Yes, he can!

Washington Post - November 5, 2008.

As the whole world watched the one maverick being defeated in already historic elections, another still aims for the pinnacle in his own arena. Gert J.M. Schumelbarts may be behind in the polls, that does not mean he is defeated. For the Washington Post, Schumelbarts is the strong favorite to grab the title 'Bikerider of the year' for the third consecutive time. If he manages to do this, he will be the first rider to do so since Lance Armstrong was given these honours by the Austin Bikers in 2003.

Ah, and now we have mentioned His name. It cannot be a coincidence that the Boss is making his comeback in 2009. He must have seen that Schumelbarts, born on the same day, is still at the top of his game. Schumelbarts has had a very good year and will be hard to defeat, even in a popularity poll that is heavily contested and marred by slick tactics of his opponents.

But Gert's base is solid as a rock, and has grown strongly over the years. He has excelled in many different races, ranging from the classics in Flanders and Wallonia, to the big tours in France and Italy. The public knows this, and will not forget this. It is no incident when a rider is elected 'Bikerider of the year' by popular vote, several years in a row.

For the Post Schumelbarts's reign did not come as a surprise. Our cycling experts first mentioned his name as early as 1988, when he claimed a top position in the now forgotten 'Ronde van Wehl', then boasting a strong field of future champions.

But also other big names in the sport have pointed to the 'Red Master' as the talent to be watched in the years to follow. The great Peter Winnen, twice victorious in a grueling Alpe d'Huez stage, labelled Schumelbarts his successor when pushed for a name in 1992. When Peter Winnen asked Schumelbarts for an autograph, just several years ago when the latter was the most popular sportsman of his country, Gert did not hesitate and offered the old climber a fotograph and some kind words. Winnen told our reporter back then that "Schumelbarts is the best the sport has seen since Geddy Merckxelbarts hung his bike in the willows".

Peter Winnen, now an acclaimed poet, is not the only big name that supports Schumelbarts in these final stages of the elections. His teammate Beuk, Gert's roadcaptain and superhelper during the last Tour de France, does not stop once asked for Schumelbarts' qualities. "This man is the best thing that has happened to me. Gert motivated me to intensify my training and get the maximum out of my limited talents. He taught me to never give up, even after throwing up. A remarkable man, a pearl for the sport". Beuk is being too modest here. Schumelbarts allowed him to excel in minor races, picking up the big ones himself, but Beuk still had to defeat stiff competition. The same competition that is now trying to steal this season's crown from its legitimate owner.

With the polls still open for several weeks, nothing is lost for the Great Schumi, allthough he may have to start campaigning himself. His opponents know that they cannot defeat the most popular rider by leaving it to an objective public. They have started to throw mud, smear and dirt, in the tradition of the 'oude wielrennen' - a term coined by Maarten Ducrot, for which there is no equivalent in other languages. Gert is too much a gentleman to lower himself to those tactics, and will rely on his big fanclub and, like Obama, on the internet: "because there is a lot on it".