"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Tell me about the Belgian Mafia

i've heard old roadies talk about the "belgian mafia" when describing riders in some of the races they did in europe...

some of you guys have raced in belgium right? what's it all about?

Uh-oh. There are a few things we don't talk about in the slimy world of sport cycling.

1- buying and selling of races
2- performance enhancing tricks
3- wheeling-dealing, money making mafias

It's a beautiful sport, so don't go ruining it with questions of impropriety. Just sit back and enjoy.
:)

Yeah, I too turn a blind eye to doping and fixing of town crits. I'll admit that I firmly bury my head in the sand and just try and enjoy the racing.

Uh-oh. There are a few things we don't talk about in the slimy world of sport cycling.

1- buying and selling of races
2- performance enhancing tricks
3- wheeling-dealing, money making mafias

It's a beautiful sport, so don't go ruining it with questions of impropriety. Just sit back and enjoy.
:)

:eek:

the story this guy was telling was that any time he got into a good break he'd be literally ridden off the road by these belgian dudes because they didn't want to share "their" prize money with someone who wasn't in the family...

Yeah, I too turn a blind eye to doping and fixing of town crits. I'll admit that I firmly bury my head in the sand and just try and enjoy the racing.

Don't forget about the "buying" of world championships! How many W/C have "bought" help of riders from other teams?

I too just ignore the dirty little secrets of the pro peleton. The drugs and back room deals are part of the entertainment.

:eek:

the story this guy was telling was that any time he got into a good break he'd be literally ridden off the road by these belgian dudes because they didn't want to share "their" prize money with someone who wasn't in the family...

He's not lying. West Flanders is the worst for that crap. Doesn't mean you can't do well, but certain races are definitely controlled by a few others. Are you going to race there? If you are, don't worry, it's not all as bad as your friend might have made it sound. If you've got the goods, respect will come.

-the chop
-the joke
-the split

Go along with it and you'll be fine. Fight it as a newcomer and you'll find yourself in the bushes. YMCA is right....West Vlaanderen is the worst. Kortrijk, Ostend, Roselaere, De Panne....everyone knows everyone.