Don’t want to come across as too unimpressed with the new course, but the gaps between the hills are such that it plays out a lot like a cobbled Amstel Gold—mercifully, without the finishing climb so riders feel at least slightly motivated make a move rather than wait for the inevitable selection.
[click for iPad/iPhone/download]
Only Lotto really contested the pre-race storyline, and did a pretty nice job of it, putting their lieutenants in control of the break all day, and giving their trump card more than a fair shot against the two most impressive riders of the season so far.
Oh, and yes—I really did make a Pikachu of Flanders flag.
Probably the most boring Flanders in recent memory so I guess it’s not really your fault that the post race coverage has been boring as well. I gotta say though I am a little disappointed you left out the sexual harassment that occurred on the podium. Considering a podium girl doesn’t usually get molested at the end of the race I assumed it merited at least a passing mention. You owe it to the women of this sport to report on the bigger issues here. Cancellara winning became a second tier story the moment Sagan decided to act like a fool.
The last thing I want is a sleep-deprived Cosmo shoehorning gender issue commentary into the end of a HTRWW. The internet is already full of good coverage on that front, it doesn’t need to be here as well.
I was hoping you’d investigate the show that kept coming up on the Eurosport commercials in which a man races a toppling line of giant dominoes….
Nice job, as always. Do you make any money off this? You should.
why the change from youtube to vimeo?
I thought the presence of the moto and its slice through Cancellara and Segan at the critical movement on the Patenburg was a catastrophe in effecting the out come of the race. Segan’s biggest mistake on the podium was coming second.
@ resultsboy
normally i would totally agree. keep cosmo doing what he does best: race analysis. It was just such a shocking display in an otherwise uninspiring race that I thought it merited at least a mention.
Also, that aside from the obvious, podium girls do genuinely work. its not just a modeling gig. not that it really matters but it hasnt been mentioned in most large media outlets.
@rainbow
Due to the angle of the broadcasting camera the moto looks to cut sagan off quite closely but in truth it was already further ahead of the slovak and gaining speed before it cut in front. I had to rewatch the clip as I wondered how close it came myself. it didnt alter the race, he was fading by then.
as for the comment on his mistake? well i wont speak for anyone else but id appreciate that if you have sexist comments to make that you make them to your own audience and not ugly up the message boards here.
@cosmic osmo
It’s been covered in such depth elsewhere that’s it’s not worth a passing mention in the video — Cosmo should either do a full on rantcast about it or ignore it entirely.
I really enjoy your race analysis. Thanks, looking forward to PR.
I accept the chastisement Cosmo , but it was not the accent I was (poorly) offering. had he been first it wouldnt have happened , the interpretation of sexism is your own. Further more B had he won the media would be focusing on what Fabian thought of Sagan’s victory shenanigans which would be another story away from HTRWW.
I’m still sticking to scything break theory, any small level of external interference can have massive consequences in the minds of participants epically when trying to maintain a close non physical attachment (have I said that without inferring innuendo). Having to watch pixalated web cast streaming from unrestricted ‘non legitimate’ sources in a foreign language at 3 am in the morning is going to deliver a distorted view of events, that’s why I turn to you for clarifying comment, thanks
Cosmo, just recently started watching these and loving them. Keep up the good work.
@Rainbow: What?
I will join the masses in requesting a Pikachu of Flanders shirt or actual flag. Not sure you’ve got the lawyers for it…