Gent-Wevelgem 24th March 2013

[Pentacycle]

I'm looking forward to the first time Boonen leads out Cav.

 

[jaylew]

I didn't pick him for MSR or E3 but I did for this one. I see no reason to change. Sagan ftw.

 

[will10]

Amador to win Moto-Mattan style.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Cav or Sagz depending on the weather and crashes....

 

[Museeuw]

Maybe this time a surprise winner who rested on friday.

I'm not convinced at all that this will to end in a bunch sprint because of conditions.

 

[gruppeto993]

for me its going to be cav with sagan in for another second place.

but I prefer a cancellara attack

 

[serfla]

I sincerely hope that Cancellara has ambition to match last year's Boonen.
Although it might look unrealistic at the first sight, it's not impossible at all.
At least it would provide some really exciting racing.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Sagan if it's a reduced bunch. Sagan or Cav if it's a big bunch.

 

[Panda Claws]

Don't underestimate Boonen in a reduced sprint finish.

 

[Lexman]

Greipel to surprise Sagan and Cavandish by a noselength

 

[Pentacycle]

Honestly, I expect a desintegrated peloton due to the heavy weather, as it won't take much hills to cause some gaps to emerge and get sprinters isolated. So it'll probably be a group of outsiders who go for the win, or an elite group that will try to get rid of Sagan and Boonen.

Cav, Greipel and Farrar, I clearly don't have much faith in their chances. It's too hard for them, and they'll suffer as soon as they hit the Bergs. Normally they wouldn't even make the split in less hard conditions.

 

[theyoungest]

It's funny how a native Dutch speaker should use the linguistic travesty that is the word 'Bergs'

 

[Pentacycle]

It's funny how a native Dutch speaker should use the linguistic travesty that is the word 'Bergs'

It's very common here, thought it'd be nice to use some other words as well.

 

[Afrank]

I really hope Sagan can win this one. He's been 2nd in SB, 2nd in MSR, and 2nd in E3. This is too many 2nd places for a rider of his caliber. I want to see him get a 1st.

 

[thirteen]

snow still frozen out on my terrace but none coming down... will see when i awake. maybe weather not so bad?

 

[Netserk]

I really hope Sagan can win this one. He's been 2nd in SB, 2nd in MSR, and 2nd in E3. This is too many 2nd places for a rider of his caliber. I want to see him get a 1st.

Remember last year?

 

[Afrank]

Remember last year?

Yep, bodes well for this year IMO, especially since Boonen isn't in nearly as good form as he was last year.

 

[thirteen]

take that back... the snow has returned, and at a very nice diagonal

 

[Orbit501]

Come on Borut!

 

[Aguirre]

anyone in belgium can report about the weather, cold/snow/ice conditions?
I want to see this race happens! EBH for the win

 

[Roude Leiw]

I just woke up to 5 cm of snow and it is still snowing. I live in Luxembourg, which is a 2 hour drive from Gent. So any news by someone if the race will happen (even the shortened version?)

 

[Popchu]

No snow 5k from Wevelgem.

Kemmelberg: https://twitter.com/kdlp/status/315728022999289856/photo/1
Catsberg: https://twitter.com/kdlp/status/315724472260915200/photo/1

Looks like it's fine.

 

[pastronef]

https://twitter.com/millarmind/status/315723083992399872/photo/1

Snow from Millar twitter

 

[rainman]

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013...anisers-to-shorten-2013-ghent-wevelgem-278860



Climbs, descents being salted. Apparently feels like -10c with windchill in Ghent. Organisers say 190k's will have same effect as 240 in this weather.

 

[manafana]

the belgiums the race nearly always goes on.

Hopefully they make any changes if they are needed, but this will be one hell of a day in the saddle.