2015 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, 28th Feb, 200km, 1.HC

[Spine Concept]

For me it's quite simple really. Boonen is trying to push the blame off him by putting it on Terpstra for starting with the attacks. At the end of the day though all he had to do is remain focused on his sprint and stay in Stannard's wheel regardless of what the others do. However, he launched his own attack and that's when things really started going bad in my opinion cause he spent the little energy he had left. There was nothing wrong with Niki's attack cause Stannard just closed the gap to Boonen which means he spent all that energy so logically you would think he's tired. At that moment is what might have been be the most *** move of the day; Stijn closing that gap to Niki. He should have stayed in Stannard's wheel and work for Boonen who was already cooked and let Stannard close the gap again and maybe spend the last of his energy to play out the Boonen card. Niki was obviously the strongest of the three steppers in the final so Stannard might have had a harder time closing the gap to him if Stijn would have just held his legs still and be a good team player. You can see Niki stop pedaling when Stijn got on his wheel and basically brought Stannard back in his slipstream, otherwise he would have kept going a la Roubaix. Stannard might have well closed that gap eventually cause he was strong too but as I've mentioned before, with Stijn working for Boonen they could have still played out the latter's card.
Some very questionable tactics by some of the steppers today and then some very ''classy'' post-race remarks. Everything is 20/20 in hindsight but Boonen shot himself in the foot if you ask me.

 

[Kwibus]

Methinks the end is more simple than people think: Boonen puts in a good attack in the wrong place and is slowly brought back. Once Stannard gets to Boonen, Terpstra launches what is probably the dumbest attack in recent times, exposing Boonen AND Vandenbergh, instead of the Brit. Stannard makes a logistical assessment and realizes that his best option then is to ride with Niki to the finish line and beat him in a sprint. Terpstra non only obliges, he decides to pull him to the end.

That's all she wrote.

Man, Boonen must've been fuming during the team meeting. That was a really bad, intentionally spoiling bad, move on the part of Niki. Once it became clear they were not going to beat the Brit, they should've settled the race in a sprint. I suspect there's some interpersonal issues within the team, or that there's no clear leader for races like yesterday's.

What? Terpstra was stupid? By attacking right after Stannard did a huge effort to close the gap to Boonen? boonen who was spent after that attack anyways and seeing how stronger Stannard was compared to the Etixx guys he would've won the sprint anyways.

If you are 3 vs 1 and one starts attacking you better keep on attacking that 1 rider. And you do that right after he closed the gap to the first attacker. It's beyond me that people are trying to blame Terpstra. Blame him for the last 200m, sure, but besides that he was the only rider doing it right imo.

 

[Netserk]

What? Terpstra was stupid? By attacking right after Stannard did a huge effort to close the gap to Boonen? boonen who was spent after that attack anyways and seeing how stronger Stannard was compared to the Etixx guys he would've won the sprint anyways.

If you are 3 vs 1 and one starts attacking you better keep on attacking that 1 rider. And you do that right after he closed the gap to the first attacker. It's beyond me that people are trying to blame Terpstra. Blame him for the last 200m, sure, but besides that he was the only rider doing it right imo.

Ofc Boonen is the one who ****ed it up the most, but I also don't think what Terpstra did was the most optimal tactic, though it wasn't that bad.

It wasn't a 'normal' 3-1, Stannard was much fresher than the three others and Boonen was the only one who they could feel safe would beat him in a sprint. That means it's better for them to keep it together and protect Boonen as much as possible, so he can win the sprint. Their attacks made it more about strength than sprint, and Stannard had far more left in the tank at that point, so even though he was outnumbered, it was to his advantage that the Etixx boys put themselves in the red trying to attack him multiple times.

Imo the best tactic had been to continue in the Vdb-Terpstra-Stannard-Boonen formation with Vdb riding far to one side and then have Terpstra moving over (not attacking) to the opposite side of the road, and then depending on whether Stannrd follows Terpstra or Vdb, the other one puts pressure on (still not going in the red with an attack) while the one who has Stannard on his wheel slows down. Then Stannard would have to drag the two other to the third or attack himself to bridge across. If the one ahead is caught (while not going in the red himself) he slows down and sits on Stannard's wheel, letting the two others get back up. This way Stannard has to close holes that Etixx won't have to go in the red to create, while Boonen will spend as little energy as possible and have a man drag him up to Stannard if he is dropped.

 

[The_Juan]

What? Terpstra was stupid? By attacking right after Stannard did a huge effort to close the gap to Boonen? boonen who was spent after that attack anyways and seeing how stronger Stannard was compared to the Etixx guys he would've won the sprint anyways.

If you are 3 vs 1 and one starts attacking you better keep on attacking that 1 rider. And you do that right after he closed the gap to the first attacker. It's beyond me that people are trying to blame Terpstra. Blame him for the last 200m, sure, but besides that he was the only rider doing it right imo.

I didn't say Terpstra is/was stupid, I said his attack was a really dumb move.

All three Etixx guys were fairly spent with 10-15 kilometers to go trying to keep the other contenders at a decent distance. The only problem was that, in doing so, they hauled Stannard's culo grande (fat rear end) for most of the distance, and when they realized the effort was going to backfire they started attacking each other more than attacking Ian. The Brit definitely had fresher legs than the other three.

So, with 10k to go, a guy with fresher legs and three Etixx guys, the choice was OBVIOUS: take the fight to the finish line and let Boonen sprint it out with Stannard. By the looks of it, the Brit wouldn't have stood a chance against Tom. I could be wrong, but I find it highly unlikely that a pace rider would beat Boonen in a sprint.

And it was Terpstra's attack that exposed Etixx's only chance of winning, namely Boonen sprinting it out with Ian.

My two cents.

 

[Kwibus]

No it was Boonen attacking himself.

The earlier surge by Terpstra was simply because VDB left a gap for Stannard to close. After that Boonen attacked and that was where it went wrong.

The biggest mistake was made by VDB though, obviously.

 

[The_Juan]

No it was Boonen attacking himself.

The earlier surge by Terpstra was simply because VDB left a gap for Stannard to close. After that Boonen attacked and that was where it went wrong.

The biggest mistake was made by VDB though, obviously.

I'm not talking about the "earlier surge," I'm talking about the last attack from Terpstra, the one that left Tom for dead.

Why is it that some have a frigging reading comprehension problem?

 

[jens_attacks]

another VDB now really?
can't just call him stijn plz?

 

[Bushman]

Leaving it to Boonen vs Stannard in a sprint was the safe option, Boonen should have the kick to beat Stannard even though he was more fatigued than the brit. However, you also feel that you take use of your numerical advantage when you're 3 vs 1. Boonen should have waited as he was the Plan B, but attacking left and right would normally be a very good tactic. But the way Stannard reeled in Boonen without going into red was a Master stroke, really. Had he jumped on his wheel right away Etixx would have gotten rid of him soon enough. Well played by Stannard.

 

[bala v]

I didn't say Terpstra is/was stupid, I said his attack was a really dumb move.

All three Etixx guys were fairly spent with 10-15 kilometers to go trying to keep the other contenders at a decent distance. The only problem was that, in doing so, they hauled Stannard's culo grande (fat rear end) for most of the distance, and when they realized the effort was going to backfire they started attacking each other more than attacking Ian. The Brit definitely had fresher legs than the other three.

So, with 10k to go, a guy with fresher legs and three Etixx guys, the choice was OBVIOUS: take the fight to the finish line and let Boonen sprint it out with Stannard. By the looks of it, the Brit wouldn't have stood a chance against Tom. I could be wrong, but I find it highly unlikely that a pace rider would beat Boonen in a sprint.

And it was Terpstra's attack that exposed Etixx's only chance of winning, namely Boonen sprinting it out with Ian.

My two cents.

Terpstra's attack was not a dumb move, that was a logical move, because attacking already started by Boonen, and a dumb move if you're looking for one is that of Stijn Vanderbergh, a dumb move of the highest caliber. With 3 on 1 in the finish attacking is logical but not from top sprinter, that was a dumb move too. Terpstra's only mistake is leading out Stannard in the sprint, although it seems to me that he is a pretty fast finisher in the end of a hard day which he proved by beating Van Avermaet last year

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I can understand Vandenberghs reasoning for going after Terpstra, but it wasn't smart.

 

[jaylew]

But how is it possible that Terpstra was so fresh in the end? Did he do his job in the breakaway?

Because he's in great form right now, obviously.

Did he do his job in the breakaway?

Yes. They had a minute gap back to the next trio.

Once Stannard gets to Boonen, Terpstra launches what is probably the dumbest attack in recent times, exposing Boonen AND Vandenbergh, instead of the Brit. Stannard makes a logistical assessment and realizes that his best option then is to ride with Niki to the finish line and beat him in a sprint. Terpstra non only obliges, he decides to pull him to the end.

That's all she wrote.

Man, Boonen must've been fuming during the team meeting. That was a really bad, intentionally spoiling bad, move on the part of Niki. Once it became clear they were not going to beat the Brit, they should've settled the race in a sprint. I suspect there's some interpersonal issues within the team, or that there's no clear leader for races like yesterday's.

I don't know if I could disagree with you more. Why, exactly, was Boonen's a "good attack" but Terpsta's "the dumbest attack in recent times"? Boonen is the best sprinter and attacked when Stannard was even fresher.

 

[TANK91]

Terpstra's Roubaix win as got to his head.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Well, well talk about a perfect situation for anybody who likes both Stannard and Terpstra.

Great racing, almost as usual when it comes to this race.

 

[Kwibus]

I'm not talking about the "earlier surge," I'm talking about the last attack from Terpstra, the one that left Tom for dead.

Why is it that some have a frigging reading comprehension problem?

No it was because I found your logic so strange that perhaps I misunderstood you in the first place and that maybe you were talking about that first surge, but I guess I just find your logic strange regarding that situation yesterday.

Tom was left for dead because of his own attack. Not because of anyone else. Once he started the attacks they had to stick to that plan. He wasted his energy by attacking, relying on his sprint after that attack would've been crazy.

 

[Kwibus]

Terpstra's Roubaix win as got to his head.

Because?

10 char

 

[Spine Concept]

Terpstra's Roubaix win as got to his head.

This is comment dumber then Stijn's move yesterday. On what grounds do you say this? Terpstra's only mistake was in the last couple of hundred meters in my opinion. As I've said before, if Boonen wanted to sprint he should have stuck to Stannard's wheel and not let himself get caught up in what his teammates were doing. By attacking he was responsible for himself getting exposed cause he could have chosen to conserve that energy and go for the sprint. Regarding Terpstra, even the commentators on Sporza were saying that as soon as Stannard closed the gap on Boonen someone else from Etixx must attack. Why? Cause it's a logical move to completely cook Stannard after he had already spent so much energy catching up to Boonen. That is when Stijn had a brain fart and made the mistake of the day.

 

[Kwibus]

This is comment dumber then Stijn's move yesterday. On what grounds do you say this? Terpstra's only mistake was in the last couple of hundred meters in my opinion. As I've said before, if Boonen wanted to sprint he should have stuck to Stannard's wheel and not let himself get caught up in what his teammates were doing. By attacking he was responsible for himself getting exposed cause he could have chosen to conserve that energy and go for the sprint. Regarding Terpstra, even the commentators on Sporza were saying that as soon as Stannard closed the gap on Boonen someone else from Etixx must attack. Why? Cause it's a logical move to completely cook Stannard after he had already spent so much energy catching up to Boonen. That is when Stijn had a brain fart and made the mistake of the day.

Indeed. I don't understand why there is a discussion about this. It's so obvious.

 

[Oldman]

Because he's in great form right now, obviously.

Yes. They had a minute gap back to the next trio.

I don't know if I could disagree with you more. Why, exactly, was Boonen's a "good attack" but Terpsta's "the dumbest attack in recent times"? Boonen is the best sprinter and attacked when Stannard was even fresher.

I'd agree. If Boonen had confidence in his sprint they should have saved one attack for about 2 km out and have Boonen sit on Stannard for a lead out.
Greedy and tired guys screwed it up.

 

[The_Juan]

No it was because I found your logic so strange that perhaps I misunderstood you in the first place and that maybe you were talking about that first surge, but I guess I just find your logic strange regarding that situation yesterday.

Tom was left for dead because of his own attack. Not because of anyone else. Once he started the attacks they had to stick to that plan. He wasted his energy by attacking, relying on his sprint after that attack would've been crazy.

Tom Boonen disagrees with you.

But hey, who is he to disagree with you.

 

[The_Juan]

I don't know if I could disagree with you more. Why, exactly, was Boonen's a "good attack" but Terpsta's "the dumbest attack in recent times"? Boonen is the best sprinter and attacked when Stannard was even fresher.

Boonen's move made sense because up to that point they didn't know how fresh Stannard was. The Brit's ability to reel back Tom should've been a red flag and a big cue to go on to plan B and go for the sprint option.

 

[Kwibus]

Boonen's move made sense because up to that point they didn't know how fresh Stannard was. The Brit's ability to reel back Tom should've been a red flag and a big cue to go on to plan B and go for the sprint option.

Well if that was the plan then Boonen shouldn't have attacked since he was the one that had to do the sprint.
Boonen can disagree because he messed up himself.

 

[jaylew]

Boonen's move made sense because up to that point they didn't know how fresh Stannard was. The Brit's ability to reel back Tom should've been a red flag and a big cue to go on to plan B and go for the sprint option.

No, it didn't. If that was the plan, that attack should have been with Stign or Niki. Unless, of course, plans A & B are both purely designed to get Boonen a win rather than racing for a team win. In that case, you're right.

 

[ILovecycling]

I can understand Vandenberghs reasoning for going after Terpstra, but it wasn't smart.

I dont .He was only selfish,ofc I dont blame him cuz his work is always incredible!
Whats your opinion?
Btw I was fvcking wrong about Ian if you remember

 

[Bumeington]

I put Etixx's mistake even earlier than the last 5k's, and it think it came through underestimating Stannard.

When the 4 go clear, you get the leader (Boonen) to sit back with Stannard and not take any turns, and you tell Stannard that they will both have to take turns if the gap starts to close. They knew it was only Sep and GVA chasing them (with Stybar sitting on), why use the 3rd man until you have to?

 

[Hawkwood]

I put Etixx's mistake even earlier than the last 5k's, and it think it came through underestimating Stannard.

When the 4 go clear, you get the leader (Boonen) to sit back with Stannard and not take any turns, and you tell Stannard that they will both have to take turns if the gap starts to close. They knew it was only Sep and GVA chasing them (with Stybar sitting on), why use the 3rd man until you have to?

My very amateur take on it is that Boonen wasn't confident in his sprint, and hence tried a jump instead. If Boonen had thought he had the legs for the sprint then surely he would have just sat on at this point in the race.