For those of you who believe that when the peloton rolls into Paris after three weeks of grueling racing at the end of July the cycling season is all but over, you would be mistaken. Not only is there the third and final Grand Tour, the tours of Britain, Poland and Ireland and the World Championships in late September still to come but also the Post Tour Criterium series run in the two weeks immediately after the Tour de France.
The series of races generally known as ‘post-tour crits’ held in various cities around Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany provide fans the opportunity to watch and cheer for their heroes while enjoying a party atmosphere more commonly associated with concerts or festivals.
How do criterium’s held in random towns across Western Europe, carrying no UCI ranking and no prestige like that of Paris-Roubaix or Milam San Remo attract the who’s who of the European peloton?
TdeF Jersey and stage winners and big name riders such as Jens Voigt can earn big money just for showing their faces. The appearance money riders can earn is stratospheric and how successful a rider is during the tour dictates how much dough the race organisers are willing to throw at them.
Years ago there were up to 96 ‘post-tour crits’ held around Europe, now there are twelve, and I chose to race one of the biggest, loudest and most atmospheric of them all the Draai van der Kaai in Roosendaal, the Netherlands.
Before the big names take to the line the crowd is given the chance to warm up a bit while watching the junior and women support races. By ‘warming up’ I mean partaking in the various beers, wines and spirits on offer at the innumerable bars scattered around the course.
As Emma and I cruised up to the criterium in her SmartCar we were met by fences barricading off a huge residential area. Entry into the area where the criterium was being held cost 20 euro per person. This in itself shocked me, but what was inside made me gasp! Thousands of people lined the three kilometre circuit, stands erected along the straights of the course and a large stage where the hottest Dutch bands were playing for the crowds made it the most fantastic and unusual atmosphere I have ever ridden in.
21 laps raced against riders such as Marianne Vos (DSB), Chantelle Beltman (Columbia) and Suzanne De Goede (Nurenberger) on the rough, bumpy, red bricked 3 kilometre circuit later, and I had claimed another podium place in a European race. Taking third to Vos and De Goede was a result that I was more than satisfied with.
The cheer from the crowd as Vos crossed the line with her arms outstretched in a victory salute was insane. I don’t think I have ever heard people cheer so loudly for a female sportstar. Vos is cycling’s and the Netherlands golden girl, and for good reason. World Champion in track, road and cyclo-cross disciplines she’s extremely talented and a lovely person. It’s easy to see how she has managed to win the hearts of her fellow country men and women.
The men’s race was won by Mark Cavendish while Contador and Andy Schleck almost got him on the line. It’s not everyday you see general classification riders challenging the fastest man in the world. A bit like professional wrestling really, I want to believe it but ???? Anyway, its good entertainment and rest assured the Women’s racing was fair dinkum!
If you would like more on these Crits visit this link: http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/features/?id=post_tour_crits
An interesting read if you want to know more.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi Chloe! have just found your blog site!! What a fabulous year you have had. I have read your other entries too. We also spent some time in Lucca. It was 1997. We stayed out towards Pescia, but explored that areaso we know about the mountains!! Only recently, Neil montgomery (outdoor Ed) at Narrabundah told me that he has been caving in those mountains too. Pure white marble caves. Hope to catch up one day. Will send this to your email if I can find it. love Robyn K
ReplyDelete