Flying Dutchman

   Maybe, as a University of Maryland alum, I should start a Niki TERPStra fan club, after he broke free from an impressive pack of contenders within the last handful of miles to win Sunday’s thrilling Paris - Roubaix. Terpstra, who keeps in shape during his “offseason” by racing the European indoor track circuit, found himself in an elite group that included three-time winner and defending champion Fabian Cancellara, four-time winner Tom Boonen, last year’s runner-up Sep Vanmarcke and 2013 Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins.

   Also among this powerful bunch was two-time Tour green jersey winner Peter Sagan, former world champion Thor Hushovd and Olympic team pursuit gold medalist Gerraint Thomas. However, on paper the most dangerous man appeared to be speedster John Degenkolb, who had won Ghent-Wevelgem this season and in 2012 won five sprint stages during the Vuelta a España. The German was conspicuously doing very little work in the break and was looking to use his explosive speed to win a sprint during the race’s finish in the Roubaix Velodrome.

   What Terpstra really had going for him was two teammates for company in Boonen and Zdenek Stybar, himself a three-time cyclocross world champion who was in the winning break last year until a spectator snagged his handlebar and took him down. Perhaps riders in the pack were eyeing those thought to be more dangerous and let Terpstra slip away, but considering that he finished third last year and had shown terrific form this spring by winning a couple smaller stage races, this proved a huge mistake as the former Netherlands national road champion held off the chase for the biggest win of his career.

   By the way, Cancellara continued his amazing string (now 12 out of 13) of podium finishes at pro cycling’s “monument” races, when he sprinted to third place behind Degenkolb. The Swiss star again showed his incredible abilities during the race, chasing down breakaways and making sure he was in the winning move, although the finale didn’t quite turn out in his favor.

   I have to say, using the podium photo above as evidence, the pro peloton appears to need an injection of color and creativity in its jerseys. I understand the desire for a sleek corporate image, but some advertising genius has to realize that catching the eye with a clever design would have some value among all of the drab black team kits. Just look back the past team kits and how bold splashes of color made pro racing so much more visually interesting.

   Among my all-time favorite jerseys is one from Mapei, a manufacturer of latex adhesives and sealants, that incorporated the pattern of a tile-layers’ notched trowel sweep among colorful cubes, and another from Ariostea, makers of porcelain, stoneware, floor and wall tiles, which was evident just by looking at the jersey artwork. Other unique jerseys include a design by Benetton, which was inspired by the art of Piet Mondrian, for the French health food chain La Vie Claire, and one which had comic book styling to promote Z (Groupe Zannier), a maker of children’s clothing.

   I don’t have much more to mention this week, although I am happy that the weather is finally spring-like and I have been out on the road more often in my free time, instead of down in the shop. I’ll leave you with a photo from Paris-Roubaix that really stood out for me, particularly because it shows the danger of cornering on the dusty cobbles, as well as the need to always be alert when following the wheel in front of you.