Gent - Wevelgem: March 28th, 2021

[RedheadDane]

Just out of curiosity, come to think of it when I saw that "7 races in Flanders Fields" banner; it's only the elite races today?

 

[roundabout]

In hindsight it may have been a mistake to let Van Hooydonck come back after the last Kemmel.

 

[Panda Claws]

Merckxiaans

 

[JosefK]

That finale made me wish that Bennett had a bigger engine for these races.

When Bennett tossed his cookies, the deal was sealed for WVA.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

That finale made me wish that Bennett had a bigger engine for these races.

Yeah, it’s a very different finale if he holds on. It changes the calculation for the other fast guys in gavour of attacking.

That said, this is the first time I’ve thought that Bennett actually does have the engine to win a proper classic, in a slightly easier edition than this where he gets a bit of protection. Very many classics have been won with less expenditure of energy than it took to be in the front group in the wind today all day.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Before the race I thought WVA would be isolated in the final, but he was the only one who still had a teammate! Strong race by Van Hooydonck.

Van Aert again showed that he's strong and willig to take initiative. In the sprint he cleans up people like Nizzolo and Matthews like it's nothing. So he's got a big fish in his net before RvV.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

 

[luckyboy]

Nizzolo with great positioning... Coming from very last in the group and then weaving through like 3 riders while WVA had a clear run. Poor.

 

[MartinGT]

Just out of curiosity, come to think of it when I saw that "7 races in Flanders Fields" banner; it's only the elite races today?

As in GW? Yes.

 

[Jagartrott]

Van Aert said it was nearly impossible to attack in the final 10 km, because there was a tailwind almost all the time and the speed was super high. That, and being in front in constant crosswinds for 180 km, made the final what it was. No-one fresh anymore, and the strongest rider probably won.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Brilliant race. Only thing lacking was attacks in the final. But the wind was the cause of that

 

[RedheadDane]

As in GW? Yes.

Yeah, I was talking about GW, hence why I posted in the GW thread.
Guess they couldn't be bothered to get a new banner.

 

[Netserk]

Not counting Schaal Sels, this is the first win on cobbles for van Aert.

Cool jersey then, though.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Good that I predicted WVA before the race (change from MVP) - I gained 0.5 pts in the prestigious CN forum contest.

 

[SafeBet]

Bad last 10 km but the race up to that point was excellent. DQS bottling it make it a bit sweeter for me, although I feel for Bennett.

 

[MartinGT]

Yeah, I was talking about GW, hence why I posted in the GW thread.
Guess they couldn't be bothered to get a new banner.

Sorry, I assumed you were talking about the Worlds Banner they had out

 

[tobydawq]

Nizzolo with great positioning... Coming from very last in the group and then weaving through like 3 riders while WVA had a clear run. Poor.

Well, someone has to be in last position... It's not like it was a bunch of no-names he could just push back at will. But yes, it ruined his chances.

 

[RedheadDane]

Sorry, I assumed you were talking about the Worlds Banner they had out

Naah, World's gonna be 10 races - not counting the team relays.

 

[Orbit501]

Another good race, but a bit of an anti climatic finale, although understandable all things considered.

 

[MartinGT]

Is GvA saving his beans for next week? He is desperate for the Ronde.

 

[SafeBet]

Well, someone has to be in last position... It's not like it was a bunch of no-names he could just push back at will. But yes, it ruined his chances.

I should re-watch the finale but I think he kind of decided to be in last wheel. Not very smart, but I don't think he would have won anyway.

Trentin said it was mainly him creating the first echelon. He went to the front and put down the hammer, the group split and he had a few TBE riders who started helping straight away.

 

[red_flanders]

Bennett really blew it on the run into the finish.

 

[Netserk]

The tailwind made the sprint quite straightforward for van Aert. Agreed that it was weird for Nizzolo to drop back when he obviously knew about the wind.

 

[Orbit501]

How bizarre!.... There's a couple of sweet peppers in that bunch of flowers for WVA

Even he can't believe it !

Edit: In fact it's a bunch of veg, not flowers... lol

 

[tobydawq]

Bennett really blew it on the run into the finish.

What do you mean? He had absolutely nothing left. He was visibly vomiting.