General News Thread

[The Sheep]

Does anyone know if Vacs captain for Ardennes will be Hoogerland or Westra ? Dobut it's Leukemans.

Poels will be their captain

 

[Gloin22]

Poels will be their captain

For Amstel I meant, as Poels isnt riding it.

 

[Bavarianrider]

this looks like a potentially really cool time trial to me.

The downhill section looks a bit unnecessary though. Could have just started at the bottom of the climb.

 

[theyoungest]

Does anyone know if Vacs captain for Ardennes will be Hoogerland or Westra ? Dobut it's Leukemans.

Normally it would be Leukemans, last year Hoogerland worked for him in the final of Amstel, when he wasn't really that much weaker himself.

 

[search]

Westra is in Spain to prepare for these races since a week or so, he was supposed to do Paris-Roubaix but Vacansoleil cancelled his participation at short notice (as he was just supposed to do it for the team to have a better position of the team car - and without Leukemans and with Devolder being injured every hope for this race was lost anyway).
So I think he is quite ambitious for this races

 

[theyoungest]

They should certainly suit the new Westra better than the cobbles. Although I think Amstel might be a bit too nervous for him. Liege, who knows?

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

In Rund um Koln the break, which includes Wilco Kelderman, has a lead over 5 minutes with about 50km to go.

Go Wilco!

 

[gerundium]

The downhill section looks a bit unnecessary though. Could have just started at the bottom of the climb.

I disagree.

The initial downhill, depending on technicality, gives racers a chance to gain time on the opposition not based solely on their W/Kg or W/CdA values. This is an underrated aspect in timetrials if you ask me, it adds a very interesting skill aspect and gives opportunities for weaker time trialists with superior handling skills (or balls of steel).
After that we get a decently long climb with some steep gradients from the looks of it that is going to be extremely well suited for the climbers. And then in the last part we will see if those same climbers can keep it together against the true TT powerhouses on the reasonably flat run in to the finish.

Looks like an interesting course where different types riders can compete, which to me makes the most exciting time trials. I like to see strategy in a TT. Does the rider decide to go all out in the descent to gain time or does he ride it more conservatively because he relies on his climbing ability? Although i think the flat might not be long enough compared to the climb that precedes it to really balance it out properly for the pure flat TT specialists.

 

[Lupetto]

Some rumors for the upcoming Baby Giro (8.6. - 17.6.).

Nine stages. Possible stage cities are Alba Adriatica and Assisi. Possible mountain top finishes on Terminillo and also on Gavia.

Also very nice. The final stage of U23 Nation's Cup race Toscana - Terra di Ciclismo will feature 44k of Strade Bianche.

 

[El Pistolero]

Normally it would be Leukemans, last year Hoogerland worked for him in the final of Amstel, when he wasn't really that much weaker himself.

Leukemans has made a cross over his entire spring season.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

For Amstel I meant, as Poels isnt riding it.

You sure? Because the vacansoleil site lists him, as does his personal site for AGR. Cyclingfever has him without a number though, does that mean cyclingfever has him as a reserve?

I wonder what he's doing, because I can't imagine why he wouldn't be racing it. He's by far Vacansoleils best shot at an uphill sprint, by very very far. I imagine Poels will want to do well the WC, since he's from Limburg, the WC is in Limburg, AGR is in Limburg.

So, there's every reason for Poels to want to do AGR, there's every reason for Vacansoleil to line him up for AGR. His personal site (http://www.woutpoels.nl) says he'll do AGR, the Vacansoleil site says he'll do AGR. I think he'll do Amstel, and if he manages to start the uphill sprint in a good position and if he has learned to handle the distance, I think he'll be a contender too!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

you've obviously missed the recent interview where Poels said he is doubting if he will ride AGR because he thinks LBL and especially FW are better suited to his skills. He thinks it might be good to save himself for FW which is a big goal of him

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

you've obviously missed the recent interview where Poels said he is doubting if he will ride AGR because he thinks LBL and especially FW are better suited to his skills. He thinks it might be good to save himself for FW which is a big goal of him

Yep, I've indeed obviously missed that, sorry! Forget what I said


(I still disagree with Poels though )


Lieuwe!!!!! Tear the Cauberg apart!!!!!!

 

[Eric8-A]

Lance to ride the Vuelta?

 

[goggalor]

Lance to ride the Vuelta?

That was Velonews' April 1st story.

 

[Eric8-A]

That was Velonews' April 1st story.

Was it? I just came across it today from the Mundo Ciclistico website.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

WorldTour Verity ‏ @UCI_WorldTour
This is the awkward time when the classics are basically over and the #TDF just isn't getting here any time soon. #procycling

 

[classicomano]

Poels will ride AGR after all.

 

[niidirull]

Taaramäe will ride Vuelta a Castilla y León.

 

[Gloin22]

He beat the ilness indeed, and is on good bend. Happy for him.

 

[pastronef]

WorldTour Verity ‏ @UCI_WorldTour
This is the awkward time when the classics are basically over and the #TDF just isn't getting here any time soon. #procycling

nah, tomorrow Brabantse Pijl, then Amstel, Fleche, Liege, Romandie. not bad uh?

 

[will10]

nah, tomorrow Brabantse Pijl, then Amstel, Fleche, Liege, Romandie. not bad uh?

And then there's a little race called Il Giro

 

[Zam_Olyas]

And then there's a little race called Il Giro

Yea, that tweet is just crazy..didn't bother to tweet back.

 

[pastronef]

And then there's a little race called Il Giro

sure
looking forward to the TTT (and the mountains of course)

someone knows if Cunego and Scarponi will ride it?

let's say it better: who will ride the Giro for the win? Basso... and?

 

[Zam_Olyas]

sure
looking forward to the TTT (and the mountains of course)

someone knows if Cunego and Scarponi will ride it?

let's say it better: who will ride the Giro for the win? Basso... and?

Re: Basso. i am his biggest fan..hell you could even label me as his fanboy but i don't think he will win this year.