Frankie Goes to TC

by Lynda Twardowski Wheatley

Dearborn-raised Frankie Andreu spent 12 years as a professional cyclist. He’s competed in nine Tours De France, two Olympic games and, since retiring from racing in 2001, he’s been a hot commodity as a cycling commentator and reporter for some of the biggest bike races in the world. Last week, he returned from covering the Tour de France for Bicycling magazine; next week, he’s coming to Traverse City for the Cherry-Roubaix, whose three days of races include – for the first time ever – Michigan’s State Road Race Championship. The Ticker tapped Andreu for some inside tips and insights to make the competitors’ and spectators’ experience a wild ride.

Ticker: Road racing 101: What should the uninitiated spectator watch for in a race?
Andreu: The riders with matching jerseys are teammates; the objective is to have someone from your team cross the finish line first. Ideally, teammates don't chase each other down after a rider separates himself off the front of the group. At the same time, if a group does move up the road, a team might use two or three of their riders to ride hard at the front of the main group in order to bring back the riders off the front. They will only use two or three riders because they will want to have someone from their team saving themselves for the next attacks or surges that come from the group.

Ticker: Any insider advice for the Cherry-Roubaix competitors?
Andreu: You only have to train as much as your longest race. There is no need to ride five to six hours if your longest race might be four hours or shorter. When training, set small objectives each time you ride. Mix it up to incorporate strength training, sprinting, intervals, climbing, lactate threshold work. Instead of becoming good at riding two hours, you’ll actually get faster and stronger.

Ticker: Crit riders race on Old Town TC’s notoriously bumpy cobblestone streets Saturday. Cruel course or fun challenge?
Andreu: Cobblestones are their own beast and very hard to master. The effort required to move over the cobbles takes about the same amount of power as climbing a small hill. It's important to be in the front of the group for the cobbled sections to eliminate the chance of being dropped – and also to avoid any crashes that might happen. It's very difficult to ride out of the saddle over the cobbles. The bouncing up and down of the bike as the tires hit the cobbles makes the rear wheel lose contact with the ground. This will slow the rider down.

Ticker: Any advice for Crit racers?
Andreu: It's important to stay seated and keep the tires on the ground so that you can continue to apply power to push you forward. Each cobbled section should have some place through it that might be smoother then another section. It's important to review the course and find this smooth section and try to hit each lap of the course. The more energy the riders save here, the better legs they’ll have at the end of the race.

Ticker: You cover the most famous cycling race in the world. How’d we get so lucky to get you announcing here?
Andreu: I have a good relationship with Cherry-Roubaix, and the organizers put on a great race. … This year the road race [has been designated] the Michigan State Championship Road Race – and there is nothing better than announcing a race that has a title on the line.

Ticker: Will we see you on your bike next weekend?
Andreu: I'm riding the Cherry-Roubaix Charity Ride that hopes to raise $10,000 for the Munson Women's Cancer Fund.