Omloop het Nieuwsblad 2012

Page 5 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Oct 23, 2009
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Dekker_Tifosi said:
Less then a week...

Who are the contenders? Hushovd didn't look good to me in Haut-Var to be honest.
Obviously Boonen is the big gun who seems to be in the best shape. I think some of the younger guys like Oss, Offredo, Sagan, EBH and even Stannard will be at the front while Gilbert and Hushovd don't look strong enough yet. Breschel is another guy who seems to have some form at least.

Anyway, I'll go with Offredo for the win.
 
Oct 23, 2009
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Froome19 said:
+1
Stannard will show the world how strong he truly is in the cobbled classics this year, with help from his super strong domestiques Juan Antonio Flecha, Matt Hayman, Salvatore Puccio, EBH and Thomas (if he turns up)
I guess you have to be british to consider Stannard to be stronger than Flecha and EBH.
 
Dec 30, 2011
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maltiv said:
I guess you have to be british to consider Stannard to be stronger than Flecha and EBH.
Of course...
But still, if you study the races carefully Stannard last year was arguably the strongest in both Gent-wevelgem (of the attackers) and Paris-Tours, also he can now take his opportunity with Geraint gone off to the olympics.
 
Jul 24, 2010
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Dekker_Tifosi said:
I remember Stannard being beaten by average cobble riders like Flens and Traksel. TBH can't see him as a contender.

Maybe for 10th place or something.

Two years ago. When he was 22.

If that's your only memory of Stannard on cobbles then you haven't been paying much attention.
 
Oct 23, 2009
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Froome19 said:
Of course...
But still, if you study the races carefully Stannard last year was arguably the strongest in both Gent-wevelgem (of the attackers) and Paris-Tours, also he can now take his opportunity with Geraint gone off to the olympics.
I know he's strong, that's why I included him on my list of potential winners, but that would most likely be from a break and not from being the strongest guy in the race. Sky has a really strong team obviously and it'll be interesting to see whether they'll go for attacks or just try to keep everything together for EBH.
 
Mar 13, 2009
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hatcher said:
Two years ago. When he was 22.

If that's your only memory of Stannard on cobbles then you haven't been paying much attention.
Still, I don't believe the hype until I see it. Let Stannard prove himself first before some guys talk him up to be better than Flecha and such

Flecha has countless more honor places in all cobbled classics and an impressive state of record.
 
Mar 12, 2009
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Dekker_Tifosi said:
I remember Stannard being beaten by average cobble riders like Flens and Traksel. TBH can't see him as a contender.

Maybe for 10th place or something.

Think stannard has moved on from then. Thought you'd be knowledgable enough to see that
 
Mar 27, 2011
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Panda Claws said:
The only 3 favorites to have shown something yet are Boonen, Cancellara and Flecha.

Flecha can't win from a sprint though. He did perform well here last year so he can be a contender. Sky have many cards to play.

Boonen/ Breschel look good.
 
Jul 2, 2011
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Reuell said:
They'll probably win a few with Gilbert.
He's the big chief in their classics department.
In the classics he won't win, I really wonder whether there are just too many chiefs overall within the BMC squad, and too few indians.
I mean, didn't we all expect Garmin to win a few classics last year?

Yeah that might happen to BMC this year...
 
Jul 2, 2011
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The problem with Het Volk is that it's very early in the season and some riders as Gilbert, Boonen, Cancellara, Hushovd might find it too early to be already in top shape for this classic.

Otherwise you win this one and the rider and his team are launched for the classics season...

Hopefully Vanmarcke, De Gendt and some french youngsters will show something...
 
May 27, 2010
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bmc_training_camp_2012_014_600.jpg


I hope the BMC classics team will finally shine at het volk. I have very high expectations.
 
Aug 29, 2011
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El Pistolero said:
I keep it simple: let them prove it in the road first and hype them then. It's the main reason why I don't rate Sagan for the classics yet even though he has immense potential there.

Extra hype for BMC:

http://www.sporza.be/permalink/1.1224930

I didn't even know that it was possible to put that much hype in a single video.

Anyway, I think that BMC might just play the GVA card in Het Volk.

GVA is the only guy there to have shown decent form already and it might keep him happy as he will have to work for Phil in the monuments.
 
May 25, 2010
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stefrees said:
Think stannard has moved on from then. Thought you'd be knowledgable enough to see that

I think D_T has a point. Stannard has shown great potential, but has yet to proof he is a favourite for cobbled classics.
 
May 3, 2011
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Kwibus said:
I think D_T has a point. Stannard has shown great potential, but has yet to proof he is a favourite for cobbled classics.

Stannard is one of my favourite riders. Saying that though the only way he wins a cobbled race is from an early break which isnt brought back in time, like GW last year.
 
Dec 30, 2011
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Kwibus said:
I think D_T has a point. Stannard has shown great potential, but has yet to proof he is a favourite for cobbled classics.

Yes of course but thats the same with all bright starts isn't it?
What I'm predicting is that he makes his breakthrough this season