Omloop Het (Volk) Nieuwsblad - Feb 26th 2011

[maltiv]

Didn't Van Avarmaet say he would focus on the Ardennes? He looked very lean in Oman, I think he looked more like a climber than a rider for the cobbled classics at least.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

He is, his main goals are AGR/LBL....

I said 3 years ago already that Van Avermaet is more a rider for hilly classics than cobbled ones. But the guy kept trying to do well in those weird little Flandrien races

 

[Michielveedeebee]

He is, his main goals are AGR/LBL....

I said 3 years ago already that Van Avermaet is more a rider for hilly classics than cobbled ones. But the guy kept trying to do well in those weird little Flandrien races

They're not weird, they're AWESOME, just like big red texts

 

[Michielveedeebee]

I'm rooting for Tomke, it's a gap in his palmares

 

[il_fiammingo]

Langeveld is my man.

 

[boomcie]

Langeveld is my man.

As a dark horse I presume? He seems in really great shape, but I can readily name a few riders that have better chances. Flecha, EBH, Gilbert and the likes.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Didn't Van Avarmaet say he would focus on the Ardennes? He looked very lean in Oman, I think he looked more like a climber than a rider for the cobbled classics at least.

Grerg still wants to do well in RvV though his main targets are AGR and LBL.

I am putting it out there that Greg will win Amstel Gold race this year.

Is it something Boonen would want to win (having never done so previously)?

I'm tipping Van Avermaet!

I hope he can do the job, he looks very lean and fit. UNfortunately he had a crash on the last stage which cost him 10th overall.

 

[boomcie]

I am putting it out there that Greg will win Amstel Gold race this year.

One would have to raise hell to stop Gilbert from winning the Amstel again this year.

 

[jens_attacks]

One would have to raise hell to stop Gilbert from winning the Amstel again this year.

this:

 

[boomcie]

this:

Not good enough, but dearly noted

 

[jens_attacks]

gillbert will be the big favourite of course but we all know that danilo has a very good sprint on cauberg.if he will have the form,he can do it.

 

[auscyclefan94]

One would have to raise hell to stop Gilbert from winning the Amstel again this year.

Amstel is pretty much decided from a sprint on the cauberg and you generally get a reasonably sized group that will go to the finish. van avermaet can and will out sprint Gilbert and van avermaet has really worked on his climbing so he can win hilly classics such as Amstel.

getting back on topic. van avermaet has decent form atm so he could do well. But I will go with EBH in this race.

Good to see Will Clarke will get a chance to lead Leopard Trek in a classics race. He is a cobbled guy for the future.

 

[il_fiammingo]

As a dark horse I presume? He seems in really great shape, but I can readily name a few riders that have better chances. Flecha, EBH, Gilbert and the likes.

IMO, he should be Rabo's n°1 next Saturday. For some reason I don't understand much of the Boom hype that is going on for a year and a half now. In this type of races Langeveld has proven his value.

Agreed, in terms of sprinting EBH & Gilbert have the better chances. But besides that, I would give him great odds.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Looking at the form of riders in Qatar and Oman, as well as other races around the world, I'd say Van Avermaet, Flecha, EBH and Lars Boom would be favourites. Boonen might also go well if he's planning a major attempt at MSR.

I'll go for an EBH win.

this.

i like langeveld as a dark horse also.

 

[Kwibus]

IMO, he should be Rabo's n°1 next Saturday. For some reason I don't understand much of the Boom hype that is going on for a year and a half now. In this type of races Langeveld has proven his value.

Agreed, in terms of sprinting EBH & Gilbert have the better chances. But besides that, I would give him great odds.

Langeveld didn't perform well last year so I really hope he will be back at the top this year else I'm afraid he just doesn't cut it.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Langeveld didn't perform well last year so I really hope he will be back at the top this year else I'm afraid he just doesn't cut it.

i dunno, i certainly think he has the ability. Has always been a massive talent ready to make the next step imo. Hopefully this is the year.

 

[Sasquatch]

Devolder is primed for a big classics campaign after the disappointment of last year. Leukemans is another.

As the pure outsiders, Will Clark and Kristof Goddaert. If Will is in form, he will turn some heads.

 

[boomcie]

Like I already stated in another topic a few days ago: my (really) dark horse for saturday (or sunday) is Thomas De Gendt.

Also looking forward to see how some youngsters might have improved on the cobbles.

 

[il_fiammingo]

Like I already stated in another topic a few days ago: my (really) dark horse for saturday (or sunday) is Thomas De Gendt.

Also looking forward to see how some youngsters might have improved on the cobbles.

I'll eat my shoes if Matt Goss doesn't win Kuurne/Waregem/Wevelgem or the Scheldeprijs.

 

[sublimit]

Like I already stated in another topic a few days ago: my (really) dark horse for saturday (or sunday) is Thomas De Gendt.

Also looking forward to see how some youngsters might have improved on the cobbles.

He's a very good rider, I can see him going top 10..

I'll be following Russel Downings progress closely because he seems to be going very well at the moment.. Even getting a reasonable GC position at Oman for what thats worth.

I reckon Boonen will win, Flecha, Gilbert and Hagen there or thereabouts.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

He's a very good rider, I can see him going top 10..

I'll be following Russel Downings progress closely because he seems to be going very well at the moment.. Even getting a reasonable GC position at Oman for what thats worth.

I reckon Boonen will win, Flecha, Gilbert and Hagen there or thereabouts.

Boonen says Omloop is not a priority (link below) so unless he's put on his poker face I would not expect him to win. Not going ftw is consistent with what he's done in Omloop the last few years.
Boonen says Omloop Het Nieuwsblad victory not a priority

But yeah, I like the Flecha, Gilbert or EBH. Plenty of others already mentioned (Boom, Van Av.) will be in the mix I hope to make it interesting.

 

[theyoungest]

Vacansoleil for the Omloop:
Borut Bozic, Thomas De Gendt, Stijn Devolder, Björn Leukemans, Marco Marcato, Jens Mouris, Frederik Veuchelen, Lieuwe Westra.

Rabobank:
Lars Boom, Laurens ten Dam, Jos van Emden, Rick Flens, Sebastian Langeveld, Coen Vermeltfoort, Maarten Tjallingii, Maarten Wijnants.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I likw to think boom will be up there, he has form anyway.

boom isn't cut out for cobbles. hope he realizes that soon and goes for hilly races

 

[Moncoutie]

Expect one of the favs to win, but got a good feeling for Tommmy Voeckler. Always nice to see him winning.

 

[FignonLeGrand]

I expect Boom as well. Shown good early season form and 200km races like this are well within his reach, certainly when riders like Boonen tend to peak later ofcourse

Boom Boom, boom boom, boom boom, booom booooom boooooom

Theres no limits.

+1 for

Boom Boom, boom boom boom, boom booom booooom boooooom

Theres no limits.

Ps I am excited