80th (Men's) Omloop Het Nieuwsblad - Saturday, March 1, 2025

Page 4 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Of course the route wasn't perfect back then - even if the last edition with it was a banger - but they didn't have to have such a massive gap in cobbles before the Muur... But no, it had to be a circuit. And then Omloop got a complete makeover as well... I'm honestly not too keen on Flanders Classics.
I get the wish for a2b, but going to oude for the 3x pass and big screen finish is just about as good as it gets watching cycling. Or anything else really...
 
Did you not read my comment? I don't like the circuits, I also agree with @Peyroteo94 about missing the Muur. And I literally mentioned how the old route wasn't all that great either - but that the finale with the Muur and Bosberg wasn't to blame for this, but rather the long stretch with no cobbles leading up to it.
What don’t you like about the circuits? I mean as far as circuits go, pretty *** epic IMO.

Took some time for me to adjust, particularly after climbing the Muur/Bosberg in person, but I have no real issue with the current state of things.

But to each their own! Just curious what you don’t like about it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sandisfan
What don’t you like about the circuits? I mean as far as circuits go, pretty *** epic IMO.

Took some time for me to adjust, particularly after climbing the Muur/Bosberg in person, but I have no real issue with the current state of things.

But to each their own! Just curious what you don’t like about it.
For me what I like most about cycling is the narrativity of it all. I think the narrative gets very muddled by the circuits. It feels phony. I also think the individual climbs lose impact - it's bad enough that they've already been raced on countless times during the season, to do them twice and even thrice in the same race is way too much. The ascent of the Koppenberg feels much more special to me, because it's just that one time every year. In addition I think it would make for a more varied and interesting race if those three key parts of the race played by the repitions of Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg were given to three other climbs; their time to shine.
 
For me what I like most about cycling is the narrativity of it all. I think the narrative gets very muddled by the circuits. It feels phony. I also think the individual climbs lose impact - it's bad enough that they've already been raced on countless times during the season, to do them twice and even thrice in the same race is way too much. The ascent of the Koppenberg feels much more special to me, because it's just that one time every year. In addition I think it would make for a more varied and interesting race if those three key parts of the race played by the repitions of Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg were given to three other climbs; their time to shine.
Entirely reasonable, thanks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sciatic and E_F_

10 year anniversary, and to this day I still have no idea what Vandenbergh thought he was doing.
So much went wrong there. Why was Boonen one of the first to attack, when they could rely on his sprint Did Vandenbergh think he could ride away together with Terpstra? Why did Terpstra go to the front and initiate the sprint? Masterclass in selfish riding. Could've been 4 separate teams.
 
Nope. Out of the squad I would only recognize Naesen. The rest are all little light French guys in my mind. (It was in fact a smaller rider) and only saw him from behind when he passed.

None of the riders for Omloop are French, much to the chagrin of several French guys on FB.
Pretty sure they're not that small either, what with it being a cobbled classic.
And I don't think it was Søjberg; the Danish flag would probably have given it away.
 
I don't believe for a second that they only give 10 minutes of screen time to their so called cycling experts.

Funny thing is that this year the chances of something happening early are actually small cause of lack of wind.
I haven't seen the broadcast times, but this is apparently to be the first Breakaway of the season, so a yet to be specified amount of time of Orla and Blythe's expertise.


Oh joy.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Sandisfan