Mar 27 2011: Gent - Wevelgem 210km

[goggalor]

Some photographer shoulder checked Offredo.

GET HIM!

 

[mr. tibbs]

Thought it was a classic racing move.

...that doomed the break and gave the win to the bunch. But you gotta work with what you can, and there was no way he'd beat Sagan at the line, so... yeah.

EDIT: I mean that he opted to not help, let the other two keep the peloton at bay, and then abandon them when he could. It was really his only shot, but it did doom the break b/c there was no way he could have held the chase off by himself.

 

[mombus]

gimme a break, was a great sprint... Boonen deserved that. He's still kicking

 

[Anonymous]

If you watched...you would have saw him sandbagging on the turns....maybe you were blinded by the Union Jack?

Yea, ACF blinded by the Union Jack...???!!!!

 

[roundabout]

Some photographer shoulder checked Offredo.

GET HIM!

Yeah, that was pretty farking stupid.

 

[Jamsque]

Even I was ready to say that.

I think we can also put to rest that Boonen is no longer a sprinter. He still is one of the best sprinters. Although obviously no Cavendish.

Boonen if he wants to is certainly in the top 5 of current sprinters.

I've had my doubts about Boonen's sprinting of late but he had no trouble holding off Farrar today, very impressive stuff.


Sky were all over the race once again but came up empty handed. Garmin were a shambles.

 

[Rocksteady]

Tyler shows he just doesn't have the Classics stamina...


yet.

Great to see Boonen win and nice leadout by Steegmans

 

[hatcher]

Stannard should have just dragged the two faster finishers to the line.

 

[Hawkwood]

Classic cheese...maybe you've never raced?

I have raced, mainly back in the 70s and 80s.

 

[stefrees]

Again...just need to watch...it's all there....

If all you want to do is wind up, then go somewhere else.

 

[sublimit]

I have raced, mainly back in the 70s and 80s.

Dont waste your time with the guy he's clearly an idiot.

 

[The Hitch]

wish chav won

a top gentleman and champion showing initiative and beating the group..... and ? okkkk

 

[Cobblestones]

...that doomed the break and gave the win to the bunch. But you gotta work with what you can, and there was no way he'd beat Sagan at the line, so... yeah.

I'd agree with that.

And congrats to Boonen. Experience pays off.

 

[Cobblestoned]

That were some exciting last km

Boonen has to win and earn his money, Lefevre said, so Boonen won !
Well done QST ! Was time to show something.

Sad that Cav crashed.
Did a good prediction there with mass-sprint and Cav going for win - but thats life.

That final crash looked and sounded really ugly. Hope they are all ok.

 

[Parrulo]

btw can any1 give a small translation of boonen's interview?

 

[TRDean]

Anyone got the top 10?

 

[mombus]

Great race. Happy Sunday to all. Flanders just a week away! Til then...

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

a top gentleman and champion showing initiative and beating the group..... and ? okkkk

Boonen was my next preference (from the group).. after boom that is

 

[El Pistolero]

I've had my doubts about Boonen's sprinting of late but he had no trouble holding off Farrar today, very impressive stuff.


Sky were all over the race once again but came up empty handed. Garmin were a shambles.

I never even saw Garmin the last 30km. They're really the big disappointment so far.

 

[The Hitch]

maybe with gert back we see a bit of sprinter boonen back? or is that completely past him?

2 wins this season 2 sprints. THough both admitedly from a bit out.


To Dutch speakers. What were they saying about Haedo?????

 

[Anonymous]

I never even saw Garmin the last 30km. They're really the big disappointment so far.

I think they are still two teams.

 

[beer_thirty]

GREAT sprint for Boonen! That has to bolster him for next week...and I still don't think it will be enough to beat Canc.

+1

Nice win, but really, it's the minimum of what was expected of him today. I'm impressed he beat Farrar, but frankly outside of the sprint Tommeke was not super impressive today. I think he's going to have a harder time this year than last w/Fabo.

Gilbert looked solid today in a race that doesn't suit him; he's on the podium next week.

I thought Chavenal did a savvy ride to keep the other teams chasing til just the right moment, though I was a little surprised he couldn't get back to Stannard's wheel. That's a fine line, and could have backfired had Stannard been a touch stronger. I also thought Sagan would be able to answer and was surprised he could not.

For RVV:

1) Spartacus
2) Gilbert
3) Steegmans will be the strongest for QS

 

[hrotha]

I never even saw Garmin the last 30km. They're really the big disappointment so far.

They were still chasing Vanmarcke around Harelbeke.

 

[El Pistolero]

I don't know if Boonen will be ready for Vlaanderen, but he'll certainly be there at Roubaix I think.

 

[Granville57]

Damn it, I only just woke up!!!

Anyway...

From CN feed

1 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step
2 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Leopard Trek
3 Tyler Farrar (USA) Team Garmin-Cervelo
4 André Greipel (Ger) Omega Pharma - Lotto
5 Jurgen Van De Walle (Bel) Omega Pharma - Lotto
6 Dries Devenyns (Bel) Quick Step
7 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) HTC-Highroad
8 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) BMC Racing Team
9 Lars Boom (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team
10 Baden Cooke (Aus) Saxo Bank Sunguard