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10 years in, verdict on the new Flanders route?

rick_chaseyrick_chasey Posts: 67,604 Lives Here
in Pro race
It is not an improvement as far as I am concerned.

The OK Paterberg combo multiple times plus the really tough final 50km is just a bit too hard for me.

The race is almost exclusively won by one of the strongest 2 or 3 riders in the race.

It does not have that fine balance the previous course had where you could get a solo finish or 12 together.

That final 12km run in is no longer a sort of purist game theory in cycling run in - the selection is made and whoever is left over needs to get to the finish.

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Posts

  • ddraverddraver Posts: 25,590
    Not sure I can really remember. The lack of a proper Muur is still a blackspot on the cycling calender but I've had a lot of fun watching this route...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • ddraverddraver Posts: 25,590
    edited April 2022
    However, from my rubbish memory...


    2012 Tom Boonen Omega
    2013 Fabian Cancellara
    2014 Fabian Cancellara - One of these was a group of 3, I was at 400 to go...
    2015 Alexander Kristoff - small group (kid 🥰)
    2016 Peter Sagan - Solo
    2017 Philippe Gilbert - Solo
    2018 Niki Terpstra - Solo
    2019 Alberto Bettiol - Solo
    2020 Mathieu van der Poel - Group of 2
    2021 Kasper Asgreen - Group of 2
    2022 Mathieu van der Poel - Group of 2
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • ProssPross Posts: 36,392
    ddraver said:

    However, from my rubbish memory...


    2012 Tom Boonen Omega
    2013 Fabian Cancellara
    2014 Fabian Cancellara - One of these was a group of 3, I was at 400 to go...
    2015 Alexander Kristoff - small group (kid 🥰)
    2016 Peter Sagan - Solo
    2017 Philippe Gilbert - Solo
    2018 Niki Terpstra - Solo
    2019 Alberto Bettiol - Solo
    2020 Mathieu van der Poel - Group of 2
    2021 Kasper Asgreen - Group of 2
    2022 Mathieu van der Poel - Group of 2

    2022, group of 2 where the second rider in the group came 4th!
  • ddraverddraver Posts: 25,590
    Goddam, I meant to write "2 then suddenly 4"...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • andyracandyrac Posts: 977
    I think this new route is undoubtedly harder; is that a good thing? And I don't actually like the 12 km flat run in after the Paterberg.

    Not having the Muur, then Bosberg is a big miss, but $$$$$$ talks, and Oudenarde is the finish for a while.

    All Road/ Gravel: Trek Crockett 5
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    MTB: Canyon Grand Canyon 8.0
    Road: tbc
  • ddraverddraver Posts: 25,590
    I must say the 12km flat run in during the RVV Sportive is one of my favourite cycling experiences. I will never play rugby at Twickenham etc but to be sucked along at 60kph in a massive peloton - hanging on by my fingernails - I can do....
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • blazing_saddlesblazing_saddles Posts: 20,675
    andyrac said:

    I think this new route is undoubtedly harder; is that a good thing? And I don't actually like the 12 km flat run in after the Paterberg.

    Not having the Muur, then Bosberg is a big miss, but $$$$$$ talks, and Oudenarde is the finish for a while.

    There was a 12km run in after the Bosberg too.

    I like bits of both routes, if that's OK. Certainly preferred the Taaienberg earlier in proceedings.
    Just to refresh folks memories.


    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • andypandyp Posts: 9,439
    I prefer the new route. The old route always had a lull in the action between the Tenbosse and the Muur, that took the excitement out of the race too often. The new route has a much better last hour of racing and the "will they, won't they" of that 13 km run in to Oudenaarde is usually compelling viewing.
  • DeVlaeminckDeVlaeminck Posts: 8,455
    I like the new route but can't really remember the old. As a race for me it delivers more often than not.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • rick_chaseyrick_chasey Posts: 67,604 Lives Here
    andyp said:

    I prefer the new route. The old route always had a lull in the action between the Tenbosse and the Muur, that took the excitement out of the race too often. The new route has a much better last hour of racing and the "will they, won't they" of that 13 km run in to Oudenaarde is usually compelling viewing.

    I know what you mean, but I can't really think of a Ronde in the last 10 years where the strongest 2 or 3 riders didn't contest the win.

    That for me is a little too hard - you'll never get a Nuyens win like we did in 2011, for example.
    _
  • blazing_saddlesblazing_saddles Posts: 20,675
    rick_chasey said:

    andyp said:

    I prefer the new route. The old route always had a lull in the action between the Tenbosse and the Muur, that took the excitement out of the race too often. The new route has a much better last hour of racing and the "will they, won't they" of that 13 km run in to Oudenaarde is usually compelling viewing.

    I know what you mean, but I can't really think of a Ronde in the last 10 years where the strongest 2 or 3 riders didn't contest the win.

    That for me is a little too hard - you'll never get a Nuyens win like we did in 2011, for example.
    Alberto Bettiol?
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • ddraverddraver Posts: 25,590
    Rick has a point that the answer to will they/won't they on this course is always that the chase stays away.

    Until yesterday, I can't remember a catch, and I'm not sure yesterday really counts...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • rick_chaseyrick_chasey Posts: 67,604 Lives Here
    blazing_saddles said:

    rick_chasey said:

    andyp said:

    I prefer the new route. The old route always had a lull in the action between the Tenbosse and the Muur, that took the excitement out of the race too often. The new route has a much better last hour of racing and the "will they, won't they" of that 13 km run in to Oudenaarde is usually compelling viewing.

    I know what you mean, but I can't really think of a Ronde in the last 10 years where the strongest 2 or 3 riders didn't contest the win.

    That for me is a little too hard - you'll never get a Nuyens win like we did in 2011, for example.
    Alberto Bettiol?
    I'd contend no-one could follow his attack and he was strongest on the day.
    _
  • blazing_saddlesblazing_saddles Posts: 20,675
    edited April 2022
    rick_chasey said:

    blazing_saddles said:

    rick_chasey said:

    andyp said:

    I prefer the new route. The old route always had a lull in the action between the Tenbosse and the Muur, that took the excitement out of the race too often. The new route has a much better last hour of racing and the "will they, won't they" of that 13 km run in to Oudenaarde is usually compelling viewing.

    I know what you mean, but I can't really think of a Ronde in the last 10 years where the strongest 2 or 3 riders didn't contest the win.

    That for me is a little too hard - you'll never get a Nuyens win like we did in 2011, for example.
    Alberto Bettiol?
    I'd contend no-one could follow his attack and he was strongest on the day.
    Kristoff then.
    Since MvDP has won 2 of the last 3 editions an argument can be made for Asgreen not being the strongest if that is your rather strange criteria.

    Heck it almost happened yesterday.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • rick_chaseyrick_chasey Posts: 67,604 Lives Here
    I also don't like loops in races generally.
    _
  • blazing_saddlesblazing_saddles Posts: 20,675
    rick_chasey said:

    I also don't like loops in races generally.

    I would agree in general, although there are exceptions. Le Samyn is usually a brilliant race because of it’s loop.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • kingstongrahamkingstongraham Posts: 23,970
    edited April 2022
    rick_chasey said:

    blazing_saddles said:

    rick_chasey said:

    andyp said:

    I prefer the new route. The old route always had a lull in the action between the Tenbosse and the Muur, that took the excitement out of the race too often. The new route has a much better last hour of racing and the "will they, won't they" of that 13 km run in to Oudenaarde is usually compelling viewing.

    I know what you mean, but I can't really think of a Ronde in the last 10 years where the strongest 2 or 3 riders didn't contest the win.

    That for me is a little too hard - you'll never get a Nuyens win like we did in 2011, for example.
    Alberto Bettiol?
    I'd contend no-one could follow his attack and he was strongest on the day.
    If you define "strongest rider" as "won the race", then the strongest rider will always be contending for the race.

    If he was the strongest rider in that field, he'd have won some other races.
  • rick_chaseyrick_chasey Posts: 67,604 Lives Here
    kingstongraham said:

    rick_chasey said:

    blazing_saddles said:

    rick_chasey said:

    andyp said:

    I prefer the new route. The old route always had a lull in the action between the Tenbosse and the Muur, that took the excitement out of the race too often. The new route has a much better last hour of racing and the "will they, won't they" of that 13 km run in to Oudenaarde is usually compelling viewing.

    I know what you mean, but I can't really think of a Ronde in the last 10 years where the strongest 2 or 3 riders didn't contest the win.

    That for me is a little too hard - you'll never get a Nuyens win like we did in 2011, for example.
    Alberto Bettiol?
    I'd contend no-one could follow his attack and he was strongest on the day.
    If you define "strongest rider" as "won the race", then the strongest rider will always be contending for the race.

    If he was the strongest rider in that field, he'd have won some other races.
    Mmm if he'd attacked and no-one chased but had the legs to, then that's a tactical win.

    I'm saying no-one could follow him on the OK
    _
  • kingstongrahamkingstongraham Posts: 23,970
    rick_chasey said:

    kingstongraham said:

    rick_chasey said:

    blazing_saddles said:

    rick_chasey said:

    andyp said:

    I prefer the new route. The old route always had a lull in the action between the Tenbosse and the Muur, that took the excitement out of the race too often. The new route has a much better last hour of racing and the "will they, won't they" of that 13 km run in to Oudenaarde is usually compelling viewing.

    I know what you mean, but I can't really think of a Ronde in the last 10 years where the strongest 2 or 3 riders didn't contest the win.

    That for me is a little too hard - you'll never get a Nuyens win like we did in 2011, for example.
    Alberto Bettiol?
    I'd contend no-one could follow his attack and he was strongest on the day.
    If you define "strongest rider" as "won the race", then the strongest rider will always be contending for the race.

    If he was the strongest rider in that field, he'd have won some other races.
    Mmm if he'd attacked and no-one chased but had the legs to, then that's a tactical win.

    I'm saying no-one could follow him on the OK
    Which means that after 250km of racing that day, he was the strongest of who was in that group. Is that necessarily the same as being the strongest rider in the race?
  • rick_chaseyrick_chasey Posts: 67,604 Lives Here
    kingstongraham said:

    rick_chasey said:

    kingstongraham said:

    rick_chasey said:

    blazing_saddles said:

    rick_chasey said:

    andyp said:

    I prefer the new route. The old route always had a lull in the action between the Tenbosse and the Muur, that took the excitement out of the race too often. The new route has a much better last hour of racing and the "will they, won't they" of that 13 km run in to Oudenaarde is usually compelling viewing.

    I know what you mean, but I can't really think of a Ronde in the last 10 years where the strongest 2 or 3 riders didn't contest the win.

    That for me is a little too hard - you'll never get a Nuyens win like we did in 2011, for example.
    Alberto Bettiol?
    I'd contend no-one could follow his attack and he was strongest on the day.
    If you define "strongest rider" as "won the race", then the strongest rider will always be contending for the race.

    If he was the strongest rider in that field, he'd have won some other races.
    Mmm if he'd attacked and no-one chased but had the legs to, then that's a tactical win.

    I'm saying no-one could follow him on the OK
    Which means that after 250km of racing that day, he was the strongest of who was in that group. Is that necessarily the same as being the strongest rider in the race?
    Yeah I'd say so.

    _
  • kingstongrahamkingstongraham Posts: 23,970
    rick_chasey said:

    kingstongraham said:

    rick_chasey said:

    kingstongraham said:

    rick_chasey said:

    blazing_saddles said:

    rick_chasey said:

    andyp said:

    I prefer the new route. The old route always had a lull in the action between the Tenbosse and the Muur, that took the excitement out of the race too often. The new route has a much better last hour of racing and the "will they, won't they" of that 13 km run in to Oudenaarde is usually compelling viewing.

    I know what you mean, but I can't really think of a Ronde in the last 10 years where the strongest 2 or 3 riders didn't contest the win.

    That for me is a little too hard - you'll never get a Nuyens win like we did in 2011, for example.
    Alberto Bettiol?
    I'd contend no-one could follow his attack and he was strongest on the day.
    If you define "strongest rider" as "won the race", then the strongest rider will always be contending for the race.

    If he was the strongest rider in that field, he'd have won some other races.
    Mmm if he'd attacked and no-one chased but had the legs to, then that's a tactical win.

    I'm saying no-one could follow him on the OK
    Which means that after 250km of racing that day, he was the strongest of who was in that group. Is that necessarily the same as being the strongest rider in the race?
    Yeah I'd say so.

    MvdP was pretty strong that day.
  • rick_chaseyrick_chasey Posts: 67,604 Lives Here
    Tried to follow him but couldn't though.
    _
  • kingstongrahamkingstongraham Posts: 23,970
    rick_chasey said:

    Tried to follow him but couldn't though.

    That's my point. The way the race developed (especially for him) meant that even strong riders had used up their energy by that point, and could not go with someone who had not.

    If you determine the strongest rider by finishing position, then the strongest rider will always be contending for the win.
  • blazing_saddlesblazing_saddles Posts: 20,675
    It’s all irrelevant in any case.
    As I pointed out, Kristoff has won on this course.
    No way would he be considered the strongest, especially over the climbs.
    His forte is being extremely durable.

    Blows the Nuyens theory, whatever that actually is, out of the water.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • ProssPross Posts: 36,392
    ....
  • 50x1150x11 Posts: 408
    So you think it's too hard and the strongest rider wins? Isn't this the way the classics should be? Also Ddravvers post shows you're talking poop anyway, multiple solo wins in last 10 years.
  • kingstongrahamkingstongraham Posts: 23,970
    It's just relentlessly attritional, which is great.

    The last attack doesn't come back because everyone is knackered. It's not like the last group is the remnants of the early break.

    I think it's good, and the flat last 12km are excellent.
  • rick_chaseyrick_chasey Posts: 67,604 Lives Here
    edited April 2022
    kingstongraham said:

    rick_chasey said:

    Tried to follow him but couldn't though.

    That's my point. The way the race developed (especially for him) meant that even strong riders had used up their energy by that point, and could not go with someone who had not.

    If you determine the strongest rider by finishing position, then the strongest rider will always be contending for the win.
    Eh?

    Re-read what I've written.
    _
  • rick_chaseyrick_chasey Posts: 67,604 Lives Here
    edited April 2022
    50x11 said:

    So you think it's too hard and the strongest rider wins? Isn't this the way the classics should be? Also Ddravvers post shows you're talking poop anyway, multiple solo wins in last 10 years.

    Mmm i dunno.

    MSR is certainly not always about the strongest rider by any stretch.

    I guess what I'm trying to say, imagine knowing at the start line exactly who's gonna be the strongest riders, in order, on that day.

    The old route, I'd say anyone in that top 15 strongest on the day could have a realistic chance to win.

    On this route, I'd say it's only really the top 3 save for crashes or bad luck.
    _
  • rick_chaseyrick_chasey Posts: 67,604 Lives Here
    blazing_saddles said:

    It’s all irrelevant in any case.
    As I pointed out, Kristoff has won on this course.
    No way would he be considered the strongest, especially over the climbs.
    His forte is being extremely durable.

    Blows the Nuyens theory, whatever that actually is, out of the water.

    Eh? Kristoff was in a different league to everyone that year for that whole fortnight.

    He shook everyone bar Terpstra off and rinsed him in the sprint.
    _
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