Belgiums in GT's GC

specialgueststar
specialgueststar Posts: 3,418
edited February 2017 in Pro race
are like Spaniards in the classics


I like the way Belgiums ride GT's like 'sometimes I don't give a flauhaut' - like Baekelandts and I liked Jurgen VD Broeck's solid riding style and T De Gendt strong but vulnerable but apart from a smattering of others - Montfort and Hermans are we going to see/ who are? the up coming contenders

Comments

  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    JvdB got a lot of press attention mind, attention he never wanted at the races. He really struggled being polite to the sporza guys.
    _
  • yorkshireraw
    yorkshireraw Posts: 1,632
    Wellens won Tour of Poland last year, but seems more of a TT / Rouleur type than all rounder with climbing ability. Also looks a man for the Thomas de Gendt style breakaway career, that will sometimes yield a GC place as a result of a solo win by a few minutes.

    You're right about the Spaniards in the classics, which is great when someone like Flecha or Erviti (top 10s in Flanders and Roubaix last year having been in the main break of both races) pops up. Even more so for Erviti when most of his team would rather be anywhere else.
  • yorkshireraw
    yorkshireraw Posts: 1,632
    PS it is kind of good that the Belgians seem to value the one day and stage wins more than GC 7th places.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    There was a time Devolder was considered a GC contender.

    I have the 2008 procycling manager stats to prove it - one of the best riders in the game.

    I'd say we'd be laughing about the idea of TdG as a GC contender in a few years time too.
    _
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,264
    Tim Wellens has a De Gendt vibe about him. Maybe not a Grand Tour rider, but he can contend for one week races.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • yorkshireraw
    yorkshireraw Posts: 1,632
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    There was a time Devolder was considered a GC contender.

    I have the 2008 procycling manager stats to prove it - one of the best riders in the game.

    I'd say we'd be laughing about the idea of TdG as a GC contender in a few years time too.

    Think even TdG dismissed that idea in his interview with the Cycling Podcast Lotto team special.

    His 3rd in the Giro was more as a result of going for the stage win and co-incidentally gaining enough time to end up on the podium.
    That 2012 Giro wasn't a stellar GC field - 3 over the hill / off the gear Italians were 4th-6th.
  • Richmond Racer 2
    Richmond Racer 2 Posts: 4,698
    SpecialGuestStar wrote:
    are like Spaniards in the classics


    I like the way Belgiums ride GT's like 'sometimes I don't give a flauhaut' - like Baekelandts and I liked Jurgen VD Broeck's solid riding style and T De Gendt strong but vulnerable but apart from a smattering of others - Montfort and Hermans are we going to see/ who are? the up coming contenders



    I miss the Carrots at this time of the year. Particularly their exploits in the feedzone.

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