E3 Prijs Vlaanderen - Harelbeke 2012

[Lance Armstrong]

How come we don't have a thread for this one yet?

E3 Prijs Vlaanderen - Harelbeke 2012

The E3 Prijs Vlaanderen - Harelbeke joins the WorldTour for the first time in its history in 2012, adding extra value and quality to an already superb race. The event remains in its traditional place in the calendar as the spearhead to the Belgian Classics season, just over a week before the Tour of Flanders.

The 55th edition of the historic race takes place south of the roads of Gent - Wevelgem, includes a few more hills - notably the Flandrian Muur van Geraardsbergen and favours a punchier all-rounder over a traditional cobble powerhouse.

Pick your favourite: Cancellara, Boonen, Gilbert, Freire, Sagan, Boom, Boasson Hagen, Ballan, Avermaet, Bennati, Chavanel, Terpstra, Petacchi, Iglinskiy, Oss, Haussler, Eisel, Vanmarcke, Devolder, Pozzato, Degenkolb, de Kort

Startlist looks great and so does profile.
Full startlist here: http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/e3-prijs-vlaanderen-harelbeke-2012/start-list

 

[Gloin22]

'Cancellara vs OPQS'

Should be epic

Wonder how EBH will do, with no pressure on him hopefully he'll perform decently.

 

[Sciatic]

Looking forward to this.

Say, would one of you Dutchies/Belgies be willing to give us a phonetic pronunication key for the real names of these Flandrian races?

My "base" Dutch is limited to a few words a Dutch friend helped me learn to pronounce correctly (good morning-afternon-night, thank you, your welcome, pancake, and Den Haag). And from the Sporza guys I learned "die laaste kilometer" and how to properly scold Tom Boonen: "Tom-Tom-Tom-Tom" with each repition of "Tom" slightly higher in pitch. Although sometimes there is a variant with each "Tom" dropping in pitch. Maybe that one is disappointment, as in...you missed getting aboard the Canc train again?
Thanks

 

[Panda Claws]

GVA or Gilbert.

 

[dlwssonic]

Its Gilbert!

 

[luckyboy]

Gonna suck if QuickStep or Vanmarcke don't win.

 

[hatcher]

Does anyone know the predicted finish time?

 

[gustienordic]

Gonna suck if QuickStep or Vanmarcke don't win.

Boonen, Haussler, or Leukemens hopefully!

 

[luckyboy]

Does anyone know the predicted finish time?

According to this it will be 17.03 at 41kph average or 16.49 at 43kph average (both CET)

 

[hatcher]

According to this it will be 17.03 at 41kph average or 16.49 at 43kph average (both CET)

Thanks very much.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

OmegaPQS FTW.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Gonna suck if QuickStep or Vanmarcke don't win.

Agreed. VanMarcke is hot right now

Cancellara and Gilbert are riding with targets on their backs. Veteran Friere was going very well at MSR. Unless they can get clear on their own, I think the gaps will be closed the second they try anything. I'd send Gilbert out to force a split at maybe 2/3 of the way setting Van Avermaet up for the end.

I'd like to see Chavanel or Boom win. A veteran attacker like Voeckler winning would be fun to see.

 

[Froome19]

Pick your favourite: Cancellara, Boonen, Gilbert, Freire, Sagan, Boom, Boasson Hagen, Ballan, Avermaet, Bennati, Chavanel, Terpstra, Petacchi, Iglinskiy, Oss, Haussler, Eisel, Vanmarcke, Devolder, Pozzato, Degenkolb, de Kort

]

I cant believe that that is not a mistake
Anyway I would go for Van marke or Terpstra or Sagan I would pray for Pozzato but then again I cant imagine him winning.

 

[woodenswan]

I would pray for Pozzato but then again I cant imagine him winning.

hopefully his gameplan will be different from wednesday's "lets annoy the hell out of Vanmarcke".. but again he can be very determined (celibacy). perhaps thats his new mission

cant wait to see how Vanmarcke compares to Cancellara

 

[Kvinto]

Since the 'contadorless' SaxoBank is pretty much under the pressure and needs WT points, then taking into account that Nick Nuyens is still injured but nevertheless Bjarne Riis knows how to win races, i can see only one winner. Karsten Kroon

 

[luckyboy]

Vanmarcke = Cancellara 2.0

 

[UselessToo]

Cancellara/Vanmarcke/Boom/Hayman FTW

 

[woodenswan]

Vanmarcke = Cancellara 2.0

sure. and he's going to win 10+ monuments i know

ive been meaning to ask u: whats the situation with your signature? (the Zabel-surfer part of it

 

[hfer07]

I'd love to see Chavanel winning this one!! Cance is without a doubt the numero uno on all bets, but let's hope some other teams rebel against Spartacus -looking forward to this exciting race!!!

 

[canyonball]

Sep! Sep! Sep!

 

[Mellow Velo]

A great race to start this 3 day cycling fiesta!
Tasty parcours and you can smell next weekend in the air.
If he wins, the race will be re-named: The E3 in a row, Cancellara Classic.
(go...........everybody else)

 

[Sophistic]

E3>g-wg 10987654321

 

[Swede1]

I'd say Cancellara to win with a late-ish attack. Boonen should be strong but wont be able to stay with cancellara after his late attack. If I had to pick a second i'd say chavanel because nobody will want to waste their energy chasing him down to give boonen a free ride.

 

[will10]

Pippo to sit on Fabian's wheel for 200km

 

[Swede1]

Pippo to sit on Fabian's wheel for 200km

Haha im sure he will take a pull at the front...in the last 800 meters when he launches an unsuccessful attack.