Omloop het Nieuwsblad 2012

[Justin Pain]

Always something with that kiddo. Even not in top shape he nailed 2 stages in tour de france. So I still have some hopes for him in the upcoming weeks. Gent-W or Amstel-GR should be within his range

 

[RedheadDane]

Have to say I think this is rather neat. If also rather sad...

http://feltet.dk/nyheder/weylandts_enke_skyder_omloop_i_gang/

It's in Danish but... I think you'll understand.

 

[red_flanders]

Always something with that kiddo. Even not in top shape he nailed 2 stages in tour de france. So I still have some hopes for him in the upcoming weeks. Gent-W or Amstel-GR should be within his range

Disappointing to see him miss it that's for sure. Well suited, he is. His characteristics, fit well they do.

 

[hfer07]

I'm so looking forward to this race-I consider it the very beginning of the "real racing in Europe"- I'm also curious on how the Hushov, Gilbert, Ballan combo is going to work....

exciting times ahead!!!!

 

[Seany01]

On a bit of a whim I've booked the ferry and am off to see the race and KBK on Sunday! Very excited! Any tips on the best points to watch?

 

[Race Radio]

On a bit of a whim I've booked the ferry and am off to see the race and KBK on Sunday! Very excited! Any tips on the best points to watch?

in a bar, drinking a Leffe

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Or choose a real beer.

Haaghoek seems the obvious place to watch, but the crowd will be huge there, I guess...
But doing Haaghoek, close to the Leberg turn, and than walk up the Leberg at the end, and you'll have seen a lot. Plus time enough to catch the last part in a bar.

Or Paddestraat. I love paddestraat.

 

[woodenswan]

dunno who's with me but i really hope for a non-BMC win here. i mean, Gilbert, Hushovd, Van Avermaet, Ballan, Phinney, Burghardt.. all on the same team. it just doesnt feel right. maybe Boonen can take this. it is a one of the few missing pieces for him and he seems to have a good form early on. or Langeveld to defend, Flecha or Breschel to come trough, Devolder or Pozzato to come back to life.. anything but, really

 

[maltiv]

Since I originally went with Offredo for the win (which won't happen for obvious reasons) I will change my official prediction to Navardauskas.

 

[hfer07]

can't wait

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

dunno who's with me but i really hope for a non-BMC win here. i mean, Gilbert, Hushovd, Van Avermaet, Ballan, Phinney, Burghardt.. all on the same team. it just doesnt feel right. maybe Boonen can take this. it is a one of the few missing pieces for him and he seems to have a good form early on. or Langeveld to defend, Flecha or Breschel to come trough, Devolder or Pozzato to come back to life.. anything but, really

just to put some things into perspective. GVA, Burghardt are not real threats. Ballan is ok, but there are easily stronger riders. Hushovd and Gilbert are easily in the top dogs of the cobbles, but they have never blown away the cobble scene. In reality no matter how strong your team is wins are never guaranteed on the cobbles, the strong men generally prevail, no way is this a case of BMC v the world. Last year people said the same about garmin, they were pretty average outside of paris-roubaix.

No doubt they have a good team and indeed it helps, but I personally am not going into any given classic this season expecting BMC to dominate.

Hilly classics are a different story, more of a case of Gilbert vs the world

 

[mewmewmew13]

in a bar, drinking a Leffe

a nice dry bar
..and don't forget the huge screen tv

 

[El Pistolero]

just to put some things into perspective. GVA, Burghardt are not real threats. Ballan is ok, but there are easily stronger riders. Hushovd and Gilbert are easily in the top dogs of the cobbles, but they have never blown away the cobble scene. In reality no matter how strong your team is wins are never guaranteed on the cobbles, the strong men generally prevail, no way is this a case of BMC v the world. Last year people said the same about garmin, they were pretty average outside of paris-roubaix.

No doubt they have a good team and indeed it helps, but I personally am not going into any given classic this season expecting BMC to dominate.

Hilly classics are a different story, more of a case of Gilbert vs the world

Re-watch Omloop het Volk 2008. Depending on his form, GVA is also definitely a threat.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

GVA gets way too much hype, considering how many chances he has had, and how little he has delivered. He might be a outside threat, but there are at least another 20-30 riders with those prospects, not a top level contendor, dont kid yourself.

 

[woodenswan]

just to put some things into perspective. GVA, Burghardt are not real threats. Ballan is ok, but there are easily stronger riders. Hushovd and Gilbert are easily in the top dogs of the cobbles, but they have never blown away the cobble scene. In reality no matter how strong your team is wins are never guaranteed on the cobbles, the strong men generally prevail, no way is this a case of BMC v the world. Last year people said the same about garmin, they were pretty average outside of paris-roubaix.

No doubt they have a good team and indeed it helps, but I personally am not going into any given classic this season expecting BMC to dominate.

Hilly classics are a different story, more of a case of Gilbert vs the world

yeah i know all that Nonetheless, Burghardt, Quinziato, Phinney, and with Hushovd and Gilbert on your team Ballan too, are all very strong and consistent on cobbles and must be able to provide all the help.
and how on earth is GVA not a threat?! thats a pretty ignorant statement. obviously im not talking about this race as it's very early in the season, but looking at all the riders they have i very much think that its wins or bust for this BMC team. Cancellara would be a vey happy man if he had half of these guys on his team

 

[AussieGoddess]

just to put some things into perspective. GVA, Burghardt are not real threats. Ballan is ok, but there are easily stronger riders. Hushovd and Gilbert are easily in the top dogs of the cobbles, but they have never blown away the cobble scene. In reality no matter how strong your team is wins are never guaranteed on the cobbles, the strong men generally prevail, no way is this a case of BMC v the world. Last year people said the same about garmin, they were pretty average outside of paris-roubaix.

No doubt they have a good team and indeed it helps, but I personally am not going into any given classic this season expecting BMC to dominate.

Hilly classics are a different story, more of a case of Gilbert vs the world

umm - Gilbert has won this race twice, and Hushovd once. Surely theat makes them pretty good in these kinds of circumstances

(not saying a win is guaranteed, but it kinda is BMC v the world)

 

[AussieGoddess]

oh - never mind.

just re-read it .... blonde moment

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

yeah i know all that Nonetheless, Burghardt, Quinziato, Phinney, and with Hushovd and Gilbert on your team Ballan too, are all very strong and consistent on cobbles and must be able to provide all the help.
and how on earth is GVA not a threat?! thats a pretty ignorant statement. obviously im not talking about this race as it's very early in the season, but looking at all the riders they have i very much think that its wins or bust for this BMC team. Cancellara would be a vey happy man if he had half of these guys on his team

I meant a serious threat, as in a top dog. There are tons of rider who have performed equally if not better then GVA, and yes given in the right context can succeed, but most teams have riders who can do such. Constantly he gets hyped, and doesn't deliver. Agreed it helps that BMC have depth, but we'll see...

@AG I mean the cobble season on a whole, more generalizing, I just dont think BMC are gonna aniliate the cobble scene like some suggest they may.
Agreed either hushovd or gilbert could easily take this.

 

[blaxland]

Actually wouldnt mind seeing BMC going 1,2,3 with Gilbert,Hushovd,Avermaet.But not really to likely

 

[Parrulo]

ofc bmc won't blow away the cobble season, a team can only say that if they win the ronde and roubaix and since hushovd can't win roubaix. . . . there goes their domination out of the window. with the new course phill for the ronde seems to be a lock tho, unless boonen and canc are in superb form.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

ofc bmc won't blow away the cobble season, a team can only say that if they win the ronde and roubaix and since hushovd can't win roubaix. . . . there goes their domination out of the window. with the new course phill for the ronde seems to be a lock tho, unless boonen and canc are in superb form.

ya p-r gonna be hard for bmc to win, such a tough race. Last year was off the pace a little, illusturated with a pretty big group coming in togeher, that is not P-r!

I agree gilbert is a real chance for flanders tho,

 

[woodenswan]

ya p-r gonna be hard for bmc to win, such a tough race. Last year was off the pace a little, illusturated with a pretty big group coming in togeher, that is not P-r!

I agree gilbert is a real chance for flanders tho,

god last year's Roubaix was painful to watch!
to say that it's a lock might be exaggerating but he's def one of the main favs
cant wait for april! the "march madness" of cycling

 

[greenedge]

From the photos it looks like Gilbert will be the leader for BMC/ the attacker.

 

[greenedge]

I will change my official prediction to Navardauskas.

Thats' quite a good pick but he will have to get away/ be in a select group.

For some reason i think Garmin will want to try keep it together for Haussler ( even though they should attack a lot )

 

[greenedge]

since hushovd can't win roubaix. . . . there goes their domination out of the window. with the new course phill for the ronde seems to be a lock tho, unless boonen and canc are in superb form.

You honestly do not think Hushovd could win Roubaix ( not even with his past history/ pedigree there, the fact he is always the leader of a team ( BMC this year ) there and if he escapes with any other rider he would win the sprint except against maybe Farrar/ Boonen ). There is 3yrs or so left he should get it right sometime.


In my view he is a favourite for M-SR ( based on some decent showings last year ) in many circumstances.