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Here we go, guys, we’re just a few sleeps away from Opening Weekend! Just thinking about these races gets me absolutely pumped. I can smell the Belgian chaos already; the embrocation, the frites, the beers! What better way to prepare for the return of proper bike racing than sitting down with my old mates Tom Southam and Luke Durbridge for this month’s episode of The Race Communiqué.

Before we jump into a quick preview of Omloop and Kuurne, we look back on the early season races that give us a good insight into who’s going well, and who’s got work to do. Of course Remco Evenepoel won’t be racing this weekend, but we discussed what on earth happened to him in the UAE! He had such a strong start to the season, to see him burst like that on the steep desert climbs was pretty surprising!

Omloop kicks off the classics season this Saturday, and it is set to be an absolute pearler. The start list is absolutely stacked with talent, but there are two big names still waiting to start their road season; Pogi and Van Der Poel. Without these big five star favourites, the race is actually pretty open. I go through my picks in the preview, so have a listen and send me some praise when one of the twelve or so riders I mentioned probably does OK.

My favourite thing about Omloop is the finish; the Muur - Bosberg double that used to be the finale of the Tour of Flanders, but was dropped years ago in favour of the Kwaremont - Paterberg combo we see today. These climbs have everything; double digit gradients, brutal Belgian cobbles, and - most importantly - atmosphere. I can’t wait to see throngs of Belgies at the roadside soaking it all in (along with Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio p/b SHOKZ’s own Harry & Stu recording their first episode of the season!)

In this month’s Talking Tactics, Southam gives us the lowdown on his opening weekend; Faun-Ardèche Classic and Faun Drome Classic. These are new-school French one day races that are a notch below Omloop, but still absolutely stacked with big name riders looking to start their seasons; Jorgenson, Simmons, Skjelmose, Morgado, Bernal, Healy, and - the best rider in the world - Scaroni.

Durbo’s Pelochat has some great insight this month. He’s been keeping a close eye on some of the new tech nuggets from inside the Pelo, as well as how the new UCI rules on things like aero helmets are going down.

Guys, this month I wanted to introduce a fun new segment I’ve called “Yeah…Nah.”. You know when you hear something, and you think it sounds like a good idea at first…then you give it a bit of thought and - actually - na.

“Hey Mitch, you gonna go to Durbo’s party on Saturday?”

“Yeah…….nah”

You get the idea. I give the boys a few ideas to get their take. Breakfast beers? Working the gate in the echelon? Sitting on in the Grupetto?

Of course, we wrap things up with the CommuniQuiz. It’s Southam’s turn to be quiz master this time, and he’s written his quiz on his absolute favourite topic - something he’s totally, unequivocally obsessed with; UAE Team Emirates. It’s a great one and I actually learnt a thing or two about the history of the best team in the bunch right now.

Guys get yourself a few Trappist beers out the fridge to come up to temp, make sure you’ve got plenty of mayo ready for your frites, and get ready for the classics to begin; I know I’ll be watching.

Until next month,

Cheers!

Mitch

P.S. Don't forget you can also watch The Race Communiqué over on our Life In The Peloton YouTube channel. You won't want to miss the reactions to Luke's Pelo Lingo in this one!

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