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

[Escarabajo]

I like these races as well!
They usually are very dynamic.

I'd go with Stybar for this one!

 

[SafeBet]

Cycling, at last

 

[Breh]

I actually think there is very little overlap considering they're mainly concentrated around the Flemish Ardennes. Most of these races have their own decisive hills which is good.

There are several reasons why these races survive. They're very, very popular in the cycling-crazy region that Flanders is. And love them or hate them but I believe Wouter Vandenhaute and Flanders Classics have done an excellent job with regards to the six races they own.

Anyway, I'm hyped for the start of the season. It has been a while since the cobbled races dissapointed me.

 

[Gigs_98]

I actually think there is very little overlap considering they're mainly concentrated around the Flemish Ardennes. Most of these races have their own decisive hills which is good.

There are several reasons why these races survive. They're very, very popular in the cycling-crazy region that Flanders is. And love them or hate them but I believe Wouter Vandenhaute and Flanders Classics have done an excellent job with regards to the six races they own.

Anyway, I'm hyped for the start of the season. It has been a while since the cobbled races dissapointed me.

Some of them have their own decisive hills, especially GW has a rather unique race dynamic which is why it's my third favorite cobbles classic (behind the two mosnuments ofc), but E3 has ever since the ronde route changed always been a light version of the ronde decided on the same two climbs, het nieuwsblad is now the old ronde just a bit shorter, and although I don't know the routes of KBK and DDV as well I think they are decided on climbs used in other classics too.
Now let's not forget that there are also stage races in this region. On one hand the binck bank tour usually has a stage which ends on the kappelmur but that's way later in the season so I'm ok with this. However there are also the three days of de panne where you also have some of the same climbs included in the route. IMO that's simply too much

 

[myrideissteelerthanyours]

I'm concerned about this new route. I hope it doesn't steal the magic from the traditional best race of the year.

 

[rick james]

when do the riders for each team start to get announced?

 

[pastronef]

Re:

when do the riders for each team start to get announced?

here still not officially confirmed

https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/omloop-het-nieuwsblad/2018/startlist

 

[Laplaz]

No Sagan so maybe Oss or Pöstlberger gets their chance

 

[WheelofGear]

Looking forward to see how good Van Baarle is going to be in the hands of Sky.

He is already a top 10 cobbles rider and young. Looked good in the TT a couple of days ago.

 

[Nirvana]

Re:

Temperatures are likely to be only just above freezing. I wonder how it will affect the guys coming from 20+ or even 30+ temps (like in Oman).

On saturday will be milder, but also for sunday KBK there isn't risk of freezing temperature.
Eventual problems for freezing and/or snow are likely to happen next week when a Siberian air mass will arrive in central/western Europe.

 

[GuyIncognito]

Re: Re:

Temperatures are likely to be only just above freezing. I wonder how it will affect the guys coming from 20+ or even 30+ temps (like in Oman).

On saturday will be milder, but also for sunday KBK there isn't risk of freezing temperature.
Eventual problems for freezing and/or snow are likely to happen next week when a Siberian air mass will arrive in central/western Europe.

Oh boy. More cancelled mountain stages...

 

[Son of Amsterhammer]

Looking forward to the race. I'm assuming GVA is the favorite?

 

[Netserk]

Re:

Looking forward to the race. I'm assuming GVA is the favorite?

Aye. Probably with Gilbert as 2nd, though I'm tipping Stybar to be the best 'stepper.

 

[Nirvana]

Re: Re:

Temperatures are likely to be only just above freezing. I wonder how it will affect the guys coming from 20+ or even 30+ temps (like in Oman).

On saturday will be milder, but also for sunday KBK there isn't risk of freezing temperature.
Eventual problems for freezing and/or snow are likely to happen next week when a Siberian air mass will arrive in central/western Europe.

Oh boy. More cancelled mountain stages...

Too early to say at the moment, mountain stages of PN and TA are within more than 20 days.

At the moment the only race at high risk is Le Samyn scheduled for next tuesday, when you have a forecast map like this at 850 hPa means temperatures well below freezing level also in the afternoon at sea level.

 

[DNP-Old]

I got Wellens.

 

[Velolover2]

Hopefully, Wellens and Gilbert can turn it into a marathon.

These races are always best when there is action from the start.

 

[Jungle Cycle]

do Bling have a chance to be there at the final selection? did he even race this year?

 

[Kwibus]

Re:

do Bling have a chance to be there at the final selection? did he even race this year?

No, and I dont think he has a chance yet. Bling hasnt shown he has the engine for it yet.

 

[Velolover2]

1. GVA
2. Gilbert
3. Van Aert
4. Wellens
5. Van Baarle
6. Felline
7. Naesen
8. Trentin
9. Cort
10. Colbrelli

 

[Jagartrott]

I think you're forgetting Vanmarcke. He has shown in the past he can be very good at Omloop.
I'll be surprised if Van Aert plays a significant role here, as he said himself it's too soon after the cross season still. I'm expecting more of him in Strade Bianche. I wonder if Demare could top-10 or even top-5 here.

Some meteo-predictions for Brussels:

Sunday will be colder, but there will likely be a cold wind blowing on Saturday as well (with wind chill likely to be below freezing).

 

[yaco]

Think you'll find Trentin is still under-cooked so expect little from MS - I won't rule out Matthews as he usually performs well on his first race day - Demare can top 10 or even top 5 if he has a good day - Think the race will be too hard for Cort who is better suited in KBK I suspect Oman and Ruta Del Sol will prove the best form - So think of Van Avermaat, Wellens, Naeson and my outsider is Lutsenko.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

@jagartrott: the thing is, this isn't really Omloop anymore. This is now Classic RVV -50 kilometers. The finale is exactly as the old RVV.

I think it will be much harder to win for sprinters now.

 

[Netserk]

Well, it's the hardest part of the old Ronde route that has been cut out, and it's not like there has been any bunch sprints for the win in this decade (nor even close to). But for sure, it's more hilly and less cobbled, not bad for Wellens, if he can survive the positional battles.

 

[greenedge]

Re:

Think you'll find Trentin is still under-cooked so expect little from MS -

I'm going to go for a bold prediction and say Edmondson will top 15, I think his form is great and his nous at Nationals might just get him into a good group near the end (not the front group though). I might be overly optimistic though, at least for this year.

 

[DNP-Old]

Intrigued to see how far Nando can come, will be a good test for de Ronde.