E3 Saxo Classic 2024, one day classic, March 22

[Lequack]

So as soon as MVDP gets rid of the mullet he starts winning again. Coincidence?

 

[AmRacer]

Looking forward to Amstel. 😃

 

[Elos Anjos]

WVAness: the condition or state of being alone or having no companions or having friends and companions but never actually making it.

At this moment he's the Salieri of Pro Cycling.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I think Wout did the right thing. Jorgenson was done pulling, and that group wasn't going to be strong/cooperate well enough to close the gap.

He didn't do the right thing.

 

[Volderke]

WvA now the most vulnerable for holding on against his chasers.

 

[Didinho]

Belgian commentators saying you can't draw any conclusions as WvA crashed.... A deep sigh.

Ofcourse you can draw conclusions, the same as every year: MvdP is better than WvA and WvA is better than all others. That's all there is.
In E3 WvA could have had a small chance of winning if he could stick on MvdP's wheel, but in RVV the race is just too hard so no chance.

Exactly. You saw what happened on the Taaienberg and even on the Stationsberg he was a bit in trouble.
His acceleration and power are unmatched on the cobbled climbes. (Exc Pogi).

 

[tobydawq]

To be fair, this is probably the race in the Sanremo-to-Roubaix bloc that suits him least. Not at monument length and relatively heavy on the hills. He will probably be in the mix at Gent-Wevelgem, in other words a perfectly average Pedersen Sanremo-to-Wevelgem bloc.

Yeah, but they still act is if he should be rated the same as Mathieu for the monuments which is just so stupid.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Canyon looks like they just gave MvdP a random bike, no WC paint or anything.

 

[AmRacer]

Canyon looks like they just gave MvdP a random bike, no WC paint or anything.

The saddle

 

[Didinho]

Canyon looks like they just gave MvdP a random bike, no WC paint or anything.

Paint = extra weight. He got the rainbow on his saddle lol.

 

[Volderke]

Canyon looks like they just gave MvdP a random bike, no WC paint or anything.

Others are on blue bikes, no? + there are rainbow stripes on the chainstays.

 

[Netserk]

I'm glad Van Aert went for it. I also think it's good for Ronde to have a direct measurement of the two like this.

 

[Andre]

I'm disappointed for Van Aert but happy that Visma won't win

 

[Potomac]

Should group 3 work harder? WVA will be cooked putting 2nd place up for grabs instead of just 3rd.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

He didn't do the right thing.

I'm not sure the outcome could have been different after the crash. Sometimes you have to go for it or it'll be too late.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Paint = extra weight. He got the rainbow on his saddle lol.

His bike is already painted didinho, carbon isn't naturally white.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

How do you think WvA could be 'more daring'?
He has a big target on his back, and MvdP with a sniper gun. Every single time he has tried to attack in his career, MvdP was on his wheel, ready to counter.

Jumbo generally use their numbers more defensively when Van der Poel is there which makes no sense. Moreover, Van Aert is not a part of any of Jumbo's moves pre-Van der Poel launch party.

If I'm the Jumbo DS, I would try to break things up as early as possible on a spot where you can take advantage of road width (Molenberg/Taaienberg/equivalents), then you should have the numbers when Van der Poel has only Kragh, if he's lucky. Then continuous rolling attacks, including by Van Aert, until something sticks. Yes, it's a risk, but it isn't an accident they have failed to win a monument since 2020.

 

[Didinho]

His bike is already painted didinho, carbon isn't naturally white.

I know. Have a carbon all black bike myself. Hence the “extra”.

 

[AmRacer]

Only Poggi can follow Mathieu.

 

[Volderke]

Jumbo generally use their numbers more defensively when Van der Poel is there which makes no sense. Moreover, Van Aert is not a part of any of Jumbo's moves pre-Van der Poel launch party.

If I'm the Jumbo DS, I would try to break things up as early as possible on a spot where you can take advantage of road width (Molenberg/Taaienberg/equivalents), then you should have the numbers when Van der Poel has only Kragh, if he's lucky. Then continuous rolling attacks, including by Van Aert, until something sticks.

Agree that Jumbo should try harder to work MvdP over, but it's sad to see teams like UAE / Trek / ... are STILL pulling when a Jumbo is on the road and MvdP is following wheels.

With regards to WvA not part of Jumbo's moves pre-MvdP: MvdP personally counters all WvA moves. He has never, ever allowed WvA an inch of a gap on the road. If you find one race wher MvdP 'allowed' WvA on the road, I'm curious to know which one.

 

[Elos Anjos]

MVDP is not using the bike lane!

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I know. Have a carbon all black bike myself. Hence the “extra”.

Putting a bit of color won't hurt.

 

[LookProGoSlow]

1m17 is very strong

 

[TourOfSardinia]

bit boring to watch now

 

[Volderke]

All groups / riders know their place now. No more chasing and if G3 is playing games, G4 can come back. So the fight for 3rd is all there is and there are many contenders.