E3 Harelbeke, Friday 25th March 2016, 206.4km, WT

[Brullnux]

Easy, Pippo.

 

[Jolleh]

Its pissing down Rain atm. 5 km from the start! Lets see if it clear before race start

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re: Re:

My favorite cobbled race after the two biggies. So glad it's a holiday.

Hard to look past GVA. I hope he doesn't run out of steam before the cobbled season is over.

Hoping for a Cance, GVA, Sagan showdown. Stybar could be the spoiler, or Pippo. If it goes down to a sprint, which I think is unlikely: Demare and Krystoff 1-2 (maybe vice-versa).

Well, actually, at first I was a little afraid that they made it too easy, but
then I remembered Sagan is starting, so he will take care so the race doesn't end in bunch sprint, unfortunately, this effort will cost him the win, cause the decisive part is too far from the finish for him

Did they change the parcours this year? I must have missed it. Did they take out some climbs?

Edit: Nvmd, I see the changes and remember reading about them. i guess I forgot.

***** No one
**** GVA, Cancellara, Sagan
*** Stybar, Benoot, Kristoff
** Terpstra, Roelandts
* Vanmarcke, Boonen, Stuyven, Kwia

I really don't think anyone else can win but in the really off-chance that it ends in a ~30 man bunch sprint, I'll add:

1/2* Gaviria, Démare

Why is Kwia above Demare?
And surely Vanmarcke has to be higher. It's about time he had some good luck, and if Vanmarcke isn't unlucky, he has to be one of the top favourites

Because I don't think there's much chance of a sprint. They've changed the course a bit, but E3 almost never ends in a decent-sized pack finish.

With Sep, I just don't have any real idea of his form. He hasn't really shown any cards this year and I wasn't putting together a list of top finishers, just rider's chances of winning and I find it really hard to imagine a scenario where Sep wins. He needs to be flying to win and we just haven't seen that.

When has Kwia ever done anything on the cobbles? Also, in terms of form, if Demare really didn't get a tow in MSR, he showed great strength to get back in the peloton and still have enough to sprint to the win

 

[jaylew]

Re: Re:

My favorite cobbled race after the two biggies. So glad it's a holiday.

Hard to look past GVA. I hope he doesn't run out of steam before the cobbled season is over.

Well, actually, at first I was a little afraid that they made it too easy, but
then I remembered Sagan is starting, so he will take care so the race doesn't end in bunch sprint, unfortunately, this effort will cost him the win, cause the decisive part is too far from the finish for him

Did they change the parcours this year? I must have missed it. Did they take out some climbs?

Edit: Nvmd, I see the changes and remember reading about them. i guess I forgot.

***** No one
**** GVA, Cancellara, Sagan
*** Stybar, Benoot, Kristoff
** Terpstra, Roelandts
* Vanmarcke, Boonen, Stuyven, Kwia

I really don't think anyone else can win but in the really off-chance that it ends in a ~30 man bunch sprint, I'll add:

1/2* Gaviria, Démare

Why is Kwia above Demare?
And surely Vanmarcke has to be higher. It's about time he had some good luck, and if Vanmarcke isn't unlucky, he has to be one of the top favourites

Because I don't think there's much chance of a sprint. They've changed the course a bit, but E3 almost never ends in a decent-sized pack finish.

With Sep, I just don't have any real idea of his form. He hasn't really shown any cards this year and I wasn't putting together a list of top finishers, just rider's chances of winning and I find it really hard to imagine a scenario where Sep wins. He needs to be flying to win and we just haven't seen that.

When has Kwia ever done anything on the cobbles? Also, in terms of form, if Demare really didn't get a tow in MSR, he showed great strength to get back in the peloton and still have enough to sprint to the win

He's been just fine on cobbles when he's ridden them, even finishing 4th at Dwars door Vlaanderen. Arnaud's only chance is in a sprint as I'm assuming he won't get any outside assistance.

 

[Eclipse]

Been one of my favourite races of the season in recent years, hoping for another amazing edition =)

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re: Re:

Did they change the parcours this year? I must have missed it. Did they take out some climbs?

Edit: Nvmd, I see the changes and remember reading about them. i guess I forgot.

***** No one
**** GVA, Cancellara, Sagan
*** Stybar, Benoot, Kristoff
** Terpstra, Roelandts
* Vanmarcke, Boonen, Stuyven, Kwia

I really don't think anyone else can win but in the really off-chance that it ends in a ~30 man bunch sprint, I'll add:

1/2* Gaviria, Démare

Why is Kwia above Demare?
And surely Vanmarcke has to be higher. It's about time he had some good luck, and if Vanmarcke isn't unlucky, he has to be one of the top favourites

Because I don't think there's much chance of a sprint. They've changed the course a bit, but E3 almost never ends in a decent-sized pack finish.

With Sep, I just don't have any real idea of his form. He hasn't really shown any cards this year and I wasn't putting together a list of top finishers, just rider's chances of winning and I find it really hard to imagine a scenario where Sep wins. He needs to be flying to win and we just haven't seen that.

When has Kwia ever done anything on the cobbles? Also, in terms of form, if Demare really didn't get a tow in MSR, he showed great strength to get back in the peloton and still have enough to sprint to the win

He's been just fine on cobbles when he's ridden them, even finishing 4th at Dwars door Vlaanderen. Arnaud's only chance is in a sprint as I'm assuming he won't get any outside assistance.

Behind the renowned classics powerhouses that are Wallays, Theuns (ok Theuns is fairly decent) and Van Baarle

 

[Cance > TheRest]

On Kwaremont it will happen. Question is if GVA or Sagan is able to follow.

 

[del1962]

Re:

My favorite cobbled race after the two biggies. So glad it's a holiday.

Hard to look past GVA. I hope he doesn't run out of steam before the cobbled season is over.

Hoping for a Cance, GVA, Sagan showdown. Stybar could be the spoiler, or Pippo. If it goes down to a sprint, which I think is unlikely: Demare and Krystoff 1-2 (maybe vice-versa).

Well, actually, at first I was a little afraid that they made it too easy, but
then I remembered Sagan is starting, so he will take care so the race doesn't end in bunch sprint, unfortunately, this effort will cost him the win, cause the decisive part is too far from the finish for him

Did they change the parcours this year? I must have missed it. Did they take out some climbs?

Edit: Nvmd, I see the changes and remember reading about them. i guess I forgot.

***** No one
**** GVA, Cancellara, Sagan
*** Stybar, Benoot, Kristoff
** Terpstra, Roelandts
* Vanmarcke, Boonen, Stuyven, Kwia, Stannard

I really don't think anyone else can win but in the really off-chance that it ends in a ~30 man bunch sprint, I'll add:

1/2* Gaviria, Démare

I'd be suprised if Gavira wins as he is nt down to start

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Vanmarcke will win this race

 

[GP Blanco]

Hopefully Vanmarcke.

 

[claude cat]

BMC Racing Team Verified account
‏@BMCProTeam

Unfortunately @GregVanAvermaet has been ruled out of #RBE3H due to illness We wish Greg a speedy recovery!

 

[Flamin]

Re: Re:

My favorite cobbled race after the two biggies. So glad it's a holiday.

Hard to look past GVA. I hope he doesn't run out of steam before the cobbled season is over.

Hoping for a Cance, GVA, Sagan showdown. Stybar could be the spoiler, or Pippo. If it goes down to a sprint, which I think is unlikely: Demare and Krystoff 1-2 (maybe vice-versa).

Well, actually, at first I was a little afraid that they made it too easy, but
then I remembered Sagan is starting, so he will take care so the race doesn't end in bunch sprint, unfortunately, this effort will cost him the win, cause the decisive part is too far from the finish for him

Did they change the parcours this year? I must have missed it. Did they take out some climbs?

Edit: Nvmd, I see the changes and remember reading about them. i guess I forgot.

***** No one
**** GVA, Cancellara, Sagan
*** Stybar, Benoot, Kristoff
** Terpstra, Roelandts
* Vanmarcke, Boonen, Stuyven, Kwia

I really don't think anyone else can win but in the really off-chance that it ends in a ~30 man bunch sprint, I'll add:

1/2* Gaviria, Démare

Why is Kwia above Demare?
And surely Vanmarcke has to be higher. It's about time he had some good luck, and if Vanmarcke isn't unlucky, he has to be one of the top favourites

Because I don't think there's much chance of a sprint. They've changed the course a bit, but E3 almost never ends in a decent-sized pack finish.

With Sep, I just don't have any real idea of his form. He hasn't really shown any cards this year and I wasn't putting together a list of top finishers, just rider's chances of winning and I find it really hard to imagine a scenario where Sep wins. He needs to be flying to win and we just haven't seen that.

Sep showed in Paris-Nice that he's ready. Now I just read that he had a bit of a cold in Sanremo and that he was on antibiotics for a few days, so I hope he's fully recovered.

If he is, I think only Cancellara can follow him on Kwaremont. Maybe Stybar too.

 

[Flamin]

Re:

BMC Racing Team Verified account
‏@BMCProTeam

Unfortunately @GregVanAvermaet has been ruled out of #RBE3H due to illness We wish Greg a speedy recovery!

Nooooooooooooo

 

[del1962]

Re: Re:

BMC Racing Team Verified account
‏@BMCProTeam

Unfortunately @GregVanAvermaet has been ruled out of #RBE3H due to illness We wish Greg a speedy recovery!

Nooooooooooooo

That is a shame, swift recovery Greg

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re: Re:

BMC Racing Team Verified account
‏@BMCProTeam

Unfortunately @GregVanAvermaet has been ruled out of #RBE3H due to illness We wish Greg a speedy recovery!

Nooooooooooooo

Let's see how much people enjoy this race now that the 'wheelsucker' is gone

 

[del1962]

GVA sits on in one race because it was best interests of his team and now he is a wheelsucker

 

[maltiv]

Re:

Why is EBH not starting?

Seems weird that someone who says that Roubaix is his main goal, he won't do any cobbles before.

Indeed, due to DD not being invited to Omloop, Kuurne or Dwaars, RVV will probably be his first cobbled race this season...quite silly to base the whole season around cobbled races, and then he only gets to ride 2 of them.

A real shame he got sick, this was his best opportunity to get a big win this year imo.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

I think PremierAndrew was being sarcastic?

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re:

GVA sits on in one race because it was best interests of his team and now he is a wheelsucker

I was being sarcastic

 

[Lemonbaloon]

Damn it! Both Eddy and Greg out :S

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

No rain during the race, it seems;

 

[the asian]

Re: Re:

BMC Racing Team Verified account
‏@BMCProTeam

Unfortunately @GregVanAvermaet has been ruled out of #RBE3H due to illness We wish Greg a speedy recovery!

Nooooooooooooo

Oh dear

Hope he recovers well for Ronde.

It sucks coz he probably was in the best form of his life.

 

[pedromiguelmartins]

Will Eurosport show this?

*Yes! Eurosport2 in 15min!

 

[togo95]

Large crowds on Kruisberg, despite being so far from the finish. That's nice to see.

 

[TMP402]

I hope someone has a camera on Betancur.