Cobbled Classics 2021 ** Spoilers**

rick_chasey
rick_chasey Posts: 72,243
edited February 2021 in Pro race
So it's that time again, opening weekend.

The training races are over, the real racing starts on Saturday.

Usual double header: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Sat and the revenge, less high profile race, Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne on Sunday.


Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

Very similar route to last year.

Main news as far as I know is that Alaphilippe is riding it this year which makes it an interesting proposition.

Still keep an eye out for the tough, flat, exposed ride into the finish, and the drag towards the line.



Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne
Route the same except....the Eikenmolen is replaced by the Boembeek and the Tiegemberg - Naesen's ultimate nemesis....




and this wonderful addition to the race info from the organisers:





No map released for either, annoyingly.



*ps i don't follow the women's race ,not for any awful reason, I just don't have the time so feel free at add your own info.
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Comments

  • The final remains the same. Total distance: 200.5 km.

    Kasseistroken:

    Haaghoek (154 km) [2000 m]
    Huisepontweg (130 km) [1800 m]
    Holleweg (98 km) [1500 m]
    Haaghoek (92 km) [2000 m]
    Paddestraat (83 km) [2300 m]
    Holleweg (52 km) [1500 m]
    Karel Martelstraat (51 km) [2400 m]
    Jagerij (49 km) [800 m]
    Haaghoek (38 km) [2000 m]

    Hellingen:

    Leberg (151 km) [950 m; 4.2%]
    Den Ast (124 km) [450 m; 5.5%]
    Katteberg (102 km) [600 m; 6%]
    Leberg (89 km) [950 m; 4.2%]
    Hostellerie (73 km) [1300 m; 4,5%]
    Valkenberg (64 km) [540 m; 8.1%]
    Wolvenberg (52.5 km) [645 m; 7%]
    Molenberg (42.5 km) [463 m; 7%]
    Leberg (35 km) [950 m; 4.2%]
    Berendries (31 km) [940 m; 7%]
    Elverenberg-Vossenhol (28.5 km) [1,268 m; 3.6%]
    Muur-Kapelmuur (16.7 km) [475 m; 9.3%]
    Bosberg (12.8 km) [980 m; 5.8%]

    https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&u=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20210223_94135951&prev=search&pto=aue
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • MVDP has been confirmed for KBK. I'm sure most of us would have rather he rode the Omloop but that should still be a good race.
  • Ineos Grenadiers Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne line-up

    Tom Pidcock (GBr)
    Gianni Moscon (Ita)
    Ethan Hayter (GBr)
    Jhonatan Narváez (Ecu)
    Michał Gołas (Pol)
    Leonardo Basso (Ita)
    Owain Doull (GBr)
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • gsk82
    gsk82 Posts: 3,439

    Ineos Grenadiers Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne line-up

    Tom Pidcock (GBr)
    Gianni Moscon (Ita)
    Ethan Hayter (GBr)
    Jhonatan Narváez (Ecu)
    Michał Gołas (Pol)
    Leonardo Basso (Ita)
    Owain Doull (GBr)

    It's as if they've given up.
    "Unfortunately these days a lot of people don’t understand the real quality of a bike" Ernesto Colnago
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,348
    Hmmm, I dunno...

    YOLO attack from Pidcock FTW
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,069
    Given the disappointing results from their much vaunted cobbled classic specialists, I think it's slightly refreshing to see the up and coming youngsters given a chance. Don't think they'll get close to the win, but it'll be interesting to see how Hayter and Narvaez do especially.
  • Can’t wait that’s the weekend sorted apart from the odd jogg or leisurely bike ride
  • bobmcstuff
    bobmcstuff Posts: 11,196
    My plan is a nice ride in the sun tomorrow with a mate, then come home and drink beer and watch OHN, then a virtual beer tasting at 7.

    Perfect.
  • orraloon
    orraloon Posts: 12,609
    Are Jumbo-Visma opting out of KBK or is it just late updating on PCS?
  • My plan is a nice ride in the sun tomorrow with a mate, then come home and drink beer and watch OHN, then a virtual beer tasting at 7.

    Perfect.

    I'm riding up the Wirral Way tomorrow and this post has convinced me to treat myself to some Belgian beers as a reward
  • Just checking the startlist for OHN and I'd missed Sep Vanmarcke is now riding for Israel.

    Was that his choice or EF's?
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 13,200
    I've actually just agreed to go for a leisurely ride tomorrow (I don't do this). Luckily first stop will be the Belgian charcuterie to stock up on meat, cheese and beer for the afternoon :-)
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format
  • m.r.m.
    m.r.m. Posts: 3,312
    Oh, I'm jealous. I'll be riding alone both days, but looking forward to seeing the races afterwards! Seems GCN is showing both, so I'm quite happy the cycling season is starting in earnest.
    PTP Champion 2019, 2022 & 2023
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,348
    Riding today. Stupid work tomorrow but it's going to be crazy quiet so I can watch cycling! 😎
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • gweeds
    gweeds Posts: 2,550
    Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training to be a cage fighter.
  • m.r.m.
    m.r.m. Posts: 3,312
    Sep can't catch a break.
    PTP Champion 2019, 2022 & 2023
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,243
    Jealous of all your cycling.
  • Alaphilippe says he's been sick during the week and didn't train on a couple of days, so will be working for Ballerini.
    Now, where have I heard that before?....
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,137
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • Sep Vantarmarcke. :p
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,348
    59km

    Break

    Yevgeniy Fedorov (Astana-Premier Tech) Ryan Gibbons (UAE-Team Emirates) Kenny De Ketele (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise) Bert De Backer (B&B Hotels p/b KTM) and Matis Louvel (Arkea-Samsic)

    Apparently, Peleton has split into 2 big bunches separated by 1.10 or so but no info on who is where yet
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,243
    The QS ability to be at the front at the right time for each manky turn is 👌🏻👌🏻
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,348
    Building up for something but becasue they haven't published a route map cos covid, it's hard to tell what.

    Comedy crash from a Baloise rider...

    Less good looking one now :(
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,243
    Big crash near the front

    Burghardt not getting up
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,348
    (it was the Wolvenburg...)
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,243
    Sep near the front on the wolvenberg
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,137



    Burghardt not getting up


    I thought he retired several years ago
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • ducknumber1
    ducknumber1 Posts: 1,155
    ddraver said:

    Building up for something but becasue they haven't published a route map cos covid, it's hard to tell what.

    There's a map (here, from official site) but no timings to keep people away
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,348
    edited February 2021
    Yves Lampaert Sky-style comedy crashes himself out on the cobbles...

    Loses Belgian Citizenship immediately
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • Lampaert lost his bearings
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.