Nokere Koerse - Danilith Classic (1.1), 19.03.2014

[Dazed and Confused]

A race with a couple of bergs and some cobbles. Nothing too serious, but just enough to create a nice little midweek race while we are waiting for the bigger events in the weekend.

Winner from 2012:

Mother nature created havoc with last year's edition, so that didn't happen.

Map:

80,9 km + 8 laps of 14,8 km gives us close to 200km.

Can't get the profile easily, so just empty space here........ ........

Podiums, last couple of editions:

2008 Wouter Weylandt Jurgen Roelandts Andre Greipel
2009 Graeme Brown (Aus) Ben Swift (Gbr) Sebastien Chavanel (Fra)
2010 Jens Keukeleire (Bel) Kris Boeckmans (Bel) Bobbie Traksel (Ned)
2011 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Stefan Van Dijk (Ned) Graeme Brown (Aus)
2012 Francesco Chicchi (Ita) Kris Boeckmans (Bel) Boy van Poppel (Ned)

Official race site: http://www.nokerekoerse.be/

Teams and some key riders in race:
1. Belkin-Pro Cycling Team (Martens, ten Dam)
2. BMC Racing Team (Oss, Dillier)
3. FDJ.fr (Bouhanni, Geslin)
4. Lotto Belisol (Dehaes, Vangenechten)
5. Omega Pharma - Quick-Step (Maes, van Keirsbulck)
6. Team Giant-Shimano (Mezgec, Craddock)
7. Team Sky (Swift, Puccio)
8. Androni Giocattoli (van Hummel, Bertazzo)
9. Bretagne - Séché Environnement (Delaplace, Corbel)
10. Caja Rural - Seguros RGA (Arroyo, Bilbao)
11. CCC Polsat Polkowice (Paterski, Taciak)
12. MTN - Qhubeka (Reguigui, Van Zyl)
13. Team NetApp – Endura (Barta, Jarc)
14. Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise (Van Asbroeck, Lampaert)
15. UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team (de Maar, Bazzana)
16. Wanty - Groupe Gobert (Kreder, Jans)
17. An Post - Chain Reaction (Mccarthy, Claeys)
18. Josan - To Win Cycling Team (Verraes, Polazzi)
19. Roubaix - Lille Métropole (Vantomme, Planckaert)
20. Team3M (Juodvalkis, Van Zummeren)
21. Vastgoedservice - Golden Palace (Peeters, Vandousselaere)
22. Veranclassic - Doltcini (Brambilla, Gardeyn)
23. Verandas Willems (Bille, Vereecken)
24. Wallonie - Bruxelles (Delfosse, Amorison)

Full startlist here: http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/nokere_Koerse_Danilith_Classic_2014-Startlist

Start: 12:15 (CET)
Scheduled to end 16:53

I believe this will be broadcasted live, but not 100% sure.

Swift or Mezgec FTW.

 

[sagansagan]

Swift has got to take this,

 

[Roude Leiw]

RTBF will not be live, not live for a cobbled race means probably no live pictures

 

[Dazed and Confused]

RTBF will not be live, not live for a cobbled race means probably no live pictures

ah too bad. Seem to remember some live pictures previously. Never mind.

 

[fraserhughes]

Swift has got to take this,

From that startlist I'd say he's probably favourite.

What on earth are Caja Rural doing on cobbles in March? Are they very lost on a training ride?

 

[search]

RTBF will not be live, not live for a cobbled race means probably no live pictures

in 2012 it was live on EXQi

looks like that channel does not exist anymore though

 

[Roude Leiw]

Never

Dehaes, Fenn, Steegmans, Kreder,.... Bouhanni if the knee is ok again

 

[Dazed and Confused]

ok race about to start.

Ticker: http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/matchcenter/mc_wielrennen/Comp_voorjaar_2014/MF_Nokere_Koerse_2014

 

[EnacheV]

If a Sky guy wins this can we safely say that their classic squad > gc squad, at least so far in 2014 ?

 

[samish01]

If a Sky guy wins this can we safely say that their classic squad > gc squad, at least so far in 2014 ?

Why? They have battled injuries in PN and TA. G and Porte have shown glimpses of what they are capable of doing.

 

[manafana]

From that startlist I'd say he's probably favourite.

What on earth are Caja Rural doing on cobbles in March? Are they very lost on a training ride?

this made me laugh I suppose their trying to broaden their horizons, lack of spainish races likely an issue too

 

[Dazed and Confused]

From the ticker:

It would appear the Steppers have send the entire team up the road.

First hour speed: 48,5 km/h. Love it.

KBK 2.0

 

[CycloAndy]

Any idea who else is in the breakaway? Looks like at least one Sky rider, anyone know who?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Any idea who else is in the breakaway? Looks like at least one Sky rider, anyone know who?

No info on all the riders in front group, sadly.

80km to go, 1:38

It will likely come together. Steppers with only 6 men here. 8 is normal.

 

[Roude Leiw]

Any idea who else is in the breakaway? Looks like at least one Sky rider, anyone know who?

Julian Alaphilippe, Iljo Keisse, Gert Steegmans, Tosh Van der Sande Tosh, Dennis Vanendert Dennis, Salvatore Puccio, Martijn Keizer, Daniel Oss, Yves Lampaert, Jerome Baugnies, Omar Matarranza Fraile, Luis Mas Bonet, Jean-Marc Bideau, Jan Barta, Michael Schwarzmann en Niels Van Dijk

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Here we go, from ticker. Group:

Julian Alaphilippe, Iljo Keisse, Gert Steegmans, Tosh Van der Sande Tosh, Dennis Vanendert Dennis, Salvatore Puccio, Martijn Keizer, Daniel Oss, Yves Lampaert, Jerome Baugnies, Omar Matarranza Fraile, Luis Mas Bonet, Jean-Marc Bideau, Jan Barta, Michael Schwarzmann en Niels Van Dijk.

Barta to solo in the last 5km FTW.

(it will come together I think)

edit: redundant

 

[RedheadDane]

"Tosh Van Der Sande Tosh" and "Dennis Vandendert Dennis"?

 

[De Snelle Duif]

If this front group stays in front I predict Baugnies will win.

 

[berkerstan]

Should be an exciting finish

 

[Bushman]

"Tosh Van Der Sande Tosh" and "Dennis Vandendert Dennis"?

Actually I think (in case you did not notice) that their first name was just typed twice.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

20km, 40s

Running out of gas?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Less than 10km to go, 30s.

Suits lined up at the line:

Picture from ticker.

 

[RedheadDane]

Actually I think (in case you did not notice) that their first name was just typed twice.

I figured that. But why only those two?

Anyway, guess it doesn't really matter. Back to the race.

 

[Michele]

1-2 for Lotto

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Lampaert and Steegmans with 17s now.

3km or so left