E3 Harelbeke 2013, 209.5km

[gthx_gthx_]

Amazing Race , Cancellara show that he can do his long solo again. However now , everybody will focus on him (more than usual) and we may see a repetition of the 2011 cobbled classics where everyone was more or less riding to make him loose. Also he doesn't have a great team , Devolder looked okay today but that's it.
BMC with their super squad did not deliver what they should have , except Oss of course but GVA , Gilbert , Hushovd , Phinney were all disappointing.
OPQS have still a very strong team , but their tactics to leave chavanel on his own while he was on the second group (right behing Cancellara) was very stupid. They had then numbers to put on a decent chase but instead they gave everything to Boonen. Boonen by the way was really impressive in the beginning and he did an amazing work for Cancellara , but what's the point of doing all that if he can barely follow?

 

[maltiv]

I know you hate Sagan, but why exactly did he look pathetic (to anyone else)?

Because he "only" managed 2nd after getting an extremely ill-timed puncture which would've put anyone else (bar Cancellara) out of contention

But you've got to say, it's a bit funny that a true winner like Sagan has such a streak of 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in classics. Quite remarkable that a guy like him hasn't even won a semi-classic yet!

 

[iZnoGouD]

Amazing Race , Cancellara show that he can do his long solo again. However now , everybody will focus on him (more than usual) and we may see a repetition of the 2011 cobbled classics where everyone was more or less riding to make him loose. Also he doesn't have a great team , Devolder looked okay today but that's it.
BMC with their super squad did not deliver what they should have , except Oss of course but GVA , Gilbert , Hushovd , Phinney were all disappointing.
OPQS have still a very strong team , but their tactics to leave chavanel on his own while he was on the second group (right behing Cancellara) was very stupid. They had then numbers to put on a decent chase but instead they gave everything to Boonen. Boonen by the way was really impressive in the beginning and he did an amazing work for Cancellara , but what's the point of doing all that if he can barely follow?

it's good training

 

[Pricey_sky]

Super win from Fabian, really great ride to stay away from the group behind who worked well.

Sagan podium was nailed on once he made the front group. Decent from G and Oss too.

 

[Pentacycle]

Sagan looked a bit pathetic today

Amazing win by Canc.

Road like a champion.

Amazing road yes.

Canc rode him off his wheel. I wouldn't call it pathetic if you can't hold Fabian's wheel on his favourite climb.

The Kwaremont will be delivering more deadly blows to punchers in the Ronde in the future. Roubaix specialist just love this thing; low gradients with cobbles, and it's too long to ride it anaerobacally like Petr always does uphill. Sagan will have to learn how to deal with this climb if he wants to win the Ronde.

It's also a sign Sagan isn't really built for Roubaix. You need more than a CX/MTB background to win that.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

snipped..


OPQS have still a very strong team , but their tactics to leave chavanel on his own while he was on the second group (right behing Cancellara) was very stupid. They had then numbers to put on a decent chase but instead they gave everything to Boonen.

even more snipping...

OPQS should consider relegating the DS in the car who made the tactical calls or even better let the riders make the damn decisions on the road.

 

[GP Blanco]

Nice ride today by Cancellara.

Funny how quickly things can change. A week ago Sagan seemed the man to beat in the upcoming weeks and now it is Cancellara again.

 

[The Hitch]

I may be overplaing how much difficulty Sagan was in but considering he had the puncture once the going got tough, i think his performance was very good and imo he is just about the favorite for RVV

 

[Netserk]

Once again Canc needs Boonen to set him up

 

[Panda Claws]

Just to be clear. What classics is Sagan riding?

 

[Netserk]

Just to be clear. What classics is Sagan riding?

G-W, RVV and AGR are certain. I don't know more than that.

 

[ILovecycling]

People are so ridiculous.Sagan punctured in toughest moment of the race then get back to favourite's group and didn't fully recovered because of attack,then try to stick with Fabian when everyone fresh gave up,then was pulling most with Chava got 2nd and he is no more favourite ,oh boys

 

[Panda Claws]

G-W, RVV and AGR are certain. I don't know more than that.

Will probably win GW.

OPQ will work for a sprint with or without Cav and I think Sagan can beat either Boonen or Cavendish in GW.

 

[Bushman]

Amazing road yes.

Canc rode him off his wheel. I wouldn't call it pathetic if you can't hold Fabian's wheel on his favourite climb.

The Kwaremont will be delivering more deadly blows to punchers in the Ronde in the future. Roubaix specialist just love this thing; low gradients with cobbles, and it's too long to ride it anaerobacally like Petr always does uphill. Sagan will have to learn how to deal with this climb if he wants to win the Ronde.

It's also a sign Sagan isn't really built for Roubaix. You need more than a CX/MTB background to win that.

I wouldn't say that sagan always rides anaerobacally uphill, but i agree with the rest. Sagan is moving a lot more on the bike when riding the cobbles than Cance and i think he spends a lot more energy too.

 

[mr. tibbs]

I've got high hopes for Chava at Flanders. Maybe undeservedly so. CN's report described him as pretty active, and he still placed really well. For those who saw the race, how did he look?

 

[iZnoGouD]

Cancellara didn't look very smoth, must be training fatigue
He will be stronger in a few days

 

[Oldman]

Cancellara didn't look very smoth, must be training fatigue
He will be stronger in a few days

His motor hasn't activated yet. He did look normal, though.

 

[HiCadence]

Was at 50% only.

Today was a training ride.

 

[Pentacycle]

I've got high hopes for Chava at Flanders. Maybe undeservedly so. CN's report described him as pretty active, and he still placed really well. For those who saw the race, how did he look?

He didn't look as great as in MSR, but he was alright considering he suffered a cold this week.

 

[will10]

These are the best races of the season, no contest. Can't wait for Flanders.

Sagan looked a bit pathetic today

Amazing win by Canc.

Road like a champion.

Can't you go troll somewhere else?

 

[mewmewmew13]

WONDERFUL and fun win by Fabs!
Ronde will be a good one! I liked seeing the big guys in the front...Chava certainly seems to be in good form atm! nice. Sagz still learning timing and technique ...

I love the roads...beautiful race today.

 

[Caruut]

The only real problem with Sagan's timing today was that fact that he had a flat at a very bad moment. Flatting at a similarly unfortunate point pretty much took Niki Terpstra completely out of the race, and he's a strong rider. Still, a good indication of form ahead of the real clashes. Cancellara will take some beating and nobody wants to play with Peter. Too good for his own good.

 

[doperhopper]

Looks like poor Sagan, being 23, reached the senior status of The Wizard of Peloton who names the winners - once Chancellor Cancellator defined the main tactics and people employ it (nobody collaborates with Sagan), it's up to S. to decide whether he leaves the eventual winner to break free (E3), or chases the breaks (MSR) and gives the win to the best sprinter of the group. He can still win when there are no real sprinters in the group, or there's some "unlawful" help of rain and slippery 30% slope.

 

[Winterfold]

I've got high hopes for Chava at Flanders. Maybe undeservedly so. CN's report described him as pretty active, and he still placed really well. For those who saw the race, how did he look?

Pretty good considering he was reported to have been ill since MSR.

 

[Netserk]

I think the presence of Sagan in the break was an advantage to Canc. I don't think he would be able to solo from 35km out, if the original 7-man group had permanently gapped the peloton.