2015 Kurne Brussels Kurne 1/3/15 1.1 196km

[Beacon Hill]

I can see Kristoff struggling and Cavendish and Viviani not making the selection either. An outsider such as Luke Rowe, who seemingly outsprinted Kristoff and Demara in the Omloop bunch sprint.

I can see that. Rowe looked on decent form yesterday. Much probably depends on the mood in the Etixx camp this morning. Can see Cav being especially determined and eager to win some brownie points with Lefevere.

 

[Dr. Juice]

Where is the GP Lugano thread?

 

[Roude Leiw]

What's the weather over in Bruxelles? In Lux (2.5 h drive from there) it is raining and 4 degrees, if weather is the same, and with the steppers coming out of the starting blocks with a knife between the teeth, should make for an entertaining race

 

[Arredondo]

Well, there will be strong wind all day, with 5 beaufort.

And there will be periods with rain, so if some teams decide to make the race hard, guys like Pelucchi, Mareczko and Viviani will be dropped for sure.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

What's the weather over in Bruxelles? In Lux (2.5 h drive from there) it is raining and 4 degrees, if weather is the same, and with the steppers coming out of the starting blocks with a knife between the teeth, should make for an entertaining race

I'm a bit east of Brussels and it's ~10 degrees and clouded. According to the weather forecast it's going to be 12 degrees and clouded but without rain. However it rained during the night, so maybe some of the cobbled stretches might not have dried up when they hit it, but it won't be too bad in any case.

There is a pretty strong western wind however. The problem is that on the way back to Kuurne that will be a headwind. However, in the later half of the hilly section they will go from south to north, so if it's open there, there might be some crosswinds. However, any attackers would still have many km's of headwind back to Kuurne after the Nokereberg. So if they want to prevent a mass sprint, they will have to create carnage in the middle section. But hey, with Vanmarcke, GVA and Gilbert all looking to make a selective race it might just happen.

But to be honest, it's kinda wishful thinking. With a strong headwind and without any serious cold and rain and most teams having a sprinter a bunch sprint is the most likely scenario.

 

[Kwibus]

Headwind will kill the race today. At first I was happy with wind, but it will play against the race today.

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

With Quick Step's new tactician in charge, I'm expecting Cav to attack 5km out and go for a solo win.

 

[Bumeington]

Select group to go clear in the crosswinds: Boonen, Van Keirsbulck, Lampaert, Maes, Stybar ... and Stannard

 

[Jspear]

Select group to go clear in the crosswinds: Boonen, Van Keirsbulck, Lampaert, Maes, Stybar ... and Stannard

If they go clear Sep would most definitely be with them. He's strong right now and no doubt would like to make up for yesterday.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Lol 8 men break with Coquard in it.

Oh Europcar.....

 

[Gloin22]

Coquard just coming back from track Worlds. No surprise, this is training for him.

 

[sir fly]

I think Kristoff will have something to show.
He's got yesterday's 200 kilometers in his legs and with today's 200 should be enough for strong sprint.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

information about who's in the break in dripping in really slowly, but it contains at least Coquard, Vaubourzeix, Meurisse, Baeckert, Peyskens and three others.....

At least it's nice that Europcar isn't looking for a bunch sprint.

 

[burning]

I don't understand why Coquard joined the break if there is headwind. Maybe he has no form and just uses the race for training.

 

[Gloin22]

I don't understand why Coquard joined the break if there is headwind. Maybe he has no form and just uses the race for training.

Coquard just coming back from track Worlds. No surprise, this is training for him.

10charac...

 

[ILovecycling]

Anything but a bunch sprint, please.

This
at least small group sprint

 

[jens_attacks]

If they go clear Sep would most definitely be with them. He's strong right now and no doubt would like to make up for yesterday.

without a doubt he will be with them...





























...until he punctures.






























...twice.

 

[Netserk]

without a doubt he will be with them...






































































































...until he punctures.






























...twice.

Is this






































































































































































































Annoying?

 

[PeterB]

Is this Annoying?

His no, yours yes. Any other questions?

 

[xrayvision]

It?s












































called


































spam!! And yes it is.

 

[Tom T.]

Anybody got a stream yet? None of the links on cycling fans is working yet.

 

[Hugo87]

Live at Eurosport in about 15 minutes.

http://www.footstream.tv/lecteur.php?id=41

They are showing last years edition.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

The broadcast has started at Sporza, but it's geoblocked so you gotta find a sporza stream somewhere else than their official site or you gotta proxie.

http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/matchcenter/mc_wielrennen/Comp_voorjaar_2015/1.2251015

 

[Arredondo]

Echelons are on!

 

[Roude Leiw]

Well, RTBF just went live and the echelons start, go steppers (with some help from Jumbo here)