2016 (flat) Classics thread
rick_chasey
Posts: 75,660
Let's kick this off.
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Boonen's recovering from his fairly serious head injury.
He said the first 3-4 weeks were very tough - was waking up seriously knackered after his training every day.
Last couple weeks has gone a lot better than expected however, and he now can wake up fairly fresh and actually train.
In terms of what he can feel from the crash - not all that much. His ear does hurt from time to time, and he's lost about 30% of his hearing in his left ear, and has a constant ringing.
But given the last 10 days he feels it's going quite well, relatively speaking.
Aim is to be Dec/Jan at the training camps etc, and then he'll know where he's really at, but he seems quite bullish.
Still thinks he can race for the win, though he's a bit more concerned about his form than he'd normally be.
He was planning to train straight through after Abu Dhabi through the winter and start winning off the mark but now of course, he can't.
http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/videozone/sporten/v-wielrennen/1.2505394
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Boonen's recovering from his fairly serious head injury.
He said the first 3-4 weeks were very tough - was waking up seriously knackered after his training every day.
Last couple weeks has gone a lot better than expected however, and he now can wake up fairly fresh and actually train.
In terms of what he can feel from the crash - not all that much. His ear does hurt from time to time, and he's lost about 30% of his hearing in his left ear, and has a constant ringing.
But given the last 10 days he feels it's going quite well, relatively speaking.
Aim is to be Dec/Jan at the training camps etc, and then he'll know where he's really at, but he seems quite bullish.
Still thinks he can race for the win, though he's a bit more concerned about his form than he'd normally be.
He was planning to train straight through after Abu Dhabi through the winter and start winning off the mark but now of course, he can't.
http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/videozone/sporten/v-wielrennen/1.2505394
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Comments
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Fingers crossed for him, good to hear he's making progress2020 Reilly Spectre - raw titanium
2020 Merida Reacto Disc Ltd - black on black
2015 CAAD8 105 - very green - stripped to turbo bike
2018 Planet X Exocet 2 - grey
The departed:
2017 Cervelo R3 DI2 - sold
Boardman CX Team - sold
Cannondale Synapse - broken
Cube Streamer - stolen
Boardman Road Comp - stolen0 -
Got a feeling itll be a classic classics year. Big guns pulling out big shows. Ronde for Boonen and PR for Fabs.
Hopefully.It's not so much about winning, I just hate losing.0 -
I think their classic winning days are behind them. I'm very interested to see how Benoot goes this year.0
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Got a feeling itll be a classic classics year. Big guns pulling out big shows. Ronde for Boonen and PR for Fabs.
Hopefully.
would be nice but in the last year Canc has had 2 severe back injuries, and Boonen is widely regarded as being slightly off his normal pace. I expect both to feature, but possibly miss out on the final selections of the big events.
I see Degenkolb monstering Roubaix again.0 -
Edward Theuns for Roubaix, you heard it here first.0
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Be interesting to see how Sagan goes during the classics after his WC win. I'm wondering if we'll see a different more confident and astute Sagan, or if it will be business as usual.0
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I'm going on a charity ride led by Theuns and Benoot in a couple of weeks. I'll pass on your good wishes if I get the chance.
I would also point out that, even at this early stage, they're my men. Though I won't be telling them that."In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"
@gietvangent0 -
I'd love to see the old guys have one last battle with victories apiece, however I just can't see it given age and injuries.
Some of the younger crop will probably pip them, especially as Boonen, Sag, Fab are just marked men (along with some others).
That said, the joy of the Classics season is the random events that change a persons fortunes instantly.0 -
Got a feeling itll be a classic classics year. Big guns pulling out big shows. Ronde for Boonen and PR for Fabs.
Hopefully.
Hopefully they can channel Sven Nys's spirit and stick it to the younglings one last time! I agree, Cancellara for PR and Boonen for RVV would be great! I suspect that Messers Sagan and Degenkolb may have a few words to say about that though...We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
- @ddraver0 -
Lets not forget Kristoff - wonder how he'll get on sans Il Gerva but with a new logo on his chest.
And maybeman Sep... Lotto-Jumbo gotta sort his tyres out at some point right?0 -
Theuns is a good shout. I'd actually like to see Kung do well too.0
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Theuns is a good shout. I'd actually like to see Kung do well too.
You'd think Jelle Wallays a better bet than Theuns though, given he's a little older with more big race experience and has finally managed to step up to a big team with no recognised cobbled classics leader. Theuns will surely be working for Cancellara."In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"
@gietvangent0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19749190#p19749190]disgruntledgoat[/url] wrote:Theuns is a good shout. I'd actually like to see Kung do well too.
You'd think Jelle Wallays a better bet than Theuns though, given he's a little older with more big race experience and has finally managed to step up to a big team with no recognised cobbled classics leader. Theuns will surely be working for Cancellara.
Oh I dunno, EQS managed to get 2nd, 3rd and 4th at Omloop
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Gut feeling is we'll see some new blood this year, as much as I wish for a massive Tommeke vs Spartacus double smackdown at PR and Flanders.Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training to be a cage fighter.0
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Hopefully they can channel Sven Nys's spirit and stick it to the younglings one last time! I agree, Cancellara for PR and Boonen for RVV would be great! I suspect that Messers Sagan and Degenkolb may have a few words to say about that though...
They are both going to win. No one has a say. lalalalalalalalalaaaa
Can honestly see Degenkolb going on a streak at PR he's an absolute beast and seems to have cracked the code to winning the one dayers. He's firmly in the my man team.It's not so much about winning, I just hate losing.0 -
I think Standard will be right in the mix for roubaix.0
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I think Standard will be right in the mix for roubaix.
If, as suggested, Thomas is stage race focussed other than a parachute drop into RVV, will be interesting to see if Luke Rowe has more licence to ride for himself (and what he could do with such licence)0 -
Ok have placed early bet on Benoot for RVV at 25/1. Thought I'd do that now before his early season form sends the price tumbling0
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[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19749159#p19749159]disgruntledgoat[/url] wrote:I'm going on a charity ride led by Theuns...
Number one fan
Try and nick his casquette or bidon for me
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Theuns is a good shout. I'd actually like to see Kung do well too.
Yessssss. Big fan of the Kungster0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19749658#p19749658]Richmond Racer 2[/url] wrote:Theuns is a good shout. I'd actually like to see Kung do well too.
Yessssss. Big fan of the Kungster
Lampaert, Rowe and Senechal all did well for youngsters in P-R last year too.0 -
Kung seems to be built for Roubaix. one for the future.0
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[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19749159#p19749159]disgruntledgoat[/url] wrote:I'm going on a charity ride led by Theuns...
Number one fan
Try and nick his casquette or bidon for me
I got a signed hat from Gijs Van Hoecke at the 6 Day last weekend. Maybe I'll try and add Ward's scrawl to it..."In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"
@gietvangent0 -
Gent-Wevelgem will climb the steeper 23% side of the Kemmelberg next year, for the first time in 40 years. Not sure it'll change much0
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Gent-Wevelgem will climb the steeper 23% side of the Kemmelberg next year, for the first time in 40 years. Not sure it'll change much
Same route down?0 -
Gent-Wevelgem will climb the steeper 23% side of the Kemmelberg next year, for the first time in 40 years. Not sure it'll change much
I think it was 20 years. They used it in the 90s, if I recall correctly.
Rick: I think there's only one non cobbled route down and since Jeremy Roy (i think) face planted it they've been reluctant to use it."In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"
@gietvangent0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19751106#p19751106]disgruntledgoat[/url] wrote:Gent-Wevelgem will climb the steeper 23% side of the Kemmelberg next year, for the first time in 40 years. Not sure it'll change much
I think it was 20 years. They used it in the 90s, if I recall correctly.
Rick: I think there's only one non cobbled route down and since Jeremy Roy (i think) face planted it they've been reluctant to use it.
I think it was Jimmy Casper, not Roy.0 -
Really? You expect to talk about cycling in November? Surely there's a whole two months or so of doping chat and Lance chat and other assorted bollocks gossip to be fought over first.Team My Man 2018: David gaudu, Pierre Latour, Romain Bardet, Thibaut pinot, Alexandre Geniez, Florian Senechal, Warren Barguil, Benoit Cosnefroy0
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Really? You expect to talk about cycling in November? Surely there's a whole two months or so of doping chat and Lance chat and other assorted **** gossip to be fought over first.
Thanks for reminding me that there are still nearly 2 months to go before San Luis and TDU. It's pergatory.0 -
Really? You expect to talk about cycling in November? Surely there's a whole two months or so of doping chat and Lance chat and other assorted **** gossip to be fought over first.
Most classics contenders have started their training in earnest already.0
