Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde 2.HC 26th-28th March 2013

[Hugo Koblet]

Because he beat a bunch of 21-year olds and a couple of mediocre riders?

Yes. It has nothing to do with the fact that he was 7th in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, 4th in Milano-Sanremo, 6th in E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke, 5th in Paris-Nice and, aside from Peter Sagan, has been the best rider this spring.

 

[the asian]

Because he beat a bunch of 21-year olds and a couple of mediocre riders?

Just enjoy a Frenchman beating the Belgians in their own race.

 

[the asian]

Le Bon delivers and finishes 4th in the stage and GC. Good effort for a 22 year old.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Le Bon delivers and finishes 4th in the stage and GC. Good effort for a 22 year old.

Yes, that's a very nice result for him. He looked very good on stage 1.

 

[shalgo]

Yes, that's a very nice result for him. He looked very good on stage 1.

Yes, he put in massive turn at the front to help the break stay away in the last km.

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

Yes. It has nothing to do with the fact that he was 7th in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, 4th in Milano-Sanremo, 6th in E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke, 5th in Paris-Nice and, aside from Peter Sagan, has been the best rider this spring.

I agree, he'll probably finish between 4th and 7th on sunday as well.

 

[jens_attacks]

well done to la machine!
i hope he will have at least the same power for ronde

 

[Roderick]

Yes. It has nothing to do with the fact that he was 7th in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, 4th in Milano-Sanremo, 6th in E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke, 5th in Paris-Nice and, aside from Peter Sagan, has been the best rider this spring.

Chava will be crushed mano a mano against Sagan and Cance

 

[Afrank]

Chava will be crushed mano a mano against Sagan and Cance

True, it will be really difficult for him to beat them (might be able to if they end up watching each other too much), but he is looking like OPQS's best chance. I could definitely see him getting on the podium.

 

[Roderick]

True, it will be really difficult for him to beat them (might be able to if they end up watching each other too much), but he is looking like OPQS's best chance. I could definitely see him getting on the podium.

OPQS's best chance is and will always be Tommeke. Even with one leg cut off he has a better chance of winning than Chavanel

 

[garyhoop1]

Videos - Stage 3b

Watch videos from all Stages - http://bit.ly/16VPDk7

 

[Afrank]

OPQS's best chance is and will always be Tommeke. Even with one leg cut off he has a better chance of winning than Chavanel

Perhaps, I'm not convinced Boonen can pull it off this year though. Not really sure he has the form, and I think Chavanel has great form.

 

[shalgo]

OPQS's best chance is and will always be Tommeke. Even with one leg cut off he has a better chance of winning than Chavanel

He is obviously their strongest rider for the race, but precisely because OPQS has him, another rider from the team might be able to win. See 2008 and 2009.

 

[gooner]

OPQS's best chance is and will always be Tommeke. Even with one leg cut off he has a better chance of winning than Chavanel

Not necessarily. With two good legs Boonen did finish behind Chavanel in 2011.

All things this year point to Chavanel being the best man for OMPS but taking the races so far the most I can see him doing is coming into the finish in a small group but still getting outdone in the end. The first stage here being the most recent example.

As for Boonen I fear the Ronde has come too soon for him to regain his best form and condition.

 

[Roderick]

But you can't compare Chavanel with Devolder. Chavanel is a decent rider who is able to top-10 but Devolder was a beast in those days. There was no one able to follow Devolder when he was at his best. In '09 he was almost cancellara-like

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

Heads off to team Katusha, that is a nice set of young riders they have.

And, Topsport Vlaanderen? Where did Walter get his riders motivated? Huge TT for them.

 

[Lanark]

But you can't compare Chavanel with Devolder. Chavanel is a decent rider who is able to top-10 but Devolder was a beast in those days. There was no one able to follow Devolder when he was at his best. In '09 he was almost cancellara-like

2009 was a joke, his main competitors were Preben van Hecke and Quinziato. He wasn't even as good as Pozzato and Boonen that day, who eliminated each other.

Chavanel in 2011 was as good as Devolder was, he basically was in the attack for 80km in that edition. This year he looks even better.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Chapeau Chavanel!

 

[jaylew]

OPQS's best chance is and will always be Tommeke. Even with one leg cut off he has a better chance of winning than Chavanel

Nah. I give Chavanel a MUCH better chance to win this year, especially if Canc and Sagan mark each other out of contention.

Of course, if I had to pick a winner from OPQS, I'd prefer Terpstra.

 

[spalco]

I agree, he'll probably finish between 4th and 7th on sunday as well.

lol, I'll be rooting for Chavanel, but that's funny.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I agree, he'll probably finish between 4th and 7th on sunday as well.

You'll eat your words when the French machine Chavanel and the French beast Gaudin annihilates the field

 

[will10]

But you can't compare Chavanel with Devolder. Chavanel is a decent rider who is able to top-10 but Devolder was a beast in those days. There was no one able to follow Devolder when he was at his best. In '09 he was almost cancellara-like

Chavanel's ride in 2011 was twice as impressive as Devolder 2008 & Devolder 2009 put together.

 

[Roderick]

Chavanel's ride in 2011 was twice as impressive as Devolder 2008 & Devolder 2009 put together.

You mean that time that Chavanel wheelsucked Cance for 40k and couldn't even win against Nuyens in the sprint?

Yeah You're right, that's twice as impressive as finishing solo with a group of 20 riders chasing after you

 

[will10]

You mean that time that Chavanel wheelsucked Cance for 40k and couldn't even win against Nuyens in the sprint?

Yeah You're right, that's twice as impressive as finishing solo with a group of 20 riders chasing after you

Sure, ignore Chavanel attacking on the Kwaremont at 80km to go, if it makes you feel better. 

Lol, in 2008 and 2009 that was barely a chase. More a procession of favourites marked by Tommeke.

 

[CraZyCaLL]

Chavanel's ride in 2011 was twice as impressive as Devolder 2008 & Devolder 2009 put together.

Do you really saw Ronde 2008? Devolder was super strong in that year. Stronger than Chava now