Paris-Nice is underway with Italian sprinter Elia Viviani currently in Yellow. Lots of Classics riders present, using this race as training, as well as lots of sprinters (but not all, as we'll see below). Lucky for us in Africa that SuperSport loves the ASO so we will get live shots in the afternoons.
Tirreno-Adriatico starts today, arguably a more important race for riders with Tour and Giro overall ambitions, as the start-list includes the likes of Cadel, Contador, Nibali, Rodriguez and Froome and for those who like to watch the sprints, we'll have a Cav vs Greipel duel! Supersport does not love RAI, so we have to hope there will be highlights or some live action on RAI International. Hopefully we'll get to see the team time trial, a rare discipline. Below are some fantastic race posters, the most evocative I've seen in a while.. Also Nibali, last year's winner with the famous Tridente in hand. To the winner go the spoils.. and the podium girls!
On our African racing front, this weekend is the Cape Argus. Ian Campbell, Iulian Circo, Tim Doyle, Cesar Rosário and others will be going. It'll be the 36th edition of the race. Some important people will be at the race. Can you guess who?
Lance Armstrong?! Obama?!
If you guessed Lance, I'm afraid he won't be doing much sport for quite a few years
The week after there's the start of the Cape Epic, an 8 day stage race for real men (and women). Theron Theunissen, Andre Ittmann, Kallie Calitz, Werner Schoefman, Richard Fair and Shane all taking part.
The fantasy
The reality
(Our own hard men training for the Cape Epic. Or are they training for the Hell of the South??)
In Maputo we'll have the Clássica de Goba on the 17th, starting in Boane to Goba fronteira and back. We did a training ride on the old road and the bridge is still collapsed and the road has even more pot-holes, so the race will be run out and back on the new road starting 6:30 sharp. I'm not sure we'll have race support and remember, these are unofficial races. We will however have jerseys as prizes for the overall winners at the end of the Copa. New rules this year mean you can only win one jersey, so choose your discipline carefully, Overall, Climber, Sprinter or by age default, best U23 rider.
On the 31st we'll have our traditional Easter race, the Hell of the South. This race will start in Boane out to Moamba and back. That means TWICE the number of pot-holes and should allow riders who prefer MTB bikes to participate as well. This is a stupid race, just as stupid as the Paris Roubaix (Hell of the North). But cycling isn't just about power metres and Vo2 calculations. It's about taking races by the .. ahem.. you know, those round things... So come on out for a day of craziness. Start will be early, at 6:30, to make sure we're all back in time for our Easter lunch.
If only the Hell of the South road was this good. Unfortunately the potholes have to be seen to be believed.
Saturday something light like a Mozal double loop or out to Marracuene and back, up to you guys really.
This sunday I propose a Swazi loop, consolation prize for those not doing the Argus. The ride starts in Namaacha, cycling down the hill and then towards Goba fronteira, into Siteki and then down into the valley where we join the main Mbabane/Manzini highway and turn right towards Lomaacha and into the Hlane Game reserve (Cyclists beware of Lion and Elephants). Obligatory photo stop at the famous sign and then on on towards the long and dreadful Lomaacha climb.
Your humble author just before being chased away by a lion
It will be a long day in the saddle, look at 6 hours and 150km. Should make up for not riding the Cape Argus. Pace will be leisurely except on climbs where each can go at his or her own speed. But we wait on the top to regroup. Anyone who violates this rule will be given a fine of 4 cokes at the first available rest stop!
Daily rides.. Not sure what's happening there but check in with Ian or Mike via email or sms.
Cheers and good riding at the races.
Oh, almost forgot, yesterday registration opened for the 94.7 cycle tour. Not as big as the Argus, but just as much fun and a little bit shorter. Link is here.
Thanks to Google search for pictures found on the internet and relevant photograhers.
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