2014 Brabantse Pijl, 200km, April 16th (HC)

[Popchu]

Daniel Martin is on the startlist, what can we expect from him in this race and in the coming weeks? He was rather low-profile this year...

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Daniel Martin is on the startlist, what can we expect from him in this race and in the coming weeks? He was rather low-profile this year...

I hope he is at least co-leader

 

[barmaher]

I am sure Martin will be ultra-competitive in Liege, as it is his second biggest 2014 target. So he will be fit enough to do himself justice in AGR; I just think he has more chance in Fleche and LBL, given the parcours.

 

[search]

will also be dependent on the weather I guess, last year he was lucky the winter was so hard, so no issues with pollen back then

 

[Afrank]

IIRC Martin started his training this year late I think, so wasn't in form to to defend at the Volta. But I think he said he would be coming into form for Ardennes and Giro.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Last year Martin used this race only as prepartion for AGR + FW + LBL. I think he will again do some work earlier in the race and probably he wont finish the race.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I hope he is at least co-leader

He is automatically sole leader or co leader for any race he is interested in, so if he isn't for Brabantse Pijl it's because he either doesn't care or his throat has swollen shut again. He may well not care, mind you. I'm not sure if he has ever treated this race as more than training. Garmin can always let Slagter off the leash if Martin just wants to pedal around. Or Hesjedal, who was super strong at LBL last year. It's the one type of race where they have a very deep lineup.

 

[classicomano]

Slagter isnt starting, wants some more rest and training for AGR.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Yeah the startlist has been changed quite a bit, at least checking PCS.

Voeckler out as well.

Gallopin is a notable rider who I didn't see on the startlists before. This race should suite him.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

ok with Voeckler and Slagter out, I'm going with Orica.

51.GERRANS Simon [new]
52.HOWSON Damien [new]
53.IMPEY Daryl [new]
54.MATTHEWS Michael [new]
55.MEYER Cameron [new]
56.WEENING Pieter [new]
57.YATES Adam [new]
58.YATES Simon [new]

This looks damn good on paper. Multiple cards to play with. Perhaps a longer distance 1-2 attack with the brothers. Otherwise Gerrans FTW.

 

[jens_attacks]

phil should win at last
i like androids with johnny-sella-delfino though

 

[trevim]

I'm still a bit confused but I assume there's a better climber and a better puncheur in the Yates. Who's who?

 

[SafeBet]

ok with Voeckler and Slagter out, I'm going with Orica.

51.GERRANS Simon [new]
52.HOWSON Damien [new]
53.IMPEY Daryl [new]
54.MATTHEWS Michael [new]
55.MEYER Cameron [new]
56.WEENING Pieter [new]
57.YATES Adam [new]
58.YATES Simon [new]

This looks damn good on paper. Multiple cards to play with. Perhaps a longer distance 1-2 attack with the brothers. Otherwise Gerrans FTW.

Excellent lineup, as I stated somewhere else. Weening is another rider I'd keep an eye on.

 

[Roude Leiw]

I'm still a bit confused but I assume there's a better climber and a better puncheur in the Yates. Who's who?

Simon is the climber considering pays basque results

 

[trevim]

Simon is the climber considering pays basque results

Yeah but I think Adam was 12th in San Luis or something like that, hence my question

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Yeah but I think Adam was 12th in San Luis or something like that, hence my question

Not sure if any of them have any punch/sprint at the end of the climb/hill, but there has been very little footage to support such claim.

Anyway hopefully they will go with Weening early in the race.

 

[kevchenko13]

Presume you know about Simon Yates' win in the Tour of Britain last year on Haytor?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ViSOuTK8ws
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-britain-2013/stage-6/results

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Presume you know about Simon Yates' win in the Tour of Britain last year on Haytor?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ViSOuTK8ws
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-britain-2013/stage-6/results

yea, was aware of the result, but couldn't recall the action. Looks pretty good.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Yeah but I think Adam was 12th in San Luis or something like that, hence my question

Adam is the climber, Simon is the puncheur.

 

[Roude Leiw]

Simon yates won both mountain stages, but brother yates ended up 2nd in GC, so up to you to decide who climbs better

PS SPEAKING OF AVENIR 2013

 

[De Snelle Duif]

This circuit is really the most difficult thing this area has to offer I guess. There are a few climbs that are just a bit more difficult in Brabant, but they can't be put on a nice circuit like this.

This circuit doesn't give a lot of nice climbing, but it does give a nice race!

They could have perfectly climbed the Smeysberg, which should be 17% for about 200m according to the road sign, and way too steep to my liking.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I like Slagter for Amstel; will be nice to get a glimpse of him here before that race on Sunday, albeit against less daunting competition.

Stybar is apparently a go for Amstel:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/stybar-needs-five-more-years-to-win-paris-roubaix

slagter has no chance at amstel. he can't handle the distance.

 

[trevim]

Adam is the climber, Simon is the puncheur.

Simon yates won both mountain stages, but brother yates ended up 2nd in GC, so up to you to decide who climbs better

PS SPEAKING OF AVENIR 2013

I guess we'll have to wait and see. Great pro debut for both!

 

[Orbit501]

Giant - Shimano seem to be turning in great results early in the season so far.

Simon Geschke to keep up the good work tomorrow?

 

[manafana]

This race rarely fails to deliver great action.

This man:

will crush the Gilbert/GVA two pronged attack machine.

a pity he won't start has a great chance