Race Thread

[jmdirt]

From the front page of CN:
"While Van Aert yielded to the reigning world champion in the past two seasons, especially after his crash in the 2019 Tour de France, the Belgian appears to be finding some of his previous form. "

While I realize that they are likely referring to his 'cross form, in general he isn't finding his old form because he is at a higher level now IMO.

 

[senna6541]

MVDP to unload everything he's got in his arsenal tomorrow. Just his second weekend, but my guess is it will be enough.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

MVDP to unload everything he's got in his arsenal tomorrow. Just his second weekend, but my guess is it will be enough.

We'll see. It will depend on how muddy it is as well. It's not a race that suits him particularly well. With van Aert not at his best/injured the past few seasons he's not had real competition, yet last year, he only just beat Aerts (who crashed). Mathieu is a guy that can not surprise anymore if he wins by a minute, but i do feel things are not the same as previous years, i could also see him even miss out on the podium. I don't think Gavere was representative of Iserbyt's form, he completely blew the start. He's also shown he's a good climber (not just in CX). Pidcock has been inconsistent in the past, but he's a bit older and stronger again. If he can find the same form of last week, i could see him ride away from Mathieu again. Both Wout and Toon have done very well on this course in the past, so if their form is there, they could also go for the win. Though i'm not sure where Wout is going to start, i assume 2nd row.

This isn't an explosive course, and the technical parts that can make a difference are few and far between. I think if Mathieu isn't 100%, that he's not going to make it.

 

[Flamin]

Brand is starting to look more and more like the best MVDP. Unbeatable.

I don't know what's going on with Alvarado, but she's getting worse every week.

Btw, where is Worst?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Brand is starting to look more and more like the best MVDP. Unbeatable.

I don't know what's going on with Alvarado, but she's getting worse every week.

Btw, where is Worst?

She's the worst.

 

[postmanhat]

Worst is sitting this one out apparently. didn't she have a small crash last week?

Fantastic to see Honsinger mixing it up with the Dutch.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

It seems less muddy & wet than during Matteo's preview?

 

[postmanhat]

On the one hand, it's obviously a shame that there are no spectators. But you do get a much better view of what's happening in the race on TV?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I completely forgot, this was the race last year when Iserbyt was carried off the course by his brother, with hypothermia!

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Good start van der Poel, Pidcock & van Aert. Iserbyt race over.

 

[Flamin]

Pidcock is flying once again. And MVDP is doing too many mistakes atm.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Puncture Vantourenhout.

 

[Flamin]

Puncture Vantourenhout.

And Wuyts doesn't have a clue, again. Sigh.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

And Wuyts doesn't have a clue, again. Sigh.

Especially strange Paul didn't notice. It was clear as day he had a rear puncture. Couldn't corner on the asphalt.

 

[Flamin]

Especially strange Paul didn't notice. It was clear as day he had a rear puncture.

Yeah, he normally does.

 

[KZD]

Vanthourenhout lucky that he punctured so close to the pit, he is back in front

 

[Flamin]

One acceleration from Pidcock uphill, and he gains like what, 8 seconds?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

The fact that Hermans is still so close also shows van Aert and van der Poel aren't the best they've ever been.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Iserbyt only at 3 minutes... is he going faster than the guys in front? I thought he'd lost nearly 4 minutes at the pit?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Van Aert second time he gets on the bike in the wrong gear and loses seconds.

 

[KZD]

Finally Van der Poel closing into Pidcock.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Finally Van der Poel closing into Pidcock.

Still waiting ;-)

 

[Flamin]

Van Aert growing in the race.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Van Aert growing in the race.

The gap of the past 2 laps, were due to technical mistakes. Had to get off the bike because he was too close to van der Poel coming out of the off camber section, and lost 3 seconds. And every lap that short steep downhill where they need to get off the bike, he gets on in a way too big a gear.

EDIT: first time in the entire race he takes that section perfectly.

 

[Flamin]

The gap of the past 2 laps, were due to technical mistakes. Had to get off the bike because he was too close to van der Poel coming out of the off camber section, and lost 3 seconds. And every lap that short steep downhill where they need to get off the bike, he gets on in a way too big a gear.

His body language is different than in the first laps as well. He's definitely getting stronger.

Edit: aaand he's caught Pidcock.