Race Thread

[pmcg76]

Solid opening for Pidcock. Very consistent riding for Sweeck, van der Haar and Alvarado. Didn't see it while watching the race, but others spotted Betsema giving Honsinger some sort of push or shove on the first lap.

Yeah, I did see Betsema push Honsinger not long after the start, wasnt sure if it was the other Pauwels rider at the time, but Betsema was behind Honsinger which tells you just how poor her start was and she gave her a shove. Dont know if she cut Betsema off or what, but push seemed unnecessary.

Good to see Van der Haar win...............................only joking, I did remember Sweeck was in front with a dominant race winning performance this week.

 

[stonerider]

Jolanda Neff won a CX race today in the U.S.A.

 

[Barkintheeye]

The Merksplas course was fun to watch and seemed very intense. Very few sections where the riders could relax and lots of on and off.

Sweek nailed it, couldn’t see a single mistake. Van der Haar another strong performance but Kamps and Vandeputtes were surprisingly strong. Haven’t seen much of them and Vandeputte had absolutely excellent technique. A little more endurance and he will be on the podium.

Iserbyt and Vanthourenhout had their own little fight for third. Somehow I don’t think they are best buddies…

 

[davidsonduke]

Last year Brand was dominant, then Vos parachuted in and clearly outclassed Brand. Vos this year does not look strong at all.

Watching the race today with Alvarado, Betsema, Brand, and VOS and thinking, "the U23s could have dominated again." So weird.

[Although I should add that Alvarado looked way better than she has in a long time. Maybe she is up for challenging the 3 U23s.]

 

[Ricco']

Judging by Puck's video and tomorrow's forecast for Overijse, it should be a proper mudfest.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Last year Brand was dominant, then Vos parachuted in and clearly outclassed Brand. Vos this year does not look strong at all.

Watching the race today with Alvarado, Betsema, Brand, and VOS and thinking, "the U23s could have dominated again." So weird.

Vos is almost unbeatable in fast courses; however, throw in a bit of mud, and she's not the same rider......Nearly all of her wins last season were on dry courses.

 

[stonerider]

Iserbyt and Vanthourenhout had their own little fight for third. Somehow I don’t think they are best buddies…

Somehow I get the feeling that Iserbyt isn't best buddies with anyone. He's probably the main reason Sweeck left that team.

 

[RedheadDane]

It's raining!

 

[Raggamuffin]

Puck's got great skills - fab to watch her schooling the rest.

 

[glassmoon]

Puck smashing it! Brilliant. Go Puck!

 

[Raggamuffin]

Honsinger looks like she’s wearing Bissegger’s helmet… it huge!!

 

[glassmoon]

Chapeau Puck! 1st Elite WC win.

 

[KZD]

Pieterse MTB skills came in handy today but she also looked the strongest. Brand with a great second part of the race to finish fourth.

Should be a good course for Vanthourenhout in the men's side.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Super strong ride for Pieterse. Van Empel just didn't look comfortable like she has previously, even in comparison to similar conditions at the first race of the season in Kruibeke.

Also where did Brand come from in the final lap?!

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Brandt super happy with her 4th

 

[Axel Hangleck]

A technical masterclass from Puck, reminding me of Neff in Monte Saint-Anne.....Just on another level.

 

[Strawberry_Jams]

technical problem for pidcock at the start. right at the back. finished the first lap in 9th..and within seconds into 3rd. End of second lap? 1st.

 

[Lequack]

Wow Pidcock is flying!

 

[Raggamuffin]

Impressive by pidcock so far but careful he doesn't burn all his matches before half way!

 

[RedheadDane]

Danish commentators were wondering what happened to Pidcock at the beginning of the race.
I think I know the answer to that; he just wanted to give himself a challenge.

 

[Lequack]

 

[Lequack]

Meanwhile

 

[Raggamuffin]

Eli about one lap away from being wrapped up in a blanket and carried off by his girlfriend

 

[RedheadDane]

Meanwhile

That shot with the giant waterspray was awesome!

 

[DNP-Old]

The fact that Pidders could close down a half a minute gap in the matter of one lap and some should put an end to all doubts Albert Niels had in regards to the big three (which is very kind to Pidcock, because the big two seems more accurate).