Ronde van Vlaanderen 2015 *SPOILER THREAD*

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  • joelsim
    joelsim Posts: 7,552
    Kristoff has a belly like me, yet he still climbs as well as the best.
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    Nick Nuyens has a massive head. He's all square head rectangular specs and dreadful hair.

    To be fair Eddy P's hair is channeling wurzel gummage.
    Correlation is not causation.
  • curium
    curium Posts: 815
    curium wrote:
    curium wrote:
    Milton50 wrote:
    Who I don't want to win:

    Kristoff
    Terpstra
    Sagan
    Money for the 1-2-3 ?

    :lol:
    Sagan let me down. Another letter in the post please Oleg
    Seriously though, Sagan versus GVA in a sprint for a podium place and he couldn't be fucked!
  • emadden
    emadden Posts: 2,431
    Very happy for Kristoff - he rode a great race and after last years edition it was always the case he was going to be a danger. After 3 days De Panne, he must have been one of the favourites. Devolder and G - horrifically bad races. I wouldn't blame Team Sky, at the monument level it really comes down to the individual rider and being able to read the race. On the whole, a poor race. For the third year running this parcours with the multiple ascents of paterberg and oude kwaremount make for dull racing. Bring back the old parcours
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  • milton50
    milton50 Posts: 3,856
    emadden wrote:
    On the whole, a poor race. For the third year running this parcours with the multiple ascents of paterberg and oude kwaremount make for dull racing. Bring back the old parcours

    Did you see last year's race?
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    Right bring on PR. It better be a good one, I'm counting on jet lag and waking up at silly o'clock in the morning on the west coast of the US to watch on no doubt some crappy stream.
    Correlation is not causation.
  • joelsim
    joelsim Posts: 7,552
    I agree about Benoot. he is a huge talent.
  • emadden
    emadden Posts: 2,431
    Milton50 wrote:
    emadden wrote:
    On the whole, a poor race. For the third year running this parcours with the multiple ascents of paterberg and oude kwaremount make for dull racing. Bring back the old parcours

    Did you see last year's race?


    Ok... I'm exaggerating a bit. And yes, I agree that the final last year was really awesome... but again, it started late. As was the case the year before, and the year before. Seriously, the old parcours made for more exciting racing
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  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    As you know, not a big fan of Kristoff but got to hand it to him. That was a strong win. Can always rely on Terpstra to light it up. Shame Sagan didn't get third but GVA gave it some at the end.

    Wiggins is a lightweight, but nothing new there.
    RichN95 wrote:
    Benoot's going to win this race three or four times.

    Couldnt believe when I saw his name. Excellent work. First time I've ever seen his name.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • emadden
    emadden Posts: 2,431
    edited April 2015
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    ...
    Martin Elmiger makes the top 10 ffs.

    He's an incredibly strong rider and has placed top 10 in monuments before... so his placing today doesn't say anything positive or negative about the race.

    EDIT: He's had a previous 9th in de Ronde, and also a 9th in MSR.
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  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Debu... was definitely ready for the win today. Reports that he got pneumonia though. Needs to go back to Si Gee to learn that shadows are good until you get too cold so your muscles start to go cold.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    frenchfighter wrote:
    RichN95 wrote:
    Benoot's going to win this race three or four times.

    Couldnt believe when I saw his name. Excellent work. First time I've ever seen his name.
    That's because he's barely been in a race before. It was only his second day in a World Tour race.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • EKIMIKE
    EKIMIKE Posts: 2,232
    Kristoff really is showing himself to be more than just a sprinter. A genuine strongman with a good tactical head on his shoulders.

    This is a good interview with Benoot that I came across earlier in the season: http://www.ciclismointernacional.com/riders-to-watch-in-2015-tiesj-benoot/
    Canyon Endurace CF 2014 | Canyon Ultimate CF 2010
  • Le Commentateur
    Le Commentateur Posts: 4,099
    edited April 2015
    Too many passengers in the G2 group at the top of the final Oude Kwaermont climb, which wasted enough time for the leaders to get towards Paterberg. If one other rider had managed to get away with Sagan & Van Avermaet it might have been a much more interesting last 10kms.

    An OK edition of RvV, but not a classic one.
    Un uomo solo al commando
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Debu... was definitely ready for the win today. Reports that he got pneumonia though. Needs to go back to Si Gee to learn that shadows are good until you get too cold so your muscles start to go cold.

    :D:lol::D
    Correlation is not causation.
  • joelsim
    joelsim Posts: 7,552
    Anyone get the feeling that we've seen the best of Sep already. He looks way too heavy at the moment.
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    Le Commentateur wrote:
    Too many passengers in the G2 group at the top of the final Oude Kwaermont climb, which wasted enough time for the leaders to get towards Paterberg. If one other rider had managed to get away with Sagan & Van Avermaet it might have been a much more interesting last 10kms.

    An OK edition of RvV, but not a classic one.

    I would like to second this evaluation.

    I now have a headache. Bier, cheese, the sun shining on my head through the window and Nick Nuyens' hair is not a good combination for my fragile mind.
    Correlation is not causation.
  • mm1
    mm1 Posts: 1,063
    edited April 2015
    frenchfighter wrote:

    Wiggins is a lightweight, but nothing new there.

    Lightweight who made it back up to the front after hurting his wrist and his knee. Have to ask though, what is the point of Sky being at the front all day until 60k to go? G far too visible all day.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    RichN95 wrote:
    frenchfighter wrote:
    RichN95 wrote:
    Benoot's going to win this race three or four times.

    Couldnt believe when I saw his name. Excellent work. First time I've ever seen his name.
    That's because he's barely been in a race before. It was only his second day in a World Tour race.

    Embarrassing how much the pundits are lavishing praise on him with him in the room.
    _
  • EKIMIKE
    EKIMIKE Posts: 2,232
    Nah, Sep just peaked too early, for the Omloop and Strade Bianche. He'll be fine for Roubaix I think. He's the best on the cobbles in the absence of Boonen and Cancellara.
    Canyon Endurace CF 2014 | Canyon Ultimate CF 2010
  • oldwelshman
    oldwelshman Posts: 4,733
    emadden wrote:
    Very happy for Kristoff - he rode a great race and after last years edition it was always the case he was going to be a danger. After 3 days De Panne, he must have been one of the favourites. Devolder and G - horrifically bad races. I wouldn't blame Team Sky, at the monument level it really comes down to the individual rider and being able to read the race. On the whole, a poor race. For the third year running this parcours with the multiple ascents of paterberg and oude kwaremount make for dull racing. Bring back the old parcours
    What did you expect G to do? What did he do wrong apart from close too many gaps? What would you have said had he sat up and said f it as BMC Astana and Giant did not put anyone to close gap? Sky should not have put so many riders at the front earilier on in race and shame Stannard not as strong as usual which left Luke to do a load of work and he rode very well.
    Can't work out Wiggo, rode well last week, so either he is bluffing for next week or he is not going to finish in top 10 next week, we will see.
    http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll245/oldwelshman/
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK5Bfqj5fxY
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Kristoff is definitely in the same mould of a Museeuw, but without the prickly (thus entertaining) personality. Big big stamper of a gear, strong power sprinter turning into a powerful cobbled classics rider in his late 20s (he's same age as me...27).

    Shame he's unbearably dull.
    _
  • emadden
    emadden Posts: 2,431
    Le Commentateur wrote:
    Too many passengers in the G2 group at the top of the final Oude Kwaermont climb, which wasted enough time for the leaders to get towards Paterberg. If one other rider had managed to get away with Sagan & Van Avermaet it might have been a much more interesting last 10kms.

    An OK edition of RvV, but not a classic one.


    I agree with this. My feeling was that a small group need to get across before the last time up the Kwaremont - I was hoping G, GvA and perhaps Sagan were going to give it a shot. If the gap wasn't bridged by then I reckon it was going to be curtains, and I was right. The Oude Kwaremont actually isn't a difficult climb. The cobbles are not bad, its not steep but its long and narrow but bends. And once over the top its all downhill and twisty to the Paterberg which is essentially a power climb as the cobbles are actually in really good shape (as its newly l;aid, purpose built). After Paterberg its a pure power run in. With an engine like Kristoff in such good shape it was always going to be an ask to pull him back.
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  • joelsim
    joelsim Posts: 7,552
    oldwelshman wrote:
    emadden wrote:
    Very happy for Kristoff - he rode a great race and after last years edition it was always the case he was going to be a danger. After 3 days De Panne, he must have been one of the favourites. Devolder and G - horrifically bad races. I wouldn't blame Team Sky, at the monument level it really comes down to the individual rider and being able to read the race. On the whole, a poor race. For the third year running this parcours with the multiple ascents of paterberg and oude kwaremount make for dull racing. Bring back the old parcours
    What did you expect G to do? What did he do wrong apart from close too many gaps? What would you have said had he sat up and said f it as BMC Astana and Giant did not put anyone to close gap? Sky should not have put so many riders at the front earilier on in race and shame Stannard not as strong as usual which left Luke to do a load of work and he rode very well.
    Can't work out Wiggo, rode well last week, so either he is bluffing for next week or he is not going to finish in top 10 next week, we will see.

    Not sure there is anything to work out with Wiggo. His only goal is next week, everything else is irrelevant.
  • joelsim
    joelsim Posts: 7,552
    mm1 wrote:
    frenchfighter wrote:

    Wiggins is a lightweight, but nothing new there.

    Lightweight who made it back up to the front after hurting his wrist and his knee. Have to ask though, what is the point of Sky being at the front all day until 60k to go? G far too visible all day.

    Couldn't agree more. Sometimes their strategy leaves a lot to be desired.

    Regarding Benoot, he is going to be a big star, along with Stefan Kung, Louis Vervaeke and Mike Teunissen.
  • emadden
    emadden Posts: 2,431
    edited April 2015
    oldwelshman wrote:
    What did you expect G to do? What did he do wrong apart from close too many gaps? What would you have said had he sat up and said f it as BMC Astana and Giant did not put anyone to close gap? Sky should not have put so many riders at the front earilier on in race and shame Stannard not as strong as usual which left Luke to do a load of work and he rode very well.
    Can't work out Wiggo, rode well last week, so either he is bluffing for next week or he is not going to finish in top 10 next week, we will see.

    As said in my post just before, and also a few pages back - a group needed to get out of that chasing group and chase down the break. The chasing group was too unwieldy. G would have been in with a good chance if he managed to escape in a smaller group. Lots of ifs, I know. But that is straight out of tactics 101.
    In the monuments it always comes down to individual riders as opposed to teams controlling the events. Its always been that way. Smartest heads usually win these things.
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  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    What happened to Stannard? Just sh*t again? Looking more expensive race by race.

    wHa5 about Fenn? DNF again?
    Contador is the Greatest
  • mm1
    mm1 Posts: 1,063
    Joelsim wrote:
    mm1 wrote:
    frenchfighter wrote:

    Wiggins is a lightweight, but nothing new there.

    Lightweight who made it back up to the front after hurting his wrist and his knee. Have to ask though, what is the point of Sky being at the front all day until 60k to go? G far too visible all day.

    Couldn't agree more. Sometimes their strategy leaves a lot to be desired.

    Regarding Benoot, he is going to be a big star, along with Stefan Kung, Louis Vervaeke and Mike Teunissen.

    ...and Luke Rowe!
  • joelsim
    joelsim Posts: 7,552
    Rowe is a good rider but he isn't going to be a superstar. Those others have 4 years on him.
  • yorkshireraw
    yorkshireraw Posts: 1,632
    frenchfighter wrote:
    What happened to Stannard? Just sh*t again? Looking more expensive race by race.

    wHa5 about Fenn? DNF again?


    Fenn - er, DNS as wasn't actually in the 8....

    Stannard was up there pulling still - he broke his back and his wrist last yr - and wasn't exactly sh&t in winning Omloop was he. Didn't he have a crash in a recent race as well?

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