2013 97th Ronde van Vlaanderen, 257km, Sunday 31th March

[El Pistolero]

So when Boonen wins everyone else was in their best form and at 100%. But when he loses, well, he was never 100% anyway or in his best form?

He lost fair and square in 2010 Ronde, just like Cancellara lost fair and square in Ronde 2006, Roubaix 2007/2008(not 2009 because he was sick).

 

[Pentacycle]

He said that, but he also said he peaked too early in 2010. Boonen often says things that contradict each other.

I'd look for a source for you, but the thing is, Boonen gets one article in the newspapers here every day, so a bit hard to find.

You can't find it? I have an article somewhere in which Cancellara said he timed his peak one week too late in 2010. Can't find that right now though.

 

[HiCadence]

I'm assuming you don't like Sagan's victory line antics (a talented young man just having fun), but can you point me to occasions where he's been disrespectful to the sport and his fellow competitors?, because I must have missed something.

He even respected Canc today on the podium, pointing to him with a, 'you the man', finger that showed he acknowledges greatness when he sees it.

That's because he took an **** kicking and it has (hopefully) humbled Sagan, Had Sagan actually won he probably would have looked down on his competitors with absolute condescension.

 

[the asian]

So who'll be the miracle worker in Paris-Roubaix?

I'd rather not see another Spartacus victory.

 

[maltiv]

Sagan won't ride next week. Preparing for AGR.

That means Sagan won't win a monument this year either.

 

[Pentacycle]

That's because he took an **** kicking and it has (hopefully) humbled Sagan, Had Sagan actually won he probably would have looked down on his competitors with absolute condescension.

He's only become more confident he can (more than) once win this race. He's now podiumed here, and progressed every time he participated.(he was 5th last year iirc) But he knows Cancellara was the best now, and didn't you see the sincere handshake on the podium from Sagan and Spartacus? Sagan respects his opponents, but when he wins himself he's completely entitled to celebrate every way he wants.(If you're still whining about that)

 

[Lanark]

What a guy

 

[saganftw]

What a guy

now we now who the real winner is

 

[HiCadence]

now we now who the real winner is

*Sigh* Really Peter?

 

[jaylew]

I wonder if he'll get in trouble for that

 

[the asian]

What a guy

LOL. Good to see a character like Sagan in the peloton.

What's wrong with having some fun

 

[Orbit501]

That's because he took an **** kicking and it has (hopefully) humbled Sagan, Had Sagan actually won he probably would have looked down on his competitors with absolute condescension.

Ok, thanks. As I thought you can't present any evidence whatsoever of a disrespectful Sagan.

Case closed I think.

Anyway, as an aside from all the Sagan/Cancellara tit for tat (I don't have a particular favourite and don't really want an argument) My man of the match today was Roelandts and the excellent work his team put in for him today. Very intelligent tactics that reaped their rewards.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Lol. His face.

 

[burning]

Sagan is happy

 

[Peccio89]

That means Sagan won't win a monument this year either.

I wouldn't rule him out from a Liegi with no Roche aux Foucons.
After the route change, in Cannondale they have started to think about making him race.

 

[Pentacycle]

Sagan is happy

Sagan gets the real prize today

I wouldn't rule him out from a Liegi with no Roche aux Foucons.
After the route change, in Cannonondale they have started to think about making him race.

It's a shame indeed, if he'd still have his Tirreno shape he'd easily win LBL. His team still seems a little cautious about his race program.

 

[Gloin22]

Sagan gets the real prize today



It's a shame indeed, if he'd still have his Tirreno shape he'd easily win LBL. His team still seems a little cautious about his race program.

They should be..

Overrace him and he might turn out another Eastern European rider that raced way too much in early days and fades after few years.

 

[SKSemtex]

What's Sagan's fans excuse today?

No excuses. The best one won. Congratulation to Fabian.

 

[SiAp1984]

Great race. Deserved win by Cancellara, great ride by Roelandts and Lotto, too. Greipel showed again that he is not only a world-class sprinter but also a great team rider. What a pitty that Roelands had not enough left to follow Cance and drop Sagan...

 

[ILovecycling]

Boonen was on the podium in Roubaix as a neo pro actually. At age 21.

He was not a favourite,he was in the front when favourites attacked,with no chance to follow them.And then 2 years of monument misery.Futhermore his first good result from Ronde was in age of 25.Sagan is a bit better in this age,its a fact.

 

[jens_attacks]

great last circuit lol
cancellara-sagan duel was beautiful but we need the old course. even if they rode like demons(42.62 km/h is brutal for this route) they still have energy left for the last circuit
and the whole idea with circuits is pathetic in my opinion

 

[ILovecycling]

What a guy

This guy is so ******* awesome!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Minimal race action today.
30 minute recap will do for anybody who missed the live show.

And Cancellara still got the edge on young Sagan, but for how long?

Chapeau Lotto, the only other team (ex RLT and CAN) with a significant plan.

Please gimme long distance risk taking in P-R.

 

[Sophistic82]

sexual harassment is totally awesome and uber-classy

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Chapeau Lotto, the only other team (ex RLT and CAN) with a significant plan.

Greipel was pretty immense.