Recent content by shadowrider

Well, I haven't seen that last kilometer before the top on tv. But Evenepoel declared after the finish that he took a few lenghts ahead of Mas and Van Eetveldt at the end of the climb (there is also a picture that shows Evenepoel dropping those two riders uphill (but I don't know where that...

Totally agree. A good, nuanced analysis. But what makes the difference for me is not (only) the number of victories, the big lead he keeps taking, the increasingly longer solos he takes, but the astonishing freshness and lucidity that he exhibits during his long and extremely thorough attacks...

Wellens a lot better since he joined UAE. Especially as superdomestique. Florian Vermeersch and Rune Herregodts, good riders but far from topriders, will become in a miraculous way superdomestiques next season. Hirschi will degrade from a toprider/winner of many races, to a normal good rider...

In that period, almost all topriders were caught (mostly amfetamines). Just one toprider was not caught (or did not use doping ?) : Roger De Vlaeminck. The result was that the sanctions were ridiculously low. But today, nobody no one gets caught anymore. And certainly not the top ones.

The "parcours" far from being that hard as predicted. The only reason the U23 and womens race were grueling was the rain combined with low temperatures. And it was still a sprint at the end. With the same weatherconditions as yesterday, Pedersen would have been the co-favorite (with Poga). But...

Kopecky of course ? After you wrote Kopecky was done ! A true specialist. You can join the tv-director.

Evenepoel wasn't dropped because of the extra work after the stages. He was, unlike Hirshi in Luxemburg and before, not in topform at that time (he is better now, but still not at his top). Even training a bit after the stages, Hirshi at his best, would have to be able to outsprint VDP uphill...

Pogacar easily came back during the gravel stage. On a flat section on asphalt. But I agree Pogacar has to react before Evenepoel gets 25 seconds. With his explosivity Pogacar is able to close a gap of 15/20 seconds. After that effort, going in TT-modus, Evenepoel will expand his lead. Slowly...

But Pogacar will probably attack himself with two laps to go. Who knows, even with almost three laps to go. One can hope Pogacar will not be at his toplevel (Strade Bianche, Liège, Tour de France...) to have a nice competition. But it's also clear the opponents of Pogacar (Evenepoel, VDP, Roglic...

I don't think Logic is a fan, after what he wrote during the last months about his (not appropriate) weight, his lack of a good preparation and staff.

Having a huge draft and Evenepoel not pushing hard anymore from 100/150 m of the finish.

Don't exagerate. But with the help of Roglic and his car, Ganna certainly won a few seconds. But Evenepoel also declared after the finish he wasn't at his best during the closing kilometers. In general, the TT-position of Evenepoel wasn't excellent during some parts of the course. Also...

Evenepoel lost a few seconds due to the stress before the start and the lack of his power meter (and a extra 2 or 3 seconds due to Roglic). Also not pushing hard anymore the last 100 m. I think Evenepoel would have won with 15 seconds in ideal circucumstances. Enough to have a deserved win. But...

I hope so. He will be ready but not at his best. He should be to challenge Pogacar. I think, even at his best, he would be beaten by Pogacar. As we could see during the Tour de France (ok, longer and steeper climbs). But on this hilly stretch, we would have a nice battle. Now I think the final...

It's a pity Evenepoel will probably not be at his best. The road worlds this year suits both Pogacar and Evenepoel. It will/would be the first time both riders would challenge mano a mano. As it would have been in Liège earlier this year if Evenepoel hadn't crashed in the Basque Tour. Of course...