Ronde van Vlaanderen 2026, monument, April 5 (men's)

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Timetable in the guide says 16:09 CET but unlike the chrono for most races it doesn’t give separate times for 3 different average speeds. So figure +/— 20 minutes?

Cirka 16:30 should be finish time, so should be 15:09 (on Central European Summer Time)?

 

[Boehmand]

Pedersen saying in an interview with Danish TV2, that he - because of the recent injuries - expects to ride a more passive race than he would normally do, and follow moves rather than create them.

Not what I was expecting to hear from him, but there you are.

 

[vappa]

Pedersen saying in an interview with Danish TV2, that he - because of the recent injuries - expects to ride a more passive race than he would normally do, and follow moves rather than create them.

Not what I was expecting to hear from him, but there you are.

That's literally how he raced last year

 

[jono]

Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but really gives an idea of how narrow all these Flanders climbs are, and such really unimportant roads aside from the races.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW26qrZWeNg

 

[Sciatic]

Cirka 16:30 should be finish time, so should be 15:09 (on Central European Summer Time)?

My bad, I thought as thinking of the final ascent

 

[Sciatic]

I think the race will start at 10:20 am. So 5 hours later they are probably in the 2nd Kwaremont

You’re right!

 

[E_F_]

It makes me sad, that I'm not excited for de Ronde. The most interesting one day race...

 

[onefortheroad]

Voted Pogi, but would really love to see Wout Van Aert or an outsider win. I really miss those days when a Devolder, Nuyens, Zaugg, Ciolek would win a monument. These days it's always the strongest rider who wins, it's alaways the same names, and not much fun in it.

I would really love to see MVDP win though it’s a fool’s errand to bet against Pogi. He doesn't even seem to have the patience for the week tours anymore (although Romandie and Switzerland are just snacks on his 2026 plate).

It’s the Classics that truly feed his ego now.
A tragedy for the specialists: he invades their territory and acts like one of them. Now, he’s even bored of his epic solo wins. He dreams of beating them at their own game, in the sprint, just to twist the knife.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Was there an accompanying graphic ad for this pitch? Would never, ever want to be a rider that gets AI cropped into some sponsor altered stuff like this!!!

I don't remember what the picture was, but it wasn't a seatless bike.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

@Ilmaestro99 thoughts on pozzato ranking Wout first?

My thought is, clearly Pozzato doesn't read this forum...

 

[aphronesis]

I don't remember what the picture was, but it wasn't a seatless bike.

Before the days of independent female copywriters.

 

[red_flanders]

It makes me sad, that I'm not excited for de Ronde. The most interesting one day race...

Are you OK? Should we send help?

 

[aphronesis]

It makes me sad, that I'm not excited for de Ronde. The most interesting one day race...

Like the TdF circa 2004, but there’s vague possibility.

 

[Berniece]

It’s going to get very windy today.

 

[the asian]

It makes me sad, that I'm not excited for de Ronde. The most interesting one day race...

We've got Pogi, van derPoel, WVA and Evenepoel alll riding. You have to be excited.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

We've got Pogi, van derPoel, WVA and Evenepoel alll riding. You have to be excited.

I think the feeling is that, with Pog's abilities right now, the winner in inevitable. I hope that is wrong, but I'm pretty convinced it isn't.

Maybe the wind being talked about is a harbinger of a better race than I worry about it being.

 

[red_flanders]

Dudes it’s the Ronde.

Be bummed if it turns into a cakewalk, but don’t be pre-bummed. It’s still all the color, noise, beer, and cobbles you ever will need. And Evenepoel is gonna do…something. Maybe something stupid, but something.

Get stoked!

 

[Pantani_lives]

The Missa Solemnis!

I just rewatched fragments from last year, and this is always a spectacular race to watch. Those battles on that succession of short, cobbled hills make it unique. Hopefully there will be a strong break or mid-range attack with some tactical implications, but once they reach the second Kwaremont the big names will be flying...

 

[Flamin]

It’s going to get very windy today.

Gusts up til 50-60kph, inland. And chances of rain. We might see a helluva spectacle.

 

[Jagartrott]

With this wind, I assume the first hours (straight into a headwind) will be quite slow. The breakaway will consist of major masochists only.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

With this wind, I assume the first hours (straight into a headwind) will be quite slow. The breakaway will consist of major masochists only.

<Jonas Abrahamsen enters the chat>

 

[vappa]

<Jonas Abrahamsen enters the chat>

I think he will try to anticipate after the first Kwaremont, don't expect him in the initial break

 

[Faserr]

With this wind, I assume the first hours (straight into a headwind) will be quite slow. The breakaway will consist of major masochists only.

I think there is a chance for the break to get a good gap if UAE and Alpecin refuse to chase for some time. I think Alpecin is a bit angry after MSR and doesn't want to chase at first.

 

[Salvarani]

With this wind, I assume the first hours (straight into a headwind) will be quite slow. The breakaway will consist of major masochists only.

Hope we dont see too many crashes in the first few hours.

 

[search]

First start for Mongolia in the Ronde today!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M02IpYzK5E