Categories: Defining MomentsRacingThe Hardmen

Here Stands a Man: Johan Van Summeren

Working man Van Summeren wins in Roubaix. Photo: Fotoreporter Sirotti

Here stands a man. A quiet man. A hard working man. A Belgian man. A man from a life of grit, cold, and rain.

Here stands a man who has chosen a life of hard work and sacrifice; a hard life even within the context of Cycling. A man who spends long hours in the wind and in the rain, in the service of his team. A man who despite those long hours in the wind and in the rain, typically tastes victory only upon the tongue of others.

Here stands a man who even today, spent the day in the service of another. A man who’s loyalty lay elsewhere, for another man’s glory. But he is also a man who was given an opportunity. A man who more so than any other today, wanted that opportunity and grabbed hold with both hands, resolving only to let go if the very air within his lungs abandoned him.

Here stands a man who only required air in his lungs – not his tires – in order to reach the velodrome alone. A man who even as the air escaped his tire five kilometers from the finish refused to let up on the pedals.

Here stands a man who despite a half minute lead entering the final two kilometers had me biting my nails since the man chasing at 30 seconds happened to be the fastest man in the world, known for making the impossible possible. A man for whom my legs twitched in sympathy as he circled the velodrome and as I continued to wonder if a Swiss gentleman aboard a brommer wouldn’t appear out of nowhere to steal his glory.

Here stands a man who’s name is forever changed by the words, “Vainqueur de Paris-Roubaix.”

Here stands a man. A quiet man. A hard working man. A Belgian man. A man from a life of grit, cold, and rain. No other man stands today who better represents the wondrous power of this sport in general, and the magic of Paris-Roubaix in particular.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

G'phant says:

Apr 10 2011 at 11:53 pm

@Jeff in PetroMetro
Outstanding. The day cyclists start wearing tutus and make-up and jiving to the beat of Justin Bieber is the day my daughter takes an interest in it. But she is only 7. There's time, yet. Dare I ask your secret?
michael says:

Apr 11 2011 at 12:28 am

There are chain catchers that catch a chain when the derailleur knocks it off the inner ring, then there is chain suck, I'm guessing it was chain suck.
Oli Brooke-White says:

Apr 11 2011 at 12:37 am

Good point - when the chain comes up and gets jammed like that there's f*** all you can do about it.
il ciclista medio says:

Apr 11 2011 at 2:08 am

G'phant:
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Outstanding. The day cyclists start wearing tutus and make-up and jiving to the beat of Justin Bieber ......

So what one does in the privacy of one's own home doesn't count? I'm disappointed :(
Buck Rogers says:

Apr 11 2011 at 4:27 am

@G'phant
I second G'phant's question. Hopefully it is something in the Texas water that gets kids excited about pro cycling!
Bo says:

Apr 11 2011 at 6:05 am

Lovely post, frank. You do JVS justice. Any time one of the lunch pail guys in the peloton pulls one off (especially with so much panache) is a happy day.
53T Cycling says:

Apr 11 2011 at 6:47 am

What would make this post perfect is a video of the Old Spice guy reading this verbatim.
Cyclops says:

Apr 11 2011 at 7:47 am

@wiscot

I wish Thor would have "played through".
Jeff in PetroMetro says:

Apr 11 2011 at 7:50 am

@G'phant
First, she's a sensitive kid who gets in tune with people's hardcore interests. Then, I think, she starts to internalize those interests if the person is someone she is close to. For example, her mom is an equestrian, so the daughter is an equestrian (and a damn good one--she's very competitive). Dad's into cycling, so she's interested in cycling to the extent that she wants me to make time to ride everyday, asks what's going on with the VSP, and wants to watch pro bike racing on the internet with me if it fits her weekend schedule. However, full disclosure, she doesn't ride the road because she's either on a horse, going to dance class, or doing homework. Her bike, a mountain bike, is for bombing around the neighborhood and camping.
Jeff in PetroMetro says:

Apr 11 2011 at 8:52 am

@Buck Rogers
A cycling bacteria, or may be a virus, is probably in the water here. There are a lot of cyclists.

But, fair warning, there are a lot more really angry drivers. So be careful. Lots of Texans like to think they still live under the law west of the Pecos and can take out a cyclist for the betterment of mankind.

Just sayin'.