March 16th: Nokere Koerse-195.9km: 1.1

[Jamsque]

There are still two hours of racing to go, I wouldn't worry about getting live updates just yet.

 

[sublimit]

I go for

1. Mellow Velo
2. the_youngest
3. Moondance

I'll be dropped on Nokereberg as I hate cobbles. Barrus and Timme_loves_rabo will drop back and try to bring me back, but to no avail, we'll finish minutes behind

They were all disqualified after taking a short cut and also having higher than normal expertise levels..

 

[Anonymous]

Lead group of nine riders, gap 1m10,
Kenny De Haes

Guillaume Van Keirsbulck

Frédéric Guesdon

Rony Martias

Steven Van Vooren

Tom Stubbe

Gaëtan Bille

Rob Goris

Matthieu Ladagnous

Grischa Janorschke


Rabobank leading the chase.

Hope that helps

 

[woodie]

Are they doing loops? if so whats the gradient on the finish?

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I go for

1. Mellow Velo
2. the_youngest
3. Moondance

I'll be dropped on Nokereberg as I hate cobbles. Barrus and Timme_loves_rabo will drop back and try to bring me back, but to no avail, we'll finish minutes behind

Next race it might be time to give one of the talented neo pros leadership... Kwibus maybe? Harvetts also..

 

[Matthijs]

What? Where Matthews beat some 4th line sprinters?

so, Hutarovich is world class? Greipel is present in this race, but he looses a lot against sprinters who are not as high rated as he is + it's his first race since he fell.

Nico Eeckhout ftw! but I think Greipel, Hutarovitch and Bos/Matthews have the best chance.
On the lower level Keukeleire, steegmans, stevan van dijk, eeckhout?

Museeuw now talking about mobile vuilnisbakken (trash cans) on the motor in the peloton...

 

[El Pistolero]

Gilbert will win this fo sure

 

[Anonymous]

Are they doing loops? if so whats the gradient on the finish?

yeh, four loops.

The final climb is the Nokereberg. Gradient 5.7 - 7%

climb details> http://www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Col=Nokereberg&qryMountainID=9401

thanks to the guys at @procyclinglive on twitter for that info

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

if so whats the gradient on the finish?

Nokere Berg
375m, 9%max, 5%av.
Small (easy) cobbles

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

This are the cobbles, you hardly feel them...

 

[Jamsque]

3 laps to go, a little over 40km. The gap is a minute and a half.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Better than most of our main roads after the winter.

Cofidis on the front. Is Jens K finally going to show up at a finish?

 

[Granville57]

What's the distance for one lap?

 

[Christian]

Not sure how I feel about the Bruxelles-Wallonie jerseys. On the one hand they're easy to spot, on the other hand I don't think they're very nice.

Seems to be pretty warm up there, all riders in short sleeves

 

[Christian]

Nokere Berg
375m, 9%max, 5%av.
Small (easy) cobbles

On the screen it looks pretty flat but that might be deceiving

 

[Granville57]

Not sure how I feel about the Bruxelles-Wallonie jerseys. On the one hand they're easy to spot, on the other hand I don't think they're very nice.

Seems to be pretty warm up there, all riders in short sleeves

"it’s a nice day for riders, not much wind, nice temperature, an excellent day for cycling"
http://twitter.com/procyclinglive/status/48035694798573568

 

[Mellow Velo]

What's the distance for one lap?

14.8 kms, or 9.25 miles in your money.

 

[Granville57]

20K to go.

I'm expecting an attack from Caleb Fairly as soon as the catch is made.

 

[Lanark]

On the screen it looks pretty flat but that might be deceiving

It is pretty flat. Especially with the speed with which a peloton approaches such a hill, it's over before you know it.

 

[boomcie]

Johan Museeuw is a horrible commentator. Hearing him talk makes me want to beat him up… The guy does not master the Dutch Language at all.

 

[Granville57]

Leaders cross the finish line for the final loop...

 

[Mellow Velo]

Not sure what this says about Steegmans..............

 

[Granville57]

10K left. Looks like they're all together now

 

[Granville57]

10K left. Looks like they're all together now

DOH! Not quite...

 

[Moondance]

I think/hope the break will make it.


EDIT: Spoke too soon looks like.