2017 Worlds BERGEN, NORWAY, RR ELITE, SUN 24th 277KM!

[Dekker_Tifosi]

The Dutch sprint option is gone. Danny van Poppel dropped. (no surprise there)

 

[Tarnum]

Peloton is stil 165 riders strong. Time to make this thing selective.

 

[GuyIncognito]

Guimard time

 

[Pantani_lives]

This might lead to a new breakaway that lasts until the final lap.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Poland is strong.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Haller on his own is not a dangerous breakaway. This is ideal for the sprinters and strong finishers. Who was going to make the race hard?

EDIT: Ah, Wellens is doing his job!

 

[Tank Engine]

Time for Tim

 

[jsem94]

INb4 Wellens solo win with about 7 minutes.

 

[Samamba]

Way too early for Wellens.

 

[sir fly]

Poles caught back a bit, I think.

 

[jsem94]

Sagan's men about to drop.

 

[Tank Engine]

Re:

Way too early for Wellens.

For Wellens in the dry, yes. But for Belgium, no.

 

[Samamba]

Re: Re:

Way too early for Wellens.

For Wellens in the dry, yes. But for Belgium, no.

I just don't get why guys like Stuyven and Keukeleire are higher in the hierarchy than Wellens.

 

[pink_jersey]

Grande Pantano is there.

 

[sir fly]

Re: Re:

Way too early for Wellens.

For Wellens in the dry, yes. But for Belgium, no.

I just don't get why guys like Stuyven and Keukeleire are higher in the hierarchy than Wellens.

It's also about how the riders feel on the day.

 

[jsem94]

Pretty strong break now.

 

[Netserk]

Re: Re:

Way too early for Wellens.

For Wellens in the dry, yes. But for Belgium, no.

I just don't get why guys like Stuyven and Keukeleire are higher in the hierarchy than Wellens.

They can't attack the hill like Wellens did.

 

[wirral]

Re: Re:

Way too early for Wellens.

For Wellens in the dry, yes. But for Belgium, no.

I just don't get why guys like Stuyven and Keukeleire are higher in the hierarchy than Wellens.

Also horses for courses, Wellens has excellent pedigree in going long but is no great sprinter. Stuyven and Keukeleire can sprint so are held back for later (even though both could go long, but not as well as Wellens).

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Good action so far

 

[Brullnux]

Re:

Reminds me a lot of Ponferrada

De Marchi is in a mid range break, exactly like three years ago. However, I think this race might be a bit more tactical than Ponferrada: there is no short ramp to escape on. Nice race so far.

 

[Tank Engine]

Re: Re:

Way too early for Wellens.

For Wellens in the dry, yes. But for Belgium, no.

I just don't get why guys like Stuyven and Keukeleire are higher in the hierarchy than Wellens.

I wouldn't say it's a question of hierarchy, more of roles. An attack was going to go on Salmon Hill, who do you send?

 

[hrotha]

Bring no sprinters.
Wait until 60 km to go for serious moves to start making the race hard.
Don't get into said serious moves.

Well done, France.

 

[Samamba]

Re: Re:

Way too early for Wellens.

For Wellens in the dry, yes. But for Belgium, no.

I just don't get why guys like Stuyven and Keukeleire are higher in the hierarchy than Wellens.

I wouldn't say it's a question of hierarchy, more of roles. An attack was going to go on Salmon Hill, who do you send?

Keukeleire, Benoot, Stuyven or Teuns.

Wellens at like 30 k from the end. This attack is suicide

 

[Brullnux]

Re:

Bring no sprinters.
Wait until 60 km to go for serious moves to start making the race hard.
Don't get into said serious moves.

Well done, France.

Why didn't they bring Demare?

 

[GuyIncognito]

Re:

Bring no sprinters.
Wait until 60 km to go for serious moves to start making the race hard.
Don't get into said serious moves.

Well done, France.

The most puzzling part for me - and I realize I've criticized the french selection before - is that he says Démare and Bouhanni weren't in top form or motivated for this race. Fine....so why not Coquard?