So, with the Worlds done, cycling season is nearing its end. Time for some end-of-year polls.
Since 2003 the Flemish newspaper "Het Nieuwsblad / Sportwereld" is organizing Flandrien of the year, which awards the best Belgian cyclist of the year.
They just announced the nominees of this year:
Thomas De Gendt
Always in the attack. Yes, always. But with little result this year, except for a stage win in the vuelta, and thereby having won a stage in all three GT's.
Philippe Gilbert
Found his winning legs again this year when he moved to QS. Winning Flanders after being in the attack for over 100k. Winning Amstel by beating Kwiatkowski in a sprint.
Yves Lampaert
He won Dwars door Vlaanderen, Belgian national TT, a Vuelta stage.
Oliver Naesen
Was really strong in the spring but won nothing, won Belgian national RR.
Greg Van Avermaet
Has been strong all year, leading the World Tour ranking. Won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem and Parijs-Roubaix in the spring.
For the past 4 years GVA won. And he'll most likely win it again.
There's also a poll on the site of Sportwereld at the moment, Thomas De Gendt is leading with 27%, Gilbert is last, with 12%. No idea how one could explain that besides Sportwereld being a Flemish newspaper and Gilbert is from the other side. Curious what an international crowd thinks.
Personally I'm going for Gilbert, winning a cobbled classic and an ardennes classic beats GVA's winning streak in all very similar races imho. And winning Flanders after such a solo? Doesn't get more old school Flandrien than that... However as always, Belgians are too focused on those few spring classics, and I appreciate De Gendt's effort for doing something different.
Since 2003 the Flemish newspaper "Het Nieuwsblad / Sportwereld" is organizing Flandrien of the year, which awards the best Belgian cyclist of the year.
They just announced the nominees of this year:
Thomas De Gendt
Always in the attack. Yes, always. But with little result this year, except for a stage win in the vuelta, and thereby having won a stage in all three GT's.
Philippe Gilbert
Found his winning legs again this year when he moved to QS. Winning Flanders after being in the attack for over 100k. Winning Amstel by beating Kwiatkowski in a sprint.
Yves Lampaert
He won Dwars door Vlaanderen, Belgian national TT, a Vuelta stage.
Oliver Naesen
Was really strong in the spring but won nothing, won Belgian national RR.
Greg Van Avermaet
Has been strong all year, leading the World Tour ranking. Won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem and Parijs-Roubaix in the spring.
For the past 4 years GVA won. And he'll most likely win it again.
There's also a poll on the site of Sportwereld at the moment, Thomas De Gendt is leading with 27%, Gilbert is last, with 12%. No idea how one could explain that besides Sportwereld being a Flemish newspaper and Gilbert is from the other side. Curious what an international crowd thinks.
Personally I'm going for Gilbert, winning a cobbled classic and an ardennes classic beats GVA's winning streak in all very similar races imho. And winning Flanders after such a solo? Doesn't get more old school Flandrien than that... However as always, Belgians are too focused on those few spring classics, and I appreciate De Gendt's effort for doing something different.