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

[PeterB]

Sure you were watching the same race as the rest of us?

Just out of curiosity - what kind of entertainment you found in those last 20 km?

 

[Suspicious]

Some of us like to draw conclusions from the race other than those that can be derived from reading the results. That does not make us fans or haters of anyone, except of the sport.

Then that comment was not directed at you, but the bile filled Cav detractors.

 

[Akuryo]

Just out of curiosity - what kind of entertainment you found in those last 20 km?

Gilbert's attack for instance. Or the fact that Cav was able to win even though his train faltered (again ...).

 

[Dr. Juice]

Cavendish vs Kristoff could be impressive in MSR. While Cav is back in great form (some weeks ago I said a guy can't be finished at 30 - he is still at least 2nd fastest in the world) , Kristoff gets stronger and stronger the more km the race has. Outsiders Lobato and Viviani. Degenkolb hasn't got it this year.

 

[Poursuivant]

Tbf, Viviani was on Cav's wheel and Cav was pretty much the same distance back from Kristoff. Viviani's pretty much been equal to Cav whenever they've sprinted against each other. Shame we won't see Viviani getting a proper leadout if he does get a place on the Sky train at the TdF

No chance he is going TDF

 

[Jagartrott]

I saw the final 20km, boring sprint race.......

It's not very fair to only watch 20 km and then make a conclusion about the whole race. Compare this to most sprinters stages in any GT - this was a lot more entertaining, even if the headwind was a spoilsport for the break(s) to succeed here.

 

[rick james]

No chance he is going TDF

Pretty sure one of the reasons he went to Sky was so he can win stages at the Giro, am sure he knows it would be a waste of time him going to Le tour with Sky.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Another nice win for Cav, he's started this season well. Looking forward to seeing if he can win MSR again in a few weeks.

 

[TMP401]

Cavendish vs Kristoff could be impressive in MSR. While Cav is back in great form (some weeks ago I said a guy can't be finished at 30 - he is still at least 2nd fastest in the world) , Kristoff gets stronger and stronger the more km the race has. Outsiders Lobato and Viviani. Degenkolb hasn't got it this year.

Has he been working too much on hills?

 

[jaylew]

Then that comment was not directed at you, but the bile filled Cav detractors.

Maybe some feel like he's lost the title of fastest sprinter but I don't notice too many "bile filled Cav detractors" these days. Seems more 2009-2012ish

Degenkolb hasn't got it this year.

Why do you say that? It's only February and he looked pretty impressive in that Dubai stage.

 

[bala v]

Tbf, Viviani was on Cav's wheel and Cav was pretty much the same distance back from Kristoff. Viviani's pretty much been equal to Cav whenever they've sprinted against each other. Shame we won't see Viviani getting a proper leadout if he does get a place on the Sky train at the TdF

Exept Cav has 6 victories this year, and Viviani 1. That's not even close

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Then that comment was not directed at you, but the bile filled Cav detractors.

Perhaps Off The Back Adam would like to return and identify who he means by that then, because I don't see any.

 

[JimmyFingers]

I like Viviani but he is a second division sprinter really, as is Kristoff. By second division I mean the clutch of sprinters behind Cav, Kittel and Griepel, so no insult intended. Very, very fast, but not as fast as those three. I liked Cav's street smarts today, he weaves through traffic and picked up Kristoff's wheel effortlessly, and then so neatly powered past him. Viviani is good, but he is still some way behind Cav.

Also impressed that Cav made the selection into the second group and then joined the front group, even though it eventually got swallowed. He worked very hard during the race and still managed to out sprint every one else. Really hope he will have a good MSR.

 

[bala v]

I like Viviani but he is a second division sprinter really, as is Kristoff. By second division I mean the clutch of sprinters behind Cav, Kittel and Griepel, so no insult intended. Very, very fast, but not as fast as those three. I liked Cav's street smarts today, he weaves through traffic and picked up Kristoff's wheel effortlessly, and then so neatly powered past him. Viviani is good, but he is still some way behind Cav.

Also impressed that Cav made the selection into the second group and then joined the front group, even though it eventually got swallowed. He worked very hard during the race and still managed to out sprint every one else. Really hope he will have a good MSR.

Kristoff is much more than second division sprinter!

 

[JimmyFingers]

In a straight sprint he is, like Sagan. But yes, a much more versatile rider than a pure sprinter.

 

[TMP401]

Exept Cav has 6 victories this year, and Viviani 1. That's not even close

"whenever they've sprinted against each other" being a key caveat there.

 

[Happy dude]

"whenever they've sprinted against each other" being a key caveat there.

I actually think that viviani has a much higher top speed. Because if you remember last year in the tour of turkey viv went past Cav like he wasnt there. when there was a huge drag to the finish. However, he hasn't got the acceleration or the savvy that Cav has. And as most sprints don't have a 2k finish straight. I can't see viv beating Cav that much this year. I really hope someone challenges kittel. And I can't see far past the Manxman if I'm honest

 

[Vesica]

Well at least there was one advantage from today's race..we just have had the most boring race of the season. Even those desert races are more fun to watch. From here on it can only be going more entertaining.

 

[Jspear]

I can't find any of the last 5 or 10 k of the race anywhere? Anyone got a link?

 

[Dr. Juice]

I can't find any of the last 5 or 10 k of the race anywhere? Anyone got a link?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JfmycSvJKQ

 

[Jspear]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JfmycSvJKQ

Cool! Thanks!

 

[ILovecycling]

Well at least there was one advantage from today's race..we just have had the most boring race of the season. Even those desert races are more fun to watch. From here on it can only be going more entertaining.

Libertine wouldnt agree with you
There is always scheldeprijs!

 

[scholar]

Libertine wouldnt agree with you
There is always scheldeprijs!

And the Fl?che Wallone for that matter.

 

[PeterB]

Well at least there was one advantage from today's race..we just have had the most boring race of the season. Even those desert races are more fun to watch. From here on it can only be going more entertaining.

Racing between km 70 and 30 was quite ok, don't you think? In how many races can you see star riders like Boonen and Vanmarcke trying to destroy the peloton?

And I do not want to spoil your joy, but there will be more boring races this season...

 

[King Boonen]

LOL at people thinking Viviani was faster than Cav. He came up quickly before the sprint had started, had prime position on Cavs wheel and got left stationary.

His ultimate top speed might be quicker than Cav but he doesn't have the acceleration to mach him and he's not quicker at the end of a 200+km race.