Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2013, 23 Feb, (198 km) 1.HC

[barmaher]

And how about TV? This is not on Europsort by the looks of it, but thankfully there should be no problem getting a stream.

 

[the asian]

Lampre is bringing lots of youngsters. Pippo won't have much help, I guess.

I guess his faithful domestique Elia Favilli will be coming. Pippo doesn't need too many helpers anyway.

 

[jens_attacks]

i hope sporza will let us again watch it on their site.it was a very good stream

 

[Kwibus]

Forecast for saturday subzero during the night and about 2 celsius max in the afternoon. Wind 20km/h and no rain or snow.
So no real tough circumstances besides the cold ofcourse.

I just can't wait for this.

 

[maltiv]

Forecast for saturday subzero during the night and about 2 celsius max in the afternoon. Wind 20km/h and no rain or snow

God damnit

 

[woodenswan]

to do a Nuyens

booooo
(half-seriously)

forza Pippo!

a Vanmarcke repeat would be nice too
or Flecha
in fact, lets make this my podium:
1. Pozzato
2. Vanmarcke
3. Flecha

 

[Zam_Olyas]

booooo
(half-seriously)

forza Pippo!

I think Pippo might well win it.

 

[woodenswan]

I think Pippo might well win it.

agreed

although Vanmarcke assaulting them cobbles last year.. that was a formidable sight, to say the least

 

[CraZyCaLL]

Roelandts for the win

 

[SafeBet]

I think Pippo might well win it.

He's got a history of not winning races he might win though.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

He's got a history of not winning races he might win though.

There is that.

 

[Pentacycle]

Roelandts for the win

He seems to have the best form of all contenders, he was already climbing very well in TDU. In the TourMed he got even better, so I expect him to at least podium on Saturday.

 

[Miburo]

I also have a pippo feeling.

I wonder how stybar will do though and Boom better watch out when he's near the taaienberg but ok Boonen prob won't be there

 

[Kazistuta]

As a fan of the classics it's nice to have birthday on the day of the seasons first real challenge

My birthday wishlist is:
1. Breschel
2. Boeckmans
3. Sbaragli
4. Tsatevich
5. Stannard

But my bet is:
1. Roelandts
2. Phinney
3. Vanmarcke
4. Stybar (in a four man group)
5. Hushovd (best of the rest)

 

[Froome19]

Ian Stannard.

 

[janraaskalt]

My birthday wishlist is:
1. Breschel

You know Saxo isn't riding the Omloop?

 

[serfla]

I simply love cobbled races, and Omloop especially 'cause it marks the beginning of the season in northern Europe and inevitably faces riders with harsh weather.

Roelandts is in fine form, and this kind of races are his main objective since Greipel arrived.
Boom looks good too.
Terpstra rode well so far, with Chava and Stybar should be powerful alternative to Boonen.
Boasson Hagen, Van Avermaet, Langeveld, Flecha, Nuyens, Leukemans... Plenty of riders who can win this one.
I wouldn't rate Hushovd, Pozzato and Vanmarcke too high, yet.
Pozzato because of racing conditions, although he's won it already, Vanmarcke 'cause he'll be marked this time and there's the other favorite in his team, and Hushovd 'cause it's too early for him after disastrous season he had.

And maybe Boonen surprises, after all. He couldn't take it when he targeted it and everybody expected him to win... Maybe these circumstances will work for him.

I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Rousel]

Blanco vs. Quickstep for me

Lets see if it's time again for 'The Unstoppable War Machines'

Heart says: Boonen _O_
Brain says: Terpstra or Boom

BMC is going to have a lot to say about the way this race goes.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

omloop
good to be back in the thick of things. Warm up races are fun, but let the real racing commence.

 

[UncleTupelo]

BMC is going to have a lot to say about the way this race goes.

Sure won't be surprised to see Phinney taking this.

 

[theyoungest]

Sure won't be surprised to see Phinney taking this.

Given his forays into the classics so far, I would.

 

[trevim]

Yeah finally the season starts with one of my all time favourite races. This should be WT like right now! I hope Hushovd performs well (not that I have much hope though) in order to gain some confidence for the goals ahead. He shouldn't focus just on Roubaix, he has to get results along the way to get there in peace of mind. Also looking forward to see how Phinney does. Tjallinji for the podium just because I want

 

[JRanton]

Boom FTW

...

 

[greenedge]

I shall say:
1. GVA
2. Pozzato
3. Boom

out of a 6 man group with Langveld, Flecha and Terpstra.
GVA did well here last year and Boom looks really strong.

 

[RHRH19861986]

IAM have an impressive Flemish Classics squad, the eight man who´ll line up in Omloop all have PT/WT experience.

Top5 is quite realistic.

Sad that Boonen has to wait another year to target his first victory here.