Bike Exchange very well represented in this front group with 4 strong riders.
Most notable teams to miss out....AG2R, Alpecin and Direct Energie.
Most notable teams to miss out....AG2R, Alpecin and Direct Energie.
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Not.Can't say the Wolfpack is well represented either. Only Bennett, how is he even gonna manage this...
Bora is also out of the race.
Don't know if they are allowed to start in a week.
7 days quarantaine in Belgium after a high risk contact, so the Ronde should be possible.
Any reason given?Vanmarcke DNF...
Any reason given?
He seemed to miss every split in E3 but then suddenly arrived back into the main group at one point from nowhere. I assumed he must have had a mechanical in that race, but it was never mentioned.
Why is DQ not pulling in the main bunch? They can't be confident in Bennett following Wout or even Trentin on the climbs...
It can be argued Bennett is climbing better than he's ever done, perhaps?Why is DQ not pulling in the main bunch? They can't be confident in Bennett following Wout or even Trentin on the climbs...
If Van Aert can't draw and quarter Bennett on the Kemmel he should just become a GT rider.It can be argued Bennett is climbing better than he's ever done, perhaps?
Didn't help him in MSR mind. But that could still be a distance thing.
He's always been good in sightly uphill sprints too, so might cope well with short intense efforts. How well all that will translate into what he'll have to deal with today, we'll see.
I think it's a good chance for them, however, if they get back later... and guys like van Aert and Trentin have exhausted themselves. If they exhaust themselves now they can't go with a wolfpack approach anymore... so they could simply be gambling. Or it's because Tim D isn't there...
Well he couldn't draw and quarter Ewan on the PoggioIf Van Aert can't draw and quarter Bennett on the Kemmel he should just become a GT rider.
Ewan is a far better puncheur than Bennett.Well he couldn't draw and quarter Ewan on the Poggio
I feel Stybar / Ballerini aren't getting there!