De Ronde - A case study: 2000

[laura.weislo]

With the weather forecast for Sunday looking abnormally pleasant for April in Belgium, could we have another Ronde van Vlaanderen like 2000?

That year, a gigantic group of riders came together before the Muur - a peloton 50-strong. Museeuw put in a predictable attack on the Muur. Stefan Wesemann put in a huge effort to get up to his wheel, but still, a large group made its way back.

The big peloton of 50 was threatening to come back together when Andrei Tchmil put in a move which wasn't so much of a vicious attack as him just powering off the front. One rider let up, there was disagreement as to who should chase, and the Russian-Belgian soloed for 11km to his only Ronde van Vlaanderen win.

Had Tchmil not made his move, there may well have been a bunch sprint that year between 25-30 guys.

Is this something that can happen this year?

Discuss.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Looks like everyone is afraid to be the first to jump in the deep end!

I'll go out on a limb and say that it's slightly possible that Ivan "The Cuban Missile" attack on the Muur and pull something off similar to 2000! I'm saying the probability is higher than 0% based on the fact that if Ivan hasn't dropped out bye then anything can happen!

My second guess is that this campaign seems to be more wide open than ever and no one will be allowed to get away. I say 10 to 15 riders in a bunch, 10+ being pre race favorites. Boonen looses to Flecha.

 

[Bartoli]

If Quickstep want to win this race, they can't afford to let this happen. They got riders like Van Impe and Devolder. If they can make it a though race they can get into a situation V Impe and Devolder can attack and favorites need to react. That way they help Boonen who can sit and wait to make his move.

 

[Captain Chaos]

If Quickstep want to win this race, they can't afford to let this happen. They got riders like Van Impe and Devolder. If they can make it a though race they can get into a situation V Impe and Devolder can attack and favorites need to react. That way they help Boonen who can sit and wait to make his move.

I'm not disagreeing per say and there is no doubt that QS has a lot of cards to play but is it a foregone conclusion that Boonen is their protected rider when Devolder is the reigning champ?

A lot can happen and if Boonen sits back and then gets cut off should Van Impe or Stijn wait while the likes of Hushovd, Haussler, Flecha, Nuynen etc.. will continue to attack.