E3 Harelbeke, 28 March, 2014 (1.WT)

[Roude Leiw]

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad? And also Sanremo?

Some guy on a bike FTW!

Let's be more precise, a stepper FTW

 

[will10]

Definitely an interesting race this year.

So far we don't have a clear favorite for Vlaanderen and Roubaix. Cancellara looks good, but maybe not as good as last year. Sagan hasn't impressed as much as previous years either. Boonen seems decent, but not more than that.

When you look at the semi-favorites, nothing stands out either. Stybar is decent, Vanmarcke was good in the Omloop, but we don't know yet how much he improbed. Kristoff is certainly really good, but it's unlikely he'll win the Ronde or Roubaix this year after Sanremo. Terpstra has maybe impressed the most so far, but so far was never capable of winning a big one.

This race will probably tell us a lot more about what we can expect the next couple of weeks. Should be interesting.

To be honest, most years we're never sure of a favourite/favourites...until E3.

 

[Flamin]

Past years it was pretty clear even before E3, except Cancellara 2010 maybe.

 

[Flamin]

To be honest, most years we're never sure of a favourite/favourites...until E3.

In the past years it was pretty clear even before E3, except Cancellara 2010 maybe.

 

[Netserk]

In the past years it was pretty clear even before E3, except Cancellara 2010 maybe.

2012?

Canc was looking pretty good before e3 (and his crash in Ronde)

 

[podunavac]

I'd say a battle of lieutenants this year, but something tells me Sagan won't sit behind, so maybe we'll see a genuine trailer of De Ronde.
Should be informative in any case.

 

[Flamin]

2012?

Canc was looking pretty good before e3 (and his crash in Ronde)

Yes, that's what I'm saying..

 

[VeloHuman]

I'd say a battle of lieutenants this year, but something tells me Sagan won't sit behind, so maybe we'll see a genuine trailer of De Ronde.
Should be informative in any case.

It may not be Flanders or Roubaix, but this race has been won by team leader types in the past few years. I don't think they're going to be just stretching their legs out there.

 

[trevim]

Yes E3 is a race for the leaders not really for 2nd tier riders, although it might happen of course. This truely is the last big test for Vlandeeren because GW usually comes down to a bit of a bunch sprint, specially in good weather.

 

[podunavac]

Maybe Valverde's encouraged by his début on the cobbles...

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

I want Roelandts to take it. I'm not sure if he'll ever be able to get a real classic, but her really deserves a win like this...

 

[manafana]

agreed this is the final test for flanders for most riders these days the winners shows that even the top 3 of past are very strong riders in the cobbled classics.

 

[TourOfTexas]

Devolder will be up there. He was in great shape yesterday.

 

[VeloHuman]

Devolder will be up there. He was in great shape yesterday.

Seems like his crash in DDV was pretty rough, might affect him tomorrow.

 

[Tournesol]

Cancellara has no question marks against him unlike the other big favourites,open and shut case for me.

 

[search]

why is that? Dropped in Strade Bianche, unable to attack in MSR

 

[manafana]

Seems like his crash in DDV was pretty rough, might affect him tomorrow.

When did that happen he looked good during DDV but did tail off was wondering what had happened surely working in support today anyway for Fab.

 

[tomorrow]

for me, it's all about, if sagan, stybar, terpstra or boonen will be able to hold onto cancellara on kwaremont

 

[search]

When did that happen he looked good during DDV but did tail off was wondering what had happened surely working in support today anyway for Fab.

crashed early on, said he feels some pain in his knee, but it's not worse than during DDV (when he still attacked)

 

[SKSemtex]

for me, it's all about, if sagan, stybar, terpstra or boonen will be able to hold onto cancellara on kwaremont

it seems like boonen is not riding this one. at least according this forum

 

[tomorrow]

it seems like boonen is not riding this one. at least according this forum

ok, i have missed that somehow, but still OPQ have very strong team, quite curious how they will play their cards, especially with Terpstra's performance from wednesday, the others will have to think quickly if he attacks, what they should do.

 

[RedheadDane]

And Belkin has posted a slightly... different... profile on Facebook...

I'm suuuure that's accurate.

 

[SKSemtex]

ok, i have missed that somehow, but still OPQ have very strong team, quite curious how they will play their cards, especially with Terpstra's performance from wednesday, the others will have to think quickly if he attacks, what they should do.

It is not about thinking. It is about legs here. Either they can hold his wheel or not. However Kwaremont might be too early for Cance. I do not think his form is as good is last year + competition looks much stronger this year.

 

[dicanio_michael]

it seems like boonen is not riding this one. at least according this forum

He's still on the start list, at least

 

[Dazed and Confused]

He's still on the start list, at least

Boonen will be fine. Ready to fight to the win I'm sure.