Archive for The history of cycle racing
December 27, 2009 at 4:28 pm
· Filed under Cycling, The history of cycle racing
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December 13, 2009 at 10:07 pm
· Filed under Cycling, Doping, The history of cycle racing
Tom Simpson memorial on Mont Ventoux
Albert Beurick, Tom Simpson’s biggest supporter, died last night in Gent at the age of 72 from a heart attack. He was the owner of the Cafe Den Engel where Simpson stayed when he first moved to Gent.
Mr Breurick never missed an opportunity to defend Simpson’s reputation and while he didn’t deny that he used drugs he claimed that their use was universal so there was a level playing field. This claim upset other riders of that generation, including Vin Denson, who insisted they had ridden clean.
Mr Breurick will be cremated at Lochristi near Gent at noon on Friday.
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October 19, 2009 at 5:00 pm
· Filed under Cycling, My thoughts on recent races and events, The Worlds, The history of cycle racing
Ok, so I got a little carried away but what about Philippe Gilbert ? Four rides in ten days and four wins. And not just and old races, One Monument, one Classic, one semi-classic a top class catergory 1.1 race. Gilbert’s achievement must surely be unique. I think Cipo may have won four Tour stages on the trot but that just isn’t at all comparable.
Gilbert’s October can be awarded the greatest complement in cycle racing; it is something that was beyond Eddy Merckx. Which leads me on to another feat that defeated the great Merckx. In the six years between 1977 and 1982 Gibi Baronchelli won all six editions of the Tour of the Appenines. Isn’t that extraordinary. Can you imagine the scene in the changing room by 1982. Moser, a double winner, saying to Saronni, Whatever happens don’t let that f*****g Baronchelli win again! And blow me up he pops.
My old mate Luigi Ortenzi previously of Harrow and now back in Italy was a big fan of Gibi and told me of this amazing achievement. Not that Luigi’s judgement was reliable in matters of Italian cycling. He once told me how Hinault “stole” the 1980 rainbow jersey from Baronchelli. I have since watched some of the race on video and truth be told Gibi was stuffed by the Badger
But to return to Gilbert’s triumphs I don’t expect it will change anything. Boonen will still be the man with the bike mad Flemish public more interested in what Boonen puts up his nose than anything the Walloon Gilbert achieves.
For the record:
8th October, Coppa Sabatini
11th October, Paris-Tours
15th October, Tour of Piemont
17th October, Tour of Lombardy
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