Rob Squire offers an inside look into tackling U23 Paris-Roubaix
Email
Print Espoir Paris-Roubaix Recap - May 29, 2011
The USA Cycling National Development Program riders pre-rode the course to get a feel for the cobbles.This past weekend I competed in the Under-23 version of the infamous Paris-Roubaix. Paris-Roubaix is renowned for the treacherous cobbles that make up about 35 kms of the course. As one of the races of the year I was excited to be on the roster despite the recent warnings from some friends.
Typically Paris-Roubaix is won by a “larger” rider who can put out a lot of power on cobbles to create selections much like a smaller rider can do in the mountains. After being designated a “bird” person, in last week’s mountainous Ronde l’Isard, I was a bit nervous for what lay ahead in the Hell of the North.
The race started fast with lots of riders trying to make the breakaway and fight for position heading into the first cobbled section. Positioning is one of the most important things in Paris-Roubaix. Being in the front through a cobbled sector is important because you are less likely to get caught behind the inevitable crashes and mechanicals of other riders. Team USA did an excellent job of being in the front for the first few sectors and toward the middle of the race after many had been swallowed by cobbles we had four riders in the selective front group. From then on the group whittled at every cobbled sector leaving Jacob Rathe and myself in a group of 15 riders with 60km left to race. At the point it was up to us to follow attacks from riders going for the win. Rathe followed a four-man move that ended going to the line where he finished 3rd. I rode in another group of four just few seconds behind to finish 14th.
Coming into the velodrome for the finishing laps I was exhausted, a bit relieved, and then very excited when I had heard that Rathe had placed 3rd. Despite being depleted I was smiling, this “bird” person had not only finished, but with a decent result and helped to a 3rd place. I’m really happy I was able to race Paris-Roubaix and am looking forward to more races with the USA Cycling National Development Program.
-Rob Squire
Road cyclist Robbie Squire blogs about his time in Italy
In the world of bike racing, riders are subjected to a lot of travel and this year has been very full for me. I’m not sure how many flights I’ve been on or hotels I’ve stayed in, but the last three weeks in Lucca, Italy, mark the longest stretch of time I’ve spent in one place this year. The incredible scenery, food, and atmosphere of Lucca made my time there seem like a reward for countless hours of travel.
I was in Lucca for a three-week stretch between races to prepare physically and mentally for what lay ahead in the coming weeks. After a tough spring schedule riding with the USA Cycling National Development Program, I was due for a little rest to recover and reap the fitness benefits from intense racing. Originally I was set to go home to Salt Lake City, Utah, for a bit before the second part of my European race schedule and after 5 months of being on the road it would have been nice. However, the opportunity to stay in Tuscany for 3 weeks was also quite appealing, especially once I saw the weather forecast for SLC—eternal snow.
My time in Lucca was great in that I had a comfortable place to stay and some of the best riding in the world. The accommodations that USA Cycling provides the development program in Lucca are superb. It creates an environment where all I want to do is train, and maybe sample some of the delicious food that Italy has to offer. Fortunately, several of the program’s alumni have chosen Lucca as a home base and were able to show me the best rides and restaurants so I didn’t have any problems settling in.
Tuscany is a cyclist’s paradise. Routes vary from flat straights along the sea to steep narrow mountain passes. It is impossible to get bored and very easy to get lost. I spent most of my time exploring the mountains where I was never disappointed by the scenery. One thing that makes Italy special is how many roads there are and options there are to get to a single place. A good example is Monte Serra, there are three different roads to the top all of which have a certain uniqueness to them. I don’t understand why there would be three different routes to the top mainly because there is nothing but a small restaurant and radio towers up there, but I’m sure glad there are! I was amazed at the amount of different rides I could do in the Lucca area because of all the superfluous roads. It is almost as if every small town decided that existing roads were not good enough and that they would build a superior road instead of using the several already built. Despite the reason for all the roads, it created a playground of training, which put a smile on my face everyday.
Now I’m back in Izegem, Belgium, at USA Cycling’s “home base”, preparing for my next race, Ronde l’Isard. Although Izegem might not live up to Tuscany in my eyes, it is nice to see my National Development Program compatriots and catch up on what’s new. I had a great time in Lucca but I’m excited to get back to racing.
Ciao,
Robbie Squire
The USA Cycling National Development Program riders pre-rode the course to get a feel for the cobbles.
Typically Paris-Roubaix is won by a “larger” rider who can put out a lot of power on cobbles to create selections much like a smaller rider can do in the mountains. After being designated a “bird” person, in last week’s mountainous Ronde l’Isard, I was a bit nervous for what lay ahead in the Hell of the North.
The race started fast with lots of riders trying to make the breakaway and fight for position heading into the first cobbled section. Positioning is one of the most important things in Paris-Roubaix. Being in the front through a cobbled sector is important because you are less likely to get caught behind the inevitable crashes and mechanicals of other riders. Team USA did an excellent job of being in the front for the first few sectors and toward the middle of the race after many had been swallowed by cobbles we had four riders in the selective front group. From then on the group whittled at every cobbled sector leaving Jacob Rathe and myself in a group of 15 riders with 60km left to race. At the point it was up to us to follow attacks from riders going for the win. Rathe followed a four-man move that ended going to the line where he finished 3rd. I rode in another group of four just few seconds behind to finish 14th.
Coming into the velodrome for the finishing laps I was exhausted, a bit relieved, and then very excited when I had heard that Rathe had placed 3rd. Despite being depleted I was smiling, this “bird” person had not only finished, but with a decent result and helped to a 3rd place. I’m really happy I was able to race Paris-Roubaix and am looking forward to more races with the USA Cycling National Development Program.
-Rob Squire
Road cyclist Robbie Squire blogs about his time in Italy
In the world of bike racing, riders are subjected to a lot of travel and this year has been very full for me. I’m not sure how many flights I’ve been on or hotels I’ve stayed in, but the last three weeks in Lucca, Italy, mark the longest stretch of time I’ve spent in one place this year. The incredible scenery, food, and atmosphere of Lucca made my time there seem like a reward for countless hours of travel.
I was in Lucca for a three-week stretch between races to prepare physically and mentally for what lay ahead in the coming weeks. After a tough spring schedule riding with the USA Cycling National Development Program, I was due for a little rest to recover and reap the fitness benefits from intense racing. Originally I was set to go home to Salt Lake City, Utah, for a bit before the second part of my European race schedule and after 5 months of being on the road it would have been nice. However, the opportunity to stay in Tuscany for 3 weeks was also quite appealing, especially once I saw the weather forecast for SLC—eternal snow.
My time in Lucca was great in that I had a comfortable place to stay and some of the best riding in the world. The accommodations that USA Cycling provides the development program in Lucca are superb. It creates an environment where all I want to do is train, and maybe sample some of the delicious food that Italy has to offer. Fortunately, several of the program’s alumni have chosen Lucca as a home base and were able to show me the best rides and restaurants so I didn’t have any problems settling in.
Tuscany is a cyclist’s paradise. Routes vary from flat straights along the sea to steep narrow mountain passes. It is impossible to get bored and very easy to get lost. I spent most of my time exploring the mountains where I was never disappointed by the scenery. One thing that makes Italy special is how many roads there are and options there are to get to a single place. A good example is Monte Serra, there are three different roads to the top all of which have a certain uniqueness to them. I don’t understand why there would be three different routes to the top mainly because there is nothing but a small restaurant and radio towers up there, but I’m sure glad there are! I was amazed at the amount of different rides I could do in the Lucca area because of all the superfluous roads. It is almost as if every small town decided that existing roads were not good enough and that they would build a superior road instead of using the several already built. Despite the reason for all the roads, it created a playground of training, which put a smile on my face everyday.
Now I’m back in Izegem, Belgium, at USA Cycling’s “home base”, preparing for my next race, Ronde l’Isard. Although Izegem might not live up to Tuscany in my eyes, it is nice to see my National Development Program compatriots and catch up on what’s new. I had a great time in Lucca but I’m excited to get back to racing.
Ciao,
Robbie Squire
