95th Ronde Van Vlaanderen (April 3) Course change

[Buffalo Soldier]

Today, the 2011 Ronde Van Vlaanderen Course was presented (not 100% officially). A lot Changes this year:
-Course is 5 km shorter
-5 new hills: Tiegemberg, Nokereberg, Rekelberg, Kruisberg & Valkenberg
-They'll do the Paddenstraat again (not in 2010)
-3 hills gone: Den Ast, Kluisberg & Berendries (Berendries because of road works)

But biggest changes might be for 2012. Then the contract with Bruges (start) & Ninove (Finish) expires. Oudenaarde & Ronse are candidates for a new finish.

New Hills:
Tiegemberg
Length: 750m, Average : 5.6 %, Maximum: 9 %
Can't find a profile.
I've ridden it. It's easy

Nokereberg
Lenght: 375m, Average: 5,7%, Max: 9%

Even easier than Tiegemberg

Rekelberg
Length: 800m, Average: 4%, Max: 10%

Never even heard of it

Kruisberg
Lenght: 1800m (first 500m are cobbles), Av.:4,8%, Max: 9%

Can't remember if i've done it in the past, but seems harder.

Valkenberg
Length:880m, Av.:8%, Max: 12,8%

I like this one...


So: more hills (but most are easy), no Berendries, Cobbels of the Paddenstraat re-entered.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Tiegemberg is really easy I can ride it on the big ring(52) It'll be awesome because that 'puist' is only 500m away from where my dad lives
Kruisberg is quite a lot harder, especially if you come from the cobbled part, I've only done that once. The normal Kruisberg(without cobbles) is one you can ride up really fast against your limit, on the big ring if you really want a challenge

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Heh, there is also a Kruisberg in the AGR, but that's another hill in another place, and though as a b*tch

 

[L'arriviste]

Today, the 2011 Ronde Van Vlaanderen Course was presented (not 100% officially). A lot Changes this year:
-Course is 5 km shorter
-5 new hills: Tiegemberg, Nokereberg, Rekelberg, Kruisberg & Valkenberg
-They'll do the Paddenstraat again (not in 2010)
-3 hills gone: Den Ast, Kluisberg & Berendries (Berendries because of road works)

But biggest changes might be for 2012. Then the contract with Bruges (start) & Ninove (Finish) expires. Oudenaarde & Ronse are candidates for a new finish.

New Hills:
Tiegemberg
Length: 750m, Average : 5.6 %, Maximum: 9 %
Can't find a profile.
I've ridden it. It's easy

Nokereberg
Lenght: 375m, Average: 5,7%, Max: 9%
...
Even easier than Tiegemberg

Rekelberg
Length: 800m, Average: 4%, Max: 10%
...
Never even heard of it

Kruisberg
Lenght: 1800m (first 500m are cobbles), Av.:4,8%, Max: 9%
...
Can't remember if i've done it in the past, but seems harder.

Valkenberg
Length:880m, Av.:8%, Max: 12,8%
...
I like this one...


So: more hills (but most are easy), no Berendries, Cobbels of the Paddenstraat re-entered.

I think we had both the Tiegemberg and the Kruisberg in the past but I can't be 100% sure of that.

Perhaps strictly speaking OT given the thread title, but it's your mention of the 2012 finish possibilities that interests me most here.

A finish at Ronse could suggest a climax at the Kluisberg and the Oude Kwaremont (which is currently almost an irrelevance because it's still so early in the parcours),

With Oudenaarde, the parcours could be similar in terms of climax to the one at Ronse but it could also roll through from the valleien north of Brakel with the Molenberg etc.

Exciting prospects both!

Either possibility would effectively reverse the current situation in which the Muur and the Bosberg, being easternmost to the finish at Meerbeke, normally play host to the final act

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

A finish in Oudenaarde would give infinitive course end possibilities. I would love something like Koppenberg - Eikenberg - Holleweg&Kergate cobbles - Finish.

 

[Anonymous]

Here's more;

Fast first half, brutal second half.

 

[L'arriviste]

Here's more;

...

Fast first half, brutal second half.

+1. Act II after Ronse is punishing stuff and we could see a crucial shuffle with that Eikenberg-Molenberg sting at the end of it.

 

[il_fiammingo]

I think we had both the Tiegemberg and the Kruisberg in the past but I can't be 100% sure of that.

Perhaps strictly speaking OT given the thread title, but it's your mention of the 2012 finish possibilities that interests me most here.

A finish at Ronse could suggest a climax at the Kluisberg and the Oude Kwaremont (which is currently almost an irrelevance because it's still so early in the parcours),

With Oudenaarde, the parcours could be similar in terms of climax to the one at Ronse but it could also roll through from the valleien north of Brakel with the Molenberg etc.

Exciting prospects both!

Either possibility would effectively reverse the current situation in which the Muur and the Bosberg, being easternmost to the finish at Meerbeke, normally play host to the final act

I hope the finish stays at Meerbeke. The Muur-Bosberg combination has shown its value so many times. But if the finish changes, i just hope they don't have it on the top of a hill.

I think the Kruisberg + Knokteberg + Oude Kwaremont is beautiful. But the descent to the OK will be so nervous & dangerous.

 

[L'arriviste]

I hope the finish stays at Meerbeke. The Muur-Bosberg combination has shown its value so many times. But if the finish changes, i just hope they don't have it on the top of a hill.

I think the Kruisberg + Knokteberg + Oude Kwaremont is beautiful. But the descent to the OK will be so nervous & dangerous.

+1 about that descent. Gent Wevelgem has a similar issue with rolling off the Kemmelberg - if it's greasy, it's hellish.

Thinking about that, I cannot recall the last time it rained on the bergs on the day of the Ronde. This year it started out wet up at Brugge but things stayed more or less dry further inland. Over at G'bergen we had some threatening clouds but nothing much came of it - it was even gloriously sunny at times.

I tend to agree about the Muur-Bosberg combo, if only because of a sense of tradition. The long drag into Meerbeke must be hell for a lone rider but it gives plenty of time to take it all in.

 

[Anonymous]

+1 about that descent. Gent Wevelgem has a similar issue with rolling off the Kemmelberg - if it's greasy, it's hellish.

Thinking about that, I cannot recall the last time it rained on the bergs on the day of the Ronde. This year it started out wet up at Brugge but things stayed more or less dry further inland. Over at G'bergen we had some threatening clouds but nothing much came of it - it was even gloriously sunny at times.

I tend to agree about the Muur-Bosberg combo, if only because of a sense of tradition. The long drag into Meerbeke must be hell for a lone rider but it gives plenty of time to take it all in.

This makes me smile. Those of us riding the cyclo had all the rain on Saturday. My wife and I were at Sunday's start in Brugge and it was still raining but right about the time the race started the sun came out. I was sort of looking forward to see how the big boys rode the bergs in the rain.... but it wasn't meant to be

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Molenberg & Koppenberg in the rain are hell!

 

[Anonymous]

Molenberg & Koppenberg in the rain are hell!

+1

The wet/muddy Paterberg and Koppenberg (back-to-back) was no walk in the park either.

 

[arnaud]

I hope the finish stays at Meerbeke. The Muur-Bosberg combination has shown its value so many times. But if the finish changes, i just hope they don't have it on the top of a hill.

I think the Kruisberg + Knokteberg + Oude Kwaremont is beautiful. But the descent to the OK will be so nervous & dangerous.

I'm always opposite to major changements about classic's itinerary, especially inside the finish.
What is more for me the most beautiful place in the world of cycling is Grammont so i like his strategic place in the race

I hope meerbeke will stay the arrival

 

[il_fiammingo]

+1 about that descent. Gent Wevelgem has a similar issue with rolling off the Kemmelberg - if it's greasy, it's hellish.

Thinking about that, I cannot recall the last time it rained on the bergs on the day of the Ronde. This year it started out wet up at Brugge but things stayed more or less dry further inland. Over at G'bergen we had some threatening clouds but nothing much came of it - it was even gloriously sunny at times.

I tend to agree about the Muur-Bosberg combo, if only because of a sense of tradition. The long drag into Meerbeke must be hell for a lone rider but it gives plenty of time to take it all in.

If i remember correctly, in 2008 they had quite some showers and even hail just before the Kwaremont.
The day before we were not that lucky, a heavy shower after the Paterberg which made the Koppenberg a mission impossible.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Perhaps strictly speaking OT given the thread title, but it's your mention of the 2012 finish possibilities that interests me most here.

A finish at Ronse could suggest a climax at the Kluisberg and the Oude Kwaremont (which is currently almost an irrelevance because it's still so early in the parcours),

With Oudenaarde, the parcours could be similar in terms of climax to the one at Ronse but it could also roll through from the valleien north of Brakel with the Molenberg etc.

Exciting prospects both!

Either possibility would effectively reverse the current situation in which the Muur and the Bosberg, being easternmost to the finish at Meerbeke, normally play host to the final act

The Oudenaarde Bid was presented today.
This is the course they proposed:
km to finins | Hill
120 Berendries
115 Ten Bosse
105 Muur van Geraardsbergen
75 Eikenberg
60 Molenberg
45 Koppenberg
40 Steenbeekdries
35 Taaienberg
25 Kruisberg
20 Hotond
15 Paterberg
12 Oude Kwaremont


I can't say I like it. But oudenaarde is located so central, possibilities are almost unlimited.

 

[il_fiammingo]

The Oudenaarde Bid was presented today.
This is the course they proposed:
km to finins | Hill
120 Berendries
115 Ten Bosse
105 Muur van Geraardsbergen
75 Eikenberg
60 Molenberg
45 Koppenberg
40 Steenbeekdries
35 Taaienberg
25 Kruisberg
20 Hotond
15 Paterberg
12 Oude Kwaremont


I can't say I like it. But oudenaarde is located so central, possibilities are almost unlimited.

Stupid. The first 3 climbs won't be of any value as they are so far from the finish and 30km separated from the 2nd zone of climbs.

They either keep the Muur at its current position or they leave it out of the race. It's as simple as that.

BTW sending a compact peloton of 200 riders up the Muur will result in almost the same rider jams as on the Molenberg before 2010.

 

[L'arriviste]

Stupid. The first 3 climbs won't be of any value as they are so far from the finish and 30km separated from the 2nd zone of climbs.

They either keep the Muur at its current position or they leave it out of the race. It's as simple as that.

BTW sending a compact peloton of 200 riders up the Muur will result in almost the same rider jams as on the Molenberg before 2010.

I suppose that Oudenaarde could claim to have the moral high ground with the RvV centrum and so many bergs nearby. But this is a sort of a mirror image of the current route - swapping the footnote status of the Kwaremont for the climax of the Muur.

I was at the Muur at last year's OHN, when it appeared pretty much as the first lump on the parcours. Plenty of atmosphere, but it was gruppo compatto except for a ludicrous Hoogerland early breakaway. There were no real problems with that, except for an AG2R wheel problem holding things up a bit at the back. But then, as per this plan, the Muur was symbolic only - they weren't taking it at speed.

This proposed finish would presumably roll down from the kassei at Kwaremont onto the Ronsebaan and turn right at Berchem. Per Google, I make that 13km, so more or less the same as the distance between the Muur and Meerbeke, but without a Bosberg as last chance saloon.

 

[Lanark]

The Oudenaarde Bid was presented today.
This is the course they proposed:
km to finins | Hill
120 Berendries
115 Ten Bosse
105 Muur van Geraardsbergen
75 Eikenberg
60 Molenberg
45 Koppenberg
40 Steenbeekdries
35 Taaienberg
25 Kruisberg
20 Hotond
15 Paterberg
12 Oude Kwaremont


I can't say I like it. But oudenaarde is located so central, possibilities are almost unlimited.

Don't like it either. Everyone is talking about the Muur/Bosberg combo in the current course, but I think the trio Oude Kwaremont/Paterberg/Koppenberg is much more important for the current race, which causes a pretty big split early on, so after the Koppenberg you usually have 50 people left in the race. That isn't because they are so difficult (well, the Koppenberg is of course, the Paterberg is too short to make a big difference), but mostly because the Kwaremont is so narrow.

With the course they are proposing now, it wouldn't surprise me if you had a huge group going to the Koppenberg (130 guys or so), because there is far too much space between the hills before that, with a long wait to the Paterberg for the next action.

 

[will10]

I like it. The Muur would have no effect on the race in that route but the Koppenberg would be where the big selection is made - when it's 70km from the line you get the big boys waiting for teammates after the selection - at 45km, they won't wait

 

[il_fiammingo]

Don't like it either. Everyone is talking about the Muur/Bosberg combo in the current course, but I think the trio Oude Kwaremont/Paterberg/Koppenberg is much more important for the current race, which causes a pretty big split early on, so after the Koppenberg you usually have 50 people left in the race. That isn't because they are so difficult (well, the Koppenberg is of course, the Paterberg is too short to make a big difference), but mostly because the Kwaremont is so narrow.

With the course they are proposing now, it wouldn't surprise me if you had a huge group going to the Koppenberg (130 guys or so), because there is far too much space between the hills before that, with a long wait to the Paterberg for the next action.

Excellent analysis.