The Official "Not the TNT" Spring Classics Thread, 2025 ***Spoilers***
Rick would normally be up for this, but since he's gone the same way as Eurosport, it's me again, with a one size fits all thread. Race bumph to added as we go along. Going to keep it short.
80th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad - Saturday, March 1, 2025
The Startlist here: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/omloop-het-nieuwsblad/2025/startlist
Geraardsbergse mattentaart
A typical dessert of the East Flanders, mattentaart is a small puff pastry pie with a tender, almond-flavored cheese curd filling called mattenbrij. These delicious Flemish pies are traditionally made in the city of Geraardsbergen and the neighboring village of Lierde, and their production depends heavily on the Geraardsbergen area's dairy produce, since genuine mattentaarts are prepared using only fresh milk, butter, and buttermilk from the local farms. Although the origins of mattentaart can be traced back to the Middle Ages, the oldest known recipe was found in Een Notabel Boecxken van Cokeryen, the first cookbook in Dutch, written and published in 1514.
![a0845ba6e4ea4ba7b4c7b1193e5da4c0[1].jpg](https://forum.bikeradar.com/uploads/RD4UVFIKCTU0/a0845ba6e4ea4ba7b4c7b1193e5da4c0-5b1-5d.jpg)
And of course:
![0bdb2148b4514b3880b8f4cda4de501f[1].jpg](https://forum.bikeradar.com/uploads/BQUO28AJ5VBK/0bdb2148b4514b3880b8f4cda4de501f-5b1-5d.jpg)
Comments
-
Now I know live coverage is going to be an issue, but here are a couple of pointers.
For anyone going down the VPN route, the Belgian channel of choice is VRT 1. On the plus side, they have one over on TNT as they are showing bits of the sign on, the roll out and start. Coverage begins at 9-15am GMT.
Race coverage proper is unlikely to start until 1pm or later, so that means a whole lot of talk for an hour or more, whichever coverage you have.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.2 -
I will look into it. I already know that the Dutch NOS 1 have the full race coverage starting around 12-30 and that L’Equipe have almost a couple of delayed hours scheduled directly after their 3 hour plus, live coverage of the Ardeche classic. (I have a working link for L’Equipe.)
Other than that it’s only ORF for Austria and TV2 Sport in Denmark that buck the Eurosport trend.
Full list here:
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.1 -
I bit the bullet yesterday and paid for a subscription to nordvpn and have been testing it out. So far it seems to work on android phone, Windows laptop but not Android tablet. I thought the channel for Omloop was Sporza and I've been finding that whilst I can connect and view video like a native it seems quite bufferery. I'm now to try NOS and maybe VRT1 and l'equipe.
1 -
The thing is that there has never been a dedicated Channel called Sporza. It’s part of the Belgian national set up, VRT.
It’s more like their brand for all things sport. Although we always refer to watching cycling on Sporza, it’s always been on either Éen (now VRT 1) or Canvas.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
The Faun-Ardèche Classic (1.pro)
This is the other live race today. The first of the double header that takes place on either side of the Rhone river, down South. It's got a more than half decent startlist, too. Skjelmose, Ayuso, Hirschi, Hart, Madouas, Healy, Mas, Bardet and the in form guy, (yes, unusual for Astana, I know) Scaroni.
165.9 km around Guilherand-Granges, in two 80 odd km laps. Live coverage on L'Equipe from around 12.30 GMT.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Sporza is live for the first time this classics season!
Working fine with the VPN.
Sep Vanmarcke is their guest at the depart. The crowds are a bit bigger than most!
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Warning No formatter is installed for the format1
-
I have beer, just gonna hunt for nibbles.
0 -
Live coverage just started. Break of 7 with 6 minute lead, 100km remaining.
The Breakaway had Cummings on, not sure he added much (I only caught the last section).
0 -
Ardeche just starting up on L’Equipe too.
UAE driving it, Jumbo out of position.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
LOL £31 for ad breaks.
Watching Sporza on the VPN and the L’Equipe stream on the PC.
Just like the old days!
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.2 -
Both races have live feeds on YouTube. The Ardeche has just ambient sound. The Omloop has Brian Smith and Jez Cox? On commentary.
1 -
With the variety of places to access live coverage I wonder where might find post-race highlights other than myb on YouTube - problem with YT is their race image often highlights the winner this instantly spoils it.
0 -
De Lie probs 10’ behind his team car, no effort to rejoin…. easy ride.
11kms since his mechanical
0 -
I have 3 different stream options with 3 different sets of commentators.
Aside the odd mechanical and minor tumble, not a lot has happened so far. We’re into the pointy bit of the race and somebody needs to launch a Boonen.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Die lie is out of position again
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Go on josh
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm1 -
Tarling reaching out ..using that tt skil
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Josh is flying but probably not the right time to do it.
0 -
Seems optimistic
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Jumbo caught at the back. WVA well down the broken file.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Pidcock.hiding at the back of that group?
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Race splitting all over now 40 K
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Good to see my PTP curse is still in place for a new season. De Lie is the unwitting victim today by the looks of it.
0 -
He knows what day it is, it’s definitely on!
😉
1 -
De lie out of position....had to work.yo get back on
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Good, he’s been taking the piss.
0 -
Time gaps suggest that it’s all coming back together.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Looking that way
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
