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

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  • ShutupJens
    ShutupJens Posts: 1,373
    joey54321 wrote:
    I love that the WVA Vs MVdP rivalry has moved from cross to road. It's the new Boonen Vs Cancellara!

    Allegedly so, but I think on the road van der Poel has quite a significant edge. Van Aert has a look of Sep Vanmarcke about him.. very unlikely to win a sprint but will be heavily marked
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    If Jungels was just that little bit more explosive...

    I mean his flatland speed is just unreal fast. Crazy
    _
  • arnuf
    arnuf Posts: 98
    BigMat wrote:
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    VdP tore it up early. Real deal innee?

    He's going to win a lot. Is there going to be a world tour bidding war for him?

    I don't think World Tour has much to offer him. Also, Canyon already pay him over 1M a year.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Heard a stat today, all of Belgian pro cyclists combined still don’t earn quite as much as Eden Hazard...
    _
  • bobmcstuff
    bobmcstuff Posts: 11,435
    AndyRAC wrote:
    gsk82 wrote:
    BigMat wrote:
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    VdP tore it up early. Real deal innee?

    He's going to win a lot. Is there going to be a world tour bidding war for him?

    Ineos need someone

    He'll only move somewhere that allows him to combine disciplines - so at the moment he's at the right team. CX, MTB, Road...... and seemingly World class in all 3....Ridiculous talent.
    So long as he doesn't do a Pauline Ferrand-Prevot and over stretch himself.

    I would have thought trying to combine a full on road season with CX and MTB would be too much.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    edited April 2019
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Heard a stat today, all of Belgian pro cyclists combined still don’t earn quite as much as Eden Hazard...
    I would hazard (ha!) a guess that the budgets of all World Tour teams combined is less than Chelsea's turnover (£443m in 2018)
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    arnuf wrote:
    BigMat wrote:
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    VdP tore it up early. Real deal innee?

    He's going to win a lot. Is there going to be a world tour bidding war for him?

    I don't think World Tour has much to offer him. Also, Canyon already pay him over 1M a year.
    But when does he get bored of cross? And also when do the public and Canyon get bored of VdP?
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • cruff
    cruff Posts: 1,518
    Luke Rowe has been mightily impressive this year. Sneaky feeling about either the Ronde or PR...
    Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
    Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
  • m.r.m.
    m.r.m. Posts: 3,473
    Don't just tease it! :P
    PTP Champion 2019, 2022 & 2023
  • Wayne Plunger
    Wayne Plunger Posts: 444
    Turgis / Senechal, how come they all get better when they leave Cofidis?
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    The Welsh bloke on the Bespoke podcast told an amusing story about being in Flanders for De Ronde

    My retelling of the story:
    A Welshman walks into a bar
    Barman: Alright, how are you
    Welsh: Good, I'm here for the Tour of Flanders, you up for it.
    Barman: No I hate cycling and everything about it. So where are you from? England?
    Welsh: No Wales
    Barman: I reckon Geraint Thomas has got a chance
    Welsh: I thought you hated cycling
    Barman: Just because I hate it, it doesn't mean I don't know about it.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • gsk82
    gsk82 Posts: 3,598
    Cruff wrote:
    Luke Rowe has been mightily impressive this year. Sneaky feeling about either the Ronde or PR...

    He's looked strong mostly. But hasn't been in a decisive move out ever looked liked winning. Take it his support work in Paris Nice, what had he done in the classics apart from be in an unsuccessful move in Gent Wevelgem?
    "Unfortunately these days a lot of people don’t understand the real quality of a bike" Ernesto Colnago
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    gsk82 wrote:
    Cruff wrote:
    Luke Rowe has been mightily impressive this year. Sneaky feeling about either the Ronde or PR...

    He's looked strong mostly. But hasn't been in a decisive move out ever looked liked winning. Take it his support work in Paris Nice, what had he done in the classics apart from be in an unsuccessful move in Gent Wevelgem?

    Well, considering his terrible injury that effected last year, as well as being singled out for ridiculous Dqf in Flanders and having his '17 classics campaign ended by Vanmarcke taking him down and out, again in Flanders:

    5th
    Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour des Flandres ('16)
    5th
    Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne ('17)
    6th
    Omloop Het Nieuwsblad ('17)
    6th
    Dwars door Vlaanderen - A travers la Flandre ('19)
    6th
    Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Elite ('16)
    8th
    Paris - Roubaix ('15)
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • philbar72
    philbar72 Posts: 2,229
    Have to say, MVDP is definitely the real deal. wonder what the odds are on him podiuming in flanders and Roubaix?

    having said that the race he won was a fair bit shorter than a Monument.
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    gsk82 wrote:
    Cruff wrote:
    Luke Rowe has been mightily impressive this year. Sneaky feeling about either the Ronde or PR...

    He's looked strong mostly. But hasn't been in a decisive move out ever looked liked winning. Take it his support work in Paris Nice, what had he done in the classics apart from be in an unsuccessful move in Gent Wevelgem?

    I'd love to see him do something at the weekend, but I haven't seen aything yet this eason that makes me think he has the punch to stick with the attacks on the bergs at the business end of proceedings. That said, if he can keep within toucing distance, that long run in to Oudenaarde suits him pretty well...

    Overall, he seems better suited to Roubaix, as is Stannard, so maybe Sky / Ineos can do something there (Moscon seems to be finding some form as well which would help).
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • hanshotfirst
    hanshotfirst Posts: 400
    Does anyone have any essential Pre-Flanders video recommendations? Watching with the girlfriend on Sunday so something to show a newbie to be like "this is going to be awesome, here, watch this while I nip down to ASDA to buy 12 Duvels."
  • joey54321
    joey54321 Posts: 1,297
    Rowe seems to be going well for sure, but I am not sure he has a 'winning move'. He won't win in a sprint from a small group so really has to get away solo. Perhaps while other favourites are marking each other out he could slip away?
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,253
    joey54321 wrote:
    Rowe seems to be going well for sure, but I am not sure he has a 'winning move'. He won't win in a sprint from a small group so really has to get away solo. Perhaps while other favourites are marking each other out he could slip away?
    He's a pretty decent sprinter when he needs to be. Not a match for proper sprinters obviously, but he'd have a good shot against the likes of GVA, Vanmarcke, Stuyven etc.
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • cruff
    cruff Posts: 1,518
    BigMat wrote:
    gsk82 wrote:
    Cruff wrote:
    Luke Rowe has been mightily impressive this year. Sneaky feeling about either the Ronde or PR...

    He's looked strong mostly. But hasn't been in a decisive move out ever looked liked winning. Take it his support work in Paris Nice, what had he done in the classics apart from be in an unsuccessful move in Gent Wevelgem?

    I'd love to see him do something at the weekend, but I haven't seen aything yet this eason that makes me think he has the punch to stick with the attacks on the bergs at the business end of proceedings. That said, if he can keep within toucing distance, that long run in to Oudenaarde suits him pretty well...

    Overall, he seems better suited to Roubaix, as is Stannard, so maybe Sky / Ineos can do something there (Moscon seems to be finding some form as well which would help).
    Yeah, I think PR is a better shot for him. Unless a select group gets away on the run in at ToF and doesn't include anyone with a sprint, like GVA or Sagan, he hasn't got enough of a sprint to win. Ideal situation for him would be a group like Jungels, Benoot, Vanmarcke and a pro conti rider or two. He seems to ride the cobbles well, but has sh1tty luck, and with PR being a bit of a lottery its not out of the realms of possibility that he gets away with a select group and punctures on the run-in :D:D:D
    Fat chopper. Some racing. Some testing. Some crashing.
    Specialising in Git Daaahns and Cafs. Norvern Munkey/Transplanted Laaandoner.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Naesen out with bronchitus.
    _
  • gsk82
    gsk82 Posts: 3,598
    This year he looks like he's got the legs to go with some moves, but he's either choosing not to or isn't in the right position to. Unfortunately this looking like he had the legs to go with the moves is after they've already gone.
    "Unfortunately these days a lot of people don’t understand the real quality of a bike" Ernesto Colnago
  • Alejandrosdog
    Alejandrosdog Posts: 1,975
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    gsk82 wrote:
    Cruff wrote:
    Luke Rowe has been mightily impressive this year. Sneaky feeling about either the Ronde or PR...

    He's looked strong mostly. But hasn't been in a decisive move out ever looked liked winning. Take it his support work in Paris Nice, what had he done in the classics apart from be in an unsuccessful move in Gent Wevelgem?

    Well, considering his terrible injury that effected last year, as well as being singled out for ridiculous Dqf in Flanders and having his '17 classics campaign ended by Vanmarcke taking him down and out, again in Flanders:

    5th
    Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour des Flandres ('16)
    5th
    Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne ('17)
    6th
    Omloop Het Nieuwsblad ('17)
    6th
    Dwars door Vlaanderen - A travers la Flandre ('19)
    6th
    Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Elite ('16)
    8th
    Paris - Roubaix ('15)

    He's seriously strong, in pn it looked like he was playing in the wind for fun as he destroyed the peloton, I really hope he has enough of a punch to make it to a win.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Rowe would do well to get top 5. I suspect he's got less than evens to be top 5.
    _
  • philbar72
    philbar72 Posts: 2,229
    hanshotfirst wrote:
    Does anyone have any essential Pre-Flanders video recommendations? Watching with the girlfriend on Sunday so something to show a newbie to be like "this is going to be awesome, here, watch this while I nip down to ASDA to buy 12 Duvels."
    get yourself onto the classic cycling youtube channel (the one with only 1200 followers). its got a load of the classic one day races as well as some giro and tour summary videos (often split into 2 parts) its got classic Ligget/ Sherwen commentary (and gaffes) aplenty.

    there are some great tour of flanders races including an old favourite, the 94 tour of flanders won by Bugno...
  • philbar72
    philbar72 Posts: 2,229
    Alejandrosdog wrote:
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    gsk82 wrote:
    Cruff wrote:
    Luke Rowe has been mightily impressive this year. Sneaky feeling about either the Ronde or PR...

    He's looked strong mostly. But hasn't been in a decisive move out ever looked liked winning. Take it his support work in Paris Nice, what had he done in the classics apart from be in an unsuccessful move in Gent Wevelgem?

    Well, considering his terrible injury that effected last year, as well as being singled out for ridiculous Dqf in Flanders and having his '17 classics campaign ended by Vanmarcke taking him down and out, again in Flanders:

    5th
    Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour des Flandres ('16)
    5th
    Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne ('17)
    6th
    Omloop Het Nieuwsblad ('17)
    6th
    Dwars door Vlaanderen - A travers la Flandre ('19)
    6th
    Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Elite ('16)
    8th
    Paris - Roubaix ('15)

    He's seriously strong, in pn it looked like he was playing in the wind for fun as he destroyed the peloton, I really hope he has enough of a punch to make it to a win.

    that's the thing. he's got a monster engine but has to be allowed to get away. which, of course he won't.
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,725
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Naesen out with bronchitus.

    Has this been confirmed anywhere, Rick?
    All I've seen is that he's in doubt.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • m.r.m.
    m.r.m. Posts: 3,473
    hanshotfirst wrote:
    Does anyone have any essential Pre-Flanders video recommendations? Watching with the girlfriend on Sunday so something to show a newbie to be like "this is going to be awesome, here, watch this while I nip down to ASDA to buy 12 Duvels."
    Have her check out Mitchelton Scott's backstage pass for the year Matthew Heyman won Paris Roubaix on YouTube. Is P-R and not Flanders, but she will definitely enjoy it. Isn't that long either which helps at the beginning. Roubaix is coming up then and she will be primed for it. :)
    PTP Champion 2019, 2022 & 2023
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Not confirmed out but confirmed 'uncertain to start' which at this point means the same thing re touching top 5.
    _
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    hanshotfirst wrote:
    Does anyone have any essential Pre-Flanders video recommendations? Watching with the girlfriend on Sunday so something to show a newbie to be like "this is going to be awesome, here, watch this while I nip down to ASDA to buy 12 Duvels."

    https://www.vrt.be/vrtnu/a-z/de-ronde-1 ... ronde-102/

    This sh!ts on anything else in the recent past re flanders.

    About a third of it is in English and the rest is fairly self explanatory. Gives a great view of how stressful the race is and how hard these guys really are racing.
    _
  • bobmcstuff
    bobmcstuff Posts: 11,435
    Blazing Saddles wrote:
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Naesen out with bronchitus.

    Has this been confirmed anywhere, Rick?
    All I've seen is that he's in doubt.
    That's tough luck as he was looking super strong.

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