79th Gent-Wevelgem, 26th March 2017, 249 km, 1.UWT

[RedheadDane]

In fact, isn't it possible that there were more unpaved roads in 1934?

This has nothing to do with road racing. Suppose that the peloton stays together and a group of 150 rides through the narrow roads. Is that what the organizers want to see?

Then send your team up to split the race in pieces. Then there won't be a group of 150 riding through the narrow roads.

 

[swuzzlebubble]

Re: Re:

is this the longest of the semi-classics?

This is a full classic.

George Hincapie has won it so it's a semi-classic

 

[Netserk]

Whatever you want to call it, it has the same stature as Amstel nowadays, and the latter is longer.

 

[glassmoon]

Re: Re:

is this the longest of the semi-classics?

This is a full classic.

George Hincapie has won it so it's a semi-classic

:idea:

 

[spiritualride]

Sagan a little beat up from yesterday's crash?

Sagan himself said through his spokesman that he blamed no one anything. "*** happens, and today Peter sitting. He complains of back pain, probably from a pedal of another rider. The fact that he rode the course, means he is not mentally dented. He gets tomorrow ( today, ed. ) The doctor visit, and Sunday is Peter at the start. You know him: he drives Gent-Wevelgem on one leg if necessary. "

http://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20170325_02799252

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Whatever you want to call it, it has the same stature as Amstel nowadays, and the latter is longer.

Looking at that course, 261 long and little hills all over the place, it amazes me how this race can be so shitty.

 

[roundabout]

It's more amazing to me that that profile makes Bemelerberg seem difficult.

 

[the asian]

Re: Re:

Whatever you want to call it, it has the same stature as Amstel nowadays, and the latter is longer.

Looking at that course, 261 long and little hills all over the place, it amazes me how this race can be so shitty.

It's because the hard Hilly classics men peak for Ronde and leave this to the shitty puncheurs.

 

[ice&fire]

Re:

In fact, isn't it possible that there were more unpaved roads in 1934?

This has nothing to do with road racing. Suppose that the peloton stays together and a group of 150 rides through the narrow roads. Is that what the organizers want to see?

Then send your team up to split the race in pieces. Then there won't be a group of 150 riding through the narrow roads.

Is he talking about Roubaix?

 

[El Pistolero]

Re: Re:

Whatever you want to call it, it has the same stature as Amstel nowadays, and the latter is longer.

Looking at that course, 261 long and little hills all over the place, it amazes me how this race can be so shitty.

Shitty? This race has been far more entertaining than all hilly classics combined since 2013 (besides Lombardia, which is more akin to a climber's course these days though).

 

[Anderis]

Vanmarcke won't start. Needs to to get over the stomach bug he's had.

Bettiol replaces him, which is good, because I think he is the most likely Cannondale rider to get a decent result here.

 

[Mr.White]

Re: Re:

Whatever you want to call it, it has the same stature as Amstel nowadays, and the latter is longer.

Looking at that course, 261 long and little hills all over the place, it amazes me how this race can be so ******.

It's because the hard Hilly classics men peak for Ronde and leave this to the ****** puncheurs.

You mean punchers like Gilbert, Kwiatkowski, Alaphilippe, Valverde? They all show some spectacular racing this year. It must be something else...

 

[May0maniac]

Re: Re:

Whatever you want to call it, it has the same stature as Amstel nowadays, and the latter is longer.

Looking at that course, 261 long and little hills all over the place, it amazes me how this race can be so ******.

******? This race has been far more entertaining than all hilly classics combined since 2013 (besides Lombardia, which is more akin to a climber's course these days though).

Well, in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king, the other races were so boring that even a mediocre AGR was better.

 

[Mr.White]

Sagan or Tommeke tomorrow ftw.

 

[London Hibs]

Am I correct in thinking that they climb the Kemmelberg in both directions?

 

[Orbit501]

Is Kristoff still starting tomorrow? Strange that some betting sites are not offering odds on him.

 

[Ikbengodniet]

Re:

Am I correct in thinking that they climb the Kemmelberg in both directions?

Yes they will climb both sides. They will climb the hardest part the 2nd time.

 

[Orbit501]

Ok thanks. That's a shame, he seemed to have recovered ok from his crash at Omloop. Has he picked up a bug or something?

 

[langberget]

Re:

Is Kristoff still starting tomorrow? Strange that some betting sites are not offering odds on him.

According to Katusha's facebook account, he will ride.

 

[Orbit501]

I'm confused now.

According to PCS startlist Kristoff is riding. They've already taken Vanmarcke off too so I'm assuming they're accurate, but some betting sites have Vanmarcke starting but not Kristoff.

Not that any of that matters as I'm going for Tommeke anyway

 

[Tonton]

Valverde to win both the VaC and GW tomorrow. If you think it's impossible, he'll do it .

Sagan is the favorite, Demare will be there...

I have always loved GW (and the FW for that matter). The monuments stuff is BS. It's a mythic race, a classique, and the distance is right. We have been lucky so far in '17: it will be another big day of cycling, and I hope that there's no controversy...

If my legs feel good, I may still be on my bike comes finish time: I haven't done a 100km ride so far this year, not good...

 

[Ikbengodniet]

Kristoff was supossed to skip this one, but actually he is on the official startlist now so he will be there.

 

[Tonton]

Re:

Kristoff was supossed to skip this one, but actually he is on the official startlist now so he will be there.

Dangerous...

 

[SHAD0W93]

Cav or Demare for the win.

 

[Jspear]

Re:

Cav or Demare for the win.

It will be raced WAY WAY to hard for Cav to even be close to winning.