Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2017 *Spoilers*

rick_chasey

Such a Brit, hahaha.

DeVlaeminck

Salsiccia1 wrote:

Like everything, there's no straightforward answer. It seems really artificial to tell riders they must stick to the cobbles when there's a nice strip of tarmac next to it, so some sort of physical barrier would seem the best way put a stop to it. But how would the riders feel about not having a run-off? And how feasible is it to have organisers for smaller races like this putting barriers up in loads of places?

I think it'd be simple enough just to DQ riders. For me the question is whether we want to further sanitise racing rather than the practicalities of enforcing the rule. I get the instinct that riders should be free to do whatever within reason to cross the line first, we don't want races decided in the commissaires room afterwards.

Even so where riders are jumping up on pavements and occasionally colliding with fans I think there is a case for getting tough. It just seems odd that we can require helmets are worn, hold back disc brakes because of concerns about risk, stop racing when the weather is bad but jumping up onto a pavement is seen as integral to the sport.

I don't believe these smooth paths were there back in the day anyway were they?

Richmond Racer 2

Salsiccia1 wrote:

Like everything, there's no straightforward answer. It seems really artificial to tell riders they must stick to the cobbles when there's a nice strip of tarmac next to it, so some sort of physical barrier would seem the best way put a stop to it. But how would the riders feel about not having a run-off? And how feasible is it to have organisers for smaller races like this putting barriers up in loads of places?

Nightmare, unfeasible and very expensive, and not least would completely change the vibe of the races - and cause a lot of issues for even the cycling-crazy Belgians. Many kms of barriers on uneven surfaces. Many of the bergs run past houses and driveways....

It's not really an issue, is it. Its not like every berg has an Eikenberg-style whack of tarmac alongside it...

bigmat

I think the issue was sticking a motorbike in the way after the break had gone past. That was just stupid.

pedro118118

Whilst I agree that maintaining consistent conditions for all riders is the overall aim, the reality is that solo/breakaways have the benefit of a clear road/path to pick an ideal line, but the disbenefit of more wind/less shelter. All part of the dynamics of a race for me. So long as proper safefy protocols (of both riders and spectators) is properly enforced.

rick_chasey

What was more impressive was the 4 inch curb was smoother than either the pavement or the cobbles, and that was exactly where Sagan was riding - no-one else was.

gweeds

Rick Chasey wrote:

What was more impressive was the 4 inch curb was smoother than either the pavement or the cobbles, and that was exactly where Sagan was riding - no-one else was.

Made it look so easy. I'd have tried that and fallen off in quick time

pedro118118

I think if you're in the breakaway when it comes to the sharp end of the race, then you've earned the right to benefit from having more road (or path or pavement!) to play with. Sagan's bike handling in the finale was - as usual - impressive.

m.r.m.

Isn't finding the best surface to ride part of race craft?

Dorset_Boy

The issues are:
1. The commissaires made a big thing pre-race about riding on the cobbles and possible expulsion from the race
2. The lead group were allowed to ride the smooth surface, their pursuers were prevented from doing so.
3. The commissaires have deemed the first three across the line are too big to face expulsion

Why make a big deal before the race, particularly about that 2 kms section and then when the rules are flouted not do anything, especially when the pursuers are forced to ride the slower cobbles?

As ever UCI commissaires are seen to make up the rules as they go along and apply them inconsistently - they're a laughing stock.

milton50

Rick Chasey wrote:

Has always been part of riding Flanders - searching for the smoothest road.

I don't get the fuss.

Maybe. I agree with what others have said though. Either DQ them consistently or state that it's fine for them to continue.

My main annoyance is the grass verges in Paris Roubaix. Every year the commentators hype up how difficult the next 5 star sector is going to be and you look forward to seeing the hard men of of the cobbles putting the hammer down, and then watch as they spend most of it not actually touching the cobbles.

I'm obviously not saying that riding in the dirt is easy, but if you're going to have a race whose charm and legend is built on the riding of cobbles, force them to ride on them.

rick_chasey

M.R.M. wrote:

Isn't finding the best surface to ride part of race craft?

Yes.

yorkshireraw

Milton50 wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Has always been part of riding Flanders - searching for the smoothest road.

I don't get the fuss.

Maybe. I agree with what others have said though. Either DQ them consistently or state that it's fine for them to continue.

My main annoyance is the grass verges in Paris Roubaix. Every year the commentators hype up how difficult the next 5 star sector is going to be and you look forward to seeing the hard men of of the cobbles putting the hammer down, and then watch as they spend most of it not actually touching the cobbles.

I'm obviously not saying that riding in the dirt is easy, but if you're going to have a race whose charm and legend is built on the riding of cobbles, force them to ride on them.

In the Arenberg now they plough up the grass, and barrier off the other side anyway. On the Carrefourde l'arbe the crowd are so close it's a risk to ride in the gutter / edge - as Stybar found out the other year.

rick_chasey

Milton50 wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Has always been part of riding Flanders - searching for the smoothest road.

I don't get the fuss.

Maybe. I agree with what others have said though. Either DQ them consistently or state that it's fine for them to continue.

My main annoyance is the grass verges in Paris Roubaix. Every year the commentators hype up how difficult the next 5 star sector is going to be and you look forward to seeing the hard men of of the cobbles putting the hammer down, and then watch as they spend most of it not actually touching the cobbles.

I'm obviously not saying that riding in the dirt is easy, but if you're going to have a race whose charm and legend is built on the riding of cobbles, force them to ride on them.

Do you feel PR is not selective enough?

cruff

Milton50 wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Has always been part of riding Flanders - searching for the smoothest road.

I don't get the fuss.

Maybe. I agree with what others have said though. Either DQ them consistently or state that it's fine for them to continue.

My main annoyance is the grass verges in Paris Roubaix. Every year the commentators hype up how difficult the next 5 star sector is going to be and you look forward to seeing the hard men of of the cobbles putting the hammer down, and then watch as they spend most of it not actually touching the cobbles.

I'm obviously not saying that riding in the dirt is easy, but if you're going to have a race whose charm and legend is built on the riding of cobbles, force them to ride on them.

Having ridden them, I'm mystified as to why they don't stay on the cobbles - the verges are an absolute bloody minefield. Suppose it's better than being anywhere other than on the crown on some secteurs, but I had much more grief on the verges

yorkshireraw

Cruff wrote:

Milton50 wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Has always been part of riding Flanders - searching for the smoothest road.

I don't get the fuss.

Maybe. I agree with what others have said though. Either DQ them consistently or state that it's fine for them to continue.

My main annoyance is the grass verges in Paris Roubaix. Every year the commentators hype up how difficult the next 5 star sector is going to be and you look forward to seeing the hard men of of the cobbles putting the hammer down, and then watch as they spend most of it not actually touching the cobbles.

I'm obviously not saying that riding in the dirt is easy, but if you're going to have a race whose charm and legend is built on the riding of cobbles, force them to ride on them.

Having ridden them, I'm mystified as to why they don't stay on the cobbles - the verges are an absolute bloody minefield. Suppose it's better than being anywhere other than on the crown on some secteurs, but I had much more grief on the verges

Agree - rode them last November - crown was generally the best part to ride - however I wasn't doing it in a pack of guys going 45kph, it's also tricky if you do want to overtake to come down off the crown in parts.

bigmat

Depends on the sector. I rode them all on the cobbles as that was what I was there for, crown generally OK but they can be pretty bad away from the best line (when overtaking). Some of the gutters would be way faster. Some of them (like Carrefour de l'Arbre) are pretty risky though. It takes skill and nerve either way.

yorkshireraw

BigMat wrote:

Depends on the sector. I rode them all on the cobbles as that was what I was there for, crown generally OK but they can be pretty bad away from the best line (when overtaking). Some of the gutters would be way faster. Some of them (like Carrefour de l'Arbre) are pretty risky though. It takes skill and nerve either way.

Agreed and ditto. First secteur we rode was the Arenberg - so in at the deep end. 100 yds in a few of the group were diving onto the concrete footpath - which seemed to defeat the point of the trip really....