Gent-Wevelgem (men’s) 2024 (Sunday, March 24)

[RedheadDane]

The world title was a shock result at the time, he's done a lot better than most shock winners of a race that big. Also don't see how stuff like today doesn't qualify as a big win.

He also won GW back in 2020.
After he'd lost the rainbow jersey, though. Because, well... 2020.

 

[MartinGT]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1771918944682586422

View: https://twitter.com/BriSmithy/status/1771918944682586422


Oh Brian. Why can't you just admit you missed the '20 result.

 

[Didinho]

I think his odds were good enough in the sprint that he shouldn't risk an attack in that situation. I also thought Pedersen would win, but was definitely not certain.

For me it was 70-30 chance, it was 30km to “recover” for Mads so maybe a couple attacks before and try to recover quicker. But yeah with the peloton behind you have to ride untill the last km, but now afterwards I’m just searching something else because for me it looked hard to beat Mads.

 

[Unchained]

Yes I think someone called Pedersen second rate not even close to Van Aert. Maybe he cannot win at RVV or on similar courses but MP is anything but a tier 2 rider.

Look at the top 10, cream risen to the top, everyone just crushing it.. Video and still photos of the bunch finishing super close, great race, great racers,best spring action in memory, can't wait for Paris Roubaix..too many guys w awesome form!!

 

[Brullnux]

One hell of a rider.

I actually disagree that he doesn't suit Poggio/Cipressa – he got over the Cipressa fine two weeks ago, then buried himself for Mads/Stuyven at the bottom of the Poggio. Also wouldn't really make sense with his track background – Poggio is what, just under six minutes? While he was never at Ganna's pursuit level, he is a world silver medallist over 4km, and came 3rd in that TT at Tirreno. I think (understandably) Lidl Trek prioritised Pedersen at MSR, but I don't think we've seen anything to suggest he wouldn't be able to contest a win in future.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1771918944682586422

View: https://twitter.com/BriSmithy/status/1771918944682586422


Oh Brian. Why can't you just admit you missed the '20 result.

October don't count!

 

[Didinho]

Mathieu said he suffered a lot today and knew it would be this outcome. The strongest won.

 

[Bolder]

Mathieu should try the attacking game in a 1 vs 1. But Pedersen looked even stronger after Milan was dropped. Mathieu did a lot of work and Pedersen was impressive.

Indeed. He did noticeably more work than Pedersen , thanks to Milan being in the break, and went pretty hard on Friday. A fresh Mathieu would have had a much better chance to win this, maybe even gone solo at some point rather than leave it to a sprint.

As it was, he was within half a bike length with 50 meters to go. Fun race.

 

[RedheadDane]

October don't count!

October totally counts!

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

October totally counts!

Nu-u-uh!

 

[RedheadDane]

Nu-u-uh!

Yes it does!

 

[Filippo_3467]

Pollitt was good at Roubaix once too

But in a Alpecin kit.

 

[Squire]

Mathieu said he suffered a lot today and knew it would be this outcome. The strongest won.

Okay, if VDP himself expected to be beaten in the sprint, he should probably have tried a late attack.

 

[Gratemans]

Okay, if VDP himself expected to be beaten in the sprint, he should probably have tried a late attack.

You could see he was already spent. Yes, it happens to Mathieu sometimes as well.
But it was s fun race to watch. As GW often is.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Yes it does!

I'm impressed by your image editing skills, but we all know this is the original image.

 

[Rob5091]

Nicely done by Trek, Mads and Milan (one of my ones too watch). Pithie again a strong ride but ran out of steam.

 

[Valv.Piti]

What happened to Lotto Soudals new Tom Boonen? A complete nonshow again, very disappointing.

 

[Peyroteo94]

MVP was cocky in this race. That was the reason for him to lose the race

 

[Gratemans]

MVP was cocky in this race. That was the reason for him to lose the race

Lol. No.

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

The most important thing of today is hopefully Visma taking notes and just taking the battle to Van der Poel. His team is pathetic. Make him work.

Not so easy in the final of Flanders, where the hellingem are much closer to each other. I doubt Milan and Laporte are still there after the Koppenberg.

Anyway, kudos to Pedersen, perfect strategy and amazing legs today.

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

Ritter... that was an incredibly stupid joke.
"Page-Turner"...
(That's the kind of joke I could have made...)

Well that's really Ritter territory.
A "Ritter Classic", if you will

 

[staubsauger]

How did Ces Bol manage to lose 7.15 minutes in the end?

Has he given up, was there a crash or did he ran out of fuel completely!?

 

[Netserk]

Well that's really Ritter territory.
A "Ritter Classic", if you will

It's practically a Rittersport.

 

[RedheadDane]

It's practically a Rittersport.

Get out!

 

[Berniece]

What happened to Lotto Soudals new Tom Boonen? A complete nonshow again, very disappointing.

He fell in Le Samyn and we won’t see a proper result from him until TDF.