Once, twice, three times a Lotte victory? 21st Women's Ronde van Vlaanderen, March 31st, 2024

[Lequack]

 

[awavey]

Btw normally not her fan tactically but I think ELB made the right choice chasing down her teammate. Shirin was clearly cooked and it was just a 10-5s gap and a further 10-5s gap to the SDW group, no way she is keeping that gap for over 10km. Instead they got a situation were Kasia was happy to work in order to guarantee the podium and Shirin could rest a bit in the run in before giving that leadout.

thats the thing that always bugs me about Kasia's race craft though, she's happy to work like that just for a podium, not gamble it all on the win, any of the other serial race winning riders from G2 behind them in that position,and ELB doesnt win that I think at least, and its not about who is the faster sprinter or who had more watts left, its about tactics.

 

[Netserk]

Biggest problem with women’s cycling is that they just won’t work together.

Sex differences are starker in homosocial groups.

 

[jsem94]

Watched it on demand just now, fantastic edition. Shirin will have plenty of opportunities in the coming years.

 

[yaco]

She have her all. After bad luck last year she found herself again. Love to see it. Didn’t knew she had it in her what she showed these races. Hope her team let her start more in Belgium now.

Think she will be really happy with her race and top 10.

Don't be surprised if Paternoster does not ride PR. After all this is the team who refused to start their best 3 riders in the 2023 edition.
Anyway Lidl Trek were always going to hit back in 2024 after their injury affected 2023 season.

 

[dobrien]

thats the thing that always bugs me about Kasia's race craft though, she's happy to work like that just for a podium, not gamble it all on the win, any of the other serial race winning riders from G2 behind them in that position,and ELB doesnt win that I think at least, and its not about who is the faster sprinter or who had more watts left, its about tactics.

I think that would work better if she wasn't up against two Treks; attacking in this situation almost guarantees getting chased down and jumped. In this case working to guarantee a podium and taking her chance in the sprint was probably her best chance imho.

 

[Mayomaniac]

She have her all. After bad luck last year she found herself again. Love to see it. Didn’t knew she had it in her what she showed these races. Hope her team let her start more in Belgium now.

Think she will be really happy with her race and top 10.

Honestly, the last few seasons it looked like she was on her way to become the Italian Puck Moonen, so I'm glad her career is back on track.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Also thumbs up to Karlijn Swinkels. I wasn't sure what to expect from her at UAE, but she has done really well so far.

 

[awavey]

Reports coming out Marlen Reusser broke her jaw in that early crash

 

[Didinho]

Honestly, the last few seasons it looked like she was on her way to become the Italian Puck Moonen, so I'm glad her career is back on track.

Was glad she was good again on track in the European Championships I think. She’s so good in positioning, gliding through the bunch. But was surprised here these races, hope she continues to grow again and fighting for victories here in the future.

 

[Didinho]

Don't be surprised if Paternoster does not ride PR. After all this is the team who refused to start their best 3 riders in the 2023 edition.
Anyway Lidl Trek were always going to hit back in 2024 after their injury affected 2023 season.

Thought she did ride Roubaix last year? Hope she starts next week, maybe even more possible there.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Kasia and Elisa sprint in a group of more than two. Finish 1-2.

History is occurring in front of our eyes, people.

 

[yaco]

Thought she did ride Roubaix last year? Hope she starts next week, maybe even more possible there.

Yes she did but it's not an overly suitable race for her characteristics,
Last year Jayco did not start Faulkner, Manly or Roseman Gannon. Anyway Voss is a certainty.

 

[Didinho]

Yes she did but it's not an overly suitable race for her characteristics,
Last year Jayco did not start Faulkner, Manly or Roseman Gannon. Anyway Voss is a certainty.

I also didn’t think the cobbled hills were suitable but indeed maybe to lightweight for Roubaix. But I guess she likes riding it and in this form I hope she can be in the mix again. Top 10 would be amazing, like it was today.

 

[awavey]

Jayco only named 2 riders so far on the preliminary startlist, Vos is named for Visma, interestingly Vollering isn't on SdWorx 6 rider list

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Man I was so ready for my "Kasia Ian Stannard Niewiadoma" comment

More fool you, expecting Kasia to win is a fool's errand.

Believe me, as somebody who has been a fool for the best part of a decade now.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

There is a moment in time kasia should stop working. But when?

About four year ago.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Kopecky working for Vollering now I think.

I wish!!!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Bizarre race by Kopecky anyway. Started dropping on every climb but very strong on the flat parts. And then near the end she was better at the climbs

 

[awavey]

Bizarre race by Kopecky anyway. Started dropping on every climb but very strong on the flat parts. And then near the end she was better at the climbs

Agreed, she looked completely gone after the Koppenberg, but was somehow back near normal for the last Kwaremont/Paterberg combo, did she mess up her feeds? , as that felt like a classic got no legs, have a gel, 15mins later feeling awesome again situation.

 

[Didinho]

Didn't had the time to check Puck's recon YT video before.

"This would be a nice place for a CX race", riding up the Koppenberg

 

[Andy262]

thats the thing that always bugs me about Kasia's race craft though, she's happy to work like that just for a podium, not gamble it all on the win, any of the other serial race winning riders from G2 behind them in that position,and ELB doesnt win that I think at least, and its not about who is the faster sprinter or who had more watts left, its about tactics.

This. If Kasia wants to win races she has to be more ruthless. Risk and reward. She's too happy to settle for second and her palmares deserves better.

 

[dobrien]

This. If Kasia wants to win races she has to be more ruthless. Risk and reward. She's too happy to settle for second and her palmares deserves better.

Easier said than done against two riders on the same team. I know, I know, Stannard, blah blah. She's not Ian Stannard.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

This. If Kasia wants to win races she has to be more ruthless. Risk and reward. She's too happy to settle for second and her palmares deserves better.

Cycling is a sport where people race on courses that are not selective enough for Kasia Niewiadoma.

Sadly.

 

[Andy262]

Cycling is a sport where people race on courses that are not selective enough for Kasia Niewiadoma.

Sadly.

Basically, she’s not explosive enough to drop other climbers so she has to play the percentages. Her only shot at winning was to sit on for the last 10 clicks, hope Trek would work to stop Vos coming back and try and mug the two of them in the sprint. It may not be her way, but surely her DS should be screaming this at her?.