2013 Spring Classics

[Viking]

Omloop het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne are just a week away, and that means my favorite part of the cycling season is almost here! I know I can't be the only one.

Anyway, here are some of the questions on my mind:
What kind of form will Boonen have after his elbow ordeal?
Can Hushovd challenge for victory at Paris-Roubaix, or will Phinney be BMC's man?
How well will Nick Nuyens gel with Garmin?
Will I be able to find a decent online stream for Strade Bianche?
Can Gilbert dominate the Ardennes like he did two years ago?
Which race will Sagan win (because I'm sure he's going to win something)?
Is this the year Boasson-Hagen embraces his destiny as a classics specialist?

 

[The Hitch]

The answer to all those questions is in the negative with the exception of Sagan to which the answer is - MSR.

 

[RedheadDane]

I just hope it rains a lot in nothern France on April the 7th!

 

[Viking]

The answer to all those questions is in the negative with the exception of Sagan to which the answer is - MSR.

That's what I suspect, and the lack of a decent Strade Bianche stream will be the most disappointing.

 

[HiCadence]

It's hard to see past Sagan dominating every classic he takes part in.

 

[Der Effe]

That's what I suspect, and the lack of a decent Strade Bianche stream will be the most disappointing.

Sporza will broadcast it once again so it might get streamed?

 

[staubsauger]

Boom seems to be in good early shape, so I would rate him high for a Omloop win!

 

[burning]

Boom seems to be in good early shape, so I would rate him high for a Omloop win!

He will crash uphill like last year

 

[gruppeto993]

And what makes you think that cancellara is going to be completely out of the picture?

I say he's going to win big this year. The addition of Devolder and both Rast's and Gallopin's form is looking good so in races where he'll need his team, it's going to be there.

Maybe he'll start off by defending Strade bianche

 

[the asian]

With Boonen's injury struggles and Cancellara's poor early season form, we might get a exciting and open, cobbled classics season.

For the Ardennes, it will be interesting to see impact of the new finish and the rumoured alterations to the latter stages of the course.

For LBL, I'm expecting a Gilbert victory.

 

[Afrank]

Omloop het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne are just a week away, and that means my favorite part of the cycling season is almost here! I know I can't be the only one.

Anyway, here are some of the questions on my mind:
What kind of form will Boonen have after his elbow ordeal?
Can Hushovd challenge for victory at Paris-Roubaix, or will Phinney be BMC's man?
How well will Nick Nuyens gel with Garmin?
Will I be able to find a decent online stream for Strade Bianche?
Can Gilbert dominate the Ardennes like he did two years ago?
Which race will Sagan win (because I'm sure he's going to win something)?
Is this the year Boasson-Hagen embraces his destiny as a classics specialist?

Re. Boonen: I don't think he'll have nearly as good a season as last, especially with the competition looking stronger this year. I think he'll be best in Roubaix and probably do well in the other cobble races that end in sprints.
Re. Hushovd: He's seems better than last year, but if he can't do it Phinney will be one of their main go to guys.
Re. Gilbert: Of course he will.
Re. Sagan: MSR will be his for the taking, the only thing that can stop him there is a crash. And Sagan doesn't crash often. He could podium or win most of the others as well, with his best chances of a win being in RVV and AGR.

 

[gruppeto993]

yeah I'm worried about cancellara's form. Doesn't seem too promising. Doesn't he usually feature in breaks and attacks in qatar and oman? If yes, we barely saw his face this year.

 

[Caruut]

Sagan looked so strong in RVV last year, so I think he should do pretty well there this year. He is the overwhelming favourite for MSR - the only thing I would worry about with him there is whether his team has enough strong riders to control things up until the Poggio, but if he is in the lead group at the bottom of the Poggio, then he looks great for it. Top quality on the hills, the descents and with a great sprint. We saw last year that he has what it takes in the Ardennes, and he was allegedly fatigued by that point as well. Any less than a podium in at least one of the three is underachieving for Sagan in the Ardennes now, I think.

I hope there's a good stream for Strade Bianche.

 

[CraZyCaLL]

yeah I'm worried about cancellara's form. Doesn't seem too promising. Doesn't he usually feature in breaks and attacks in qatar and oman? If yes, we barely saw his face this year.

his form is improving, he made great job for Gallopin in Oman

 

[Dazed and Confused]

yeah I'm worried about cancellara's form. Doesn't seem too promising. Doesn't he usually feature in breaks and attacks in qatar and oman? If yes, we barely saw his face this year.

Cancellara looked ok, it was just the situation which has changed in the two races. Qartar was windless leading to a Cav feast and Oman is turning into a fierce GC battle. Cancellara is simply being moved into the background, but make no mistake his form is very good.

 

[woodenswan]

"Luca Papini ‏@LucaPapini

so who win 3 @StradeBianche will give his name to one "dirty road-sterrato" @f_cancellara is the only with 2 win.. ready??"

 

[Der Effe]

Seriously, I've been counting the days until next Saturday for like 2 months now :')

For the Omloop, Boom's the favourite imo. Expect something from Stybar and Roelandts as well. And hopefully Offredo will return to his 2011 shape.

 

[greenedge]

I expect Gilbert to win at AGR and be favourite for LBL- I think JROD will take F-W.
Cancellara and Sagan will be the main protagonists at the Cobbled races/ MSR.

My tip is Cancellara P-R, Sagan RVV and a lot of contenders for M-SR and Cav to go better than last year. Degenkolb would be my early pick though.

Langveld and Boom seem to be going quite well and i think Vanmarcke, Pozzato and a few others can feature.

I'm wondering how Gerrans can go too.

 

[Oliver]

Breschel, Stybar & Terpstra are looking good for the moment, so i think they will have a good shot in de beginning. I think Sagan will crush everyone in MSR. For Ronde & PR I except Sagan & Cancellara will take it.

 

[J-King]

Don't see Stybar doing that well, since he will have to work for Boonen. And the question whether Boonen will be at the top of his game is the most difficult one for me.

Names I haven't read yet:

Geraint Thomas to do well in RVV & PR

Schleck to fail miserably

 

[gruppeto993]

I say the finale of RVV and MSR will consist of sagan and cancellara with the latter pulling and the former winning the sprint. Cancellara will take PR solo with Boonen in the top 10 and Phinney on the podium.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I'm hoping for a good performance by Matti and Styby.

 

[greenedge]

I completely forgot Slagter- i expect him to podium at F-W.

 

[Netserk]

Boonen to win Het Volk! _O_

 

[iZnoGouD]

With Boonen's injury struggles and Cancellara's poor early season form, we might get a exciting and open, cobbled classics season.

For the Ardennes, it will be interesting to see impact of the new finish and the rumoured alterations to the latter stages of the course.

For LBL, I'm expecting a Gilbert victory.

How you know he is in poor form?