Dwars Door Vlaanderen

[The Barb]

No time to do a proper opening post ... race is close.

So, what's the thinking?

Ordinarily I'd say the easier course makes it more sprinter oriented, but the weather could make it more selective. I'll go with Naesen.

Interested to see who Quickstep is riding for.

 

[fauniera]

 

[Jagartrott]

Rainy, windy, cold - I don't expect a sprint finish, and I don't expect GVA, Valverde and some others will race 'full'. Naesen, Vanmarcke, Benoot and Terpstra are my picks.

 

[fauniera]

Varentstraat

 

[fauniera]

Re:

Rainy, windy, cold - I don't expect a sprint finish, and I don't expect GVA, Valverde and some others will race 'full'. Naesen, Vanmarcke, Benoot and Terpstra are my picks.

Why shouldn't Valverde race full? He's not riding the Ronde as far as i know.

 

[Jagartrott]

Because he said he's more cautious on wet roads nowadays...

 

[Kazistuta]

Who today will risk their next part of the season?

If this doesn't end in a sprint, which the weather will decide, I'm banking on one of the supporting cast for Ronde.
Namely in-form Lampaert, Stybar (well, he might be an option Sunday, but the weather today should suit him very well) , Roelandts and Debusschere or one of the Katusha strongmen Martin, Politt and Kuznetsov.

 

[fauniera]

Van Aert?

Not sure how you can avoid risk though. There can always be a crash right in front of you.

 

[Blanco]

Re: Re:

Rainy, windy, cold - I don't expect a sprint finish, and I don't expect GVA, Valverde and some others will race 'full'. Naesen, Vanmarcke, Benoot and Terpstra are my picks.

Why shouldn't Valverde race full? He's not riding the Ronde as far as i know.

He'll race full, he doesn't know different. I expect him up front at the Taaienberg, and then who knows. Although I expect some 2nd tiers from strong teams, like Lampaert and Kung, will have freedom to slip from the front group.

 

[Oliver]

Time for Oli Naesen to win!

 

[Laplaz]

Re:

Time for Oli Naesen to win!

Exactly my thoughts!

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

It will rain more or less throughout the day; it will probably be a difficult race won by a hard man. Hopefully not too many crashes before RVV, though.

 

[loge1884]

Re: Re:

Rainy, windy, cold - I don't expect a sprint finish, and I don't expect GVA, Valverde and some others will race 'full'. Naesen, Vanmarcke, Benoot and Terpstra are my picks.

Why shouldn't Valverde race full? He's not riding the Ronde as far as i know.

seems like he's considering riding it ..
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/valverde-hints-at-racing-tour-of-flanders/

what a field on RvV this year ... Nibali, Valverde plus the usual suspects of course ....

 

[Velolover2]

Re: Re:

Rainy, windy, cold - I don't expect a sprint finish, and I don't expect GVA, Valverde and some others will race 'full'. Naesen, Vanmarcke, Benoot and Terpstra are my picks.

Why shouldn't Valverde race full? He's not riding the Ronde as far as i know.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/valverde-hints-at-racing-tour-of-flanders/

He is considering it but I agree with you. Valverde will race this to test himself. If he gets a top result (top 5 or 10), he will he will probably participate in De Ronde.

But it looks like he is making a big mistake already.. he has stated he will stay close to GVA today. That is NOT good tactics since Greg doesn't care about this race. For him, it's all about the Ronde.

If he wants to win it, he should take notice of Benoot or Lampaert instead.

 

[Bardamu]

Don't think it is just about following the right wheel, but to make sure to position yourself amidst the chaos towards the hills.

Funny how everybody, myself included, expects a lot from Valverde today but nothing from Quintana. Rightly so, but still.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

After 78km still no break.......

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Less than 100km to go; Astana forced a split in the peloton, 2nd group 30 seconds behind; besides GVA being in the first group no info on who is in what group yet. There hasn't been a BOD.

EDIT: two groups together again

 

[Velolover2]

Rainy weather! They better attack in these conditions. It makes a breakaway win a much more likely scenario.

I except a lot from Benoot and Naesen. Nothing from Greg, though.

 

[rick james]

looks a horrible day to ride a bike

 

[Velolover2]

Luke Rowe attacked with about 90k to go. Looks like he isn't injured anymore but it's likely that he is just testing his shape ahead of De Ronde.

 

[Scarponi]

Riders off the back with 80km to go. Hard conditions

 

[Velolover2]

Riders off the back with 80km to go. Hard conditions

I hope the weather will be just as "good" (for us) in De Ronde.

 

[Krokro]

Benoot on the cars since a few kms. Any insight?

 

[Der Effe]

Naesen abandons

 

[Velolover2]

Naesen out after the crash. He looks ok, though. I think he will be fine for the Flanders.