E3 Saxo Classic 2025, one day classic, March 28

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Your emotional connection to WVA is bliding you... his problem is not just about him taking fewer risks. His legs are very underwhelming too, he is probably not "sacrificing" his body like he used to be. For me, that is his main problem. His head and heart are not 100% focused in cycling anymore IMHO. When this happens, retirement is very soon (e.g. Dumoulin, Sagan as recent examples).

I'm not discounting that. In fact, I posted that his heart wasn't in it upthread.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

WvA told in an interview he rode away with Florian Vermeersch on Koppenberg (*). Maybe that explains why he wasn't with the lead group: he trained the extra miles to be ready next week!

(*) before correcting himself with Kwaremont

My concern was his inability to take the field sprint. He wasn't even close.

 

[Tim Cahill]

****ing Cofidis snagging 7th and some good UCI points with quite a decent tactical move.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Mike Teunissen 10th though adding to his 11th in MSR

 

[Ilmaestro99]

How many pictures of vino do you have saved man

 

[Netserk]

****ing Cofidis snagging 7th and some good UCI points with quite a decent tactical move.

I think Cofidis overtook (B)DSM today?

 

[Didinho]

How many pictures of vino do you have saved man

He’s got a big folder named Vino/other.

 

[RedheadDane]

WvA told in an interview he rode away with Florian Vermeersch on Koppenberg (*). Maybe that explains why he wasn't with the lead group: he trained the extra miles to be ready next week!

(*) before correcting himself with Kwaremont

Well, I suppose it wouldn't be taking a short-cut.

But... still not allowed, of course.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

How many pictures of vino do you have saved man

He's like a Belgian Pozzato British Paparazzo.

 

[Tim Cahill]

How many pictures of vino do you have saved man

The pictures of Vino shall continue until they are safe or Scaroni wins a Grand Tour/monument.

 

[Tim Cahill]

I think Cofidis overtook (B)DSM today?

Yes I think DSM might be fine though, Onley starts his proper racing block next week and Poole/Bardet won't be far behind, they've just had a bad run of luck. Worst comes to the worst they'll just have Romain ride until he's in his 60s.

 

[kingjr]

Relax. He’s been on the mountain. All is well.

Still, I think he should've been with the Küng group at least, this feels like a lot of ground to make up in just a few days. And the race will be very hard, with Pogacar at the start and vdP in this kind of shape.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I'm not discounting that. In fact, I posted that his heart wasn't in it upthread.

So he is washed/irrelevant/no longer successful. You may not like but it is the hard truth.

 

[kingjr]

So he is washed/irrelevant/no longer successful. You may not like but it is the hard truth.

It's only over when it's over. Few if any in the peloton are as resilient as WvA. He's like the Joe Frazier of cycling.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

ez gg vdp. only one who can beat him is pog

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Of course not. He will hang for dear life in 9 days

like glasgow?

 

[Red Rick]

like glasgow?

Glasgow suited Van der Poel way better than RvV. Pogacar is actually a more natural seated power rider for climbs like the Kwaremont and Pater.

Van der Poel needs to be careful in my opinion that he doesn't find himself in a stupid attrition fest with Pogacar like in 2023.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Just saw a video of a guy spitting on Mathieu on the E3 hill I think. Hope they make it go viral again and find the man.

bro looks like mathieu could fit 4 times into him. Probably jealous, his bike breaks if he sits on it.

 

[Peyroteo94]

like glasgow?

Don't worry mate. Pogi will be in top shape and not dead like Glasgow. And I think I don't need to tell you RVV is not similar to Glasgow.

 

[Peyroteo94]

It's only over when it's over. Few if any in the peloton are as resilient as WvA. He's like the Joe Frazier of cycling.

Evidence?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Don't worry mate. Pogi will be in top shape and not dead like Glasgow. And I think I don't need to tell you RVV is not similar to Glasgow.

i dont think vdp is 2023 vdp either. So if you're hoping to see that I think you're going to be surprised. We'll see

 

[kingjr]

bro looks like mathieu could fit 4 times into him. Probably jealous, his bike breaks if he sits on it.

I don't get this behaviour. I'd be absolutely buzzing in his place and cheer for just about everyone who comes by, whether I like them or not, just due to adrenaline.

 

[Peyroteo94]

i dont think vdp is 2023 vdp either. So if you're hoping to see that I think you're going to be surprised. We'll see

Heard the same thing in 2023. I'm old enough to know how surprised you were in 2022 when Pogi almost dropped MVP in Paterberg. Like I said, I don't know if he will drop MVP but I'm sure MVP will go to the red to hang on for dear life. And I'm sure MVP will not be even close to drop Pogacar (I don't know if he will even try).

 

[kingjr]

Evidence?

His absolute refusal to lay down arms whenever he is on the back foot and his ability to find a second and third wind in a race, something he has been known for since his cyclocross days.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Anyone know what the Kwaremont time was? KOM 3:56 from 2023, I think VDP still had something left in the tank today though and rode quite measured.