are sometimes smooth and silky, and other times tired and tight.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Part III: Dust in the Wind (Paris-Roubaix, Secteur Five)

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Word started getting round that Cancellara was tearing it up, all by himself. We saw a helicopter in the distance, and knew that he was getting close.

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The Gendarmes arrive, paving the way on the pavé, on their Motorcross bikes.

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The wump, wump, wump of the rotors draws near, the dust picking up off the ground.

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And there's Spartacus, riding oh so nonchalantly, with his helmet tipped to the side.

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The chase group follows 2+ minutes behind.

Roger Hammond on the front, doing his bit for the Mighty Thor.

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Tommeke, Tommeke, Tommeke...

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Chasing the chase.

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Chasing the chase of the chase.

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And like that, it's all over. The crowd departs.

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The real race is up the road, for the remaining riders it's a race to the showers.

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Or a race away from la voiture balai.

5 comments:

Philippe Crist said...

Excellent pictures Bas - and good on you for capturing the atmosphere in very few words. Two years ago I watched Boonen, Cancelera and Ballan go by right in that same secteur ... only with with beer tents and Frituur stands (from over the border) -- it was a lot more fun! I also discovered Tomeke has a dance-track song composed of the flemish comentator going all ape wild over Tomeke's WC victory laid over a euro-tecno drum and synth track. Pretty good times!

Anonymous said...

Nice pictures as always. Nice to see a different perspective than the tv.

Dave said...

I enjoyed this post - you captured some of the moments that express the essence of the day.

Suitcase of Courage said...

Love love love the pics. Totally envy your going, but very glad you did - and then shared it with us.

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed the photos and commentary.

Missed you at the Mississippi Gran Prix last weekend.

Ricky Bobby