Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2014, 1 March, 198km, 1.HC

[Leonardus]

Now I think of it, why isn't their a nice app available for the coming season with all the belgian one-day classics? Every US race has a nice app with excellent information and live pictures without any geo blocking, perfect for all cycling fans worldwide. But the Belgians are not interested in such thing? Don't care about the rest of the cycling world?

About time they do something about it, good way to increase popularity of the sport and the fantastic cobbled classics in particular.

 

[RedheadDane]

I do not speak flemish, so i will watch on rtbf (french belgian tv)

Here the link http://www.rtbf.be/sport/cyclisme/

It is on the right hand side of the web page, where they have the countdown until start of the race, live pictures will be in the same place once the race starts

Well, I speak neither Flemish nor French, but I sorta have a better idea of what's going on with the former than with the latter.

 

[MADRAZO]

those teams don't even want to ride the omloop.

Why wouldn't Androni want to ride it?

2 of their riders were in top 12 last year

 

[search]

RTBF usually is geo-restriced though

 

[Der Effe]

Use a Belgian proxy

 

[Roude Leiw]

RTBF usually is geo-restriced though

I live in Luxembourg, its ok here. But there are ways around geolocalisation

 

[Peccio89]

In Italy it will be live on the brand new Bike Channel starting from 14 CET, commented by Savoldelli. So no Rai feed available

 

[jaylew]

So... are some of you nice Belgian Guys going to provide a link for the Sporza feed, or do I have to go look for it myself?

There will be plenty of links on cyclingfans, steephill, procyclinglive, etc... on race day.

And yes, there are plenty of ways around geo-restrictions

 

[wirral]

OPQS's strong start to the season in the Middle East will deter other teams from working with them in any way. Still think they will win it though.

 

[WillemS]

I don't think Boonen will win it, as he's aiming to peak for other races.

It's the one thing that makes this race so interesting, contenders that have a lesser chance of winning, say, de Ronde or P-RB, know that the strongest classic riders are scheduling to have their form just prior to their peak. Knowing that, scheduling to peak a bit early gives you a great chance of contending in a race that, due to its temporal precedence, usually gets a lot of attention.

I think one of the biggest questions is who is taking the risk of peeking a bit early.

 

[Flamin]

Less than 40 hours to the start now.

My favourites:

**** Boonen
*** Stybar, Roelandts
** Van Avermaet, Chavanel, Langeveld
* Terpstra, Hushovd, Vanmarcke, Boasson Hagen

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Any reason to put Hushovd and EBH there?

 

[Flamin]

Any reason to put Hushovd and EBH there?

Both showed good form lately. And more (flat) cobbles + less climbs this year favours someone like Thor.

 

[manafana]

In Italy it will be live on the brand new Bike Channel starting from 14 CET, commented by Savoldelli. So no Rai feed available

that sounds good I d like that channel

 

[dicanio_michael]

I don't think Boonen will win it, as he's aiming to peak for other races.

It's the one thing that makes this race so interesting, contenders that have a lesser chance of winning, say, de Ronde or P-RB, know that the strongest classic riders are scheduling to have their form just prior to their peak. Knowing that, scheduling to peak a bit early gives you a great chance of contending in a race that, due to its temporal precedence, usually gets a lot of attention.

I think one of the biggest questions is who is taking the risk of peeking a bit early.

I think that's Stybar, and Boonen would be pleased to help

 

[Jspear]

I think that's Stybar, and Boonen would be pleased to help

Did Stybar have to peak to win the recent UCI Cyclocross World Championships? If he did, he doesn't necessarily have to take the "risk" of peaking - He would already be there....I personally think he's a good candidate for the win.

 

[Afrank]

Did Stybar have to peak to win the recent UCI Cyclocross World Championships? If he did, he doesn't necessarily have to take the "risk" of peaking - He would already be there....I personally think he's a good candidate for the win.

No he didn't. He didn't even know if he was going to ride it until a couple days before iirc.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Boonen looking fit and in form..
would be exciting to see him win it.

another one I'd love to see win but don't think he will.. is Chava!
The younger guys are stronger and faster now..GVA primed maybe?

 

[mewmewmew13]

RTBF usually is geo-restriced though

in US we are usually fortunate to get Sporza!! wouldn't think of watching it on anything else

 

[saneguy]

Should be fight between Boonen and Stybar - I'd say Boonen for the win

 

[Dave Dudley]

Stybar on top form. Takes the win.

 

[offbyone]

Stybar for the win!

 

[theyoungest]

No he didn't. He didn't even know if he was going to ride it until a couple days before iirc.

That, of course, is nonsense. Maybe for the media Stybar was sandbagging, but he didn't do high intensity training in January for Paris-Roubaix.

 

[TeoSheva]

two outsiders: Debusschere and Couquard.

 

[Oliver]

Less than 40 hours to the start now.

My favourites:

**** Boonen
*** Stybar, Roelandts
** Van Avermaet, Chavanel, Langeveld
* Terpstra, Hushovd, Vanmarcke, Boasson Hagen

Phinney? A lot of cobbles + a very nice form.
Curious to see what he can.