2016 (flat) Classics thread
rick_chasey
Posts: 65,330 Lives Here
Let's kick this off.
--
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
--
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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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.
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Beers of Belgium Cycling Club UK
I would also point out that, even at this early stage, they're my men. Though I won't be telling them that.
@gietvangent
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.
Crudder
CX
Toy
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...
- @ddraver
And maybeman Sep... Lotto-Jumbo gotta sort his tyres out at some point right?
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.
@gietvangent
Oh I dunno, EQS managed to get 2nd, 3rd and 4th at Omloop
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.
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)
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Try and nick his casquette or bidon for me
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Beers of Belgium Cycling Club UK
Yessssss. Big fan of the Kungster
Lampaert, Rowe and Senechal all did well for youngsters in P-R last year too.
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...
@gietvangent
Same route down?
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.
@gietvangent
I think it was Jimmy Casper, not Roy.
Thanks for reminding me that there are still nearly 2 months to go before San Luis and TDU. It's pergatory.
Most classics contenders have started their training in earnest already.