52nd Brabantse Pijl 196km

[roundabout]

Shame Europcar isn't invited to Fleche. Tommy V will miss his quadruple.

 

[The Sheep]

Awesome coward rides for 2nd?

He didn't he was the only one trying to go with Voeckler...

 

[dlwssonic]

Well, I can think of one contenders' team, that was riding this race hard, as they were to win in, shattering the field, just to come up with a big fat FAIL in the end

a fail here hardly matters anyway Their plan was to send GVA to the break and keep Gilbert in the peloton. Well in the end everyone in the chase group couldn't be bothered and were not willing to chase. Not really a fail.

 

[jsem94]

It was said previously in the thread, and I concur. This season is getting ridiculous.

 

[nvpacchi]

Is there a running joke with Meersman, or were people actually tipping him as a favorite

 

[Spine Concept]

Is there a running joke with Meersman, or were people actually tipping his a favorite

He did that all by himself actually. Seemed really confident and even had me going. Guess it was not to be.

 

[Fetisoff]

liquigas? i only saw the last 20km

Nope... (see comment below)

a fail here hardly matters anyway Their plan was to send GVA to the break and keep Gilbert in the peloton. Well in the end everyone in the chase group couldn't be bothered and were not willing to chase. Not really a fail.

Glad to see you've taken classes at the Andy Schleck school of excuses

 

[dlwssonic]

It was said previously in the thread, and I concur. This season is getting ridiculous.

I actually dont mind some uphill sprints now, instead of the long solos for a change.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Is there a running joke with Meersman, or were people actually tipping him as a favorite

Kenny De Haes was

 

[Kwibus]

Nice one by Voeckler! Curious how he will do in AGR.

Freire 2nd. Love it he gives all to get 2nd while he allready has so many big wins.

Voeckler and Freire are both riders I really started to appreciate last 2 years when I really started following cycling fanatically.

Good to see Duarte do well as well.

Rabobank really needs to learn to trust in Matthews in these kind of races. The kid is incredibly talented.

 

[rhubroma]

Courageous move and win on the part of the Frenchman. He needs to control that frisky tongue though.

 

[Lanark]

BMC, Rabo and Meersman are big fails today....again

Can't really blame Meersman though, only the poverty of his team made him leader today. If even guys like Breschel and Gilbert fail, what can you expect of Meersman, who isn't even of the level of the guys in front.

 

[dlwssonic]

Nope... (see comment below)




Glad to see you've taken classes at the Andy Schleck school of excuses

Its a good excuse. If BMC totally fails at all the important ardennes classics, then you can talk.

 

[Fetisoff]

Its a good excuse. If BMC totally fails at all the important ardennes classics, then you can talk.

I will bookmark this comment, cause we will definitely need to have a talk after the "important" ardennes then...


(BTW, it might be a good excuse, but so is "races shouldn't be won on downhills" too)

 

[theyoungest]

BMC, Rabo and Meersman are big fails today....again

Rabo looking worrying for the Ardennes... Breschel? Martens?

Gilbert won't win anything soon either.

 

[Kwibus]

Rabo looking worrying for the Ardennes... Breschel? Martens?

Gilbert won't win anything soon either.

I really wonder if they should put their trust into riders like Breschel and Martens for the Ardennes.

 

[dlwssonic]

I will bookmark this comment, cause we will definitely need to have a talk after the "important" ardennes then...


(BTW, it might be a good excuse, but so is "races shouldn't be won on downhills" too)

Please my excuses actually make sense unlike some AS Bull****. Yeah BMC will perform in the ardennes week.

 

[theyoungest]

I really wonder if they should put their trust into riders like Breschel and Martens for the Ardennes.

I just hope they won't feel obliged to control the race, since now it's clear they really have no one who can win it.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Has the UCI passed a new rule that we haven't heard about?
All one day classic type races in April can only be won by a lone attack from over 50kms out.

Another forlorn chase.

Rabo had the wrong guy in the right group, or the right guy in the wrong group, whichever you prefer.

BMC's big boy is looking much better..............but not tip top just yet.
GVA the permanent bridesmaid.
Garmin find another big engine.
Freire always favourite for 2nd and clever enough to take it.

Duarte's performance good to see.

Sagan's downhill tumble, not so.

Andy Schleck? LEOPARD Trek to Leopard Spots.

 

[Fetisoff]

Please my excuses actually make sense unlike some AS Bull****. Yeah BMC will perform in the ardennes week.

Could we then, according to your logic that makes perfect sense, consider that BMC has not won a race this year, cause really, according to you it's only "important races" that count, and who gives a **** about Criterium International?

 

[Kwibus]

I just hope they won't feel obliged to control the race, since now it's clear they really have no one who can win it.

Well if I were them should've put their money on Matthews for once. Allthough he probably isn't good enough for the upcoming 3 races.
AGR he should be able to do in the future. Not yet though, but today for instance.....

 

[theyoungest]

Well if I were them should've put their money on Matthews for once. Allthough he probably isn't good enough for the upcoming 3 races.
AGR he should be able to do in the future. Not yet though, but today for instance.....

I don't think they were even planning to let Matthews ride the AGR, he isn't on the preliminary startlist, but maybe now they will. He really looked quite strong today.

Then again, a change of plans isn't their strong suit.

 

[dlwssonic]

Could we then, according to your logic that makes perfect sense, consider that BMC has not won a race this year, cause really, according to you it's only "important races" that count, and who gives a **** about Criterium International?

Yeah important races like RVV and PR. Which BMC were able to podium both. Please no one could have beaten Boonen.

 

[Fetisoff]

Yeah important races like RVV and PR. Which BMC were able to podium both. Please no one could have beaten Boonen.

LOL, I see you were not only taking classes at the Andy Schleck school of excuses, but also the Mark Cavendish school of grading races according to their importance

Anyway, this thread's not about RVV or PR, it's about Brabantse Pijl.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Well if I were them should've put their money on Matthews for once. Allthough he probably isn't good enough for the upcoming 3 races.
AGR he should be able to do in the future. Not yet though, but today for instance.....

Well, he did manage to ride away from the remaining peloton on the final little climb, which is not to be sniffed at.
He was also in an earlier break.
So, he might well come into the reckoning......to ride, at least.