Dwars door Vlaanderen (1.HC), 23rd of March 2016

[classicomano]

We will not yield for religious extremism. Long live cycling!

 

[del1962]

it would be bad to cancel for security reasons, it would be good for all riders to wear black arm bands as respect for victims hough

 

[Sasquatch]

You can't let terrorists put your life on hold. You need to keep going like normal. That's the only way to stand up to them. Good decision to keep going. No doubt there will be black arm bands, a lot of respect shown etc but canceling the race would have been a win for the terrorists.

 

[Tonton]

According to l'Equipe's latest update, the race will take place.

To all the Belgians here, Vive La Belgique! Accept my affection, solidarity, and prayers for the dead, the wounded, and their families. Barbary will be defeated.

 

[Tonton]

Now a Belgian needs to win this.

 

[liamito]

Sure, but will the organizers really have a choice? I imagine the priorities of the police have changed completely.

 

[RedheadDane]

Re:

We will not yield for religious extremism. Long live cycling!

Long live life.

 

[CTQ]

Marko Dzalo from Sky wrote that they were still in air and deviated to Liege airport. Hugo Houle from AG2R was
safe in Ghent with the team because they arrived Monday.

 

[Ricco']

It's a bit of off-topic but Julien Taramarcaz (CX rider and former BMC trainee) arrived on Zaventem shortly before the blasts. He is safe.

 

[Beech Mtn]

I'm surprised if they have enough spare police to try to secure this race in the midst of everything else that is going on. Seems like police/soldiers would be needed for investigations and security elsewhere. It would be different if this were a sporting event enclosed in a stadium where you could check everyone coming in, but a bike race is going to be very difficult to secure. Seems like the better decision would be to postpone/cancel the race for safety's sake until the authorities have a better idea where things stand. If they do go ahead and have the race, fans in attendance need to be vigilant and keep an eye on those around them, try to help create a safe environment for everyone.

 

[carolina]

You can't let terrorists put your life on hold. You need to keep going like normal. That's the only way to stand up to them. Good decision to keep going. No doubt there will be black arm bands, a lot of respect shown etc but canceling the race would have been a win for the terrorists.

and then there is some kind of noise that resembles an explosion or a gunshot and everyone starts to panic and running around, just like what happened in paris the day after the terrorist attack.

it's easy to say those kind of words, but the reality is that people are afraid, even if they refuse to admit it.

I think they should cancel the race tomorrow.

 

[tomorrow]

You can't let terrorists put your life on hold. You need to keep going like normal. That's the only way to stand up to them. Good decision to keep going. No doubt there will be black arm bands, a lot of respect shown etc but canceling the race would have been a win for the terrorists.

and then there is some kind of noise that resembles an explosion or a gunshot and everyone starts to panic and running around, just like what happened in paris the day after the terrorist attack.

it's easy to say those kind of words, but the reality is that people are afraid, even if they refuse to admit it.

I think they should cancel the race tomorrow.

Exactly, it's easier to speak about not putting your life on hold from behind they keyboard. To be honest, I don't know, if I would be able to race there if I were a rider. And if I would, I would probably be looking very sharply into the crowds along the root and therefore be very distracted. I wouldn't blame any rider that would/will not start the race because of the attacks.
If the races will keep going, every rider that will start is really brave, and with all the respect, maybe at least a little bit reckless(as far as his family, .... , is concerned)

 

[Samamba]

There is a meeting at 5PM to decide whether the race will be cancelled or not. Probably cancelled because there is a big chance that there will be "Treath level 4" tomorrow which automatically means that big sport events can't take place.

 

[WillemS]

Despite the race organizers stating firmly that the race will probably not be cancelled, something they almost have to do until it actually is cancelled, I think it's going to get cancelled anyway.

I agree with the sentiment of not letting terrorists succeed in terrorizing us out of our normal lives, but the after such an attack the probability of panic is just too big. Also, I don't think the official "threat level" will be lowered and that'll probably mean that the race will have to be canceled, especially if the third terrorist is still on the loose. Moreover, some of the teams have trouble reaching the race due to closed airports.

I think it's going to get canceled.

However, despite all that, I still hope they'll race. Not because of my love of cycling or my love for this race, but because I really don't want to let the terror win.

 

[BigMac]

One would think police has other priorities right now. Cycling races require a lot of personnel.

It's not super close to Brussels, but still.

 

[Samamba]

Despite the race organizers stating firmly that the race will probably not be cancelled, something they almost have to do until it actually is cancelled, I think it's going to get cancelled anyway.

Ofcourse the race organizers want the race to go through, but they have nothing to say about it if threat level 4 will be maintained. A cancellation is inevitable then.

 

[WillemS]

Despite the race organizers stating firmly that the race will probably not be cancelled, something they almost have to do until it actually is cancelled, I think it's going to get cancelled anyway.

Of course the race organizers want the race to go through, but they have nothing to say about it if threat level 4 will be maintained. A cancellation is inevitable then.

Even if the threat level does drop I think it'll get cancelled. The pressure on law enforcement, riders having trouble reaching the race, potential of outbreaks of panic, those are not ideal situations for a race. However, there is, of course, a financial side to the cancellation of the race; I don't know the economic consequences for the organizers if they do decide to cancel. It's probably better for them if they're actually forced to cancel the race rather than to make that decision on their own.

 

[Popchu]

No Giant-Alpecin tomorrow: Caleb Fairly, Carter Jones and Chad Haga don't want to start according to 'Het Nieuwsblad'.

 

[liamito]

Race is on!

 

[Arredondo]

Strange decision. Especially because a lot of foreign teams/riders have problems with getting to Belgium.

I thought they would cancel DDV, but maintaning E3 and the other races.

 

[Samamba]

Re:

Strange decision. Especially because a lot of foreign teams/riders have problems with getting to Belgium.

I thought they would cancel DDV, but maintaning E3 and the other races.

It's all about the money

 

[Samamba]

Re:

Race is on!

Source?

EDIT: nvm

 

[Samamba]

There is a safety meeting going on in Brussels right now, curious what there going to say about the threat level.

 

[Jspear]

Re:

No Giant-Alpecin tomorrow: Caleb Fairly, Carter Jones and Chad Haga don't want to start according to 'Het Nieuwsblad'.

I thought four riders couldn't travel and that's why they weren't racing?

 

[Popchu]

Re: Re:

No Giant-Alpecin tomorrow: Caleb Fairly, Carter Jones and Chad Haga don't want to start according to 'Het Nieuwsblad'.

I thought four riders couldn't travel and that's why they weren't racing?

Yes indeed, but according to Het Nieuwsblad "they don't want to start after the recent events in Brussels". So I don't know if it's true, I only say what I read.

Race is NOT on yet. Decision 18 PM.