Ronde Van Vlaanderen 2012

[Panda Claws]

These were the favorites as predicted by this very forum during the off-season.


***
Gilbert
**
Boonen
*
Cancellara

Other guys with a chance:
Boasson Hagen, Langeveld, Van Avermaet, Breschel, Chavanel

 

[theyoungest]

The off season is not very important in this respect, is it? A bit strange though that Boonen was rated ahead of Cancellara, after his dismal season last year.

 

[Panda Claws]

The off season is not very important in this respect, is it? A bit strange though that Boonen was rated ahead of Cancellara, after his dismal season last year.

Yeah, those predictions don't really say anything.

But it is interesting to see which riders get a lot of hype during the off-season and which ones don't.

You can see the 'hype' the new Flanders parcours got as well. It made you think as if the finale wouldn't have a meter flat before the finish while in reality it isn't THAT different. Hence why Gilbert got rated so high.

 

[Froome19]

Yeah, those predictions don't really say anything.

But it is interesting to see which riders get a lot of hype during the off-season and which ones don't.

You can see the 'hype' the new Flanders parcours got as well. It made you think as if the finale wouldn't have a meter flat before the finish while in reality it isn't THAT different. Hence why Gilbert got rated so high.

Using that logic is understandable for Gilbert but then Cancellara should be ahead of Boonen and the others are certainly more cobbles/flat riders.
I think it was more that the Gilbert hype was just unbelievably high following his amazing season.

 

[Panda Claws]

Using that logic is understandable for Gilbert but then Cancellara should be ahead of Boonen and the others are certainly more cobbles/flat riders.
I think it was more that the Gilbert hype was just unbelievably high following his amazing season.

Probably a little bit of both.

About Boonen: Let's keep in mind that he looked unusually sharp during the off-season (and still does.) Also, people are expecting Boonen to return to his 2005-'06 self every year.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, those predictions don't really say anything.

But it is interesting to see which riders get a lot of hype during the off-season and which ones don't.

You can see the 'hype' the new Flanders parcours got as well. It made you think as if the finale wouldn't have a meter flat before the finish while in reality it isn't THAT different. Hence why Gilbert got rated so high.

The course is different. There's still a flat run in but if you look at the hills at the end... they are more of them stacked closer together and they are more difficult.

It's going to be a hard finale.

 

[Panda Claws]

The course is different. There's still a flat run in but if you look at the hills at the end... they are more of them stacked closer together and they are more difficult.

It's going to be a hard finale.

Yeah, I agree.

It's just that the bits of information they released about the route made it seem as if it was absolutely tailor-made for Gilbert (e.g. Climbs 'till just a few km's from the finish and so on.)

Then again I could be the only one that got that impression. While the new finish should suit Gilbert more like than the old one, he remains a shadowfavorite in my opinion.

It's always hard to tell just how good Gilbert is at Flanders. Keep in mind that last year he was probably the strongest at 10 km's to go. (debatable)

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I agree.

It's just that the bits of information they released about the route made it seem as if it was absolutely tailor-made for Gilbert (e.g. Climbs 'till just a few km's from the finish and so on.)

Then again I could be the only one that got that impression. While the new finish should suit Gilbert more like than the old one, he remains a shadowfavorite in my opinion.

It's always hard to tell just how good Gilbert is at Flanders. Keep in mind that last year he was probably the strongest at 10 km's to go. (debatable)

Phil went at the very bottom of the Bosberg last year. Then he could not hold it. I don't know if he blew himself up or what, but he certainly hurt Cancellara... iirc FC was paper-boying at the top....

But once FC recovered a bit he was really good on the run in.

 

[Froome19]

Yeah, I agree.

It's just that the bits of information they released about the route made it seem as if it was absolutely tailor-made for Gilbert (e.g. Climbs 'till just a few km's from the finish and so on.)

Then again I could be the only one that got that impression. While the new finish should suit Gilbert more like than the old one, he remains a shadowfavorite in my opinion.

It's always hard to tell just how good Gilbert is at Flanders. Keep in mind that last year he was probably the strongest at 10 km's to go. (debatable)

Also all the riders who have recced it have claimed that it is much harder than last year and is more like an ardennes route.

 

[Panda Claws]

Phil went at the very bottom of the Bosberg last year. Then he could not hold it. I don't know if he blew himself up or what, but he certainly hurt Cancellara... iirc FC was paper-boying at the top....

But once FC recovered a bit he was really good on the run in.

Yeah, he said he had overestimated himself. On one hand it makes me think that he could have easily gone with Cancellara's late attack, but on the other hand... wouldn't Cancellara's attack have been a lot stronger without Gilbert raping the Bosberg?

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, he said he had overestimated himself. On one hand it makes me think that he could have easily gone with Cancellara's late attack, but on the other hand... wouldn't Cancellara's attack have been a lot stronger without Gilbert raping the Bosberg?

Probably, however I think I remember reading somewhere that FC started bonking before he and Chava got to Geraardsbergen, which makes sense as the 1:00 lead fell really quickly. That might explain FC on the Bosberg as well.

 

[greenedge]

Cancellara FTW. I think he has a chance to screw it up but he should be smarter/ use the cobbles to more effect.

two of Boonen/Chavanel, Gilbert/ other BMC boys, Vanmarcke and my dark horse Pozzato to make the rest of the podium.

I hope Keukeleire/ Langeveld can go well for GE but i am not holding out much hope.

I am really looking forward to it.

 

[Anonymous]

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.

 

[greenedge]

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???

 

[Panda Claws]

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

I do. I do not like the rider, but things like this are always sad.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

I do. I do not like the rider, but things like this are always sad.

But Phill Gilbert will be there.. no?

 

[Panda Claws]

But Phill Gilbert will be there.. no?

Are you honestly asking me about Gilbert's chances in the Ronde, or are you just mocking that I am a fan of him.

 

[meat puppet]

OPQS will be a tough nut. Would not bet against top form Boonen, super Sylvain and Terpstra the terrible.

Though I'd rather Vanmarcke or Hausler won.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

are you honestly asking me about gilbert's chances in the ronde, or are you just mocking that i am a fan of him.

:d :d
.......

 

[Michele]

Gilbert will destroy the field.

 

[Panda Claws]

:d :d
.......

Nevermind, I think Phil will finish 6th.

 

[El Pistolero]

Come'on guys, Gilbert won't be ready in time for the Ronde lol. You'll all have to wait till the Amstel Gold Race

Unless something's wrong with him though, something nasty like Pfeiffer is always a possibility. ;(

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Did he kiss Taaramae?

 

[Anonymous]

Garmin names VanMarcke their leader for both Flanders and Roubaix.

Interesting particularly for P-R as another in their team will have the numero uno pinned to his jersey.

Diversionary perhaps?

If Garmin can put someone like Klier or Haussler in an early move in Flanders it could set up Sep for a nice result.

He is sooo young tho....

 

[blaxland]

Would like to see BMC due something during the cobbles classics but i think Boonen and his team mates will be extremely hard to beat.Hopefully Langeveld from Greenedge rides well.