Cycling News Extra for September 26, 2005

Edited by Anthony Tan

More post-race comments

Robbie McEwen (Australia, 30th place) was a top favourite for many people, but he couldn't catch the final group who made the sprint. "It was hard enough in the end," said McEwen. "I was okay, but I couldn't follow the group the last time on the climb. That small front group, they were just in front of us! But there was nobody to ride [to help in the chase]."

The U-turn nicknamed the "McEwen corner" was changed last Friday by the organisation, so we asked him if that affected his chances. "No, because you see the group split. There was a group of 25 or something ahead, so it didn't make any difference," he said

Juan Antonio Flecha (Spain, 56th place) was very happy with Alejandro Valverde's silver medal. "The truth is that Alejandro has been phenomenal," said Flecha. "It wasn't easy to beat Boonen, but I think Valverde has surprised everyone. They had said it wasn't hard, but in the end it was hard, especially the last climb; the racing developed as we thought, with a breakaway in the end." Flecha also had some kind words for Spanish coach "Paco" Antequera: "He is a magnificent coach. He knows how to read the race very well."

Aurélien Clerc (Switzerland, 33rd place) also gave his view of the race. "It was not very fast," said Clerc. "It was hard because of the small hill and in the finale, all the strong men rode in the first group and in the final sprint there were 20 or 30. It was a good race for me; I've done the maximum [I could]."

Boonen's win "pure grunt" says Sunderland

"Boonen showed again today that he is a one-day specialist. Tom's labelled to be a sprinter because he wins stages in the major Tours with ease, but on top of that he's one of the few 'sprinters' who wins big classics. I consider him to be a classics rider. The way he almost turned his bike inside out during that sprint, that is pure grunt! That's the way he won Flanders and Roubaix," said Team CSC directeur-sportif Scott Sunderland, who was co-commentator during Cyclingnews' live coverage of the elite men's road race.

"After seeing Boonen kicking arse in those classics, it was no surprise that he was the only 'sprinter' still there for the final today. What was a surprise, though, is that he was able to ride like he did at the end of a long season, after an intense spring campaign, the bad luck and injuries in the Tour and the quiet lead-up to the World's during which he played his cards close to the chest. That really shows his depth of talent. The race went his way and Tom finished his team's work off impeccably. I'm impressed.

"Valverde actually was the biggest surprise to me; especially after getting so little racing in [he sustained a knee injury in the Tour - ed.]. Geslin is another one. I was pleased to see that Marcus Ljungvist [4th] is back to his good old self. I'm looking forward to working with him in the team next year.

"One Australian rider whose presence I really missed was O'Grady. The Australian selectors should have thought twice about not taking him. The other guys did a great job for McEwen, no doubt about that. But we saw that the race was too hard for the pure sprinters. I've always thought this parcours was something which suited O'Grady extremely well. Look at Italy - luckily they had Bettini.

"I was exited about seeing Allan Davis in that break though. But he must have had a lesser day today; I know he normally has the ability to hang in there with Bettini and the others. A pity he couldn't."

A pleased Piil

With three laps to go, it was Jakob Piil and Spanish rider Oscar Peirero who opened the race and loosened the tight grip the Italians had maintained until then. After that, Piil was one of the main players in what for a long time looked like the decisive break in the battle for the rainbow jersey, and although the finish was decided in a sprint, Piil still had the strength to finish sixth, while Swede and Piil's CSC team-mate took fourth.

"I went for it today and have every reason to be pleased. I opened the race early because I was nervous the Italians would end up controlling everything," said Piil on team-csc.com. "On the whole, I'm happy with my effort today because after the crash in the Vuelta it all looked a little bleak for me. During the last couple of weeks, I've worked very hard to get in shape, and today I proved that I can battle with some of the best

Added CSC team manager Bjarne Riis: "Jakob is in his best shape ever and rode a really amazing world championships. It was a shame the break didn't last all the way, because I think he could've been the new world champion. He had the legs for it today that's for sure. The course wasn't hard enough, but it turned out really exciting towards the end - especially thanks to Jakob, who truly showed class out there. When the riders were together in the end, it was in the cards for Boonen to win and he is definitely a worthy champion."

Dean a one man band

When New Zealand rider Julian Dean crossed the line for ninth place, the Crédit Agricole rider was very satisfied with his ride despite having to fend for himself, but says the future lies with developing the current crop of junior and espoir riders to ensure a bright future for cycling in his country.

"In the first part it was easy and then in the end it was very difficult. My team performance was a one-man effort and my own performance was good. I'm happy that I tried to follow [Alexandre] Vinokourov in the end. I used a bit of energy there, but I did the best I could on the day," he told Cyclingnews' Hernan Alvarez Macias.

"It was a long day but a pleasing result" Dean added. "To be honest, I am not as good physically now as before the Olympics, but coming off my recent results and with the racing still to come, I am pleased with today. My result was good as it shows we have some talent now, but the real talent is in the future with the crop of under-23s and junior riders, who have such a bright future."

Hammond cramps, questions team's tactics

By Shane Stokes in Madrid

Great Britain team leader Roger Hammond had gone into the men's road race hoping to fight it out for a medal but finished in the second group, crossing the line in 41st position. "It was really hard race," he said. "The weather is really hard here. Last year, when I was in Athens, it felt easier than these conditions here. I don't know what it is, it just felt hotter today. I had no problem with cramping in Athens but today I had it, it was just really hot."

Continued Hammond: "The course worked out hard. The problem is that when there is a proper climb, everybody waits until late on in the race, but when there is a climb like that, not really a big one, everything starts six or seven laps out. It was very technical between the climbs, too."

The Great Britain team were one of those driving the pace early on, limiting the gains of the four man move which was up the road. Cyclingnews asked Hammond about this, and was somewhat surprised by the answer. "I don't know why they took the initiative to ride," he said. "It wasn't our team plan and I still don't think it was up to us to do that. We didn't have enough riders as it was. I don't know [what was going on]... we will find out later on."

Scanlon hit by cramp

By Shane Stokes in Madrid

On the last lap, Irish rider Mark Scanlon was riding strongly in the second group alongside pre-race favourites such as Alessandro Petacchi (Italy) and Robbie McEwen (Australia). This group ended up sprinting for 28th place, some 25 seconds behind Boonen, however the former world junior champion had to ease back with three kilometres to go due to an attack of cramp.

Scanlon was disappointed at the finish, telling Cyclingnews "I was in the bunch behind Boonen's group but at the big roundabout near the finish, I had to stop because I cramped. I had felt alright in the race, but I started cramping with about a lap to go. I knew that it was either going to pass or I would have to take the legs out of the pedals and straighten it out. Unfortunately that is what happened.

"I think the heat was probably the problem. Last week, I was racing in the Tour de la Somme and it was 17 degrees and raining. It is hard to adapt when you go from that to 30 degrees, especially after just an hour and a half training in it yesterday. I should have been in that group sprinting for 28th, so I'm a bit disappointed."

Scanlon can nevertheless take encouragement from what was a good ride today. He has shown improving form in recent weeks after a difficult, injury and illness affected season. Fellow Irishmen David McCann and David O'Loughlin were among the 58 non-finishers.

Balen parties again!

While Boonen's parents were celebrating with their son in Madrid, the party was on again in his home town in Belgium, too. The people in Tom's hometown of Balen are getting used to the festivities put on for their golden son, but they don't seem to mind, and like before, it seemed the whole town was out on the streets celebrating Tom's win. By 5pm, the St-Andriessquare was filled with people and beer was flowing abundantly.

Grandpa Boonen was the happiest old man on that square, and was interviewed by the Belgian television, surrounded by hundreds of fans. "I'm speechless, can't find the right words," he said. "Congratulations Tommeke! Man, how my heart was racing when I saw Tom flying towards the finish line. Really not a good thing for someone with a weak heart; luckily I've got a pacemaker so I can handle a bit of emotion!"

Girlfriend Lore was reserved and calm as always: "Tom, have a good party, but don't drink too much hey" she laughed. "I realise it's going to be so hectic in the coming days. I expect us to be answering one phone call after the other again. Really, sometimes it's really unbearably busy. Some people are not happy about Tom thinking about moving to Monaco, but something has to happen if we want to keep some peaceful moments in our life."

Grandma Boonen was being the typical worried grandmother: "This is a gift from God. I just hope that Tom doesn't get too tired now, because he has to be operated on Tuesday. It's not a big operation, but anyway, you never know."

Courtesy Sabine Sunderland

Fewer spectators than expected

By Hernan Alvarez in Madrid

One of the World's organisers and Vuelta a España chief Victor Cordero had estimated 1-1.5 million people would come to watch the elite men's road race, but that didn't happen at all. Racing organisers from the UCI thought there were around 110,000 persons by the road, but by Cyclingnews' estimation, that figure was closer to 50,000 spectators on the streets of Madrid. Cycling is actually not the top sport in Spain, where soccer dominates, with basketball a distant second and others further down the popularity list. Not only that, the World's wasn't so pleasant for the residents of Madrid, as they had to withstand the traffic jams produced because of the many avenues were blocked off, in a city with an already excessive number of cars and many traffic problems.

However, in the final lap, the roadsides near the finish line were crowded with people excited to watch not only the Spanish riders, but also other top competitors. Francisco Mancebo is one of the biggest favourites of the Spanish fans; when he finished and he was going to the teams' area, an ovation came from the side of the road to salute him, with the locals also celebrating Valverde's silver medal. When the race broadcaster said his name at the medals ceremony, the crowd shouted for the rider and his country.

Southam pays tribute to Tom Simpson

By Jean-François Quénet

40 years ago, British rider Tom Simpson won the world championship in Lasarte, Spain. Every young English cyclist knows that nowadays, and in memory of his legendary hero, Tom Southam showed up at the start of the world's in Madrid, Spain, with a piece of textile around his wrist. That piece of cloth was actually Simpson's undershirt the day he became the world champion, and it was given to Southam by Simpson's nephew, Chris Sidwells.

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