamour and hair gel, bring the circus to town? I like where this is going.
0 recs |
90 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Also mentioned
here in CN, quoted from Spanish newspaper El País….
and ohhh my fingers and toes are crossed i’ll be there………
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
by CycleGirl on Oct 27, 2009 3:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I wonder how long he will actually go in the race...if he will try to finish or just go for the first set of cobbles and bail
though it would be a trip back in time to see all the big names at a cobbled classic
by Vlaanderen90 on Oct 27, 2009 3:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Do we really want the bumbling amateurs in De Ronde?
Saxo has a bunch of guys who can and want to do that race. If Andy wants practice he can do Driedaagse de Panne or Dwaars. Stay out of the big boys way unless you have the ambition to actually compete.
by Jens on Oct 27, 2009 3:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree
If AS doesn’t take up a valued spot, that spot could go to a guy that could better help Fabian when he needs it.
If I just had one more gear, I...
by SpunOut on Oct 27, 2009 3:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah that might be the only reason he could start the race...Saxo doesn't really have a deep cobbled classics team
They have Fabian and Breschel and Stuey if he is on form and healthy. They lost Kroon and they didn’t really replace any of there classic studs that they lost. So at this rate, Schleck could easily get onto a squad though it doesn’t have to be for RVV
by Vlaanderen90 on Oct 27, 2009 4:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True, they have lost a lot of depth
with Kroon, Ljungkvist, KAA and Bak gone. I suppose there is room but otoh they need to air the younger guys if they are ever to develop. AS is purely doing it as training/gimmic.
Besides shouldn’t he do Paris-Roubaix if he is really serious about training for Stage 3?
by Jens on Oct 27, 2009 4:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A Schleck and Driedaagse de Panne doesn't seem a solid combination..
There are a lot of falls in that race
by Frinking on Oct 27, 2009 4:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My thoughts exactly
WTF is The Great Bjarne thinking? Precisely how much help is this featherweight going to be? (and I mean no disrespect to Andy there – I’m just observing that it ain’t his scene ;-). ). De Ronde is not a friggin’ training race. And godalmighty there’d better not be any baby-sitting of bloody Luxembourgian tourists…
What next? Fränk riding P-R?
by Lou... on Oct 27, 2009 4:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sure I read somewhere that he was thinking of riding RVV even before the tour route was released.
He even thought he might try to win it one day! Don’t remember where I saw that – maybe on one of the CN diaries?
by celerity on Oct 27, 2009 5:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I read that, too
And I smiled to myself, and though ‘good for you, lad. And maybe, with effort, one day you’ll be RVV-squad standard’. Had I thought back then that it was more than an idle daydream, I would have looked forward to seeing his first efforts at Dwars. First you learn how to race the cobbles, then you have a go at de Ronde.
by Lou... on Oct 27, 2009 5:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Was an interview in Pro Cycling where he said that.
The one last month with him and Frank on the front. When asked what races he’d ideally like on his Palmarés before he retires, he said the Tour de France, the World Championships and the Tour of Flanders. He genuinely seemed to believe he can win Flanders some day.
http://www.irishpeloton.com/
by irishpeloton on Oct 27, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree.
I think he could do just fine in the Ronde. I’m not saying he’s ever going to win, but he is incredibly talented, I think he could do some really valuable work for the team.
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Oct 27, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Forgot to throw this in
There is no reason that LA shouldn’t do this. He’s a good bike handler, has a good grasp on classics races from past experience, and if he’s serious about putting Bert under pressure come July, this would be a good place to formulate a plan. With big guys like Rast there and experienced classics guys like Eki and Demol guiding things, they could really put the wood to some GC contenders hopes there. Also, it would be awesome to see all the GC guys riding RvV, almsot surreal.
If I just had one more gear, I...
by SpunOut on Oct 27, 2009 3:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
almsot=almost
If I just had one more gear, I...
by SpunOut on Oct 27, 2009 3:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can see Armstrong doing the race but has all ready lost most of the battle because he is lacking men
for the cobbles. He could just as easily by the Quick Step team’s services (if no Contador) and draft of them and be fine.
Armstrong should be on the defense more because he doesn’t have too good of classics men: Schleck has Fabian and Breschel, Liquigas have Quinziato and Kuschynski for their men, Garmin have Maaskant, Van Summeren and Farrar.
YOu can have all the brains in the world but you need to have some muscle to back it up with
by Vlaanderen90 on Oct 27, 2009 4:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Question from someone who is graduating from GTs to cobbled classics
What makes a good cobbles rider? Why is everyone so sure that AS would be useless – except he has never done it before?
Genuine questions looking for enlightenment…
I understand climbers, sprinters and TTers – cobbles is a new thing. What do you need apart from a raincoat and being hard as ****?
by addict on Oct 27, 2009 5:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Height to weight ratio? Not being facetious, but may well be wrong ...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
by Seahorse on Oct 27, 2009 6:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good cobbles riders:
Usually weigh more around 70-72 kg+ (155-160 pounds +) so they can roll over the cobbles better and put out big power on the flats and they are tough and can put an elbow somewhere so they can get a good position. When on the cobbles, the good ones can keep a rhythm that few can match by being able to keep speeds high and not getting bogged down in their cadence and slowing up.
Since most of these races are flat to rolling, these guys will give up weight to add more power/speed
That is quite a simple answer but it is basics
by Vlaanderen90 on Oct 27, 2009 6:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love your analysis... always informative.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
by Seahorse on Oct 27, 2009 6:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes very good answer.
I will add that some climby guys, light though they may be, have the power to do well here. Lance should, same with Vino. Samu could and, yes, I can imagine Bert could.
In theory. The other part of course is tactics. Lance could do well but being led by Bruyneel/Demol on the cobbles almost guarantees also-ran status. Same with Samu. Now Bert on Quickstep would just give them another bullet that other teams would be afraid of. If they ignore him because of Devo, Boonen, and Chavanel, they might get screwed when Bert launches himself on the last couple of hills and TT’s his way to a win.
by ursula on Oct 27, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Based on what makes for good cobbles riders...
I am beginning to believe that the Swiss had the 2010 Tour rigged so that Tony could win after all his glory at the Tour de Suisse.
"As you can imagine, there are better places to have your birthday party than in some village called Mushny Mush Mishme." --The Wisdom of Jens
by Josenka on Oct 27, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh I should try the cobbles then
instead of insisting on improving my climbing hehehe
Your bike doesn't want to crash so relax and let it roll!!!
by perezbike on Oct 27, 2009 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are we talking useless *now*, or long-term?
IMHO he’s likely to be as useful as a hole in the head this April, because he’s never done it before, LOL… just for starters (and really, I reckon that’s more than sufficient). Many of the cobbled veterans talk about how at first they were striving to just finish the damn races.
by Lou... on Oct 27, 2009 6:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm with you...
I’d like a little more meat on his bones just for a start… yeah, and experience… although how else do you get it? :(
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
by Seahorse on Oct 27, 2009 6:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It takes a mindset
more than a certain weight/height ratio. Boogerd did very well on RVV cobbles.
by tedvdw on Oct 27, 2009 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and by mindset I mean
experience, toughness & balls.
by tedvdw on Oct 27, 2009 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can go there. Thanks.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
by Seahorse on Oct 27, 2009 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
good point
and let’s remember he’s from just next door, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had plenty of experience training on cobbles, and racing on them as an amateur
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Oct 27, 2009 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Long thighbones
Fearlessness. Hammerheadiness.
"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert
by Chris... on Oct 27, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
If you fear the cobbles, the cobbles have won.
by tedvdw on Oct 27, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And if you don't fear the cobbles
they often beat you anyway.
by Spot of Bother on Oct 27, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking for myself , I would like to declare defeat right now
by Jens on Oct 27, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Personally
I will wait til I see them in person. Then I will sob like DS Littler Bear when his train derails.
"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert
by Chris... on Oct 27, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only places I've ridden on cobbles...
…are steep twisty descents in a couple places around here, and one steep twisty ascent.
The latter isn’t too bad. The former are terrifying
by Ed K on Oct 27, 2009 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When I first saw Arenberg I laughed out loud at the idea of taking my bike on there.
Then I told myself to HTFU. If you go at it timidly you may well fall off. It’s like ice skating….you just have to go for it with no fear and if you get up some speed you’re ok, if uncomfortable!
"If I were World Road Race Champion, I would wear black shorts. That probably has more to do with me being on the wiser side of 30 and understanding better that the decisions I make now never really go away. White shorts would not be something I'd be proud of...." - David Millar, in Rouleur.
by Albertina on Oct 28, 2009 5:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Take away his bag of Smartfood
Works every time
I mean uh... hasn't that ever occurred to you, man? Sir?
by Drew... on Oct 28, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love this phrase:
“graduating from GTs to cobbled classics.”
"The road is our agony, but also our daily bread; and at night, when it is deserted and the moon glistens on the asphalt, the ridiculous dreams of racers like us pass up and down it."
--Dino Buzzati
by nrs5000 on Oct 27, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting...
… Maybe AS could be a good Cobbles man:
- he looks physically tall on a bike (tho I have no idea how tall he actually is)
- he is a high cadence guy
- he’s pretty damn tough (you don’t chase down all and sundry on the Alpe, and then ride away from them, without being so)
So – he lacks experience, but you have to start someday. He will be surrounded by a bunch of hardnuts who won’t allow him to wimp – lets face it, he is going to be relying on the hammerheads in Saxo come July, so personal / professional pride will presumably mean you HTFU. And he has some form in the spring – so he can do LBL.
He shouldn’t be a complete liability – and if he could get to the final third, would YOU let him go free if he attacked? Gives Saxo another bullet to use for Spartacus, at least. And he isn’t Frank, at least…
by addict on Oct 27, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would have to see it to believe it...I just have a hard time picturing Schleck duking it out with Boonen and Pozzato
by Vlaanderen90 on Oct 27, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed
A rider like Bettini might have been able to win the Ronde in addition to his hilly classics wins – and Gilbert might do it. But Andy? He’s really light for that kind of terrain – not so much the cobbles – but it’s a long flat drag to the finish of the Ronde. So what, he rides everyone off his wheel on the Muur, and stays away on pan-flat terrain to the finish? Because he certainly isn’t going to win it off a sprint. This ain’t Liège, where there are a series of climbs close to the finish. It’s a long, flat drag to the line. I’m not really seeing it.
Now, Gilbert? That dude could win the Ronde. And I think Cunego could ride a good Ronde if he decided to, for much the same reasons that Bettini might have been able to. I’m just not seeing Andy Schleck going up against the big riders like Boonen, Pozzato, Devolder.
by gavia on Oct 27, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
true
wasn’t thinking specifically about the race terrain – my bad. Still think there is an outside possibility that he gives Saxo another bullet (assuming he sticks around).
I also guess that Bjarne is perfectly comfortable trading the 9th man in his cobbles squad for improved chances at the TdF
by addict on Oct 28, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe fabian can give Andy some of the weight he's losing
That way they can both win the Ronde. It’s tough keeping that rear wheel planted on even smooth cobbles when you’re Andy’s size.
by dansel on Oct 27, 2009 9:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I looked into this for a post about the Tour route last week.
Of the main Tour contenders, Contador, Schleck, Evans, Menchov and Valverde have all never ridden a cobbled race. Armstrong rode and finished the Tour of Flanders twice during his Tour winning years. By far the most experienced Tour contender on the cobbles is Bradley Wiggins, who throughout his career has ridden all the major cobbled races.
I’d say Schleck won’t be the only unusual name on the startlist of a cobbled race this Spring. They’ll all be looking to get a bit of practice in. As Chris said in the original post, everybody will want to avoid doing an Iban Mayo.
http://www.irishpeloton.com/
by irishpeloton on Oct 27, 2009 11:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
True enough.
and Denis Menchov is Denis Menchov. He’s definitely gonna fall over on the cobbles. That man is a disaster.
http://www.irishpeloton.com/
by irishpeloton on Oct 27, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But he'll get back up ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
by Seahorse on Oct 27, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And then fall back down....
http://www.irishpeloton.com/
by irishpeloton on Oct 27, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey I like the guy... I will always start out believing he'll get back up
And so far he’s proved me right :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
by Seahorse on Oct 27, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah in fairness
I like him as well. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him win the Giro this year. But he really seems to have some serious bike handling issues.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl4eCCa1pJQ
http://www.irishpeloton.com/
by irishpeloton on Oct 27, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know he does, but he's tough and tenacious
… not always exciting, but he won me over at the Giro.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
by Seahorse on Oct 27, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He sure needs bike handling lessons from SamSan, Thor and Tony.
"As you can imagine, there are better places to have your birthday party than in some village called Mushny Mush Mishme." --The Wisdom of Jens
by Josenka on Oct 27, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thinking about Andy
Flanders has a conflict with Pais Vasco. To me that says that Spanish racers/those who place emphasis on Basque week (Contador. Samu, etc.) won’t race Flanders and if they race a cobbles race they will do an earlier one. I doubt they race in Belgium on any cobbles race this year.
Now Andy and Frank ride Pais Vasco but they don’t (so far) look for a result there so going to Flanders instead is not such a big deal for them. How their inclusion affects the team is another matter though as I strongly think that they will look at Flanders like they do Pais Vasco: to complete it but not to look for a result.
by ursula on Oct 27, 2009 11:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Plan B
could be a cobbles camp. If the Accountant can’t miss the PV, then he could spend a week in Flanders with a large group of teammates hammering the cobbles together. I dunno if you get the same urgency, but you’d get the feel anyway.
"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert
by Chris... on Oct 27, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
His teammates may be the so so cobbles guys of Quickstep
which really won’t end well for Bert I fear. Actually thinking of it now, Quickstep would be the ideal team to be on for that stage, they can have 2-3 guys protect him well while Boonen goes off the front looking for the win.
Dammit Elk! I don't care if it's your mating season, you are disturbing my peaceful sleep! Just STFU!
by Phil H. on Oct 27, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The battle for position is what they need to experience.
That is what got Mayo and I don’t think it’s something you can train outside a race.
by Jens on Oct 27, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah yes
the bane of my racing “career”. But everyone knows how to do this, right? Surely there are positioning battles at the Pais Vasco or MSR. The only difference is the cobbles, which they can get comfy on in practice.
"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert
by Chris... on Oct 27, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The position battle was seen at the Tour this year
heading into the Ventoux especially, guys who were not well positioned like Sastre missed out on the split and lost all chance of winning the stage before they even got to Ventoux. I think all the riders know position is key heading into the cobbles, again Quickstep would be a good team to have for this.
Dammit Elk! I don't care if it's your mating season, you are disturbing my peaceful sleep! Just STFU!
by Phil H. on Oct 27, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is an article on PEZ
i think it is on Barry Hoban where he mentions Merckx as an an example of a guy who didn’t really like riding De Ronde because of the constant shifts in pace, the accelerations to maintain position and so on. There may be position-fights in other races but not of the same caliber.
by Jens on Oct 27, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so
not all battles for position are alike? That makes sense. Particularly if you’re a Tour rider and used to riding on minor highways instead of paved cow paths.
"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert
by Chris... on Oct 27, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree
So… I’m looking at the calendar and I’m wondering why the emphasis on GC guys riding the Ronde? I mean to say that it seems the value for the GC guys riding the cobbles has less to do with the hills than the narrow paths and the resulting fighting for position. If that’s the case then perhaps an earlier race might be better for their schedules.
Take, oh, Sam San. Say he wants one or more cobbles races but he really wants Pais Vasco too. Gent-Wevelgem would fit okay and probably E3 would be better. Hell why not Het Newsblad and KBK before Paris-Nice if Sammy wants that stage race as well?
I am wondering about this because for the GC guys they can’t just ignore the one week stage races. They need those miles and those bigger climbs too. (And remember that stage on Paris-Nice this year where the crosswinds really hit?)
by ursula on Oct 27, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah they are much different...When they are lining up for the Arenberg in Roubaix, they are throwing elbows
and going almost 60 kph. Bike handling is much more key in spring races when getting position
by Vlaanderen90 on Oct 27, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
think of the power
the wattage driving the pace into the cobbled sections of RVV is huge. And repeated — beginning with the Oude Kwaremont, and then again, and again, and again. Plus the stakes are huge for positioning there, because the cobbled sections are so narrow. I doubt MSR is like that. Here is some perspective from Joe Parkin’s blog, see the last comment: http://www.6yearsinaraincape.com/2009/10/08/a-teammate-and-i-were-having-a-discussion-today-about-bike-racing-of-course-he-posed-a-question-for-which-neither-one-of-us-could-really-come-up-with-a-great-answer-we-both-thought-that-youd-de/#comments
"The road is our agony, but also our daily bread; and at night, when it is deserted and the moon glistens on the asphalt, the ridiculous dreams of racers like us pass up and down it."
--Dino Buzzati
by nrs5000 on Oct 27, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
worst. url. ever.
"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert
by Chris... on Oct 27, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very true, yes
They don’t send the Tour de France over the same sorts of roads as the Belgian classics. Not by a long stretch. That’s true of the Ardennes races, also, to some degree.
by gavia on Oct 27, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are Flanders cobbles really good practice for Roubaix cobbles?
I mean they’re on hills and, well, a lot less horrible
by William H on Oct 27, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Flanders has flat cobbles, too!
For example, here is last year’s OHN http://cyclocosm.com/maps/omloop-het-nieuwsblad-google-map/
by tedvdw on Oct 27, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is good amount of flat cobbles they are just not shown on TV most of the time...
They have about 20k of “flat” cobbles from my rough math.
by Vlaanderen90 on Oct 27, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Quality
I suspect they’ll hop over the border and do the Nord Dept cobbles too. The dilemma is, there’s only one race where you get to try out the Carrefour de l’Arbe and Mons-en-Pevele bricks. And I don’t see these precious jewels being thrown into that event. Too much risk.
"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert
by Chris... on Oct 27, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Way too much risk
The chances of crashing at Paris-Roubaix are huge, much more so than the Ronde.
by gavia on Oct 27, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now, Chris
I love this site; I really do.
But now I have a Don Henley song in my head and I’m blaming you for it.
I will have to go on a restorative course of blues or something to wipe the slate clean.
by Drongo on Oct 27, 2009 9:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
just cue up the cover
from the ataris. way more funner than the original.
black flag sticker on a cadillac.
by gavia on Oct 27, 2009 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And
visions of torsos jumping up and down? Not sure that’s so bad.
"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert
by Chris... on Oct 27, 2009 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, see, I don't get the visuals
Some films are linked in my mind with the video clip (exhibit A: Sledgehammer; exhibit B: Girls on Film). This one: isn’t. I didn’t see the film clip in my younger days.
Having said that, I just at looked at it now (with the sound down) and … I’m still not a fan.
by Drongo on Oct 28, 2009 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
