Tom Boonen Wins 2012 Paris-Roubaix

Seems like it was only this time last week (literally) I was writing a post about Tom Boonen winning a major one day classic in the Tour of Flanders.

A mere 7 days later and Boonen has further stamped his name into cycling history by winning the 2012 Paris Roubaix to complete the Flanders-Roubaix double.

In what seemed like a suicide move, Boonen attacked off the front with 58 kilometres remaining. Despite a chasing group including the much fancied Juan Antonio Fletcha and Alessandro Ballan, Boonen stayed away to take a record equaling fourth Paris-Roubaix victory, an honour he shares with the great Roger De  Vlaeminck.

What an exciting race it was to watch. I'm so happy to see Tom back aboard a Specialized and at the top of his game.

~VL

Photo Credit: Sirotti

Paris Velib Bike Share by Translogic

Cool little video from Tanslogic on Velib, the Paris bike share program. Also contains a little bit on auto lib, the paris EV car sharing program.

~VL

Tom Boonen Wins the 2012 Tour of Flanders

You would have to have been hiding under a huge pile of Belgian waffles to miss the news that cycling rockstar and 2012 winning machine Tom Boonen has taken victory at this year's Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen).

Back to his winning best this year, the great man has shown what a class act he is when it comes to the one day spring classics. This win takes his Tour of Flanders tally to three (2005, 2006, 2012), which goes together nicely with three victories at Gent-Wevelgem (2004, 2011, 2012) and three at Paris-Roubaix (2005, 2008, 2009).

Totally Rad Friday - Venge Abuse

Oh dear... not sure what to make of this poor Green Jersey Venge found on Weight Weenies earlier this week.

I feel so sorry for this Venge, it never even stood a chance!

Single speed, check. Flat bars, check. Shallow alloy wheels, checkity check. What else can we do to ruin this?

I have to say, streamers on the bars are a nice touch, would have been better in green.

More 'bad' than 'Rad' with this one I'm affraid... have a great weekend.

~VL

Rapha Gentlemen's Race - Melbourne 2012

Over the weekend the Wolf Goat Pack had the privilege of taking part in the Rapha Gentlemen's Race - Melbourne 2012.

Goat Pack Regional President Todd was invited by his good friends at Rapha Australia to captain-up and submit a team to take part in the race. Against better judgement, Todd assembled a crack (crap?) team made up of the best (only) riders the Goat Pack had to offer.

Sufferfest - Taka's 2012 3 Peaks Challenge

Last week our resident Wolfpack doctor, Stephen 'Taka' Chan completed the 2012 3 Peaks Challenge. He was kind enough to write an account of his experience.

3 Peaks Challenge:

The ultimate cycling sufferfest in Australia

Last weekend I survived one of the most challenging cycling sportifs in Australia, if not in the world. This 235km circuit encompasses the Victorian Alpine National Park, including climbs to a couple of the most picturesque Alpine resorts Victoria has to offer - Falls Creek and Mount Hotham.

The Victorian Alps has been the training ground of the new GreenEdge Pro Tour team and other Australian Pro riders this past summer.

@BadenCooke (GreenEdge) tweeted:

Richie Porte wins Volta ao Algarve

I awoke this morning to news that Richie Porte had taken overall victory at the 2012 Volta ao Algarve.

This is Porte's maiden victory at the top level and the first of the year for his new team Sky Procycling, after two very solid years working under Bjarne Riis at Team Saxo Bank.

Totally Rad Friday - Omega Pharma Quick Step

Omega Pharma Quick Step have got off to a cracking start to the year. Levi Leipheimer took overall victory at the Tour de San Luis and Tom Boonen went home with the silverware from the Tour of Qatar.

Along the way Leipheimer and Chicchi won two stages at the Tour de San Luis. Boonen also won a stage and added to this with two further stage wins on his way to his victory at the Tour of Qatar.

So, given such a dominant start to the season Omega Pharma Quick Step can now add a 'Totally Rad Friday' award to the trophy cabinet. Here's hoping there's a lot more where that came from.

All that awesome aside, I have ago ask... what on earth is going on here?

Have a Rad weekend.

~VL

Photo Credit: Tim De Waele

Sartorial Elegance - Rapha Trousers

Having a total love affair with a pair of Rapha Trousers picked up in the recent sales.

Could be the best $72 ever spent on a pair of pants.

~VL

2012 Audax Alpine Classic - The Ultimate Sufferfest

You may recall from a couple of recent posts that in a moment of poor judgement last year I signed up for the 2012 Audax Alpine Classic.

Most keen cyclists know of this ride, but for the initiated, the Alpine Classic is a 200 kilometre one day ride which takes in the Victorian Alpine climbs of Tawonga Gap, Falls Creek, Tawonga Gap (backside) and Mt Buffalo. In addition to covering just under 200 kilometres, riders tackle around 3,900 metres of climbing over the course of the day. All of this while tackling the searing heat of the Australian Summer.