Oliver Naesen - next classic star?

[toolittle]

If not accident, top 3 is expected in Ronde.
Up to pro ranks after 24. It is relatively late for a star level rider?
Will he be next generation of Belgium classic star after GVA

 

[jens_attacks]

The answer is yes.

 

[Billie]

you should watch him in the studio after the race. That was great to watch

 

[Netserk]

Re:

you should watch him in the studio after the race. That was great to watch

Please expand

 

[DFA123]

Re:

you should watch him in the studio after the race. That was great to watch

Did he give both barrels to Sagan again? I've noticed before, that he doesn't think too highly of the World Champion!

 

[DFA123]

I think he's already moved up to that group of riders just behind the big three. For me, he's now alongside the likes of Vanmarcke, Teprstra, Rowe and Kristoff. Guys who are fairly likely to get top 5, but probably aren't going to win. Give it a couple of years and he could make another step up - his improvement since going to AG2R has been huge. I know he was training a lot with GVA and Benoot over the winter - which can only help.

 

[Flamin]

Re: Re:

you should watch him in the studio after the race. That was great to watch

Please expand

Don't know if Billie is referring to anything in particular, but in general Naesen is absolutely awesome in front of a microphone. Heart on the tongue, very spontaneous, funny etc. Putting quotes of him here wouldn't do him justice

 

[tukabel]

yet another future star to be ruined by "corporate" evil next season? (usual suspects: SKY, Steppers...)

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Simple answer: yes!

 

[Billie]

Re: Re:

you should watch him in the studio after the race. That was great to watch

Please expand

Incredible to watch and listen to. His face was full of emotions. He was happy and dissapointed at the same time. You could see in his eyes that he was clearly happy that he showed what a star he is today and also that he missed a chance to fight for the win.

At one point they were talking about the teams and Planckaert or Nys said that his team wasn't strong today and he swiftly replied "Not yet" with a wink.

 

[Billie]

Re:

I think he's already moved up to that group of riders just behind the big three. For me, he's now alongside the likes of Vanmarcke, Teprstra, Rowe and Kristoff. Guys who are fairly likely to get top 5, but probably aren't going to win. Give it a couple of years and he could make another step up - his improvement since going to AG2R has been huge. I know he was training a lot with GVA and Benoot over the winter - which can only help.

he owes his career to training with Van Avermaet

 

[Netserk]

Re: Re:

you should watch him in the studio after the race. That was great to watch

Please expand

Incredible to watch and listen to. His face was full of emotions. He was happy and dissapointed at the same time. You could see in his eyes that he was clearly happy that he showed what a star he is today and also that he missed a chance to fight for the win.

At one point they were talking about the teams and Planckaert or Nys said that his team wasn't strong today and he swiftly replied "Not yet" with a wink.

Awesome. It's really here in the cobbles season that I wish I could speak Dutch/Flemish.

 

[blaxland]

Really likeable rider and one to watch in the future,thats forsure.showed the world today that the future looks bright>

 

[movingtarget]

He's looking good this year, very good.

 

[IndianCyclist]

yes but lets see next year as Stuyven has disappointed this year

 

[SafeBet]

Or next Sep Vanmarcke?

Final step is always the steepest. I like the guy, and I think he could get a big win sooner or later, but it's not a sure thing.

 

[Jagartrott]

Yes, final step is always the hardest. Took GVA years before he managed to.
His style of racing is very positive, so it's great to see him lighting up finales.

 

[RedheadDane]

Re: Re:

you should watch him in the studio after the race. That was great to watch

Did he give both barrels to Sagan again? I've noticed before, that he doesn't think too highly of the World Champion!

Aww... but he even gave him a hug!

http://cycling.today/peter-sagan-suffers-nasty-fall-in-tour-of-flanders-video/

Though I suppose he was probably screaming something like "Get off my arm!"

 

[TMP402]

Re:

I think he's already moved up to that group of riders just behind the big three. For me, he's now alongside the likes of Vanmarcke, Teprstra, Rowe and Kristoff. Guys who are fairly likely to get top 5, but probably aren't going to win. Give it a couple of years and he could make another step up - his improvement since going to AG2R has been huge. I know he was training a lot with GVA and Benoot over the winter - which can only help.

The big three being Sagan, GVA and...?

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

I think he's already moved up to that group of riders just behind the big three. For me, he's now alongside the likes of Vanmarcke, Teprstra, Rowe and Kristoff. Guys who are fairly likely to get top 5, but probably aren't going to win. Give it a couple of years and he could make another step up - his improvement since going to AG2R has been huge. I know he was training a lot with GVA and Benoot over the winter - which can only help.

The big three being Sagan, GVA and...?

The big three are obviously, in order, GVA, Gilbert and - just about still hanging in the top tier despite a lot of poor performances and results this year - Sagan.

 

[Brullnux]

Re: Re:

I think he's already moved up to that group of riders just behind the big three. For me, he's now alongside the likes of Vanmarcke, Teprstra, Rowe and Kristoff. Guys who are fairly likely to get top 5, but probably aren't going to win. Give it a couple of years and he could make another step up - his improvement since going to AG2R has been huge. I know he was training a lot with GVA and Benoot over the winter - which can only help.

The big three being Sagan, GVA and...?

The big three are obviously, in order, GVA, Gilbert and - just about still hanging in the top tier despite a lot of poor performances and results this year - Sagan.

Gilbert has had a couple of great weeks. Yes he is in great form but it may be a one off. You can't put him above Sagan, who in your words is 'just hanging on' despite the fact he was probably as strong as GvA yesterday and came 2nd in Sanremo. Not to mention the fact he dominated the spring classics last year.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re: Re:

I think he's already moved up to that group of riders just behind the big three. For me, he's now alongside the likes of Vanmarcke, Teprstra, Rowe and Kristoff. Guys who are fairly likely to get top 5, but probably aren't going to win. Give it a couple of years and he could make another step up - his improvement since going to AG2R has been huge. I know he was training a lot with GVA and Benoot over the winter - which can only help.

The big three being Sagan, GVA and...?

The big three are obviously, in order, GVA, Gilbert and - just about still hanging in the top tier despite a lot of poor performances and results this year - Sagan.

Gilbert has had a couple of great weeks. Yes he is in great form but it may be a one off. You can't put him above Sagan, who in your words is 'just hanging on' despite the fact he was probably as strong as GvA yesterday and came 2nd in Sanremo. Not to mention the fact he dominated the spring classics last year.

Pure speculation, we have no idea about that. He was monsterously strong in MSR but apart from that, he's shown no signs that he's at the same level as last year. Last year Sagan would have been capable of dropping GVA up the cobbled climbs, something he's failed to do this year.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

I think he's already moved up to that group of riders just behind the big three. For me, he's now alongside the likes of Vanmarcke, Teprstra, Rowe and Kristoff. Guys who are fairly likely to get top 5, but probably aren't going to win. Give it a couple of years and he could make another step up - his improvement since going to AG2R has been huge. I know he was training a lot with GVA and Benoot over the winter - which can only help.

The big three being Sagan, GVA and...?

The big three are obviously, in order, GVA, Gilbert and - just about still hanging in the top tier despite a lot of poor performances and results this year - Sagan.

Gilbert has had a couple of great weeks. Yes he is in great form but it may be a one off. You can't put him above Sagan, who in your words is 'just hanging on' despite the fact he was probably as strong as GvA yesterday and came 2nd in Sanremo. Not to mention the fact he dominated the spring classics last year.

I think Sagan has been poor in the last few races. It could just be a small dip in form, but maybe not, maybe his level has regressed. These things move quickly, and one poor season puts you back alongside the chasing pack imo. After all, in 2015, Kristoff and Thomas were among the very elite, while GVA wasn't. Things have changed a lot in two years though.

 

[toolittle]

Re: Re:

Strong ride from Nasesen today.
He must have won it if not shuttled down by teammate.

Watch him @ Tour of flander in coming years.

 

[Laplaz]

The next GVA.