E3 Prijs Vlaanderen - Harelbeke 2012

[insideout leadout]

There were 45 man in that bunch, not that surprising Freire was one of them.

 

[Netserk]

That was me.

yes, cured from the Rabobank virus he seems to be doing excellent. As with all riders who leave Rabobank these days

Just like Menchov last year (and yes I know how strong he was in the last week of the Vuelta)

 

[function]

a bloody shame that he doesn't seem to be able to replicate his 09 form which despite being a bit overrated would be a nice addition to the cobbles

Ah but he was so spectacular in '09! my best part was when he attacked Boonen _and_ Devolder relentlessly in Dwaars door Vlaanderen, eventually cracking Devolder.

 

[theyoungest]

That was me.

yes, cured from the Rabobank virus he seems to be doing excellent. As with all riders who leave Rabobank these days

Rabobank wouldn't even have thought of putting him in this race.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Rabobank wouldn't even have thought of putting him in this race.

Not exactly. Freire did ride this race a couple of times in his Rabobank days. But it was never a success.
They even tried Freire as RVV leader a year or two.

 

[goggalor]

Eisel's comments:



So this is evil Bernie, who inspired poor EBH with an idea of marking Cancellara untill the very end

What the hell? Doesn't Sky have a DS?

 

[theyoungest]

Not exactly. Freire did ride this race a couple of times in his Rabobank days. But it was never a success.
They even tried Freire as RVV leader a year or two.

I only remember him in Flanders. Which isn't such a crazy idea, actually. He'll sooner win Flanders than the Amstel Gold Race

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I only remember him in Flanders. Which isn't such a crazy idea, actually. He'll sooner win Flanders than the Amstel Gold Race

2004 - 13th
2007 - 12th
2008 - 56th

Freire in E3 Prijs Rabo period

Also, Freire's best result in Amstel: 5th (plus several top 10/top 20 placings)
Freire's best result in Flanders: 23th

So... no?

 

[theyoungest]

2004 - 13th
2007 - 12th
2008 - 56th

Freire in E3 Prijs Rabo period

Also, Freire's best result in Amstel: 5th (plus several top 10/top 20 placings)
Freire's best result in Flanders: 23th

So... no?

Joke. Hence the

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I still believe he'd make a perfect Tour de France GC leader tho!

 

[Swede1]

Does anyone have any links to videos of the race? I got the last k, but are there videos of all of the exciting parts? Or just the last 30k?

 

[theyoungest]

I still believe he'd make a perfect Tour de France GC leader tho!

For Greenedge, sure. Him or Albasini.

 

[Parrulo]

Does anyone have any links to videos of the race? I got the last k, but are there videos of all of the exciting parts? Or just the last 30k?

http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/videozone/MG_sportnieuws/MG_wielrennen/1.1253345

boonen on the taaienberg

 

[JRanton]

Lol, Eisel sprinting for himself instead of helping Edvald. Sky logic.

If you'd been watching you'd have seen Eisel and EBH have a chat with about 5km to go. EBH just didn't have anything left at the end. He cooked himself trying to follow Vanmarke (and Boonen) up the Taaienberg. Of course this is another reason why it makes sense for one of the top favourites like Boonen to attack early. He killed off some of the weaker riders who could have otherwise beaten him in a sprint.

 

[greenedge]

Congrats to Boonen, the strongest rider there arguably who did not shirk attacking/ letting his strong team attack. He did a nice sprint as well, not easy putting riders like Sagan/ Degenkolb behind.

Nice attacking by everyone in the peloton/ the breakaway group.

I feel sorry for Eisel- i think he could have done better if Sky rode for him/ he did not have to ride for EBH. It's also good to see Friere being close- his finishing speed was great.

 

[JRanton]

Eisel's comments:



So this is evil Bernie, who inspired poor EBH with an idea of marking Cancellara untill the very end

Ah, I see.

Still, I don't think EBH was strong enough to win the sprint anyway even if his positioning was much better.

 

[El Pistolero]

Patrick Lefevere also explained why he didn't sign Peter Sagan in 2008.

- He didn't speak any English, so they couldn't really converse with him. They didn't bring a translator or anything...

- He was on a low budget and it would have been a big risk to give an 18 year old a pro contract

- His tests were good, similar to those of another East-European: Kwiatkowski.

- Sagan was demoralized and returned to Slovakia. He focused on Mountainbiking there and was sponsored by Cannondale. That's how he got into contact with Liquigas who gave him a pro contract in 2009.

- He regrets it of course

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

2004 - 13th
2007 - 12th
2008 - 56th

Freire in E3 Prijs Rabo period

Also, Freire's best result in Amstel: 5th (plus several top 10/top 20 placings)
Freire's best result in Flanders: 23th

So... no?

Keep in mind, he's now advised by the great Ete!

 

[maltiv]

Eisel's comments:



So this is evil Bernie, who inspired poor EBH with an idea of marking Cancellara untill the very end

Lol, that's ***. Of course, I understand that Eisel wants the opportunity to ride for himself now and then, but come on...

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Amazing race. It had everything, including "attacks" from Hushovd and Pozzato, and it even looked as though Devolder was on to something!
Fabian is so incredible strong it's unreal.

Best race of the season by far!

I missed this race. I thought MSR was pretty freaking good. So I'm sorry to have missed out here. Good to see things coming together for Boonen.

 

[Swede1]

http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/videozone/MG_sportnieuws/MG_wielrennen/1.1253345

boonen on the taaienberg

thanks for the vid Pretty awesome looking race. I think Boonen raced the whole race like a champ and then won in the end. He attacked on the hard climbs to soften up the riders and separate the strongest riders. Also I liked seeing a resurgent pozzato and devolder and a bunch of riders who may be able to challange in flanders/roubaix this year. Only dissapointment is Canc who looked strong.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

That attack by Boonen was viscious.

 

[pastronef]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/e3-prijs-vlaanderen-harelbeke-2012/photos/213702

chest pain? look at the jersey and his right side!

 

[theyoungest]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/e3-prijs-vlaanderen-harelbeke-2012/photos/213702

chest pain? look at the jersey and his right side!

He now looks like this:

 

[LaFlorecita]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/e3-prijs-vlaanderen-harelbeke-2012/photos/213702

chest pain? look at the jersey and his right side!

Broke his rib so yeah, chest pain.