n-n-n-n-nineteen

The next nineteen days are what I wait all year for. Well, apart from the 6 months of the cross season and 21 days in July around France...

Dwars door Vlaanderen - Weds 24

E3 Prijs - Sat 27

Ghent Wevelgem - Sun 28

Flanders - Sun 4

Roubaix - Sun 11

We've had the opening shots at Het Nieuwsblad and K-B-Kuurne - old timers to the fore. Milan san Remo brought a touch of Italian class, though no sunshine and another wiley old timer with a win, but this is where it all comes together. The history, the terrain, the fanatical fans. Question? Tifosi or Flandrians for most effusive supporting activities? Who knows, they are both as mad as each other.

Others can perform the pre and post race punditry far better than myself - Pave, The Service Course, Belgian Kneewarmers. Go check these sites out - there's some great insights into the whole affair.

I have a subscription to Eurosport, though it pains me to be part of Murdoch's sleazy empire, so will be watching on a TV screen.

However if you are more principled than I, Cycling Fans will usually find you a feed on t'interweb albeit in Russian, Italian or some other exotic language. It all adds to the feel of the races.

So I wish you 'Happy Watching', and if after the first few races, you are so inclined come and pretend you are in Flanders with our group ride on 3rd April. It will be mooiste - I promise.