- Apr 12, 2015
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The five main actors for Ronde based on the cobbled classics (and MSR/Strade) so far: Štybar, Van der Poel, Van Aert, Van Avermaet and Jungels. With Benoot, Trentin and Naesen not very far behind. Sagan is still a bit of a joker.
I would never bet against Sagan, and Mathieu said that from what he saw of Sagan in GW he's gonna be just fine come Sunday. It's gonna be a very interesting edition with the CX riders coming to the fore. Styby and Van Aert are the top favorites for me based on what we've seen up to this point with Mathieu, van Avermaet, and Jungels right on their tails. If Sagan can be in top shape by Sunday you can put him next to Wout and Styby with the edge of being the fastest out of the three if it comes down to it.
- Jun 7, 2011
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Re:
I would add Sagan and Naesen to the favorites. Drop Trentin and Benoot one peg.
...
Just to see Vanmarcke surprise everyone :lol: :lol:
(i'm kidding, i can't see Vanmarcke do very well, if he even makes it to the start).
Velolover2 said:
I would add Sagan and Naesen to the favorites. Drop Trentin and Benoot one peg.
...
Just to see Vanmarcke surprise everyone :lol: :lol:
(i'm kidding, i can't see Vanmarcke do very well, if he even makes it to the start).
- Apr 12, 2015
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Matthews is doing his debut. What should we except for him? He had a great Catalunya which should give him a lot of confidence.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/matthews-heads-for-tour-of-flanders-debut-buoyed-by-catalunya-success/
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/matthews-heads-for-tour-of-flanders-debut-buoyed-by-catalunya-success/
My list of favourites and thoughts.
***** GVA, Naesen and WVA.
I went for the three Belgians as my five stars because I think they'll have the most incentive to win. Each of them has at times shown how strong they are (GVA at Omloop+ E3, Wout at MSR +E3) or an improved sprint for Naesen. They may not have the strongest teams but they have quality riders who should be able to help.
**** Stybar and Sagan
The two contenders who should be five stars. For me i've felt Stybar was more suited to P-R than RVV and i think he will be focused on too much by the other contenders. If Gilbert is sick, that removes one potential threat from DQS to win. I think he has great form and will probably prove me wrong though. Sagan seems as if he is peaking more towards P-R and LBL but I can't discount him, at MSR he seemed to have great form and he is the type of rider who can force Quickstep to chase and lose their numbers advantage.
*** Trentin, MVDP, Terpstra, Rowe, Kristoff, Bettiol, Benoot, Jungels.
Trentin has shown his form in recent races and is almost always up there in decisive splits, but never in the winning one. The absence of Durbridge and Edmondson will hurt but if it comes to a reduced sprint he has the legs (just don't attack like in MSR). Poel has a chance but I think it's too long for him. Terpstra may not have displayed as good of form as last year but should be motivated and does have a strong team around him. Rowe looked very strong in GW, Kristoff too. Bettiol and Benoot are riders who seem to have good form and are good on the hills. If Jungels does not attack too early I think he has a good chance to attack in the last 15km's and solo away, however the race could prove to be too brutal for him at this stage.
** Valverde, Matthews, Degenkolb, Stuyven, Pedersen, Valgren, Mohoric, Lampaert.
Each are talented, but have mitigating factors, for Valverde and Matthews not enough experience in this race, for Trek PR should suit them better, Valgren will go better in the Ardennes this year I think with him falling sick earlier, Mohoric needs more experience but is trending upwards and Lampaert will be the least watched of QS's main trio, but will be the one most likely to have to sacrifice himself.
***** GVA, Naesen and WVA.
I went for the three Belgians as my five stars because I think they'll have the most incentive to win. Each of them has at times shown how strong they are (GVA at Omloop+ E3, Wout at MSR +E3) or an improved sprint for Naesen. They may not have the strongest teams but they have quality riders who should be able to help.
**** Stybar and Sagan
The two contenders who should be five stars. For me i've felt Stybar was more suited to P-R than RVV and i think he will be focused on too much by the other contenders. If Gilbert is sick, that removes one potential threat from DQS to win. I think he has great form and will probably prove me wrong though. Sagan seems as if he is peaking more towards P-R and LBL but I can't discount him, at MSR he seemed to have great form and he is the type of rider who can force Quickstep to chase and lose their numbers advantage.
*** Trentin, MVDP, Terpstra, Rowe, Kristoff, Bettiol, Benoot, Jungels.
Trentin has shown his form in recent races and is almost always up there in decisive splits, but never in the winning one. The absence of Durbridge and Edmondson will hurt but if it comes to a reduced sprint he has the legs (just don't attack like in MSR). Poel has a chance but I think it's too long for him. Terpstra may not have displayed as good of form as last year but should be motivated and does have a strong team around him. Rowe looked very strong in GW, Kristoff too. Bettiol and Benoot are riders who seem to have good form and are good on the hills. If Jungels does not attack too early I think he has a good chance to attack in the last 15km's and solo away, however the race could prove to be too brutal for him at this stage.
** Valverde, Matthews, Degenkolb, Stuyven, Pedersen, Valgren, Mohoric, Lampaert.
Each are talented, but have mitigating factors, for Valverde and Matthews not enough experience in this race, for Trek PR should suit them better, Valgren will go better in the Ardennes this year I think with him falling sick earlier, Mohoric needs more experience but is trending upwards and Lampaert will be the least watched of QS's main trio, but will be the one most likely to have to sacrifice himself.
- Jan 4, 2011
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https://sporza.be/nl/2019/04/03/naesen-twijfelachtig-voor-ronde-van-vlaanderen-door-bronchitis/
Naesen on antibiotics ffs
give the guy a break
Naesen on antibiotics ffs
give the guy a break
- Feb 10, 2015
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- Aug 29, 2009
- 7,869
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Re: Re:
The champagne excuse it a bit of an odd one as well. Sounds more like peaking a bit too early took its toll, and the body wasn't able to keep the "shape of his life" (as he called it himself) since Paris Nice.
I hadn't read about the antibiotics yet. Not sure then, and no idea why he even started yesterday.liamito said:
The champagne excuse it a bit of an odd one as well. Sounds more like peaking a bit too early took its toll, and the body wasn't able to keep the "shape of his life" (as he called it himself) since Paris Nice.
- Jun 29, 2015
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- Mar 15, 2011
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Re: Re:
You don't win the Ronde being just fine. Someone like Naesen needs to be firing on all cylinders.
jaylew said:
You don't win the Ronde being just fine. Someone like Naesen needs to be firing on all cylinders.
- Apr 17, 2013
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Naesen and Stybar has impressed me the most in 2019, but I am sure that Greg that Never Met will meet up to the occasion and spoil the party. GVA is the most solid of the top favourites, and with Sagan below his best, GVA is the only rider we can absolutely trust to deliver a top result.
I hope Van der Poel can surprise and win the race, but he was not physically as good as I'd expected him to be in G-W
I hope Van der Poel can surprise and win the race, but he was not physically as good as I'd expected him to be in G-W
- Apr 17, 2013
- 6,494
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- 18,580
In general, the easier the race gets, the bigger of an advantage will the cross riders have, as the kwaremont+paterberg loop in itself is almost like a simulated cross race. But if the race is opened up from further out, I will put guys like Naesen and GVA ahead of the two cross boys.
If the race was 500km long, I would only have Kristoff as the favourite
If the race was 500km long, I would only have Kristoff as the favourite
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