94th Ronde van Vlaanderen - April 4

[Moose McKnuckles]

To be completely fair, you have to give some leeway to pro riders who just finished 6.5 hours of one of the hardest races in the sport.

 

[Race Radio]

Did anyone see the interview with the US ambassador on the Sporza pre-race show? What a dork! That was embarrassing.

 

[Ned Flanders]

Yes but he still didn't say respect. Probably thinks he has a lot to learn.

Armstrong is a tosser. Period.

Aren't you the same guy who said Armstrong would likely DNF this incredibly tough race? You said you would eat your hat if he doesn't have to abandon due to the time limits or something, didn't you?

Well he finished in the lead chasing group, only two minutes down on FC and a minute behind Boonen, and looked impressive throughout.

All you've got to say is call him a tosser?

 

[ferryman]

Hats off to LA. It really was a REMARKABLE perforamnce and only a week after Corsica where he lost 5 minutes on a Cat 1 in how many Ks? Truly remarkable to slim down and find form in a week. I eat my Sporran. What a guy, superman.

 

[Tim Costello]

I don't like Lance at all as a person, but I thought he put up a good ride today. Far too much is being made of the post race interview. He just wanted to get away and into his bus. If it's not him winning he's not interested. He's not a fan like us who will appreciate a great ride no matter who produces it.

 

[Ned Flanders]

Far too much is being made of the post race interview.

They have to find something. That's just their job.

 

[BroDeal]

Aren't you the same guy who said Armstrong would likely DNF this incredibly tough race? You said you would eat your hat if he doesn't have to abandon due to the time limits or something, didn't you?

That is evidence that even when BPC is not trolling he still reads this forum, probably seething at nearly every post. He is an addict. That is why he won't go away.

 

[Tugboat]

well that's nice isn't it, you ride the whole 262km of Flanders, finish + they list your group w/ the DNF's. #bitofrespectwouldbenice

Outside the time limit maybe? There's no concessions for old men Robbie. You still have to ride fast!

 

[pmcg76]

Working today and my recorder screwed up so only saw the highlighs on EuroSport. I predicted the Top 3 riders right but had Boonen ahead on Canc in a 2 man break with Gilbert well behind. Not too far away.

Looked like a decent race, Cancellara super impressive, especially the huge gap he opened on the Muur. Good ride by Millar and fair play to Armstrong for finishing in the chase group but whats with such a huge group!!! Maybe Lance is morphing back into a Classics rider

I think Vacansoleil are also slowly convinving me they do deserve a place at the Tour.

Just read through the last 40 pages for a blow-by-blow account. Thanks to all, always fun to read.

 

[thehog]

“If you give him a few meters, you won’t see him again. I was racing after him at 55 km/h, and he took a minute off me,” Boonen said. “What can I say? He was the strongest.”

- Fark.

 

[Race Radio]

What happened to Flecha today? He seemed to be right in it then disappeared.

 

[scribe]

he can take a dump and drink 2 beers in the local cafe and still win.

Sounds like my form right about now!

 

[BroDeal]

“If you give him a few meters, you won’t see him again. I was racing after him at 55 km/h, and he took a minute off me,” Boonen said. “What can I say? He was the strongest.”

- Fark.

Either Boonen did really well to hold the gap near a minute or Canc let up a little once he got that amount of time. Boonen looked like he was killing himself while chasing. Impressive ride by both.

 

[luckyboy]

Pretty great race. Cancellara was phenomenal. Also, nice placing for Gilbert

BMC were pretty disappointing. Lets see what they do next Sunday

 

[Ned Flanders]

Pretty great race. Cancellara was phenomenal. Also, nice placing for Gilbert

BMC were pretty disappointing. Lets see what they do next Sunday

Plus BMC should be forced to change their jersies so it's easier to spot RadioShack riders from a distance shot.

 

[MacRoadie]

Yes. He could be the next Hincapie!

I hope not. I'd rather see him continue winning...

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

“If you give him a few meters, you won’t see him again. I was racing after him at 55 km/h, and he took a minute off me,” Boonen said. “What can I say? He was the strongest.”

- Fark.

Spectacular quote. Man, that moment on the Muur was special. Truly amazing to see Cancellara open that gap on Boonen.

Once we set aside all the petty Armstrong v. Contador stuff, we see how absolutely beautiful and simultaneously painful this sport is.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Pretty great race. Cancellara was phenomenal. Also, nice placing for Gilbert

BMC were pretty disappointing. Lets see what they do next Sunday

6th place dissapoiniting. Hincapie said he had the legs to go with tomeke and spartacus on the molenberg.

Sky were very dissapointing IMO...

Going to try to work out a team's classification for the race...may take a little while!

 

[ChrisE]

6th place dissapoiniting. Hincapie said he had the legs to go with tomeke and spartacus on the molenberg.

Yeah, he said that. One of the funnier things I have read in the last few days.

 

[derailleur]

BMC were pretty disappointing. Lets see what they do next Sunday

Is the a sign of sarcasm for today or for next Sunday?

Cuz Hincapie came in at 6th, and almost took 5th off Farrar in a sprint.

Considering BMC are certainly targeting the win next week for George, it's not inconceivable they were willing to soft-pedal this week.

And we'll probably see Spartacus taking a victory lap.

 

[Phlakaton]

I thought Hincapie could be in contention and he was - too bad he couldnt jump into that Boonen/Cancellara break...

what is it that makes you hesitate on getting into that????? legs not there? PR coming up? I cant understand why you would hesitated when those guys go! Makes zero sense if you could. Lame.

Armstrong comments... love or hate. He did well today. He can ride in any race. He has the mental game to win any race if he prepares for it. Too bad he always seems to dry toast interviews. I think he's on par with a lot of old pros when he talks in interviews.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Is the a sign of sarcasm for today or for next Sunday?

Cuz Hincapie came in at 6th, and almost took 5th off Farrar in a sprint.

Considering BMC are certainly targeting the win next week for George, it's not inconceivable they were willing to soft-pedal this week.

And we'll probably see Spartacus taking a victory lap.

It was good to see Ballan, kroon and burghardt up there and riding well becaue they have been struggling for form...

Just to note on the amount of finishers for some teams
SAX - 5
QSI - 7
OPO - 5
VAC - 6
GAR - 4
BMC - 5
CER - 4
AST - 4
LAM - 3
Bbox - 5
Kat - 4
Sky - 7
HTC - 6

 

[luckyboy]

Is the a sign of sarcasm for today or for next Sunday?

Cuz Hincapie came in at 6th, and almost took 5th off Farrar in a sprint.

Considering BMC are certainly targeting the win next week for George, it's not inconceivable they were willing to soft-pedal this week.

Oh, he said that? (Sorry, I haven't really read any quotes or anything this week) I'd have thought that with Ballan, George and Burghardt they might have been closer/on the podium. We still have P-R though.

I kinda just classed the group as one tbh.

Also, I'm still bitter about the Tour invites, so don't take me too seriously.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Oh, he said that? (Sorry, I haven't really read any quotes or anything this week) I'd have thought that with Ballan, George and Burghardt they might have been closer/on the podium. We still have P-R though.

I kinda just classed the group as one tbh.

Also, I'm still bitter about the Tour invites, so don't take me too seriously.

Ballan and burghardt haven't really had great form so it was good to see them up there but those two didnn't really have the form for flanders.Hincapie said he got a bit boxed in on the molenberg when TB and fabo jumped but said he could of gone with them.

 

[Cerberus]

Ballan and burghardt haven't really had great form so it was good to see them up there but those two didnn't really have the form for flanders.Hincapie said he got a bit boxed in on the molenberg when TB and fabo jumped but said he could of gone with them.

Yeah, and what was the reason he didn't get into the chase group then? Fact is that talk is cheap. There was perhaps one other guy who could have gone with them, but his chances were ruined by a bad bike change. Hincapie just didn't have the legs. Not that he was bad, but he was not on the same level as Boonen, Cancellara or based on the early parts of the race Breschel.