The goal for most fixed gear crit riders is to start a Red Hook Crit final. For some the goal is to finish that final in the lead lap. However, for a very few that (realistic) goal is to win that final. We selected 5 riders, which all showed in Red Hook Criterium Brooklyn No.10 that they have the power to win a Red Hook Crit but have never done so yet. We came up with 5 reasons why they can win Red Hook Criterium London No.3, and 5 reasons why they cannot win it.
Text: Brian Megens
Photography: Tornanti.cc
Aldo Ino Ilesic
The boss of the fixed gear crit peloton and leader of the Specialized-Rocket Espresso team
Aldo can win RHC London No.3 because:
1. He has the most impressive track record of the whole RHC field with always getting 3rd in each RHC he participated in
2. He set the track record in RHC BK 10 in the last lap of the race after a crash
3. He has the strongest team of the field
4. He is strong enough to go with a break-away and fast enough to win the sprint of the break-away or the whole RHC bunch
5. He has the track record of the previous RHC London lap
Aldo cannot win RHC London No.3 because:
1. Stefan Schafer is Aldo’s team mate. If Stefan is in the break-away Aldo will protect that break-away
2. Aldo’s role so far has always been controlling the field while a team mate is away, either solo or in a break-away
3. Alec Briggs, another team mate of Aldo. Alec is the local favourite in London and, like Aldo, has some fast legs which can successfully win a bunch sprint.
4. The whole field, everyone is well aware that Aldo is one, or even the, strongest rider of the field, when he makes a move everyone will be alert.
5. Aldo himself. Aldo is a team player who just wants his team to win, if that is himself or some from his team does not matter for him. This lack of selfishness might work against him in getting his first RHC win.
Davide Vigano
Former UCI World-Tour rider (Team Sky, Liquigas)
Davide can win RHC London No.3 because:
1. He is still in a World-Tour shape
2. He takes his 2nd career in fixed gear crit racing as serious as he did his road career
3. He is adjusting to crit racing more and more
4. He is competing in the BC Superweek prior to RHC London No.3
5. He got a 5th, 6th, and even a 2nd place in the BC Superweek crits without the help of any team mates
Davide cannot win RHC London No3. because:
1. He is marked by all other top teams as probably the most dangerous rider out there
2. He will have to battle team Specialized-Rocket Espresso
3. He will need at least another team mate besides Ivan Ravaioli who can help him in the front of the race
4. He might be tired from racing the BC Superweek
5. He lacks RHC experience
Giovanni Longo
Came out of ‘nothing’ and surprised the whole RHC BK 10 field by winning the Super Pole
Giovanni can win RHC London No.3 because:
1. He came in and crushed the Super Pole in his RHC debut
2. He has a very strong team with Bahumer Racing
3. He has the experience in cycling to ride finals
4. He has the potential to be one of the strongest guys in the field
5. He has bike skills through his career on the track
Giovanni cannot win RHC London No.3 because:
1. He has to compete with other strong team mates to become the captain for the race
2. He hasn’t finished a RHC yet, he got taken out in RHC BK 10 due to a crash
3. He will need at least two team mates riding in the front that are also willing to sacrifice their chances for him
4. He has little experience in fixed gear crits
5. He will have a lot more eyes on him in comparison with RHC BK 10 when he was representing the Bahumer Development Team
David Santos
RHC veteran
David Santos can win RHC London No.3 because:
1. He is always riding in the front of a RHC
2. He set a very decent 3rd time in the RHC BK 10 Super Pole
3. He has the potential to ride in a break-away with the strongest riders in the field
4. He is getting better every year
5. He has a strong team which should be able to cover his move
David Santos cannot win RHC London No.3 because:
1. He needs to improve 3% form last year wherein he was away with Colin Strickland but couldn’t follow at some point an got dropped
2. His team mates are as eager as he is to win a RHC themselves
3. He has not showcased his sprint which will be needed to win a break-away sprint
4. He will need at least two team mates riding in the front that are also willing to sacrifice their chances for him
5. He might be not selfish enough to claim the role of team captain
David van Eerd
One of the best fixed gear crit riders of Northern-Europe
David van Eerd can win RHC London No.3 because:
1. He ended all of his RHC’s in the top-10
2. He is improving his result crit by crit
3. He is one of the smartest crit riders in the field
4. He will have strong team mates in London
5. He has the guts to push himself even when he just crashed like happened in RHC BK 10
David van Eerd cannot win RHC London No.3 because:
1. He has never been in a break-away in a RHC final
2. He will have at least two team mates who are eager themselves to ride a good result
3. He might not be strong enough yet to ride in a break-away with the strongest RHC riders in the field
4. He is very busy with medical school which takes up 45+ hours of work meaning that little time for training is left
5. He might not have the authority yet to be given some space alike the big names in the RHC field
