Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde, 28th-30th March, 2.HC

[Kwibus]

Re:

Gilbert almost begged BMC to be allowed to ride the cobbled classics the past two years, but he wasn't allowed. The BMC management should have spotted that Gilbert's characteristics suited the more open style of these classics much more than the very controlled style in the hilly classics of the last years. But they didn't.

In 2011 Gilbert didnt care about control. He would just obliterate everyone.

Last lbl that was raced aggresive I think?

 

[rehy90]

Guys, I am sure that when Sagan, GVA and Gilbert come toghether to the last Paterberg, there is only one outcome and it is that Sagan is going to win or at least he will get some gap. GVA and Gilbert are similar, they both ride these steep cobbled hills out of the saddle, but the Paterberg is a different kind of hill, you have to stay in the saddle and put all your strenght just into your legs. Also if you are seated, the back wheel will not swing to the sides so much. This is the reason why GVA and Gilbert have to go from the far out. Sagan will just destroy them both if they come together to the last Paterberg.

 

[rei_da_montanha]

Gilbert vs Sagan vs GvA

Insane, epic stuff.

Today, he just destroy everyone. On the flat, he burned Durbridge.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Gilbert vs Sagan vs GvA

Insane, epic stuff.

Today, he just destroy everyone. On the flat, he burned Durbridge.

Yes please, can't ask for a better duel than this! Top class. Just need Boonen, but his legs are old on the hellingen now.

 

[Velolover2]

Is 22 secs enough for Gilbert to Dubridge in a 14.2k ITT?

 

[GraftPunk]

Re:

Is 22 secs enough for Gilbert to Dubridge in a 14.2k ITT?

I'd say yes, plus Phil has the lead also the proverbial "fire in his belly" this season.

 

[Akuryo]

Damn, Gilbert is hitting some fine form this year. He attacks every race. He seems like a man on a mission again. Glad he got that first win, it will only give him more confidence ahead of the Ronde.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Who would actually have thought Gilbert is Quick Step's best card ahead of this season?

 

[Orbit501]

Fantastic ride by Phil Gil!

I wonder if he would have waited for Durbridge if there wasn't a TT coming up? I suspect in this form and obviously revitalised this season, the answer is no. Great to watch.

 

[staubsauger]

Re:

Who would actually have thought Gilbert is Quick Step's best card ahead of this season?

I called that multiple times last summer. Always got the feeling he was super eager to prove a serious point at the cobbled classics to start off his Indian summer!

 

[yaco]

So the E3 and Dwars De Vlaanderen form has stood up again - Durbridge is flying in the ITT, and ordinarily would make up 22 seconds in the ITT, but it must be factored that Orica only started with 6 riders and Juul Jensen fell and DNF - So there is a chance that Gilbert could take further seconds in one of the next two stages.

 

[Billie]

Durbridge's tt is overrated. Always around 8th in the same TT.

 

[kingjr]

Re:

Gilbert vs Sagan vs GvA

Insane, epic stuff.

Today, he just destroy everyone. On the flat, he burned Durbridge.

2 out of those 3 to crash out with more than 100k to go, heard it here first.

 

[yaco]

Re:

Durbridge's tt is overrated. Always around 8th in the same TT.

Durbridge has spent more time on the TT bike - Anytime TT around 15 to 20km is his go - As a point of reference Orica thought he could win the final TT at TA (before he was withdrew with illness ) and Hepburn finished a close third in the same TT.

 

[Mr.White]

Re:

Guys, I am sure that when Sagan, GVA and Gilbert come toghether to the last Paterberg, there is only one outcome and it is that Sagan is going to win or at least he will get some gap. GVA and Gilbert are similar, they both ride these steep cobbled hills out of the saddle, but the Paterberg is a different kind of hill, you have to stay in the saddle and put all your strenght just into your legs. Also if you are seated, the back wheel will not swing to the sides so much. This is the reason why GVA and Gilbert have to go from the far out. Sagan will just destroy them both if they come together to the last Paterberg.

No one will drop Gilbert on Paterberg! Mark my words

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Re:

Guys, I am sure that when Sagan, GVA and Gilbert come toghether to the last Paterberg, there is only one outcome and it is that Sagan is going to win or at least he will get some gap. GVA and Gilbert are similar, they both ride these steep cobbled hills out of the saddle, but the Paterberg is a different kind of hill, you have to stay in the saddle and put all your strenght just into your legs. Also if you are seated, the back wheel will not swing to the sides so much. This is the reason why GVA and Gilbert have to go from the far out. Sagan will just destroy them both if they come together to the last Paterberg.

No one will drop Gilbert on Paterberg! Mark my words

Right, he'll already be dropped after the Kwaremont

 

[Kwibus]

Re: Re:

Who would actually have thought Gilbert is Quick Step's best card ahead of this season?

I called that multiple times last summer. Always got the feeling he was super eager to prove a serious point at the cobbled classics to start off his Indian summer!

Well after watching Gilbert the last 2-years I didnt give him the tiniest bit of credit. It's almost unbelievable.

 

[jsem94]

I thought Gilbert was finished as a top rider and it was slowly going downhill, but wow...

 

[MADRAZO]

Gilberts should be able to hold on his lead in the TT, but Im surpriced everyone seems sure he will try? He is totally focussed on Flanders, that is his absolute topgoal this season, and it has happened so often that riders skips the final stages here despite a certain topplacing, not to compromise Flanders. I would not be surpriced at all if he did tomorrow what Sagan did in in 2014, where he had a decent chance to win the overall GC here too, but where Flanders was just much more important.

 

[StryderHells]

Re:

Durbridge's tt is overrated. Always around 8th in the same TT.

I'd normally agree with this but Durbridge hasn't been in this type of form in previous years, in saying that Gilbert is flying so it would take a massive effort to reel him in.

 

[masking_agent]

i think Gilbert won only because it is a weaker field. I don't think he'll be a factor in the Ronde at all

 

[The Hegelian]

Question: who's the biggest challenger to the big three on Sunday?

Maybe Degenkolb? Durbridge has been very consistent, but I think is more likely to challenge in PR.

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

Question: who's the biggest challenger to the big three on Sunday?

Maybe Degenkolb? Durbridge has been very consistent, but I think is more likely to challenge in PR.

Naesen is in great shape. Top 5 potential for sure, maybe podium.

 

[Jspear]

Re:

i think Gilbert won only because it is a weaker field. I don't think he'll be a factor in the Ronde at all

That's a bold statement. Care to define what "being a factor in the race" means?

 

[jaylew]

I think we may be getting ahead of ourselves. He looked great but this field wasn't exactly top shelf. He's definitely got to be one of the favorites but I don't put him quite in the Sagan-GVA class.