Ronde van Vlaanderen 2016 *SPOILERS*

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Comments

  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    I'm glad I have 45 kms of the women's Ronde recorded, but why oh why did Sporza have to swap channels and leave me with Kirby's totally uninformative ramblings? He just not up to the average race, never mind the complexities of the average classic. Riders recognised: Sagan and Boom.

    Anyhow, a good edition. Best man won, second best man second but Sep Vanmarke, me no likee, for some reason.
    Kristoff is going to be a handful, next week, Etix confirm they are all good, just not good enough and no surprise that the Welsh lads turned out to be Sky's top dogs. Class always finds it's way to the top.

    Hope the forum hangovers aren't too bard.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • Shadowrider
    Shadowrider Posts: 483
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    I'm glad I have 45 kms of the women's Ronde recorded, but why oh why did Sporza have to swap channels and leave me with Kirby's totally uninformative ramblings? He just not up to the average race, never mind the complexities of the average classic. Riders recognised: Sagan and Boom.

    Anyhow, a good edition. Best man won, second best man second but Sep Vanmarke, me no likee, for some reason.
    Kristoff is going to be a handful, next week, Etix confirm they are all good, just not good enough and no surprise that the Welsh lads turned out to be Sky's top dogs. Class always finds it's way to the top.

    Hope the forum hangovers aren't too bard.

    Don't forget Dylan Van Baarle, he wouldnt' shut up about him and his tour of britain stage win.
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,463
    Think we can claim anyone called Dylan as another Welshman too.

    I think Carlton almost acknowledged how bad he is himself when churning out his Greipel anecdote!
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Because that makes it better.
    _
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,463
    Not at all, I meant that as how bad do you have to be when even the top riders know you as the commentator who screams a lot and you even know you do it? I'm believe the commentators work on a freelance basis so I just cannot understand why Eurosport keep using him when there are an increasing number of knowledgable English language commentators available.
  • TheBigBean
    TheBigBean Posts: 21,907
    Stylish way for Sagan to notch up his first monument. Now I'm hoping Vanmarke does the job next week, but Cancellara looks like he is still stronger.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,695
    Pross wrote:
    Not at all, I meant that as how bad do you have to be when even the top riders know you as the commentator who screams a lot and you even know you do it? I'm believe the commentators work on a freelance basis so I just cannot understand why Eurosport keep using him when there are an increasing number of knowledgable English language commentators available.

    I think there are a lot of people that like him...

    When Stybar won that T-A/P-R stage Lefevre tweeted the clip from English Eurosport saying that "the commentator" was the best in the world. That commentator was indeed Mr Kirby.

    (some of his better moments have come from EQS wins though, ILJOOOO's win in Turkey springs to mind where for that minute he was exactly the right person)
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • hanshotfirst
    hanshotfirst Posts: 400
    Couldn't log on yesterday from home for some reason but really enjoyed the race. Great results for Lizzie and my man Sagan (finally) what a boy! Had a good laugh following the punditry in here too.

    Cracked my second Duvel just before the final two climbs and my legs felt like those fizzy laces you used to get from the ice cream van as a kid. That stuff is great.
  • tailwindhome
    tailwindhome Posts: 19,434
    Cosmo

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rem9MV69cU

    3.16
    Cancellara declines handsling to Kwiatkowski and Sagan
    “New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    He does regret not following.

    Can't blame him.

    Got to think Sep's bang on for a Roubaix podium. Suits him much more.
    _
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    On re-watching the last 35km, Sagan is a class above.

    That initial move with kiwa; Sagan does all the work basically and the gap keeps rising. Kiwa can barley do anything but follow and then they hit take Kwaremont, Sagan's previous bete noire, and Sep,the second best guy on the cobbles behind Cancellara, can just about muster enough to hang on while Kiwa grabs the ripcord.

    Very impressive. Was like Boonen in 2005 but on a tougher course.
    _
  • DL1987
    DL1987 Posts: 204
    edited April 2016
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    On re-watching the last 35km, Sagan is a class above.

    That initial move with kiwa; Sagan does all the work basically and the gap keeps rising. Kiwa can barley do anything but follow and then they hit take Kwaremont, Sagan's previous bete noire, and Sep,the second best guy on the cobbles behind Cancellara, can just about muster enough to hang on while Kiwa grabs the ripcord.

    Very impressive. Was like Boonen in 2005 but on a tougher course.

    If memory serves, It was almost identical to the attack Cancellara beat Sagan with in 2013.

    Also re: Kirby, he kept mentioning how Sagan was the favourite for the Olympic RR, this being the same route that Sagan reconned a few months ago and said it definitely wasn't for him.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,695
    "Cancellara has LITERALLY KILLED Peter Sagan" ?

    Ahh, memories....
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • TheBigBean
    TheBigBean Posts: 21,907
    So, why didn't Cancellara go with the Sagan / Kwia / Vanmarke move? Surely he must have known that was one he couldn't ignore.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    TheBigBean wrote:
    So, why didn't Cancellara go with the Sagan / Kwia / Vanmarke move? Surely he must have known that was one he couldn't ignore.

    He says he hesitated and then it was too late.
    _
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Sep,the second best guy on the cobbles
    But the absolute worst on the champagne
    https://twitter.com/SadhbhOS/status/716922719347085312
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • andyrac
    andyrac Posts: 1,197
    ddraver wrote:
    "Cancellara has LITERALLY KILLED Peter Sagan" ?

    Ahh, memories....

    Yeah. watched that again last night. "There's only one way to get rid of Peter Sagan, and that's literally to kill him - get there, stick the knife in.."
    All Road/ Gravel: tbcWinter: tbcMTB: tbcRoad: tbc"Look at the time...." "he's fallen like an old lady on a cruise ship..."
  • graeme_s-2
    graeme_s-2 Posts: 3,382
    RichN95 wrote:
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Sep,the second best guy on the cobbles
    But the absolute worst on the champagne
    https://twitter.com/SadhbhOS/status/716922719347085312
    :lol: :shock: yet another reason not to wear a baseball cap on the podium. If he'd been wearing a cycling cap he might have missed the peak ;)
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,695
    It is fantastic :lol:
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • adr82
    adr82 Posts: 4,002
    RichN95 wrote:
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Sep,the second best guy on the cobbles
    But the absolute worst on the champagne
    https://twitter.com/SadhbhOS/status/716922719347085312
    That's one of those things that just keeps getting funnier every time you watch it :lol:
  • TheBigBean
    TheBigBean Posts: 21,907
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    TheBigBean wrote:
    So, why didn't Cancellara go with the Sagan / Kwia / Vanmarke move? Surely he must have known that was one he couldn't ignore.

    He says he hesitated and then it was too late.

    Ah, getting old, time to retire.
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    I'm just watching it now...

    Fan ride was amazing. One of the best days I've ever had and I'll never forget the Kwaremont.

    Hospitality tent was insanely good fun, even if I did lose it a little bit when Dimi got his top ten.

    DIMI GOT HIS TOP 10!!!

    I ended up at a party with the organisers and the guys who do road closures, signage and all that. Surreal.
    "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'"

    @gietvangent
  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,104
    Pross wrote:
    Not at all, I meant that as how bad do you have to be when even the top riders know you as the commentator who screams a lot and you even know you do it? I'm believe the commentators work on a freelance basis so I just cannot understand why Eurosport keep using him when there are an increasing number of knowledgable English language commentators available.

    I sort of agree but I still think there is a lack of a really top class cycling commentator since Harmon "retired". Someone that could become the voice of the sport for the next 10 years or so. There are a few I'd rather ahead of Kirby though - Quigley probably the pick of commentators for me - pundits I'm happy with Kelly, Smyth or Lloyd.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Seriously thinking about throwing my hat in the ring.
    _
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,695
    disgruntledgoat wrote:
    I'm just watching it now...

    Fan ride was amazing. One of the best days I've ever had and I'll never forget the Kwaremont.

    Hospitality tent was insanely good fun, even if I did lose it a little bit when Dimi got his top ten.

    DIMI GOT HIS TOP 10!!!

    I ended up at a party with the organisers and the guys who do road closures, signage and all that. Surreal.

    I'm happy for you whilst also being insanely jealous! ;)

    Dimi on the attack and Gijs in the break, it was like a Robocyclo event!
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • salsiccia1
    salsiccia1 Posts: 3,725
    RichN95 wrote:
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Sep,the second best guy on the cobbles
    But the absolute worst on the champagne
    https://twitter.com/SadhbhOS/status/716922719347085312

    :lol:
    It's only a bit of sport, Mun. Relax and enjoy the racing.
  • pinno
    pinno Posts: 52,312
    Where have all the Sagan detractors gone?

    "...he's not committed enough..."
    "...he doesn't show enough drive and motivation..."
    "...he should stop doing wheelies and act a bit more professional..." etcetera
    seanoconn - gruagach craic!
  • takethehighroad
    takethehighroad Posts: 6,821
    DeVlaeminck wrote:
    Pross wrote:
    Not at all, I meant that as how bad do you have to be when even the top riders know you as the commentator who screams a lot and you even know you do it? I'm believe the commentators work on a freelance basis so I just cannot understand why Eurosport keep using him when there are an increasing number of knowledgable English language commentators available.

    I sort of agree but I still think there is a lack of a really top class cycling commentator since Harmon "retired". Someone that could become the voice of the sport for the next 10 years or so. There are a few I'd rather ahead of Kirby though - Quigley probably the pick of commentators for me - pundits I'm happy with Kelly, Smyth or Lloyd.

    If Rob Hatch isn't on Paris Roubaix next week I will be fuming. That is one race where you need some analysis, and rider identification is absolutely key
  • onyourright
    onyourright Posts: 509
    Andrew Hood on Peter the Great.
  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,104
    TakeTheHighRoad wrote:
    If Rob Hatch isn't on Paris Roubaix next week I will be fuming. That is one race where you need some analysis, and rider identification is absolutely key

    Forgot about him - yes another good one.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]

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