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

[the asian]

Thomas was 4th?

 

[serfla]

Vandenbergh was completely spent.
Shame, he made the initial move.
Katusha proving they've deserved the license.

 

[Miburo]

36 years, and doing this. Very nice.

Tomorrow, cavendish.

 

[brilleaben]

We could basically count the number of attacks on one hand.

 

[Parrulo]

well done to paolini

boring edition though

ya last years edition was better, but this is still racing so at least it's something

 

[Highlander]

I couldn't tell, who won the sprint for third?

 

[HoinkDoink]

I couldn't tell, who won the sprint for third?

Vandousselaere

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

not a great edition.

 

[the asian]

Chavanel 7th .

 

[postmanhat]

Thomas was 4th?

Yes. Chased a little break by Chavanel and found himself at the front in the finishing straight. Was overtaken, but nearly pulled it back

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

boom justifying that favorite tag

 

[RHRH19861986]

Vandenbergh... Didn´t he want to win, or was he too nervous, knowing he rides for the win in such a big race?

He´s slower than Paolini, less experienced in a sprint, much taller than Paolini (so Paolini benefits very much from his slipstream) - and nevertheless does 70 per cent of the work in the final kilometers, knowing they have enough advantage over the chasers.

He´d have deserved this win, being so faithful and hard working over many years, but acting like he did, no way...

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Hell yeaaa paolini!!!!!!!!!!!! what an exciting race

 

[the asian]

Top 10

 

[The Hitch]

well done to paolini

boring edition though

Yeah boring race, but great outcome.

 

[serfla]

Yeah boring race, but great outcome.

You just love Italian finish, don't you?

 

[jens_attacks]

gotta say thanks to the guy who streamed sport + online. there were some problems but without that it might have been a big disaster start of the season

it was a good race and great winner but i had bigger expectations

 

[UncleTupelo]

Well done Luca, one for the old guys

 

[hfer07]

S Chavanel should have won this.....

LPaolini did enough to earn the win.

"not an exciting edition at all".....

 

[Ferminal]

Vandenbergh... Didn´t he want to win, or was he too nervous, knowing he rides for the win in such a big race?

He´s slower than Paolini, less experienced in a sprint, much taller than Paolini (so Paolini benefits very much from his slipstream) - and nevertheless does 70 per cent of the work in the final kilometers, knowing they have enough advantage over the chasers.

He´d have deserved this win, being so faithful and hard working over many years, but acting like he did, no way...

It turned out that Chavanel wasn't invincible. Stijn didn't really have a choice as he would have been last in a bunch sprint so take second over anything. If only he had enough acceleration to at least make it interesting with 3km to go

 

[will10]

Vandenbergh... Didn´t he want to win, or was he too nervous, knowing he rides for the win in such a big race?

He´s slower than Paolini, less experienced in a sprint, much taller than Paolini (so Paolini benefits very much from his slipstream) - and nevertheless does 70 per cent of the work in the final kilometers, knowing they have enough advantage over the chasers.

He´d have deserved this win, being so faithful and hard working over many years, but acting like he did, no way...

IMO, the final kms just showed how experienced Paolini was and Vandenbergh wasn't.

 

[Pentacycle]

Roelandts seems to have lost his sprint, after improving on his climbing. You can't possibly say he was spent after today's race, considering how long he hung at the back of the group. GVA and Roelandts really disappointed today, this was their chance. In a month the big guys will do the talking. They weren't paying attention and were afraid to take the initiative, or were too active.

Great riding by Paolini there, once again proving the KAT haters wrong. Although Vandenbergh really deserved this win as well, both have always given away their chances to their respective team leaders. But at the end Paolini clearly had the best legs, you could already see it in the last 20 kms.

 

[Miburo]

Kuurne should be way better

 

[will10]

Appollonio won the bunch sprint

 

[Lanark]

Roelandts seems to have lost his sprint, after improving on his climbing. You can't possibly say he was spent after today's race, considering how long he hung at the back on the group. GVA and Roelandts really disappointed today, this was their chance. In a month the big guys will do the talking. They weren't paying attention and were afraid to take the initiative, or were too active.

Great riding by Paolini there, once again proving the KAT haters wrong. Although Vandenbergh really deserved this win as well, both have always given away their chances to their respective team leaders. But at the end Paolini clearly had the best legs, you could already see it in the last 20 kms.

Roelandts just isn't very good. Can't remember him showing anything impressive on a cobble stroke or cobble hill in the classics ever. Might win a semi-classic someday if everything goes perfect, but he is a rather limited rider. GVA isn't very smart, but at least he can attack on a hill.