Saturday 26th of March: E3 Prijs Vlaanderen - Harelbeke, 201km

[il_fiammingo]

Not really, since they're both racing on Saturday, and to win one of them will have to beat the other (and Cancellara, Hushovd, Devolder, etc. but that's another story)

E3 is way too hard for Hushovd.

 

[Lanark]

E3 is way too hard for Hushovd.

Not without Boonen, Ballan, Pozzato, Gilbert and Flecha. Cancellara is the only guy here who is a lot better than Hushovd on the hills, the other guys are only marginally better, and that's if they're in great shape (which Hushovd probably is).

 

[hfer07]

FLECHA

I wish he could win it

 

[jaylew]

Startlist (see through another link)

You can actually link to individual races at cyclingstartlists

The startlist for E3

Going to go with Haussler for this one.

 

[Sciatic]

Thanks for the link to the E3 webpage. They have an excellent timetable that includes cool little symbols for the cobbled sections and the stats for each climb, in some ways easier to use during the race than the course profile: http://www.e3prijsvlaanderen.be/files/E3_timetable.pdf

I mean easier to use for viewers...

 

[blaxland]

I second the vote for Haussler Garmin.

 

[beer_thirty]

Dang.. how sad when looking at the start list. I REALLY love this race, but GW has really taken a lot away from it. Not that GW is awful, but I think E3 just lends itself to much better racing.

Hoste?? Can't see him firing the bullets just one week before the one race he'd sell his soul to win. He does seem good this year.

Nuyens? Tough call.. he's on form and very motivated. Do you give it all to win a big race, or save yourself and gamble on a once in a lifetime win in the BIGGEST race for the Belgians? He already gave a lot just to win Dwars; has to be thinking Flanders.

Boom? I could totally see him winning this; he'll be going all out.

Fabian? If he wants it, it's his. He was a bit off in mid-week but his MSR showed him to be right there. Just too easy a pick, but there's no one to touch him if he wants it.

Devolder? Meh, it's not Flanders.

No way Thor wins this.

Heinrich?? I just don't know; I'd love to see some sparks from him, and for me he's the wildcard. He'll want a confidence builder before next week. He's my second pick.

Taking the easy way out and going with Spartacus. I'm a big fan of his, btw, but it would be great if there was someone else here who could compete w/him. I'd sure hate to see this race go away but this year is a bad sign indeed.

 

[Anonymous]

You can actually link to individual races at cyclingstartlists

The startlist for E3

Going to go with Haussler for this one.

+1 Haussler.

 

[lucybears]

You can actually link to individual races at cyclingstartlists
The startlist for E3

and you can also see what the startlists for upcoming races are in tthe same way here
http://www.cyclingfever.com/startlist.html

and also 'put your money where your mouth is' here with the Competition Specials @
http://www.cyclingfever.com/

well, no money really, as all their competitions are free to enter...

 

[Sasquatch]

Devolder will take this

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Nah, I remember the deal! Tomorrow the farce ends.

care to risk getting that avatar back

boom did quite well last year, still haven't had a real indication on how his form is in the cobbles.

I like Flecha, he seems on mighty form. I like him for PR also (not flanders).

 

[Publicus]

Anyone know what time (CET) live streams become available for this race?

 

[Michele]

14:30


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[boomcie]

care to risk getting that avatar back

boom did quite well last year, still haven't had a real indication on how his form is in the cobbles.

I like Flecha, he seems on mighty form. I like him for PR also (not flanders).

I'll do another bet for Flanders, not this week. Flecha will do good, he's been a very consistent rider for a long while now.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

An E3 without Boonen isn't a true E3

 

[El Pistolero]

Here's a prediction for the Dutchies: A certain swiss bear will mark his territory on a certain Dutch Boom.

 

[maltiv]

I still believe that Cancellara's attack in E3 last year was the most impressive attack of the year. He just got a few meters on Boonen and yet Boonen couldn't make up the gap despite sprinting like a mad man, while Cancellara looked completely relaxed.

Will be interesting to see if he's that good this year.

 

[theyoungest]

Here's a prediction for the Dutchies: A certain swiss bear will mark his territory on a certain Dutch Boom.

Maybe Langeveld can get away while Canc is marking Boom

It seems the expectations for Boom are higher in Belgium. And if he doesn't live up to them immediately, he must return to cyclocross.

 

[ak-zaaf]

It seems the expectations for Boom are higher in Belgium. And if he doesn't live up to them immediately, he must return to cyclocross.

Idd, let him ride a good finale first before talking about winning a classic.

Would be fun if he went back though, Boom and Stybar humiliating the Belgian CX scene for the next 10 years.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

I don't see Cancellara being beaten if it's a hard race and if he's closely marked I think O'Grady is a major player. We may see a similar race to the year Arvesen won. Tosatto and Roelandts would be my other outsiders

 

[Anonymous]

Livestreams - From 2.30pm cet

BelgieCycling
JustinTV
BVLS 3
BVLS 5
BVLS 6
BVLS 7
BVLS 8
BVLS 9

It is expected that like Omloop there will be disruption to feeds by the Belgian Anti Piracy Federation. Most reliable source of footage is likely to be through streamtorrent (below)

Danish Delight (Streamtorrent)
Streamtorrent is a small, (virus and malware free program - fully checked) that you download which then allows you to stream tv over a p2p network. (PC Only)
You can download streamtorrent here

 

[El Pistolero]

Idd, let him ride a good finale first before talking about winning a classic.

Would be fun if he went back though, Boom and Stybar humiliating the Belgian CX scene for the next 10 years.

Stybar doesn't seem to do a very good job at that it seems.


Rank Name Nation Age* Points
1 (1) Sven NYS Belgium 35 2,050
2 (2) Niels ALBERT Belgium 25 2,023
3 (3) Kevin PAUWELS Belgium 27 1,960
4 (4) Zdenek STYBAR Czech Republic 26 1,760

 

[Havetts]

Didnt see any belgian get even close to holding his wheel on the world championships .

 

[El Pistolero]

Didnt see any belgian get even close to holding his wheel on the world championships .

So you only watch cycling in July as well I guess?

Belgian cyclocross scene= Super Prestige and the Gazet van Antwerpen trophy.

 

[theyoungest]

Oh dear, I shouldn't have mentioned cyclocross. There we go again.

Anyway, what I was trying to point out is that Boom's rep is mostly based on his cyclocross career. If someone moves from futsal to football you don't expect them to be at Champions League level either.