- Feb 24, 2015
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Ok let me rephrase that. TDG looked decisively better than everyone else today. Completely relaxed and very quick at corners, on descents and unbothered at some of the harder sections. Impressive.
Anyone can win a sprint against Van Aert these days
Just kidding, but he just doesn't have the awareness or the confidence to make the right decisions in the final of a race. This sprint was another instance of that. Why wait so long?
It's almost as if he's never analyzed any of his sprint losses.Anyone can win a sprint against Van Aert these days
Just kidding, but he just doesn't have the awareness or the confidence to make the right decisions in the final of a race. This sprint was another instance of that. Why wait so long?
But yes, TdG was far superior technically. Wout can't jump barriers effectively, and he gets too deep into a steep rise, in too hard of a gear, and just bogs himself down trying to power over.
That had to have been a massive mental blow to him. Wout has faded, and I don't think he will seriously challenge for any of the classics again. He just doesn't have it.
The cycling gods are cruel, but sometimes they also give a rider his long deserved due. Van Aert will win Flanders or Roubaix at some point, I'm convinced of that. Maybe it will be in five years, when he's no longer considered a threat anymore and is allowed in the breakaway, but it will happen.
Hulst will be a Valkenburg 2018 redux......(You read it here first)
There don't seem to be any strong rumours about any possible teams interested about Amandine.....
There don't seem to be any strong rumours about any possible teams interested about Amandine.....
- Feb 24, 2015
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Could van Baarle win Paris-Roubaix then Wout should be able to get at least one win in one of the cobbled Monuments
I do hope you're right, but Hincapie never won Roubaix. Not saying he's quite at Wout's level, but they aren't completely outside of the same class of rider. Sometimes the cycling gods crack your steer tube, or flat your tire in a moment when it looks like the race is in your hands.
I also don't want to take away from del Grosso's win, as it wasn't just down to a faded van Aert. del Grosso was fantastic today, and today was almost a replay of 2023, when Iserbyt was in del Grosso's place (del Grosso rode well that day, but didn't have it to challenge for the win), but today, the guy on Wout's wheel was the superior cyclocrosser. It'll be interesting to see how del Grosso progresses on the road. Next year, guys like him, del Toro, Brennan, and other young riders are going to be hard for everyone to handle in bigger races. Normally, I'd have my hopes up for Wout's spring campaign, but in all honesty, I'm much more excited to see what those younger guys are going to do.
Again, your dedication to being a Wout hater, is phenomenal. You're the Pogačar of Wout haters. Don't post on any cyclocross race days, then post on the days Wout *** the bed. Chapeau, Teddy!
I think Del Grosso lacks a bit of engine for the real big races. He needs his tactical and technical skills to win, like in that stage he almost won in Catalunya. But in the end Brennan just outclassed him on pure power.
That being said, I thought the same about his good friend Puck Pieterse and she proved me wrong.
Folks (you're not the only one) should stop with the "massive mental blows" suggestions. Wout has been winning and losing bike races for at least 20 years now. He just started racing again this weekend, and seemed pleased with his effort at Hof----, so this is all part of jumping back in. He has had some big blows to his ego/confidence in recent years, but projecting that onto him after a race like this is just silly. Unless of course you had a long 1 to 1 chat with him after the race?
Okay, that's a bit ridiculous but hopefully you're having some fun with us. Hincapie and Wout: completely different leagues as riders, absolutely outside the same class. There is a similarity in their strengths: could win classics and still ride as support (and occasionally win) in GT mountain stages.
That was my point. Also note that Hincapie was always in someone's shadow, be it Museeuw, Boonen, or Cancellara...kind of like being in MVDP, Pog, and now somewhat unexpectedly Pedersen's shadow...and my god, he lost to Powless.
- Oct 16, 2025
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I always enjoy the Zolder circuit with it's steep descents , racing is generally close and exciting.
Today commentator stated heading for the finale 'Wout needs this win more than del Torro' I disagree Wout is just building up towards bigger goals + his CX world title is always his.
Great win for del Torro + I definitely did not miss Brand in the women's race.
Today commentator stated heading for the finale 'Wout needs this win more than del Torro' I disagree Wout is just building up towards bigger goals + his CX world title is always his.
Great win for del Torro + I definitely did not miss Brand in the women's race.
- Jul 9, 2009
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Ahh, cut him some slack it's not easy being the world's only Masnada fanboy.
Finish-line Photo posted by Visma shows Wout had a partial rear flat.Anyone can win a sprint against Van Aert these days
Just kidding, but he just doesn't have the awareness or the confidence to make the right decisions in the final of a race. This sprint was another instance of that. Why wait so long?
I think it's just where he is in the pedal stroke that's pressing the rear tire down a bit.
If you look at the moving images, he doesn't.
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Armchair Cyclist
Moderator
- Mar 22, 2010
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I thought this was an announcement that given her dominance this season, everyone else had already conceded the World Championship.
There’s still hope she might get some competition. Shirin could continue to improve, Backstedt could come back a little bit stronger, Puck could find that little she’s been missing…
- Oct 16, 2025
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[url=https://postimages.org/]
[/URL]The stripey top was from Ostend , we could still see a different outcome next time out.
A bit unfortunate that Wout is not racing tomorrow in Gavere, as it is a course that should suit him more than the races he's done so far. Perhaps the same could be said about MVDP skipping Dendermonde on the 28th.
In the absence of WVA, I expect Del Grosso, Nys, and Vanthourenhout to be best of the rest on Boxing Day.
In the absence of WVA, I expect Del Grosso, Nys, and Vanthourenhout to be best of the rest on Boxing Day.
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I think Gavere will be a decent race, and that long climb will actually be rideable for once......which enabled Pidcock to beat MvdP in 2020.....since then its been too muddy to ride. I think Gavere, along with Overijse & Namur, are probably the best all round tests of a CX racer........
And I wonder about Dendermonde......it might not be the 'mudfest' we usually see. I've often thought if Dendermonde should be held earlier in the season, when it is still relatively dry.........
And I wonder about Dendermonde......it might not be the 'mudfest' we usually see. I've often thought if Dendermonde should be held earlier in the season, when it is still relatively dry.........
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