On Tap...

At The Start - Het Volk
Photo: Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews.com

For Oude Granny this weekend is truly a case of saving the best for last! What do I mean by that statement?

Of all the countries that have races scheduled, Belgium is the last to start its season. And that means the start of the Classics season. The season of the hardmen of cycling. The season of cool temperatures, mud, and possibly snow or rain or a mixture of both. The season of yellow Flandarian flags emblazoned with their lion, of men jammed in pubs engrossed in their Stellas, Westmalles, Piraats, Duvels, or Chimays, and of passionate people lining cobbled and tree lined roads.

Forget the three week Grand Tours for a moment, because these are the roads that can make mere mortals into cycling legends in just a day's effort. And what an effort those usually are!

This weekend the madness begins with the semi-Classics, Omloop Het Volk (Saturday) and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (K-B-K, Sunday). These two great races are a precursor to the great Spring Classics like the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix, as many of the same parcours are used in these races.

Look for a Belgian shootout in both races as all (PVP, Boonen, Devolder, Nuyens, Eeckhout, Gilbert, and Hoste) will be highly motivated. From the non-Belgian contingent, look for Juan Antonio Flecha, Max van Heeswijk (Rabobank), Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas), Jimmy Casper, and Baden Cooke (Unibet.com).