The Church of the Big Ring » Tom Boonen

Big Winner

The Rev — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:17:34 +0000

So glad tax day has come and gone. The “real” job will slow down considerably (hopefully not to the point of going on the dole), the weather will get better and beer will taste better. Something like that. So the winner of the Roubaix contest is Bob Kimzey of Sac Town in No Cal. There were surprisingly only 2 with Boonen as the big winner and they both also had Cancellara in 2nd so it was 3rd place as the tiebreaker. Bob had Flecha (6th) and Guy Smith had Ballan (DNS) as 3rd so there you go Bob’s your uncle and in this case also our winner. Congrats, wear it well.

You know for all the hype Roubaix (and for that matter Boonen) always seems to live up to it. This time Boonen really was the last man standing when he got the gap, but when he did it was 53:11 time and he ran off with the loot like a Goldman Sachs VP. The legend of Tommeke grows.

I have to admit that until Bonnen got away I was hoping Hushovd would swing his mighty hammer and vanquish all. I like seeing the ‘wegians win. It reminds me of the crazy ass parties those guys used to throw when I was in college. They may not loot and pillage like their forefathers but the do live large. As for Georgie, there is always next year….

A Little Much?

The Rev — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:00:49 +0000

So I know I came down pretty hard on Brother Boonen yesterday. Flahute has shared some good insights on the subject and it made me think why I got so upset. To put it simply drugs suck. I have seen too many talented people destroy themselves and everyone around them with drugs. Simple experimentation is one thing. I can’t tell you not to do something and expect you to listen. Everyone needs to decide for themselves what is appropriate for them. I have never done anything stronger than a Chimay as for me it seemed there was a lot more downside than upside (can you tell I work in the stock market?). For others they need to try it and see for themselves. Nothing wrong with that. It just seems Brother Boonen did not do a very careful risk reward study before pulling the trigger.

I am happy to see he is taking it like the man I have always hoped he is. To the surprise of no one the snail eaters at A Tour of France have banned him from the race. Nice move Frenchy. Only in France could a convicted drug cheat, liar and garden variety douche like Richard Virenque be considered a hero. If the ASO had any balls at all, they would strip that jack ass of the climber jersey’s he stole before his drug conviction. Brother Boonen, I hope you can find what you are looking for.

How about Georgie boy? Somehow I missed that yesterday. To be honest after I read the Boonen headline I stopped reading all cycling pages. Like I said over reaction. Anyway good to see Big George win something.

Pre Season Racing

The Rev — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 02:18:43 +0000

The best non ‘cross racing of the year kicks off this weekend with Flanders. Brothers and Sisters this is a time of great joy at TCOTBR. The forecast is for cold rain and maybe even snow, in other words a typical day in Belgium. Boonen will be gunning for Saint status with a 3rd win. Cancellara and his cottage of wattage showed the kind of devastation he is capable of at San Remo. Hincapie made it look pretty easy in the wet at A Tour of Cali. Can Hoste get the 2nd place monkey off his back? One this is certain, the Gods of The Classics only shine on the strongest. After my Sunday Big Ring session I will be cracking a Chimay and watching the coverage with the 2 Wheel Lovin’ Ladies.

I pray to the God of cobbles as I begin this day,
I know the pain that awaits me and with my blood I’ll pay.
I ask my bike to guide me on a path thats smooth and true,
so I may ride in glory the way Eddy used to do.