What does it take to WIN a GranFondo!? - Les Trois Ballons 2022

[@jasperverkuijl]

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[@ssaini5028]

Brutal man, the pain game. An Amazing time and experience, thanks for sharing

[@kool_thing]

Dude, you're so good on downhills. It's cool you're back to racing. Really enjoy those racing videos.

[@Colibear]

Loved your attitude at the end when you started to relax

[@FreekvandeGriendt]

I know you were asking questions about format a while back: this is it! Thanks so much for sharing this. Since I rode the 3B myself this year, it was great to see all of your insights (and suffering). Looking forward to Haute Route coverage, keep it up!

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thanks!

[@Gufolicious]

I really missed your roadbike videos but this one makes up for all of it. Thank you for this really nice insight to a race and pls keep the road bike stuff coming, i really enjoy it.

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thanks man!

[@jasperverkuijl]

🤙🏻 Do YOU pace at your own power from the beginning or try to hang on as long as possible!? Let me know!

[@CycoWarriorx]

Being heavier than a traditional cyclist, I always try and do my own pace… the goal is to get to the top and still be able to go… I usually catch the group on the downhill… 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@xReTrO89x]

I did 130k with 2,5k climbing race in June and I weigh around the same as you (ca 82kg). There were 4 bigger climbs and I also tried to stay with the front group, but as soon as we hit the first big climb I gave up because I knew holding 400w for 600m climb would be too much for me so I drove my own pace. Formed some nice groups on the other climbs and was feeling like I have more fuel left in the tank, but the finish was not on a mountain as there was 5k downhill and 15k flat at the end so I did not want to push more on the last climb and then ride solo. Unfortunately people in the group (around 10-15ppl) were probably completely smoked in the finish as only me and 2 other guys were pacing... ended up sprinting for 2nd place in our group (80/400 overall). But I feel a little bit disappointed as I was still feeling OK on the last climb and probably should have pushed more in the beginning to hold on to a better group for later climbs and maybe finish 10-20 places higher, or I should have tried to go solo from the last downhill. But it is a great learning experience to either stay conservative and see how it plays out or push harder. Next time I will try to push harder for a different experience.

[@jasperverkuijl]

@@xReTrO89x being a bigger rider I can relate man. As soon as it’s flat, there will be a whole bunch on your tail😑, as soon as it goes up, they drop you like a mic 😭

[@jasperverkuijl]

@@CycoWarriorx if you don’t get you you don’t finish so sounds like a good idea!

[@granfondist2804]

Depends which track, I know if it's more than 3,000m of climbing I have to pace otherwise I try to go as far as I can with the first group.

[@LeonidKolomiytsev]

The video, the edit, the sound is so good, my wife was wondering what I was watching cause I was in tune with your story 😊 and of course, Jasper, thank you for all the tips about the race day!

[@jasperverkuijl]

Wow awesome dude. Thanks!! Please share it with some buddies and maybe they can get there wives wondering too!🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻 #cyclingfanatics!

[@Spartan_-du9wi]

My Brother I can 100% relate to the last part of this ride. I have had trouble with cramps my entire cycling "career". I have learned the HARD way "Fuel/Nutrition" is the key! Great Video as usual.........Love watching this content! Cheers from NYC!

[@jasperverkuijl]

💪🏻

[@scottwelfare7311]

I really enjoyed watching this video. Considering you were unwell prior to this event, total respect for your effort and also your mental fortitude when things weren't going well. Loved it when you stopped at the final feed stop and then put a positive upside to the remaining ride. Hopefully all the bad luck is now done for you and you absolutely smash your next event.

[@jasperverkuijl]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻thanks! Turning shit into positive is usually better than staying stuck in shit 😜

[@FrancoMonet]

As usual, awesome! Great vid, great ride, love sharing the experience with you, thanks.

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thanks!

[@markpritchard3707]

Fantastic video, well done and your explanations and descriptions are spot on. Going out too strong has always been my weakness watching your race was like looking in the mirror. We’re doing the marmotte in July 23 and really hoping to stay disciplined on the first two climbs and stick to the numbers. Anyway well done on a great ride and really enjoyable entertaining video 👍

[@jasperverkuijl]

Marmotte is awesome! I’ve got 2 videos of marmotte (2016&2017) check those out too!! Good luck

[@erikstaffeleu5897]

Loved it all the way. Super! Dank Jasper.

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thanks!

[@talblitz]

Your videos are epic! Hope you are motivated enough to keep making them

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thank you!

[@MrCyclist]

Thanks for 36 minutes of great cycling. I was feeling your suffering and rooting for you all the way.

[@dxplosiv1]

Great video. Your experience reminds me of my last gran Fondo. Didn't think I went too hard but definitely was dead for the second half. Love your content!

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thanks!! 🙏🏻

[@richardstewart5499]

Those gran fondo stops are lifesaving when one is having anon-uber day on the bike, Jasper. Nice work, Young Man.

[@jasperverkuijl]

😂😂😂

[@slowkuching4190]

Thank you for sharing. Was a good result. You earned 3 beers in my book.

[@jasperverkuijl]

Cheers!

[@maxsneitz7183]

Really great video. One felt really the race and suffering. Good commentary. Best cyclingvideo I have seen in a while. Great job man ! 👍

[@jasperverkuijl]

Cheers!

[@scotttapia3072]

Great video! “Why is he huffing and puffing on his e-bike?” 😂 And way too many flies… 😮

[@djarvils]

Wow! Im very happy to discover this channel. You should be TV commentator! The way how you explain racer mind is just super!!!

[@jasperverkuijl]

hey thanks man! Make sure you check out my previous race video's too, im sure you'll like them! awesome to have you on the channel, you are a cycling fanatic now!! 💪

[@bxnny6657]

Your downhill was fearless and amazing!!!

[@jasperverkuijl]

I love the downhills! 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@jeffmoulton651]

This was a great video with great content. Thanks for sharing this story. I hope to see more in the future.

[@lvxxviii]

Very good video bro!

[@jayjames100]

Great vid Jasper, awesome riding, but truly unbelievable downhill skill 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@KetzalSterling]

Great vid Jasper. You probably already know this, but just in case... You simply ran out of glycogen. It's very hard for heavier riders over long climbing races. Your high power requires huge energy requirements. It's simply difficult to replace the energy fast enough. I'd recommend working on increasing your fueling to 120g an hour, even higher if you can build up to it. Over a five hour race that's a lot more fuel. Give it a go leading into your next big race. It normally takes a couple of months to get the gut used to the higher levels.

[@jasperverkuijl]

Mmmm maybe, but fatigue and fitness played a role this time. Anyway, I improved on that part in the next races that are coming up! (Races are done, videos are coming 😜)

[@KFc-pm1rz]

Thanks for sharing yr experience. I've got a Gran fondo in a month with a big climb at end and lots of little steep ones before it. Yr experience here reminds me to race at my pace. Easier said than done though I know. Tks once again

[@jasperverkuijl]

Good luck!!🍀

[@tuurdeweer3355]

21:47 disqualified 😂 great video!

[@jasperverkuijl]

Not a UCI race so no uci rules!😉

[@johnschmitt3083]

Would have been long disqualified for Super Tuck earlier

[@jasperverkuijl]

@@johnschmitt3083 no UCI rules in these fondos

[@johnschmitt3083]

@@jasperverkuijl I know, i like it, the UCI rules are holding back innovation. When you buy a 10k bike you don't buy the latest R&D that would be possible you buy a bike that is tailor towards what the UCI thinks is a bicycle. END THE UCI

[@kostiantyn8200]

Wow!!! Perfect 👌 You are 💪 Was very interesting to see this video Thanks and good luck for future 😉 Dutch🇳🇱❤️

[@umihura]

Jasper, I love your channel! Especially because you uncover the cycling culture of The Netherlands, which is pretty hard to grasp for expats. As an idea for a new video - can you talk about the cycling clubs we have? Does it make sense to join them? What are the most significant/oldest? Is there any interesting historical background? Some interviews with founders can be a good addition as well.

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thanks man. I’m not really into the club riding so don’t have much to share about that 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@craigbreetzke8035]

Another epic video Jasper :-)) Great work dude

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thank you!

[@albertkikstra]

Yep, I do the same.. go hard or go home. Nice to see one of your videos again! 👍 goed gedaan

[@Adanteh]

Leaving a comment for the algorithm. Happy to see this is a nice longer video. For some insights maybe: KZbin stops showing videos of subscribed channels very quickly if you skip a couple. For me the short videos of a series usually means I wait till multiple are released... which usually means by the time the rest comes out, KZbin stopped all recommendations already.

[@jasperverkuijl]

Hit the bell notification may solve the issue. This way you still get a head is up. 👍🏻

[@jasperverkuijl]

And thanks for the comment!😉🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@U.s.e.r.3493]

Glad to see my fellow riders walking up that hill

[@jasperverkuijl]

😬 it was tough

[@volodymyrkomliev5849]

Finally, the Jasper-racer is in the race again! You was so powerful in the first part of the race. But shit happens. Anyway you made it to the finish line by bike not by foot. Well done, Jasper! I missed about your races.🤙

[@zaldys.5978]

Yes Sir jasper this content is very intense I like it 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 thank you watching you from California 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thanks man! I’ve got lots more videos like this if you haven’t seen them yet! Say hi to Cali for me, I miss it!!

[@Chreeeys]

Great Documentary!

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thank you!

[@1brianescobar]

Cycling fanatics! Missed the videos.

[@alecjohnson4630]

It always amazes me how fit all this stuff in jasper keep up the good work I always look forward to seeing what you’ve been up to

[@alecjohnson4630]

Do I just screen shot your reply on telegram?

[@fastbikes67]

Wow! Excellent video of your race. I really enjoyed. Very entertaining and great camera work. Keep on and ride safe.

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thanks!

[@God_Bolt]

Thats pretty sick Jasper!

[@raphaelklijn6358]

Excellent storytelling!

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@paulronan2103]

i feel your pain, in the HR Davos my power pedals just did not work on the rental bike, could not get them to stay on and trying to play it by feel just did not work for me, great video.

[@trekbiker5110]

You did amazing despite all the problems you had. Bravo!

[@jasperverkuijl]

Cheers!

[@Dominator00000]

Really enjoyable video, great result Jasper!

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thanks!

[@ruxt82]

Awesome video! Really enjoyed it!

[@swites]

Always like these vids! Been there so many times! I think because I never really train over 8hrs a week I never build up the endurance for the pace I want to go. 5/20min power can be quite good but isn't very repeatable. Reminds me of this 190k race I did and the last climb was ~8% . The day before cruised up it really easy at 3W/kg. On race day I was so cooked by then, even at max pace I couldn't match it lol

[@jasperverkuijl]

Yep it’s the repeatability that only comes with more training. 1x 30min effort is not the same as 3x 30’ effort with a break in between.

[@ciarsz]

Great Video man some great insights on training/Fuelling etc How the body copes under different stress and strain , Thanks Jasper

[@jasperverkuijl]

Cheers!

[@twanpeters]

One of your better video's! Great editing skills!

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thanks

[@johnyblamounth9142]

As always, awesome video

[@johnyblamounth9142]

@Jasper Verkuijl is that really you?

[@bojtek]

Huffing and puffing guy on e-bike made my day :D

[@jasperverkuijl]

🤪🙏🏻

[@valcar1989]

Amazing video!! Trying to push on a bike when you are empty it´s one of the worst feelings ever, but you were still with a good mood.

[@jasperverkuijl]

💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@wolfganghuber7873]

Amazing Video, thanks man 🤟

[@DarkHelmetNL]

Mooi verslag, echt van genoten!

[@andrescycling3546]

I runned to the top of the grand ballon and did it in 1h25 because I couldn't ride my bike. Beautiful climb.

[@MyNicklaus]

Jas you are amazing! 🤙🤙🤙

[@jasperverkuijl]

thanks!

[@docpewpew]

Thanks for the advice on having the map on while descending! I'm always scared of a sharp corner

[@jasperverkuijl]

Way to go!

[@drewcama2488]

Oh I know that feeling trying to keep up but having nothing more to give. It becomes a race with yourself at that point.

[@ForGodsgloryministry75]

Thats wy you have my abo.love this race video.sun out guns out😂

[@kurthessler300]

Hey man. Nice race. By the way in order to avoid à similar issues in the past you can always have a smart watch like Garmin and then swap to it when your main gps failed. It happen to me before during a ironman. It saved me. Cheers

[@SteveA-d8i]

Absolutely great coverage of this Gran Fondo, and a good test for HR Pyrenees which is a notch or 2 harder due to multiple 3000m+ days, and super high quality riders (at least when I did the 7 day version back in 2016). I am 25 years older than you and can only put out 4.0w/kg so I could feel your pain when you got dropped in the 2nd half. I have no idea how you can pull out your phone and record on a climb. Awesome skill. Nobody wants to see a video of me when I am covered in spit and snot and close to puking! Anyway - great job to overcome the Wahoo breakdown, ride by feel and enjoy the day when things dont go your way. Good luck at HR and don’t go out too hard.

[@KoenMiseur]

When I did this GF a few years ago it was 205km (but I didn't do it to win but to finish)! I have ridden with the winner of this 2022 race in a few grouprides here in Leuven, nice guy!

[@jasperverkuijl]

Yeah I remember from a few years ago me and my friends some about the 3B but I thought it was way to long and extreme for me haha. I changed a lot since than😜

[@KoenMiseur]

@@jasperverkuijl Lol I was 76kg for 1m73cm at that time and I still had the Gold Certificate and that was with more than 30min of not riding. It's all about knowing yourself and riding withing your limit, I did about 7 200km+ rides and was never as fit as you! As for riding without a powermeter, I only bought one this year and have ridden all those long rides without one, I think it should be a skill you should have, especially for the moments you can't rely on one(gps broken, Powermeter broken, battery empty, ... )!

[@MathijsHofkens]

Seeing you going downhill gave me goose bumps all over. Ok you had a shitty day, but completing 3B with those numbers, many guys & girls dream of that ;-). Keep it up Jasper!

[@jasperverkuijl]

Love the downhill!! Cheers dude

[@EdwardMeinert]

“Why is he huffing and puffing on his eBike”? 😂😂😂

[@HarryTzianakisTheGodOfSpeed]

Fantastic video Jasper! It's funny how the pain goes away like magic 🤣 ✨. It was the aerotuck in the praying position 🙏 that saved you ha ha ha your welcome 👊😁 lmfaooo00!!

[@jasperverkuijl]

😂

[@l.a3234]

Well done dude!💪

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thank you 🙌

[@MaceraMuhendisi]

you are doing this job mannn!

[@a3300000]

I had cramps just watching this video in my living room.

[@micheldecrock751]

I thought the guy wasn’t in an ebike😂

[@ronm7114]

ik word al moe als ik er naar kijk... 24 km klim 🤓Gefeliciteerd met je prestatie.

[@jasperverkuijl]

Hhahaha. Thanksn

[@bartjes25]

4,7 w/kg... niet normaal goed Jasper. Ik denk wel dat het mentale stuk zeker mee werkt. Goede focus en zelfvertrouwen zal je ook goed doen.

[@jasperverkuijl]

💪🏻

[@linesided]

Pace is king. It also allows you to be the one giving the punches. Having some support for more bottles would help. In the humidity it's 1-1.5 bottles/hr to stay on top of cramping.

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Something is cursed about this Col de Hundsrück and electronics. When I visited the TdF Femmes, I lost my power pedals up there. Later on, I noticed that I could have ridden around it. Thanks Komoot for spicing up the route.

[@jasperverkuijl]

I’m pretty sure it was water damage from the rain. The buttons where worn out by pressing them so much I think they were leaking. Anyway, Wahoo sent me a new one 🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@stanislaogerman3743]

Been there done that ... those cramps feel like someone stuck a knife in your leg 😩😩😩

[@junolaivar7476]

Great race dude!

[@onerty1]

map on descend is a very good tip. especially if you didn't ride the course before, can be a life saver

[@jasperverkuijl]

most races like this would be first time for me so I'm never familiar with the road, always map display on!

[@CarbonRider1]

I had the same thing happen with that older version of the Wahoo bolt, it just blew up, and eventually the screen went completely black. They warrantied it right away with the new version. Been great so far.

[@jasperverkuijl]

Yeah I got the new one too!

[@larrymcgoldrick3471]

Nice !!! Well done.

[@grettaava1155]

Thanks for posting! …now if you don’t mind, Huate Route videos 🤪

[@MrFunSailing]

Well done!

[@digerati808]

"The only thing I have is the feelings in my legs, which is terrible." 🤣

[@jasperverkuijl]

😅🤙🏻

[@1camper69]

The reason that you rejoined the first group of about 15 guys after the descent of the Servance is that we had to wait for 1,5 minute in that small village. They said it would be deducted from the final time, but that did not happen. Hope you recovered well. Nice impression of the day!

[@1camper69]

BTW. I punctured my front tire on the same part of the ride as you did. Calculating the amount of time that was needed to inflate it, I chose to ride the Planche des belles filles with 1 bar. 😅

[@jasperverkuijl]

Mmm, guess I was lucky 🤪 it sounds like a lot since I descended pretty fast… Guess I did lose some time on that climb..

[@jasonabbbott40]

Like the kit your wearing 😊 well everyone has done what you have done, if you have ever raced blown your doors off 😂maybe next time???alway be another event to test the legs 😊

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thanks man. Check out the siroko page through my link to get the best deal🤙🏻 I did more racing, videos are coming!

[@wolfganghuber7873]

Did you race on houte route? A new Video with your thaughts on the hyper 2023 would be also nice.

[@jasperverkuijl]

Yes I did race haute route. Video may come end of the year

[@Kay4568]

Nice one Jasper really sad that your computer crashed its the worst

[@CG-99]

I can't imagine racing hard on an open road to traffic. Scary as hell.

[@jasperverkuijl]

I my never really crosses my mind tbh 😆

[@ForGodsgloryministry75]

was this Supertuck on the descent picture.😂

[@KvienMary]

When your absorption of carbon hydratets is limited by fatique, you can re-initiate it with caffeine. Some gels have caffeine in.

[@Lesley_Pokemon]

top video dit Jasper

[@DHKarol]

Grey outfit looks 🔥

[@jasperverkuijl]

Thanks! I really like it too!

[@Garrison-Riker]

The dude on the e bike😂

[@hanziel]

how are you vlogging while you're racing:D:D really enjoyed this one!

[@jasperverkuijl]

Practice makes perfect!

[@abedfo88]

if that was me I would have thrown the wahoo down the mountain side ;)

[@jasperverkuijl]

😂😂

[@leftymadrid]

My measurable goal is to make it back home after my 100 klm rides! And I'm not even racing! As for you bud, you've been at cycling for some time now. You even look like you've lost weight too. I think your riding was just great 👍

[@jasperverkuijl]

I didn’t lose weight actually. I’m staying at 81kg since 2 years

[@willseeways]

Thanks!

[@jasperverkuijl]

Hey I never saw this superthanks comment until now! sorry I missed it! cheers

[@guillermoelias2853]

You should make the video🎉 this video was amazing

[@jasperverkuijl]

Make which video?

[@youptube8492]

Hi Jasper, thanks for another amazing video! What mount do you use to put your camera on the handlebars like that?

[@jasperverkuijl]

The sticky mount. The bar stem has a flat top

[@benboz9405]

Awesome video and great suspense at 14'! what's the Music you used at that moment ?

[@jasperverkuijl]

I use music from paid website. Link in description

[@eh6520]

If you want to win a granfondo you must ride in a strong competition. I was riding in France between 1996 and 2001 elite 2 teams. Than is a granfondo a little bit easier to win. I win La Vaujany and la galibier and was second in la marmotte. After i stoped competition i could not finish with the first 5 anymore. Best regards from the netherlands.

[@jasperverkuijl]

💪🏻

[@hyperhippyhippohopper]

Did you know, Jasper, that stretching during a ride is actually bad for your muscles? You temporarily lose power in the muscles and increase risk of injury as you're exerting force on them after the stretch. When you experience cramps, it's best to let the pain subside on its own. Cheers.

[@jasperverkuijl]

Sorry, sure you mean it well but next time I get cramps, I’m going to stretch again! It’s the only way to get the muscle to relax… Don’t think you have to worry about lower tension after stretching while riding bikes. Since there is never a really high peak force on the muscle ever. When you would do some crazy plyometeic jumps after stretching it could make sense what you are saying.

[@hyperhippyhippohopper]

@@jasperverkuijl Stretching can indeed be useful to combat cramps, if thightness is what's causing it. But the timing is important. It proves more effective to stretch the muscle right before an extended period of not using the muscles (such as when you lie down and sleep). Cramps that have causes other than tightness will not benefit from stretching. Stretching before or during a ride relaxes the muscle tissue too much. The decreased tension doesn't start affecting you at high exertion, rather it decreases the efficiency at all levels of exertion. You expend more energy to produce the same wattage. At high levels of exertion (such as as in sprints or climbs) this results in a lower peak wattage. If you would like to prove me wrong, you should set up an experiment on a stationary bike. Warm up for 30 minutes and measure your wattage in a 15 second full sprint. Then do several minutes of deep stretching of all the leg muscles (quads, glutes, calves), another warm up, then 15s full sprint. Compare the two peak wattages and please share the results.

[@richardjabrahart7465]

Hey Jasper, could you share your coach details please? Im considering doing a gran fondo costa del sol in 4 weeks. My training is sub optimal I guess but not too bad. Ideally I would use a coach. Would you let me know which coach you use? You have improved a lot on these type of gran fondo's

[@jasperverkuijl]

Hey man. The info is in the description. Robic.NL