64th E3 Saxo Bank Classic: 25 March, 2022

[tomorrow]

These ratings are designed to have one from each team represented.

To me, there are 4 Jumbo riders who deserve a higher rating than Sagan.

Sagan will have at least one star for the rest of his carrier for any north classic, even out of his shape. For a "just in case" reason. And don't forget how Gilbert won his P-R and Ronde. If the stars align right, even off form Sagan can jump to the correct long range attack.

 

[Orbit501]

The Steppers are a rider down.

Honoré is a DNS.

 

[SafeBet]

Ackermann DNS as well.

 

[Orbit501]

Ackermann DNS as well.

Yep.
Can now add Lawson Craddock to the list unfortunately.

And already we have a crash on the peloton. Hopefully no casualties.

 

[stonerider]

Sagan will have at least one star for the rest of his carrier for any north classic, even out of his shape. For a "just in case" reason. And don't forget how Gilbert won his P-R and Ronde. If the stars align right, even off form Sagan can jump to the correct long range attack.

I see no physical reason Sagan can't get back close to his best ever top form...he's not that old, yet. But mentally, I'm not sure he's motivated to do the work and diet necessary to get back to his best.

 

[Anderis]

I hear what you're all screaming for, so here it is, the negative start list (riders not starting for all sorts of reasons but at peak shape could be expected to have played a role in the race):

Alaphilippe
Lampaert
Roglic
Gilbert
Florian Vermeersch
Claeys
Kristoff
Taco
Lutsenko
Colbrelli
Dylan Teuns
Schachmann
Bettiol
Cort
Keukeleire
Pacher
Démare
Ganna (I guess people think he can do something like this race too, for some reason)
Hayter
Kwiatkowski
Pidcock
Geraint Thomas
Boivin
Nizzolo
Würtz
Serrano
Valverde
Matthews
Eekhoff
Casper Pedersen
Hirschi
Pogacar
Trentin
Philipsen
Stannard
Mathieu van der Poel
Van Keirsbulck
Herregodts (would he be good here, I don't know?)

Meanwhile cyclingnews:

 

[Orbit501]

Now Jumbo a rider down.

Tosh Van Der Sande a DNF after that initial crash.

 

[Velolover2]

Who is the classics version of Voodoo Nibali? Could it be Sagan himself?

Based on his current form, he needs more than just voodoo tricks.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Let's go should be a great race

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

Random PCS stat before the action starts: - it's the 500th raceday that Niki Terpstra and GVA have raced against each other

 

[Orbit501]

9 man break stopped by railroad crossing. Lol.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Benoot might really have a chance today if the others are focusing on Van Aert too much.

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

Benoot might really have a chance today if the others are focusing on Van Aert too much.

Jumbo really do have the cards to play like QS did in the past but I wonder if there is a sole leader deal going on in the team? Maybe not today but I imagine for RVV and P-R there will be a sole undisputed Red Bull sponsored leader.

 

[Orbit501]

Benoot might really have a chance today if the others are focusing on Van Aert too much.

Certainly a race that suits him and that he goes well in. Not raced since crashing out of MSR though.

Which then makes you think of Laporte as he's going well, but then will they be racing for him on Sunday instead?

Certainly multiple cards to play.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Meanwhile cyclingnews:

One of the worst articles I have seen. Are these guys real cycling journos?

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Lot of horsepower in the break if they let it go,

 

[DaLong]

GCN struggling or am I just having a seizure?

Edit: Seems to have stabilized.

 

[Netserk]

Not raced since crashing out of MSR though.

Strade, but good point.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Seems like the peloton don’t like the break very much, not getting any rope at all

 

[Netserk]

Seems like the peloton don’t like the break very much, not getting any rope at all

Only 13 km until the hard part of the route starts, no need for the complication a big gap after that would be.

 

[tobydawq]

Sagan is very visible on the front, intriguing to see if he will be blown away on the Taaienberg or if he actually has found a bit of form.

 

[Orbit501]

Strade, but good point.

Oops. Thanks, that's what I meant. Taken out in that infamous wind gust.

That's why I mentioned it really. Because that's about 3 weeks without racing.

 

[Salvarani]

Campenaerts have no luck in these races, but it happens so often it cant be down to only bad luck at this point.

 

[Velolover2]

Horrible job by the Lotto team.

 

[Samamba]

Wth is LTS doing there. Campenaerts race is over.