Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 1.UWT (24/2/2018)

[SKSemtex]

Let's see how GVA can handle being marked as No 1 favorite. He is not used to it.

 

[WheelofGear]

Re:

GVA's race to lose, I think.

*****GVA
****Wellens, Gilbert
***Stybar, Naesen, Felline, Terpstra, Colbrelli
**Lutsenko, Vanmarcke, Benoot, Matthews, Stuyven
*Demare, Gaviria, EBH, Cort, Durbridge, Trentin

Based on their recent shape and last year's results, I think Van Baarle and Modolo should rank higher than EBH, Durbridge and Matthews.

I agree that Cort and Gaviria are underdogs if it comes down to a larger reduced group. Unlikely but possible.

 

[WheelofGear]

***** GVA
**** No one, GVA is mega-favorite
*** Vanmarcke, Naesen, the Stepper trio of Gilbert, Stybar, Terpstra
** Demare, Wellens, Felline, Colbrelli, Lutsenko, Van Baarle, Stuyven, Trentin
* Molodo, Gaviria, Cort, Benoot, Oss, Lampaert, Matthews, Theuns, Gatto

 

[WheelofGear]

Last year, an often boring race like Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne was turned into a real, cobbled marathon classics.

Can we expect this again? I hope the weather is going to be bad.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

It is already 2 course changes ago, but Gilbert's 2006 Omloop win was when I realized this guy had something special (more than sprinting up the poggio).

Also, if I remember correctly, Gilbert has the fastest ever ascend of the Muur (that year when Cancellara was going backwards)

 

[Jspear]

Let's see how GVA can handle being marked as No 1 favorite. He is not used to it.

He's already said he wishes Sagan was here. He says Sagan would go full gas with him. It's takes some of the burden off his own shoulders. I personally think he could definitely find an ally in Gilbert.

 

[WheelofGear]

Let's see how GVA can handle being marked as No 1 favorite. He is not used to it.

He's already said he wishes Sagan was here. He says Sagan would go full gas with him. It's takes some of the burden off his own shoulders. I personally think he could definitely find an ally in Gilbert.

I could see him doing "a Stannard".. Imagine Gilbert, Terpstra and Stybar breaking away from the peloton with him on their wheel. How are they going to drop him?

Gilbert dropping him on Muur van Geraardsbergen is the only possibility. But that is a very difficult task. It's not like he is riding against Durbridge.

 

[Netserk]

We could very well see the same trio as we saw in E3 last year. They should definitely be able to keep the bunch at bay.

 

[WheelofGear]

Re:

We could very well see the same trio as we saw in E3 last year. They should definitely be able to keep the bunch at bay.

Sounds very possible. GVA, Naesen, and Gilbert. But with Benoot in the quartet as well taking a nice 4th place.

 

[WheelofGear]

Looks like Gilbert is ready to attack earlier out. Fingers crossed.

While everyone's talking about Muur-Bosberg, Gilbert pointed to a less obvious focal point – the Molenberg, which comes with just over 50km out, the seventh of 13 climbs on the 195km route.

"Molenberg is like very small roads, and it always splits there because there's no space, then it goes up, then it's false flat, and you never come back because everyone stays in their position," said Gilbert.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gilbert-points-to-molenberg-as-key-climb-in-new-omloop-het-nieuwsblad-course/

 

[sir fly]

Well, Molenberg's been a selection point in Ronde for years, I'm sure the others are aware, as well.

Surely I've seen the course change, but somehow I've forgotten about it and the OP reminded me again.
It changes the complexion of Omloop, but it's nice to see what most of fans consider "the classic Ronde conclusion".
Looking forward to it, just like every season.

 

[SKSemtex]

I wish for strong tailwind and Vanmarcke´s kicking everybody's ass on Muur and his solo win.

 

[Robert5091]

Re:

Looks like Gilbert is ready to attack earlier out. Fingers crossed.

While everyone's talking about Muur-Bosberg, Gilbert pointed to a less obvious focal point – the Molenberg, which comes with just over 50km out, the seventh of 13 climbs on the 195km route.

"Molenberg is like very small roads, and it always splits there because there's no space, then it goes up, then it's false flat, and you never come back because everyone stays in their position," said Gilbert.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gilbert-points-to-molenberg-as-key-climb-in-new-omloop-het-nieuwsblad-course/

So will we see a repeat of 2017's De Ronde 50 km dash for the line by Gilbert?

 

[CarlosFandangoJnr]

There's also a scary dog who lives at the top of Molenberg which focuses your mind a bit. I think it's too far out to make the final cut - really it's somewhere you can lose the race rather than win it.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Yes! One of my favorites days of the year. Omloop always delivers. It's hard to look past Van Avermaet for this one. He seems in stellar shape and has won twice before. Noone is gonna drop him on the hills, and he's one of the fastest on the line. I can see two scenarios in which he he doesn't win: 1) Tactical reasons in which noone is gonna cooperate with Van Avermaet and someone strong like Gilbert, Vanmarcke or Terpstra rides away, 2) A faster man gets to the line with him. This seems rather unlikely, but Trentin would probably be the best bet for a winner in a scenario like this. Colbrelli, Gaviria etc. also have a small chance.

 

[Blanco]

Let's see how GVA can handle being marked as No 1 favorite. He is not used to it.

He's already said he wishes Sagan was here. He says Sagan would go full gas with him. It's takes some of the burden off his own shoulders. I personally think he could definitely find an ally in Gilbert.

I could see him doing "a Stannard".. Imagine Gilbert, Terpstra and Stybar breaking away from the peloton with him on their wheel. How are they going to drop him?

Gilbert dropping him on Muur van Geraardsbergen is the only possibility. But that is a very difficult task. It's not like he is riding against Durbridge.

I'm sure that Gilbert can out sprint Van Avermaet on a good day, especially if Terpstra and Stybar tire him up enough.

 

[SafeBet]

How's the weather?
Google says 2-3 degrees but dry. Correct?

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Re:

How's the weather?
Google says 2-3 degrees but dry. Correct?

I can't speak for all of Belgium but when I went on my morning ride I couldn't open my bottle because it was frozen stuck.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

1 Lutsenko
2 Van Baarle
3 Naesen

Lets go for the unpredictable

 

[MagnusMagnussen]

Livestream startpodium
https://www.facebook.com/proximus/videos/1590137601101792/

 

[Poursuivant]

1 GVA
2 STYBAR
3 VANMARCKE

 

[Netserk]

OmloopHetNieuwsblad
‏@OmloopHNB

8 riders in the front: Mathis, Van Staeyen, Vanbilsen, Van Goethem, E. Planckaert, Svendgaard, De Bondt and De Winter. #OHN18

OmloopHetNieuwsblad
@OmloopHNB

Saramotins and Ariesen also make the jump to the head of the race. 10 leaders now with 15sec on the pack! #OHN18

 

[MagnusMagnussen]

Already 2 minutes ahead of the peloton:

Kenneth Vanbilsen (Cofidis, Solutions Crédits)
Dries De Bondt (Veranda's Willems - Crelan)
Michael Van Staeyen (Cofidis, Solutions Crédits)
Marco Mathis (Team Katusha - Alpecin)
Brian van Goethem (Roompot - Nederlandse Loterij)
Aleksejs Saramotins (BORA - hansgrohe)
Tim Ariesen (Roompot - Nederlandse Loterij)
Edward Planckaert (Sport Vlaanderen - Baloise)
Michael Svendgaard (Team Fortuneo - Samsic)
Ludwig De Winter (WB - Aqua Protect - Veranclassic)

 

[Netserk]

Keisse on duty. Pretty good break for the favorites.

 

[jfazendeiro]

I assume all leaders will avoid being in the group with GVA entering Geraardsbergen. Those who can follow him on the Muur-Bosberg will probabilly not outsprinst him.
With this in mind, I expect a early selection maybe even earlier than in the Molenberg. And imeadiatly after the first attacks from 2nd/3rd tier favourites. How J. Roelandts perfoms will be decisive and judging from what he showed at VCV he is in good shape.