RVV - new finale

[Michielveedeebee]

3 times Kwaremont and Paterberg is a harder race than last year.

True dat, OK > MvG
but I must admit, I don't like the change

 

[slcbiker]

Waah!?
No Muur?

I watched one year from approximately where the guy in those earlier pictures was. The curve on the Kapelmuur. It was an awesome experience. Got there ~4 hours early.
Can't believe they would take that out. It's like MSR without the Cipressa or LBL without La Redoute.

 

[LugHugger]

For me this reinforces PR as THE Spring Classic. As somebody said earlier, laps are for crits NOT Classics.

 

[Race Radio]

For me this reinforces PR as THE Spring Classic. As somebody said earlier, laps are for crits NOT Classics.

They are not laps, the final climbs are not on the same path but essentially a figure 8 or an S

Can't believe they would take that out. It's like MSR without the Cipressa or LBL without La Redoute.

For most of MSR history there was no Cipressa, it was introduced in the 80's. Same for Flanders, the Muur did not become a standard until the 70's

 

[jens_attacks]

who cares,they took our muur!!!

 

[Michielveedeebee]

who cares,they took our muur!!!

Dey tk da mur !

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Dey tk da mur !

Drka murrrr

 

[Michielveedeebee]

No Muur is a disgrace

 

[Fowsto Cope-E]

I'm surprised that Koppenberg is still 50kms out. With a finish in Oudenaarde, they could have easily put it in the last 10km.

 

[L'arriviste]

No Muur is a disgrace

Let's give it a try. It will be good to change that long flat road through Parike to Geraardsbergen. The Muur isn't going anywhere in the meantime!

 

[Siriuscat]

Not sure I like the changes but i'd rather wait and see what kind of race the riders make it, the parcours is only one part of the issue. All races evolve and chances are that within a couple of editions the Muur will be back playing it's killer role in the Ronde.

Doesn't take away or alter its place as a monument, it is still an incredible race where ever they take it.

Echoes - can you send me some of what you're on matey!!

 

[profff]

no kappelmuur, no ronde
it is a sacrilege, a sin that cannot be forgiven

 

[zapata]

Let's give it a try. It will be good to change that long flat road through Parike to Geraardsbergen. The Muur isn't going anywhere in the meantime!

Exactly. They can always change it back if it doesn't work; from the comments you'd think it was the end of the world. I think the new parcours is intriguing.

 

[zapata]

no kappelmuur, no ronde
it is a sacrilege, a sin that cannot be forgiven

The muur wasn't really a fixture until the eighties, was it? All races change parcours over time, it's no big deal. I'm all for changing it around a bit.

 

[luckyboy]

I'm surprised that Koppenberg is still 50kms out. With a finish in Oudenaarde, they could have easily put it in the last 10km.

Yeah I thought I might be closer. It'd be a bit cruel putting it that late I think.

I'm just disappointed by the amount of flat after the final hill.

 

[Scatto]

Vandenhaute is a sick man without a soul. Paying for a road race, taking away the sport of the people? Doing two hills thrice and scratching a legendary climb? As if there's a lack of hills or villages that want a pass of De Ronde. It's plain stupid. They can change the order of hills, finish line, anything they want, but then change it for the better.

 

[Maxiton]

Exactly. They can always change it back if it doesn't work; from the comments you'd think it was the end of the world. I think the new parcours is intriguing.

Exactly exactly. I say give it a try. Might be good. If it is and they do it for a few years and then switch back, people will be complaining all over again and we can all laugh. That is, if we're not complaining. Let's see how it goes.

 

[Descender]

Echoes is not trolling nor high, he's serious about his post. He's said many times he doesn't like the RvV and doesn't deem it a worthy classic.

 

[Descender]

As for me, I'm saddened by the loss of the Kapelmuur but I'll wait to see what the new course has in store. The Oude Kwaremont is also a classic climb of the race with lots of history.

 

[Anonymous]

Exactly exactly. I say give it a try. Might be good. If it is and they do it for a few years and then switch back, people will be complaining all over again and we can all laugh. That is, if we're not complaining. Let's see how it goes.

It might be good (or it might be crap).

There are only two loops at the end. The first one has 5 climbs and is about 37kms. The second loop has only 3 climbs and is about 20 kms the the Kwaremont and Paterberg are climbed for the final times.

It's going to be to be a harder race and harder to control. Keep in mind, the 9km finishing straight my be in a cross or cross/head wind.

Not climbing the Muur is a shame, but it would have been early in the race anyways. The Paterberg is harder than the Muur and going up it 3 times is going to hurt. Plus, the Kwaremont is a pretty long climb. It's not as steep as the Paterberg but once you crest the hill it still climbs another kilometer or so.

Those climbs are only 3kms apart. The final is going to be really hard.

 

[Anonymous]

Echoes is not trolling nor high, he's serious about his post. He's said many times he doesn't like the RvV and doesn't deem it a worthy classic.

Everyone is entitled to have an opinion that is completely wrong.

 

[luckyboy]

Echoes is not trolling nor high, he's serious about his post. He's said many times he doesn't like the RvV and doesn't deem it a worthy classic.

All I can find by searching 'Ronde' and user 'Echoes' is that he has said the Flanders classics tend to use climbs too often when some should be kept specially for De Ronde, and a quote from Merckx - 'I didn’t like the Tour of Flanders too much.'

That kind of reaction was to be expected after posting that 'it isn't a major classic' in this thread.

 

[Tank Engine]

I'll miss the Kapelmuur, in particular for the imagery. As for the parcours, I'd like the last climb to be closer to the finish, but Flanders is and will be one of my favourite races.

 

[Pantani_lives]

The Paterberg is only 350 m long. That's short to make a gap big enough to stay away 13k to the finish. The Bosberg was 1.3k, but only the final 400m were steep.
There was a time when the Bosberg was only 8k from the finish. That was the best final. There are always lobby groups who want the finish line at their front door, which usually means a long flat part after the last climb.

 

[El Pistolero]

The Paterberg is only 350 m long. That's short to make a gap big enough to stay away 13k to the finish. The Bosberg was 1.3k, but only the final 400m were steep.
There was a time when the Bosberg was only 8k from the finish. That was the best final. There are always lobby groups who want the finish line at their front door, which usually means a long flat part after the last climb.

But you're riding over the Paterberg and Kwaremont 3 times. It's heavier for sure.