Now THAT'S a Tom Boonen impersonator
08-25-06, 11:30 AM
#1
Now Racer Ex
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,709
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Now THAT'S a Tom Boonen impersonator
From Velonews:
https://velonews.com/race/int/articles/10763.0.html
Former up-and-coming cycling star Frank Vandenbroucke's colorful career has taken on a new hue after it was revealed he has been riding incognito among Italian amateurs, using a license bearing the photo of none other than reigning world champion Tom Boonen.
Vandenbroucke, who in the past has been implicated in several doping affairs, was recently sacked by the Belgian Unibet.com team.
His desire to race has not abated, but it was to general surprise that he began racing in the tough Italian amateur scene thanks to a false racing license with Boonen's photo on it.
Widespread media reports in Belgium on Friday cited the Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport in describing the latest of Vandenbroucke's shenanigans.
According to Gazetta dello Sport, the 31-year-old Vandenbroucke, who in the past has been treated for depression linked to his use of banned substances, turned up at the start line of several Italian regional races with a fake license and false identification.
The name he used was "Francesco Del Ponte," - an Italianization of his Belgian name - although according to the newspaper he made no effort to hide the photo on the card - of Boonen.
A former winner of the prestigious Liège-Bastogne-Liège one day classic, Vandenbroucke lives near Milan.
According to the newspaper reports the Belgian's race tactics consisted of setting a blistering pace at the front of the peloton until most of them dropped off.
After taking a healthy lead over the bunch after around 60km of racing, Vandenbroucke would peel off and head for home before the race finish.
https://velonews.com/race/int/articles/10763.0.html
Former up-and-coming cycling star Frank Vandenbroucke's colorful career has taken on a new hue after it was revealed he has been riding incognito among Italian amateurs, using a license bearing the photo of none other than reigning world champion Tom Boonen.
Vandenbroucke, who in the past has been implicated in several doping affairs, was recently sacked by the Belgian Unibet.com team.
His desire to race has not abated, but it was to general surprise that he began racing in the tough Italian amateur scene thanks to a false racing license with Boonen's photo on it.
Widespread media reports in Belgium on Friday cited the Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport in describing the latest of Vandenbroucke's shenanigans.
According to Gazetta dello Sport, the 31-year-old Vandenbroucke, who in the past has been treated for depression linked to his use of banned substances, turned up at the start line of several Italian regional races with a fake license and false identification.
The name he used was "Francesco Del Ponte," - an Italianization of his Belgian name - although according to the newspaper he made no effort to hide the photo on the card - of Boonen.
A former winner of the prestigious Liège-Bastogne-Liège one day classic, Vandenbroucke lives near Milan.
According to the newspaper reports the Belgian's race tactics consisted of setting a blistering pace at the front of the peloton until most of them dropped off.
After taking a healthy lead over the bunch after around 60km of racing, Vandenbroucke would peel off and head for home before the race finish.
08-25-06, 12:15 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: In the middle of horse country, in The Garden State
Posts: 3,159
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
lol. I thought that was hilarious
08-25-06, 12:29 PM
#3
Dirt-riding heretic
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413
Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
So the guy wouldn't even finish the race, just destroy the peloton and go home??? Is that his revenge against cycling for his stupid actions?
I'll be looking for TH at my next Cat 5 race... USCF licenses don't even have pictures!
I'll be looking for TH at my next Cat 5 race... USCF licenses don't even have pictures!
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
08-25-06, 12:36 PM
#5
He drop me
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Central PA
Posts: 11,664
Bikes: '03 Marin Mill Valley, '02 Eddy Merckx Corsa 0.1, '12 Giant Defy Advance, '20 Giant Revolt 1, '20 Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1, some random 6KU fixie
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 138 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
Tyler is too busy training for his lifetime ban. 
LOL But seriously he has been racing in unsanctioned races and winning them.
LOL But seriously he has been racing in unsanctioned races and winning them.
__________________
The views expressed by this poster do not reflect the views of BikeForums.net.
The views expressed by this poster do not reflect the views of BikeForums.net.
08-25-06, 12:51 PM
#6
Dirt-riding heretic
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413
Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
Originally Posted by Grasschopper
Tyler is too busy training for his lifetime ban. LOL But seriously he has been racing in unsanctioned races and winning them.
LOL But seriously he has been racing in unsanctioned races and winning them.Was anyone there? Did he get booed on the podium?
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
08-25-06, 01:19 PM
#7
Devourer of souls
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,466
Bikes: Felt f70
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by DrPete
Very true... I saw his victory on the Mt. Washington Hill Climb...
Was anyone there? Did he get booed on the podium?
Was anyone there? Did he get booed on the podium?
I gott say im not impressed with TH MT Washington win. I mean the guy in second was like 56 and was only 2 minutes behind? Damn better start doping again...
08-25-06, 01:23 PM
#8
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,302
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1447 Post(s)
Liked 724 Times
in
371 Posts
That guy in second wasn't just some 50 year old guy. It was Ned Overend.
08-25-06, 01:38 PM
#9
Nonsense
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Vagabond
Posts: 13,918
Bikes: Affirmative
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 880 Post(s)
Liked 541 Times
in
237 Posts
Originally Posted by Dead Roman
I gott say im not impressed with TH MT Washington win. I mean the guy in second was like 56 and was only 2 minutes behind? Damn better start doping again...
08-25-06, 01:44 PM
#10
Dirt-riding heretic
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413
Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
That guy in second wasn't just some 50 year old guy. It was Ned Overend.
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
08-25-06, 02:15 PM
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Posts: 16
Bikes: Canyon F10 w. D/A and carbon-porn, Ghost HTX7500 XT-stuff, Fort ROT winter-rig
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
After taking a healthy lead over the bunch after around 60km of racing, Vandenbroucke would peel off and head for home before the race finish.
I actually feel a bit sorry for Frankie, undoubtably a great talent and no worse at doping than his peers. However his career has always been haunted by mental instability and it looks as if everything in his life in falling apart these days. I remember a couple of years ago when he was arrested outside his hom in Belgium while threatning his wife with a shotgun. Hmm, don't do drugs!
08-25-06, 02:22 PM
#13
Shoebomber
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,071
Bikes: 2008 Canyon CF Pro w/ Chorus, 2005 Moots Vamoots w/ Ultegra, 1988 Cannondale commuter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I laughed really hard when I read this on Velonews. I could only imagine the chase group destroying themselves to catch up with a guy who never bothered to finish the race. Crazy doper or not, that is one hell of a prank.
08-25-06, 08:01 PM
#15
Devourer of souls
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,466
Bikes: Felt f70
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
That guy in second wasn't just some 50 year old guy. It was Ned Overend.
08-26-06, 04:41 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Someplace trying to figure it out
Posts: 10,664
Bikes: Cannondale EVO, CAAD9, Giant cross bike.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
Originally Posted by jrennie
can you imagine the chace group pedaling like mad only to never catch, wow that would suck.
...and that's how good a "not really in shape" professional is...
08-26-06, 04:57 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Someplace trying to figure it out
Posts: 10,664
Bikes: Cannondale EVO, CAAD9, Giant cross bike.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
Originally Posted by Dead Roman
My point is ned still has ay least 20 years on tyler and surely cant be in any better shape. Truast me, i have much love for Mr. Overend, But 20 years is 20 years.
Wellll....
Here's an example of a 46 year old qualifier for the RAAM. He is still riding people 20 years younger than him off his wheel.
Here's an example of a group of guys who, in addition to riding age category races, still wax guys in the CATI class.
Riders at this level, unless they get serious injuries, are still awesome athletes and can still beat the cr@p out of riders much younger than them.
In the case of Overend and Hamilton, I suspect if Tyler was in "Tour shape" the difference would have been much greater.
08-26-06, 08:26 AM
#18
.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,375
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times
in
12 Posts
Originally Posted by Dead Roman
Truast me, i have much love for Mr. Overend, But 20 years is 20 years.
08-26-06, 08:51 AM
#19
Now Racer Ex
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,709
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ekimov.
Google "Lindsay Blount", "Everest Challenge" and "2005".
I've watched 45+ guys ride everyone off their wheels in the Pro 1/2 fields, second place going to 40 y/o.
We here, we're grey, and we can still kick ass. We just gotta get up and pee more often at night.
Google "Lindsay Blount", "Everest Challenge" and "2005".
I've watched 45+ guys ride everyone off their wheels in the Pro 1/2 fields, second place going to 40 y/o.
We here, we're grey, and we can still kick ass. We just gotta get up and pee more often at night.
08-26-06, 09:07 AM
#20
Dirt-riding heretic
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413
Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
Originally Posted by botto
what's 'Truast' and why do you want us to do it to you?
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
08-26-06, 02:49 PM
#21
Lance Hater
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,403
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by roadwarrior
...and that's how good a "not really in shape" professional is...
08-27-06, 12:20 PM
#22
Castiron Perineum
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Taking a tip from Siu Blue Wind, I too am typing a lengthy passage of text down here to demonstrate the enormous amount of space available should one wish to use it-- in sharp contrast to the avatar text above this part.
Posts: 1,199
Bikes: '06 Salsa Campeon, '84 Cannondale R1000, 80's Nishiki Ariel
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by jrennie
can you imagine the chace group pedaling like mad only to never catch, wow that would suck.
08-28-06, 09:38 AM
#23
Professional Fuss-Budget
Y'know, I gotta say that on some level I feel bad for VDB, although I'm sure his problems are of his own making. The guy can clearly perform at a high level, but has no outlet or any way to satisfy that competitive need....
So just out of curiosity, what are the rules when it comes to ex-pros riding in the amateur circuit? From what I know it's just that VDB is not on a team, rather than under sanction. Hamilton is banned from the ProTour, but could he do something like RAAM in the interim? (Assuming he wanted to, that is).
So just out of curiosity, what are the rules when it comes to ex-pros riding in the amateur circuit? From what I know it's just that VDB is not on a team, rather than under sanction. Hamilton is banned from the ProTour, but could he do something like RAAM in the interim? (Assuming he wanted to, that is).
