Ronde van Vlaanderen: October 18th, 2020

[Pantani_lives]

The surprising thing is that they worked together to stay away. Fortunately they didn't start staring at each other. On the hills they were equally strong, so a close sprint was the only logical outcome.

 

[Jagartrott]

The dynamic would've been totally different with Alaphilippe of course. But really it was Quickstep's tactical error that led to this. They could've had 3 vs. 3 instead of 1 vs. 3. Only thing to do was close those final 50 m in the group of 4.

Worthy winner, same would've been the case for Van Aert of course.

 

[Forever The Best]

Would have prefered to see the second group catch up and someone else win, but at least Van Aert didn't win.

 

[42x16ss]

Like I said when they were on the Koppenberg, Van Aert didn't have a super day.

He starts his sprint a bit too late, because he wasn't confident enough and was on the limit.

It looks like Van Aert's season is finally starting to take some toll, while Van der Poel is getting back near his best

 

[RedheadDane]

Would have prefered to see someone else win, but at least Van Aert didn't win.

I'll never understand that way of thinking. The "at least [X] didn't win" mentality.

 

[Billie]

Another unreal sprint by Kristoff after a hard race.

He launched his effort right after the 500m to go banner.

7 out of last 8 years he finished top 5 here.

twice he did not finish top 5 on this new finish.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I'll never understand that way of thinking. The "at least [X] didn't win" mentality.

Tour de Suisse 2011 - Wikipedia, den frie encyklopædi

da.wikipedia.org

 

[memyselfandI]

Like I said when they were on the Koppenberg, Van Aert didn't have a super day.

He starts his sprint a bit too late, because he wasn't confident enough and was on the limit.

In my eyes Van Aert was looking stronger all the way from bridging across to the escape group and to the finishline, all the time.

 

[richwallone]

In better form than when? He pulled out a dramatic show of strength just five days ago suggesting if he had been there today he'd have been in pretty good form.

I agree, yes... But it took him quite a while to get into decent shape this year... Just hope he'll be there and ready in the form of his life next year to "mess" things up for the "young" guns at Ronde and Roubaix

 

[RedheadDane]

Tour de Suisse 2011 - Wikipedia, den frie encyklopædi

da.wikipedia.org

Nope. Still don't get it.

 

[Flamin]

I'm just glad it's over. If this is the Boonen-Cancellara rivalry of the 2020s, I might as well be watching trains at the Tour if today is anything to go by.

I have no idea how it was as an 'outsider' to watch this race, though I can imagine it was kinda boring. But as someone who has been watching these 2 race each other basically week in week out for the past 6-7 years, this was one hell of a tense final 25k probably a dream scenario for every cx fan out there (except most would have probably preferred another outcome)

 

[Devil's Elbow]

I have no idea how it was as an 'outsider' to watch this race, though I can imagine it was kinda boring. But as someone who has been watching these 2 race each other basically week in week out for the past 6-7 years, this was one hell of a tense final 25k probably a dream scenario for every cx fan out there (except most would have probably preferred another outcome)

I watch a fair bit of CX too, fondly remember Mathieu's first world title.. Doesn't save this race for me

 

[Spine Concept]

What a race.

The three favorites by themselves in front, pulling away from the rest until the one who forced the break in the first place got brutally taken out of contention. As unfortunate as that was, De Ronde waits for no one, the show must go on. And so, the two most spoken-about riders of the last week, the two cyclocrossers, the heirs apparent to the Boonen-Cancellara rivalry, were heading into the finale together, couldn’t have dreamt up a better scene.

They were evenly matched pedal stroke for pedal stroke no matter the gradient, none of them gave each other an inch until, unfortunately, the impending, inevitable sprint, had to separate the one from the other. But even then, they were evenly-matched until one wheel just inched out the other on the line. The winner in ecstasy after an agonizing couple of seconds waiting for the result, and the “loser” kicking himself for not going earlier and cursing the finish line for not being a couple of meters further.

What a race.

 

[Ricco']

I have no idea how it was as an 'outsider' to watch this race, though I can imagine it was kinda boring. But as someone who has been watching these 2 race each other basically week in week out for the past 6-7 years, this was one hell of a tense final 25k probably a dream scenario for every cx fan out there (except most would have probably preferred another outcome)

This was the 1 on 1 I expected to see in cross since the 2016/2017 season.

And for me with the sweetest outcome.

 

[Wvv]

They gave us the brilliant duel that you'd wish for, but would've been more beautiful without Alaphilippe's crash.

Kudos to Mathieu and Wout. I'm quite sure Van Aert lost because he let Van der Poel choose how to start the sprint. A bit too late and a bit to slow to reach his top speed and power output in time to beat the explosiveness.

Kudos to Oliver, 4th best man in the race.
GVA, I missed you buddy.

 

[Spine Concept]

They gave us the brilliant duel that you'd wish for, but would've been more beautiful without Alaphilippe's crash.

Kudos to Mathieu and Wout. I'm quite sure Van Aert lost because he let Van der Poel choose how to start the sprint. A bit too late and a bit to slow to reach his top speed and power output in time to beat the explosiveness.

Kudos to Oliver, 4th best man in the race.
GVA, I missed you buddy.

He got outsmarted while being in the best position for the sprint, that’s credit to Mathieu even if by only a couple of inches. Those are the margins at this level. Kudos to both.

 

[Fernandez]

Such a shame Alaphilippe being crashed out of the race. You can think whatever about his personality but the guy is a hell of a attacking rider. Deserved world champion.

 

[Brullnux]

How many times has Kristoff now won the reduced sprint behind the lead group at this race? Must be five or six times. Incredible how this always happens

 

[Wvv]

Haha. Awesome post-race interview by Van Aert.

"Did you guys speak while in the attack?"
"Sure, lots of talking... We went through last week's newspaper headlines together."

 

[Tonton]

I can't believe it...I'm gutted. And I feel that I'm jinxing everybody .

Still, that was a great race, both deserved the win but only one could have it. Bravo MVP, bravo Wout! Get well Julian.

 

[RedheadDane]

CCC-rider and Barnes with a 22 second gap.

 

[RedheadDane]

Well, not Barnes. Amialisuk and Markus.
Sure I saw British markers on the Canyon rider's sleeves.

 

[tobydawq]

Nope. Still don't get it.

Moscon being close to winning the WCRR in Bergen, Innsbruck and Harrogate?

I really don't get it in this case, though.

 

[sir fly]

40 seconds at this point was enough in the men's race.
Slightly different strength of the lead though.

 

[Pantani_lives]

32 secondes is a good lead, but Anna vdB is doing great work to bring D'hoore back.