Ronde Van Vlaanderen 2012

[Richeypen]

Think Canc might have been sandbagging a little bit this past week after E3 last year. Was supprrised not to see him attack towards the end of GW today. Cnat wait for RVV

 

[killswitch]

Think Canc might have been sandbagging a little bit this past week after E3 last year. Was supprrised not to see him attack towards the end of GW today. Cnat wait for RVV

http://twitter.com/#!/f_cancellara

Littel ride today.... Pain pain. Dam crash makes even sleep you bad. Felt like a truck run over me this morning.in massage now. #relaxtime

Hope he is fully healed by then.

 

[roundabout]

It's still an hour more coverage than on the International Eurosport.

Hurray for Superstock races.

Although 105 minutes of coverage is more than enough for me.

 

[JRanton]

Hurray for Sporza. I only understand about one in every 20 words but it's still infinitely better coverage than Eurosport provide.

 

[The Hitch]

British Eurosport`s coverage will be very frustrating next week as they will be covering the race in 2 parts. The will be going off for an hour for motorsports from 13.15 to 14.15.

14.15 that will be what, around 70k from the end?

So long as they are there by 50 so we don't miss the Canc attack

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

should be an epic fight btw boonen, canc and gilbert. i can't even pick one from those 3 but i honestly favor boonen and canc over gilbert because i can't see him hold solo for 11k after the patenberg.

agreed. i'll say boonen ftw.

 

[Karl Max]

I have been photoshoping the profile of the tour of flanders to make it more visible. The text is not so visible though.

 

[boomcie]

I have been photoshoping the profile of the tour of flanders to make it more visible. The text is not so visible though.

Click image for HQ jpeg:

 

[Fus087]

I'm only now noticing there's no Haaghoek and no Leberg in this year's parcours.
I don't like that.

 

[Leonardus]

Thanks for HQ profile. Now I take a closer look on the new parcours I don't really like it. They made it harder but I think the effect will be a closed race till the last 40km. One real hard attack from Cancellara on the Kwaremont could decide who's left for the victory.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for HQ profile. Now I take a closer look on the new parcours I don't really like it. They made it harder but I think the effect will be a closed race till the last 40km. One real hard attack from Cancellara on the Kwaremont could decide who's left for the victory.

Let's think this through. Potentially, the race may play out exactly how you fear. Most teams that have a legitimate leader will also realize that if they allow the race to be together on the finishing loops then Cancellara will be nearly impossible to stop.

So, look for a larger break to get up the road with some very good riders in it... and the chess match will play out among the super favorites.

I think the repetitive nature of the climbs and their proximity to each other in the finale may prove to be fascinating.

But, I could be wrong

 

[Lexman]

In the CN article Sep Vanmarcke is saying words to the effect of it will take a few years to be a genuine RvV contender. However in my view this year he seems to be in good form at the moment/ is probably the best young prospect that can be considered a challenger.

Does anyone else feel sympathy for Nuyens not being able to return to defend his title???

I agree for Vanmarcke and it's really sad Nuyens can't compete since he could have been a surprise sunday

 

[Lexman]

So, checking the weather forecasts for next weekend.... RAIN!

Looks like it will start raining Friday night, looks to be a big system as rain is predicted for several says in a row. I was checking in Tournai also and they will be getting the same rain.... looks like rain everyday until at least the Friday before Roubaix. So, P-R will definitely be wet if not muddy

The only sucky part is I'm doing the Flanders Cyclo... in the rain as it looks. 150 miles wet. Done it before... I'll do it again.

where did you find those predictions?

 

[Lexman]

OK found one

http://www.accuweather.com/fr/fr/roubaix/135632/daily-weather-forecast/135632?day=11

rain

 

[Lexman]

If this startlist

http://www.cyclingfever.com/editie.html?detp=view&_ap=startlijst&editie_idd=MjI5MDU=


is to be trusted OPQS starts with Devenyns who only has ridden Gent-Wevelgem since his injury in Paris Nice?

What's Visconti doing in RVV, shouldn't he try the Ardens classics?

They still mention Bak at the start of RVV for Lotto while he will be operated one of these days...

 

[jens_attacks]

our friend erik zabel makes us dreaming about the big day:

Erik Zabel ‏ @EteZabel
Today we did the Recon of The"Ronde"! My Opinion in two Parts: First the Positiv View & then Second Part the Negativ Side! Lets Start

Erik Zabel ‏ @EteZabel
1.) Organisators create the hardest,Most Spectacular Ronde of all Time. By far the hardest OneDayRace in the Calendar! Great for the Fans!!!

Erik Zabel ‏ @EteZabel
2.)what Happens with Bad Weather Conditions?only 25 RIDERS reach the Finishline?we'll See Crashes&broken Bones!not the best Antidoping-Tool

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

it's not great for the fans at all as this race will turn into an agr on cobbles. thank you clean cycling for having riders now who can attack once per race or not even once when the race is long. like msr

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

it's not great for the fans at all as this race will turn into an agr on cobbles. thank you clean cycling for having riders now who can attack once per race or not even once when the race is long. like msr

indeed, just like with the (too) many hills in AGR, riders will now wait far longer to open up the final in RVV.

 

[Anonymous]

BMC for Flanders;

Alessandro Ballan (ITA)
Marcus Burghardt (GER)
Philippe Gilbert (BEL)
George Hincapie (USA)
Thor Hushovd (NOR)
Manuel Quinziato (ITA)
Michael Schär (SUI)
Greg Van Avermaet (BEL)

If I didn't already know these guys have struggled this year I would think that a winner will come from this group.

On paper... Wow.

Still looking like rain for Sunday

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I only expect Ballan and Van Avermaet there in the final, and that for places 4-10 ...

 

[dlwssonic]

I only expect Ballan and Van Avermaet there in the final, and that for places 4-10 ...

Yeah BMC's really only hope of winning RVV was Gilbert but now he is not doing well. Hopefully they can improve in the ardennes with a better gilbert, evans and GVA. If its a hard race, Ballan will be up there with the best.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

BMC for Flanders;

Alessandro Ballan (ITA)
Marcus Burghardt (GER)
Philippe Gilbert (BEL)
George Hincapie (USA)
Thor Hushovd (NOR)
Manuel Quinziato (ITA)
Michael Schär (SUI)
Greg Van Avermaet (BEL)

If I didn't already know these guys have struggled this year I would think that a winner will come from this group.

On paper... Wow.

Still looking like rain for Sunday

Are you in belgium now?

 

[dlwssonic]

Eurosport only gonna give me 105min of coverage! Guess I have to watch it on the live feed before that.
Last year it was 3-4 hours!!!
At least this years PR is 240min

 

[Anonymous]

Are you in belgium now?

Yes sir. Just got back to the house from De Garre in Burges.... So if I misspell something pleeze forgive me

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Yes sir. Just got back to the house from De Garre in Burges.... So if I misspell something pleeze forgive me

lol

.......