Classics Brugge-De Panne (20/3 and 21/3, 2024)

[Didinho]

Philipsen almost crashed with Merlier. But the strongest in the end.

 

[Salvarani]

Hodeg DNFd so definitely not him.

I think it was Molano.

144

 

[Salvarani]

Merlier, lol. Learned that from Remco?

Philipsen did nothing

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Merlier, lol. Learned that from Remco?

Philipsen did nothing

The Pack who Cried Wolf.

 

[Rob5091]

Merlier not happy with the argy-bargy.

 

[Squire]

Good result for Tesson. But couldn't beat the big boys even when they were basically coasting for a moment just before the line. This race was a crash waiting to happen. Went better than expected in that regard.

 

[staubsauger]

What a riveting race. I don't think I'll have to watch any more Flemish races now, I'm all full from this one.

Luckily I didn't pay enough attention really.

It's a shame what they've done to this race. It used to be really nice to watch. If rainy & windy like 2023 & 2020 it still is. Otherwise it's just completely dull and unnecessary to watch like today!

 

[tobydawq]

Philipsen definitely dove into a hole that wasn't there, lol.

 

[Landeirovic]

I think it was Molano.

144

yes Molano my bad with all the moustaches...

 

[postmanhat]

What a great signing Consonni has been for Trek. Superb leadout man, and able to take his own chances in tricky finishes.

 

[Volderke]

Merlier wanted to close the door but it was too late, and it got a bit dangerous when Philipsen pushed back and Merlier was riding with his front wheel at Van Poppel's left side so nowhere to go.

 

[kingjr]

Philipsen definitely dove into a hole that wasn't there, lol.

When he moved to the left to launch his sprint, van Poppel and Merlier were still in the middle of the road.

 

[Salvarani]

Philipsen definitely dove into a hole that wasn't there, lol.

He was already there though... he cant disappear.

And what was Merlier thinking about going on the inside of Van Poppel?

 

[tobydawq]

He was already there though... he cant disappear.

And what was Merlier thinking about going on the inside of Van Poppel?

Okay, I didn't get the part about Merlier going to the left. If that's true, I'll backtrack.

 

[Salvarani]

Yeah, looking at it again... Merlier cant say much about that.

 

[KZD]

Incredible how Van Poppel managed to get third after his recovery.

Philipsen really is the best sprinter in the world, Merlier is very fast but still couldn't beat him.

Hope Scheldeprijs has rain and wind to make up for this borefest

 

[DNP-Old]

I say that whenever, whatever race incident occurs, it is de facto the fault of an Alpecin rider, even if they weren't involved at all.

 

[RedheadDane]

yes Molano my bad with all the moustaches...

Maybe they'll all grow moustaches for disguise-reasons.

 

[Didinho]

What a great signing Consonni has been for Trek. Superb leadout man, and able to take his own chances in tricky finishes.

Seems like he’s 5th every race. Last year also a standard 5-10th place. Really good signing indeed.

 

[staubsauger]

Gaviria looked perfectly positioned at one point. Then, didn't even contest the sprint for victory somehow.

 

[Samamba]

Didn't see anything but looking at the result. Total 4th and 9th... did a miracle happen?

 

[Landeirovic]

Maybe they'll all grow moustaches for disguise-reasons.

Molano, Morgado, Grosschartner, Vine, Mcnulty

 

[search]

Didn't see anything but looking at the result. Total 4th and 9th... did a miracle happen?

They did alright, but it was also a lot about positioning. After the late crash, only ~15 riders were left in contention. Thijssen still sprinted from the 2nd to the 1st group, but that was it.

The crash itself didn't look too bad to me, but as it turns out now, resulted in a displaced left clavicle fracture for Ackermann (surgery today) and a potentially (haven't seen an update) fractured finger for Rex.

 

[yaco]

They did alright, but it was also a lot about positioning. After the late crash, only ~15 riders were left in contention. Thijssen still sprinted from the 2nd to the 1st group, but that was it.

The crash itself didn't look too bad to me, but as it turns out now, resulted in a displaced left clavicle fracture for Ackermann (surgery today) and a potentially (haven't seen an update) fractured finger for Rex.

Something happened between 1.3 to 1km to go as a some riders who were in prime position lost their bearings on the final sweeping turn just inside the last km. The crash had little impact on the result because at the stage there was already a gap in the peleton.

 

[search]

Something happened between 1.3 to 1km to go as a some riders who were in prime position lost their bearings on the final sweeping turn just inside the last km.

I just rewatched it, and the only thing that happened is some guys doing a better job at positioning themselves than others.

Those behind the crash were too far back to still challenge for the win anyway, yeah, but it's of course still easier to come 9th from a group of 15 than from a full bunch sprint.