The Tour of Flanders course is extremely technical and for riders who don’t live near the course and know the roads well, a reconnaissance ride prior to the race is vital . The fight for position before the cobbled sections is as crucial as a rider’s skills on the cobbles, as the peloton splits on the small roads due to bottlenecks and crashes. Most teams ride the final 100 km of the course prior to the race to preview the stones and find the smoothest and quickest line. We rode the course the day after Dwaars door Vlaanderen–a midweek semi-Classic.

Most of the boys were tired from a hard and well fought race while Edvald Boasson Hagen and I had fresh legs from a few days of rest post Milan Sanremo. The weather was abnormally warm for Belgium which made the countryside all the more beautiful. This weekend will be big: E3 Prijs-Vlaanderen-Harelbeke and Gent Wevelgem. The team is prepared for a tough battle–rain is in the forecast and the temperatures will drop.

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Michael

Michael Barry is a former professional cyclist, three-time Olympian, multiple Canadian National Champion, author of four books and is now an owner of Mariposa Bicycles.

One thought on “Back In Belgium”

  1. Hi Michael,

    I was a Cat 1 racer back in my twenties in Edmonton. Now I’m approaching the big 50 and I’m back into cycling again. Still riding my 1987 steel SL Marinoni racer. Loving it. I’ve been following your exploits with sky and I’m finding your site very interesting. I’m enjoying the insider view of the team. Looking forward to reading Inside the Postal Bus and your new one Le Metier.
    Good Luck this weekend. Cheering for you guy’s from Vancouver, BC.

    cheers,

    Richard

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