Ronde van Vlaanderen - Tour des Flandres 2023, one day monument, April 2 (men's)

[Nick2413]

I don’t know how aggressive Wout will be in following every move earlier on knowing his doms can bring him back, and that he loses them otherwise. The other big favorites will hope for a moment of chaos with other teams trying to get away and have more incentive to try to capitalize on that. Wouldn’t be surprised if the decisive split ends up being in a random spot.

 

[Boehmand]

Sure.

Well, you tell me.

You were to one suggesting it, so no, I cannot tell you what the purpose would be.

Some of you people appear very negative in your use of this forum, which is a shame.

 

[Sciatic]

That's not quite the case.

Climate change increases the amount of water in the oceans, and warmer oceans have higher evaporation that increases air moisture, whích translates into more frequent precipitation over land.

It matters where on the planet you are though, as weather patterns and storm tracks guide where precipitation will generally be, so for instance northern Europe (incl. Belgium and northern France) will see increased precipitation, while the Mediterranean areas (incl. Italy) will see less.

How great great to see a reasonable post about climate! Even those of us who are very knowledgeable and concerned about a warming climate can get frustrated that, because of the way news coverage works, jump to conclude that any recent (for instance a streak of ten straight years of something) weather pattern is climate change. It could be climate change—or it could be a cyclical variation in weather patterns that just happen.

 

[Salvarani]

You were to one suggesting it, so no, I cannot tell you what the purpose would be.

Some of you people appear very negative in your use of this forum, which is a shame.

Lol. Okay.

So you just thought it would be a good idea to make an account to tell people that? "Take it easy guys". How noble.

You just casually been reading this forum for a long time. Know most posters. How debates go to the point you can generalize and call people out.

Must be nice being you.

 

[Sciatic]

Interesting how various rider pre-race interviews hints at the team's tactics.

Asgreen, Pedersen, Cosnefroy, Mohoric and Küng have spoken about getting out in front of the big 3, while Powless, Pidcock and Teuns have spoken about sticking with the big 3.

It tells me Soudal, Trek, AG2R, Bahrain and FDJ will try early aggression, while EF, Ineos and Israel will try to match Alpecin, Jumbo and UAE.

It may all just be smoke an mirrors though

I’m glad you added that final disclaimer Was about to say “of course riders are always 100% transparent in their pre-race statements

 

[Boehmand]

Lol. Okay.

So you just thought it would be a good idea to make an account to tell people that? "Take it easy guys". How noble.

You just casually been reading this forum for a long time. Know most posters. How debates go to the point you can generalize and call people out.

Must be nice being you.

I'm not going to engage with whatever conspiracy theory it is you are cooking up, sorry. - Believe what you want and be happy

 

[Boehmand]

I’m glad you added that final disclaimer Was about to say “of course riders are always 100% transparent in their pre-race statements

I'm glad you are glad

 

[Salvarani]

I'm not going to engage with whatever conspiracy theory it is you are cooking up, sorry. - Believe what you want and be happy

No problem.

You take care and be well.

 

[Nick2413]

I think Powless will join the super 3

Is he anywhere close to that level though? I guess he’s been having a nice season.

 

[Sciatic]

Jeez... some of you people take these debates far, far too seriously... it's not a battle buddy, calm down

After all, this is a forum, that is, “ a place of or meeting for public discussion. . . which provides an opportunity for conducting a debate.” Semantics? Indeed.

 

[Sciatic]

Is he anywhere close to that level though? I guess he’s been having a nice season.

I don’t think he’s at “that” level. But it looks to me like his climbing is improved this spring and he seems to do well in tough races. So a reasonable outside pick?

 

[tobydawq]

Why is Quinten Hermans not selected for this race? I think that with what he showed on Wednesday, Alpecin could - with him, Vermeersch, Kragh and Van der Poel - actually match or even out-match Jumbo in numbers in the finale.

 

[Boehmand]

After all, this is a forum, that is, “ a place of or meeting for public discussion. . . which provides an opportunity for conducting a debate.” Semantics? Indeed.

Et tu, Brute?

 

[Sciatic]

Et tu, Brute?

Well done!

 

[Sciatic]

I don’t know how aggressive Wout will be in following every move earlier on knowing his doms can bring him back, and that he loses them otherwise. The other big favorites will hope for a moment of chaos with other teams trying to get away and have more incentive to try to capitalize on that. Wouldn’t be surprised if the decisive split ends up being in a random spot.

I wouldn’t completely rule out a scenario in which Laporte or Benoot have good legs and manage to get themselves into a group out in front of those three, altering the tactical situation. However, MVDP & Pogacar are unique in that it may not matter if they are attacking or chasing—once they put the throttle down Wout still has to be able to hang with them. But that’s why I have excitement for tomorrow —even if we think the winner is certain to be one of those three (which of course it’s not certain) there’s plenty of drama in who will shows cracks first and when that might happen, in addition to the thrill of watching great racers at their best.

 

[Berniece]

Why is Quinten Hermans not selected for this race? I think that with what he showed on Wednesday, Alpecin could - with him, Vermeersch, Kragh and Van der Poel - actually match or even out-match Jumbo in numbers in the finale.

I agree, and I don't understand it either. Although I think that it won't matter in the end. Jumbo will try to get a guy up front, Alpecin will send someone with them, and UAE will chase. Eventually Pogacar is going to break the race wide open and jump that gap with MVDP and WVA in his wheel. Next proper hill it will only be Pogacar, MVDP and WVA. Every hill Pogacar will try to break every KOM and make the race as hard as possible. WVA will break, MVDP will go to the finish with Pogacar, and if the race is very very hard, I'm not sure who will win the sprint.

 

[Didinho]

I agree, and I don't understand it either. Although I think that it won't matter in the end. Jumbo will try to get a guy up front, Alpecin will send someone with them, and UAE will chase. Eventually Pogacar is going to break the race wide open and jump that gap with MVDP and WVA in his wheel. Next proper hill it will only be Pogacar, MVDP and WVA. Every hill Pogacar will try to break every KOM and make the race as hard as possible. WVA will break, MVDP will go to the finish with Pogacar, and if the race is very very hard, I'm not sure who will win the sprint.

He is the captain for the hilly races. But in this form he could be important for Mathieu.

I think UAE and Alpecin will try to cover every Jumbo attack and stay in the wheels. That's what I would say as a DS. Annoy them, follow everywhere and don't cooperate. Than it's up to Wout to follow the attacks.
Even if the big 3 are up in front, Pogi (and/or Mathieu) should just follow to the finish. I really hope there's a team that can outsmart Jumbo, make them the chasers all the time. UAE has a strong trio, Alpecin, even Quickstep I won't rule out. Julian and Asgreen will ride smarter, hopefully.

First time I'm constantly thinking about tactics, even a bit nervous days before. Hope for a Mathieu solo. Or I want to see him at the back when they start sprinting. I'm ready for it!

 

[Didinho]

Also these 2 Sundays I'm against all my family and friends once again, even since Mathieu and Wout started competing in cyclocross.
Every year they're too excited after one little hill in Wevelgem, where he beat some sprinters, that Wout would win. Only this time I'm a bit stressed about Jumbo, but I think they won't be so impressive tomorrow when UAE will open the final. A normal run-up for Mathieu, he will be fresher for Roubaix also.
So now I want him to solo Ronde and Roubaix

 

[Cookster15]

This thread would have benefited from a poll. Not just on the big three but the next level possibilities - Asgreen, Pedersen, Cosnefroy, Mohoric, Küng, Powless, Pidcock and Teuns.

But thanks to the big three I have never known such anticipation before Ronde. The sport is alive and well!

As for my tip:

Head says MVDP or WvA.
Heart says Küng or Pogi.

 

[Netserk]

This thread would have benefited from a poll. Not just on the big three but the next level possibilities - Asgreen, Pedersen, Cosnefroy, Mohoric, Küng, Powless, Pidcock and Teuns.

But thanks to the big three I have never known such anticipation before Ronde. The sport is alive and well!

As for my tip:

Head says MVDP or WvA.
Heart says Küng or Pogi.

It's not too late to make a poll thread!

But please, never include a poll in a race thread. It takes up too much space.

 

[tobydawq]

Did you eat your broccoli?

Haha, I thought exactly the same thing

I don't think it's him, though, why would he be writing about Madouas? He isn't Danish.

 

[Cookster15]

First of all, climate change.......the likelihood of seeing a rainy Roubaix in April is lowering every year

A good correction by Boehmand ...... this might be what you read and hear in the MSM as Europe and parts of America experienced drought but it isn't what the science says. There is no consensus that climate change will lead to a drier planet. Scientists are split on whether it might lead to a wetter planet. FYI, in Sydney we just experienced the wettest year since records were kept. I am aware that parts of America and Europe experienced droughts. That could be cyclical e.g. ENSO.

 

[Cookster15]

It's not too late to make a poll thread!

But please, never include a poll in a race thread. It takes up too much space.

Fair call. Maybe someone else who has time can start a thread with a poll.? The anticipation for this race would warrant it.

 

[Berniece]

He is the captain for the hilly races. But in this form he could be important for Mathieu.

I think UAE and Alpecin will try to cover every Jumbo attack and stay in the wheels. That's what I would say as a DS. Annoy them, follow everywhere and don't cooperate. Than it's up to Wout to follow the attacks.
Even if the big 3 are up in front, Pogi (and/or Mathieu) should just follow to the finish. I really hope there's a team that can outsmart Jumbo, make them the chasers all the time. UAE has a strong trio, Alpecin, even Quickstep I won't rule out. Julian and Asgreen will ride smarter, hopefully.

First time I'm constantly thinking about tactics, even a bit nervous days before. Hope for a Mathieu solo. Or I want to see him at the back when they start sprinting. I'm ready for it!

I don't really expect much from Jumbo to be honest. I don't think Benoot and Laporte are much better than they were last year. Eventually when the big boys attack they can't follow, and Alpecin-UAE will never give them more than a 1min gap.

 

[Sciatic]

This thread would have benefited from a poll. Not just on the big three but the next level possibilities - Asgreen, Pedersen, Cosnefroy, Mohoric, Küng, Powless, Pidcock and Teuns.

But thanks to the big three I have never known such anticipation before Ronde. The sport is alive and well!

As for my tip:

Head says MVDP or WvA.
Heart says Küng or Pogi.

I agree about the anticipation. We’re used to excitement about two closely-matched top riders going into a showdown race, such as we saw last week. But this reminds me of the excitement prior to that Tour where the 3 absolute best GT guys—Contador, Froome, and Nibali—were heading into it at their very best and we anticipated a 3-way battle royale.

Uh-oh.