Lesser known races 2025 edition

[Samamba]

I get that some teams need the points, but it should never be the case that everyone just rolls over for Merlier in a race like this. That was a non-contest.

Some teams tried in the hill zone tho? In a sprint no one has a chance, doesn't matter what you do.

I think Abrahamsen made a little mistake going so hard on the last Muur. A mistake you see often. Riders going too hard meaning you will be solo or your group will be too small for the flat part after the hills. Should've just taken more riders with them and the peloton probably doesn't come back. He dropped Andresen, Livyns and Rex for example. 3 teams who had to chase afterwards.

Lotto farming

Doubt it has to do with farming, but more with Menten being promised to get his chance to sprint here and De Lie feeling better than expected.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Some teams tried in the hill zone tho? In a sprint no one has a chance, doesn't matter what you do.

Soudal wasn't even the team that did the most pulls after the hill zone, that's definitely rolling over in my book.

And you can also try to split the race after the hill zone. Case in point: Kuurne 2020.

 

[yaco]

Soudal wasn't even the team that did the most pulls after the hill zone, that's definitely rolling over in my book.

And you can also try to split the race after the hill zone. Case in point: Kuurne 2020.

You had four teams madly chasing UCI points. There is no way they would try to split the race.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

The Belgian Horse is back!!! Equestiren excellence!!!

 

[Samamba]

You had four teams madly chasing UCI points. There is no way they would try to split the race.

If that is the case then why did all those teams apart from Cofidis attack in the hillzone? Abrahamsen dropped their guys cause he went to hard so they had no other choice than to chase if they wanted to be on the podium. Sure in the real final those teams aren't going to take as many risks as they would when points didn't matter, but that's not the reason why Merlier won today.

Soudal wasn't even the team that did the most pulls after the hill zone, that's definitely rolling over in my book.

And you can also try to split the race after the hill zone. Case in point: Kuurne 2020.

Lampaert and Gelders did by far the most work in the chase. It just looks like they rolled over if you only look at the last 40ish kms (and Lotto actually attacked in the final btw). Apart from Abrahamsen riding dumb I think Lotto and Intermarché made a tactical mistake not starting to ride immediately after last Muur and Bosberg to try to keep Merlier behind, but I also don't think it woudl've worked given the limited domestiques there.

Not sure why we are comparing a race in June with pretty good weather to a (harder) Flemish classic.

 

[yaco]

If that is the case then why did all those teams apart from Cofidis attack in the hillzone? Abrahamsen dropped their guys cause he went to hard so they had no other choice than to chase if they wanted to be on the podium. Sure in the real final those teams aren't going to take as many risks as they would when points didn't matter, but that's not the reason why Merlier won today.


Lampaert and Gelders did by far the most work in the chase. It just looks like they rolled over if you only look at the last 40ish kms (and Lotto actually attacked in the final btw). Apart from Abrahamsen riding dumb I think Lotto and Intermarché made a tactical mistake not starting to ride immediately after last Muur and Bosberg to try to keep Merlier behind, but I also don't think it woudl've worked given the limited domestiques there.

Not sure why we are comparing a race in June with pretty good weather to a (harder) Flemish classic.

My post was referring to after the hill zone. Once the hill zone was finished and the groups rejoined then its a matter of riding to the finish. Anyway, Merlier is classes above th eother sprinters.

 

[Samamba]

1 decent day for De Lie was enough apparently. Crashed and DNF in Antwerp...

EDIT: possibly a broken elbow... The kid is made for bad luck

 

[RedheadDane]

A bunch of riders took a wrong turn*... they had to pause the race for a while, but now they're back racing. Just in time for the coverage to start.




*Funny thing is, they were supposed to continue straight ahead on the bigger road, so it kinda looked like half the riders just went "Naaah... that little road looks more fun!"

 

[Didinho]

Just when De Lie looked like a rider again this happens.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Antwerp: Looks like a dynamic race. 65kms to go. Del Grosso in the ditch.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Tibor .....

 

[RedheadDane]

Lev Gonov his bike.




(Sorry...)

 

[Samamba]

Yearly Antwerp Port Epic Alpecin domination

 

[Netserk]

Yeah, it's locked down.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Uno-x needs to get going.

 

[Samamba]

Quick Step will get some help after the sectors if they keep it together I think.
Girmay not in there tho so Intermarché probably won't do it. Andresen is there but max. 1 teammate.
Lotto still with 4 but no good sprinter. Astana will probably help, they have numbers.

But if they all go for a sprint they just lose so...

 

[Netserk]

Moto with a thump on the scale, Kielich has almost not been filmed from the front at all.

 

[yaco]

Thank God that Quickstep have no points pressure, so will try to ride down Kielich. Otherwise the points hunting teams would save their riders to gain multiple riders in the top 10/15.

 

[Samamba]

Alpecin better attack immediately when Kielich is caught. Honestly start already. You have almost your whole team still there. This btw is the reason why they attacked behind their own rider in Limburg earlier this season. Front guy's chances on his own are very slim and you have number behind, but no one who can win the sprint. This one is a bit different cause it's only 2 QS riding so you could wait a bit but still.

 

[Samamba]

Smart attack from UNO X. You can break Quick Step here.

 

[Samamba]

Quick Step riders crashed hard. All organization is gone. Chaos

Lampaert is not doing this on his own. Kielich can save himself in Wallins wheel and just sprint. Might be perfect for Alpecin after all thanks to Wallins attack.

Some serious motopacing too.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Crash on an innocuous rise when it was quite strung out it seemed

 

[Netserk]

Moto returning the favour at least.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Looks like Wallin could tow Kielich to the line here

 

[Samamba]

Girmay came back due to the crash, between the cars. Intermarché will start riding now but it might be too late