Valdepenas de Jaen wasn't bad although he would have ripped the peloton apart with his 2011 form.
Yesterday was good without a doubt, but i haven't seen his trademark 45 second full out attack yet so far this year. Until that happens, I certainly do not consider him a top favourite for the...
Nibali. He'll take some time off after the Giro and build up to the Vuelta / Worlds.
Even with his Worlds 2012 form, I think it'll be too hard for Gilbert. Only Gilbert 2011 would have stood a chance.
As soon as he's isolated, he'll take off.
In PR the attack is the best defense. Without Boonen & Ballan and with Pozzato in a crappy shape and Flecha almost ready retirement, there is no way any of the 2nd tier cobblestone specialists (Vanmarcke, Boom, Vansummeren, Stannard, Hayman...
But LUC was still there. Not sure I spotted him during the Ronde, but certainly during the E3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5Zmi-wPTDE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHrEbGwWbL4
Disappointing start list for a race that became 1.HC.
No Cavendish, Boonen, Pozzato, Cancellara, Gilbert, Goss, Hagen, Degenkolb, Roelandts, Van Avermaet, Langeveld and Boom.
:confused:
Looking past the usual suspects, Ponzi is my pick.
Consistent over the last weeks, easily survives a hill and fast at the finish. Sounds like a great backup if plan "Nibali" fails.
I prefer a spot near the end where the Feelbosstraat crosses the Kwaremont. It's kind of a chicane that rises a little. If they race hard or not, the peloton is always stretched near the end which makes it easier to recognize the riders.
You can also see the Paterberg from there (although...
No, there were VIP zones before (on top of the Koppenberg e.g.). It's just that the organizers sold the soul of the Ronde. They had a great format, a great final and they messed it up by forcing a classic to end with 3 local laps.
The ronde as it should be...