1 Lump or 2? Flanders Fortnight and the Road to Roubaix *Spoilers*

gweeds

QS put the hanmer down to get Viviani back on

slim_boy_fat

Rick Chasey wrote:

I change a nappy and when I come back it’s down 20s.

Peloton got organised?

DQS got organised.

rick_chasey

Impressive turn from Gilbert

slim_boy_fat

Go on Luke!

blazing_saddles

The extra 50ks doing what it always does and much improved G-W is, for them.

This headwind could put a dampener on things.

Chapeau Luke Rowe. Going solo now.

rick_chasey

Jumbo throwing everyone in the gutter

slim_boy_fat

Jumbo looking the strongest.

gsk82

Slim Boy Fat wrote:

Jumbo looking the strongest.

Who's going to win for them though?

blazing_saddles

Van Aert looks to strong closing these gaps.
He would have been a better bet than DvP.
A bit of a waste.

slim_boy_fat

gsk82 wrote:

Slim Boy Fat wrote:

Jumbo looking the strongest.

Who's going to win for them though?

van Aert got a decent kick, not a chance against the likes of Viviani but it's been a long hard race.

slim_boy_fat

No one could get round Kristoff. Good win.

blazing_saddles

Vivinai needs to stick to Shoot small races.
Kristoff, Degenkolb, Naesen

rick_chasey

He’s been in the attack for 15km earlier on.

Woof

Pross

Good race again. Going all in for Viviani isn't DQS best option in the Classics, Stybar gave everything for him but he didn't even get close.

My prediction - DQS are going to get worked over and not win either RvV or PR.

Nice to see my man Luke Rowe riding well, hopefully he'll have a bit of support in the big ones.

rozzer32

Now I know he’d been out front for a long time and maybe he’d used all his energy and was done. But it really seems Sagan just can’t be bothered going for it if he knows he’s not going to win. Just sat up there and didn’t even try. Not the first time I’ve noticed him doing it. Just an observation, watch him smash the ronde now I’ve said that.

m.r.m.

Probably just didn't have the legs. Probably already on the rivet for too long.

MvdP getting 4th is seriously impressive! Really good dark horse pick for Flanders. He just seems to always be there for the win. The anti-Sagan. Just knows how to win.

ShutupJens

rozzer32 wrote:

Now I know he’d been out front for a long time and maybe he’d used all his energy and was done. But it really seems Sagan just can’t be bothered going for it if he knows he’s not going to win. Just sat up there and didn’t even try. Not the first time I’ve noticed him doing it. Just an observation, watch him smash the ronde now I’ve said that.

Think that's harsh on Sagan, he was doing turns from 90k out and he's not been all there form wise.. we know that the next two weeks hold bigger goals for him as well as the Ardennes

rick_chasey

Last year's Flanders #2, who was bloody strong today is currently 50-1 if anyone is feeling lucky.

specialgueststar

Good riding by Direct Energie. Petit got a good sixth and Turgis working in that first group for Terpstra

Thinking of the 20 year old Mathieu Burgaudeau got a stagiare with DE for 2017 they didn't sign him for 2018? but he got third in the u 23 Gent Wevelgem then they signed him for 2019 and hes suddenly a support for a favourite in the big race. Things can change quickly !

Pross

rozzer32 wrote:

Now I know he’d been out front for a long time and maybe he’d used all his energy and was done. But it really seems Sagan just can’t be bothered going for it if he knows he’s not going to win. Just sat up there and didn’t even try. Not the first time I’ve noticed him doing it. Just an observation, watch him smash the ronde now I’ve said that.

He looked to struggle a bit on the Kemmelberg. He rode hard on the front for a long time and probably had nothing left. With palmares like his there would be little point sprinting for 10th place when the bigger races are coming. Far better keeping his powder dry and hoping he won't have a target on his back for a change.

rick_chasey

He’s been quite ill and is not on top form

ShutupJens

Think Kristoff has a touch of the Stannard about him - looks like absolute sh1te when he's actually motoring. Big stint chasse patate followed by a 300m sprint puts him in the running for Flanders?

dish_dash

Whoop Whoop!

My Man takes the win...

And another of my men fell into a ditch... :?

rozzer32

Pross wrote:

rozzer32 wrote:

Now I know he’d been out front for a long time and maybe he’d used all his energy and was done. But it really seems Sagan just can’t be bothered going for it if he knows he’s not going to win. Just sat up there and didn’t even try. Not the first time I’ve noticed him doing it. Just an observation, watch him smash the ronde now I’ve said that.

He looked to struggle a bit on the Kemmelberg. He rode hard on the front for a long time and probably had nothing left. With palmares like his there would be little point sprinting for 10th place when the bigger races are coming. Far better keeping his powder dry and hoping he won't have a target on his back for a change.

Yes that is the other side of the coin. Maybe it’s just me but some days it does seem he’s not interested. But then with a palmares like his he obviously does something right, so what do I know.

Cannock Chase

Thought it a bit bad that the TV coverage switched to adverts straight after the leaders had gone under the Menin Gate in Ypres.

I thought the director could have waited less than a minute to see the peloton go through.

blazing_saddles

The seven winners from yesterday, including a certain pair of sisters.

ShutupJens

Bit of a suspect salute from your man on the "far right".. Backstedt sisters showing that they've well and truly got it, Leeds own Sam Watson picked up third in the under 23 race as a 2nd year junior (17 or 18 years old). Lads absolutely flying

Pross

ShutupJens wrote:

Bit of a suspect salute from your man on the "far right".. Backstedt sisters showing that they've well and truly got it, Leeds own Sam Watson picked up third in the under 23 race as a 2nd year junior (17 or 18 years old). Lads absolutely flying

Good genes, their mum was a very decent cyclist as well.

blazing_saddles

I see that Sporza has brought Vive le vélo is back tonight for the week and Flanders. 22-15cet.

blazing_saddles

We may get lucky and there could be a few spots of rain around. GVA not riding, Vanmarcke back after his spot of ditch diving.