Have a look at this coverage of the 2000 race, won by Richard Groenendaal, followed by Mario de Clerq and Sven Nys

 

This serves to show:- a) Sven Nys has been at the top a long time (almost a third of the time Nick Craig has)

b) you don't need to speak Flemish to read the body language between  de Clerq and Nys on the podium and during the subsequent interview - watch from 3:15

 

http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/videozone/MG_opvallend/1.1187504

 

Views: 188

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

That link seems to go to a video interview with Stybar.

Ah that will be down to what technical support refer to as, "operator error" - at least you've heard Stybar explain about his pink bike.

Here is the correct link

http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/videozone/MG_retro/MG_Retro_Flandrie...

Kristian Spreckley said:

That link seems to go to a video interview with Stybar.

I need a translator!!

I think Mario de Clerq tells the interviewer that he's as sick as a parrot...

Kristian Spreckley said:

I need a translator!!

Why is he crying???

This was de Clerq's chance to be World Champion for a third year running. He had seen fellow Belgian Nys speak with Dutchman Richard Groenendaal, then subsequently fail to work with him.

In the much the same way that the Italian road team were accused of not working as a cohesive unit, fearful of a non-trade team countryman winning the rainbow jersey, de Clerq was of the opinion that if they worked together, the worst case scenario was for Belgium to have first and third

In the event, the worst possible outcome of second and third, with victory going to a Dutchman, was the result, in de Clerq's eyes, of Nys' failure to ride as a Belgian team 


 de Clerq did win his third World Chamionship, but not until 2002

Kristian Spreckley said:

Why is he crying???

Reply to Discussion

RSS

© 2013   Created by Dave Haygarth.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service