Scheldeprijs (1.HC), April 5th, 2017, 202 km

[shalgo]

To borrow a line from burning, it is time for The Official Best Race In The World®

Course:

Profile:

Startlist: http://www.scheldeprijs.be/sites/default/files/pdf/download_file.pdf

Some inspirational quotes:

There aren't worse races than Scheldeprijs. That race literally only exists to injure people. You could have a better event by holding a prize draw where the first ten riders whose race numbers are pulled out of a hat get their collarbones snapped, and the remainder then hold a 100 meter drag race.

In the name of God, Allah, and all that is holy in all religions including all nine million deities of Shinto, couldn't you have censored the title? Normally this forum isn't NSFW, and I nearly had a coronary when I saw this!

You could have a better race by lining up 200 riders, karate chopping through the collarbones of 20 selected at random, and then having a 1km race between the other 180.

This race basically only exists to injure people.

don't expect a lot of updates here tomorrow. only libertine will post some sweet words about the action

Afraid I'll be distracted by the International Paint Drying from Longyearbyen and won't be able to find the time to watch this most prestigious of classics.

Yawn.

Profile: _____________________crash__sprint

Finally, some images of what we can all expect to see tomorrow:

 

[Valv.Piti]

Still better than the two first stages of Tour of the Lowlands

 

[Red Rick]

To borrow a line from burning, it is time for The Official Best Race In The World®

Please do realise you risk the wrath of Libertine Seguros

 

[shalgo]

To borrow a line from burning, it is time for The Official Best Race In The World®

Please do realise you risk the wrath of Libertine Seguros

Did you read the inspirational quotes? Getting an angry reaction from LS is the best thing about this race every year.

 

[Netserk]

Don't get hurt, Tommeke!

 

[May0maniac]

It's a demolition derby on roadbikes.
Watching this race is a bit like watching Nascar, most people just watch it for the crashes.
Will Scheldemerckx get his 5th win?

 

[May0maniac]

Re:

Don't get hurt, Tommeke!

Yes, that's the most importat thing. I understand why he's riding, but I'm still a bit nervous.

 

[shalgo]

Re:

Scheldemerckx

Genius.

 

[yaco]

Last year was fairly free of crashes with the change of route in the last 5 kms.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Scheldemerckx

Genius.

Haha, it really is. I didn't think it was possible to come up with better nicknames than my man Kirby, but Mayo just pulled it off!

 

[del1962]

The sixth monument beckons

 

[RedheadDane]

Re:

Don't get hurt, Tommeke!

I think we can assume that Boonen is smart enough to not get mixed up in the sprint and risk crashing.

 

[trucido]

Re:

The sixth monument beckons

This is the Grand Monument, the other 5 don't compare.

 

[shalgo]

This thread still hasn't been stickied. Are the mods asleep?

 

[del1962]

Cav not on startlist

 

[GraftPunk]

This race is more or less the cycling equivalent of aussie rules football. Should be fun (at least towards the end!).

 

[Max Rockatansky]

Nico Denz described it as a race, that is just on the calendar and nobody likes. It is only there for the legs not to go dead before Roubaix.

This thread still hasn't been stickied. Are the mods asleep?

Hopefully the< will delete it.

 

[Netserk]

Re:

Nico Denz described it as a race, that is just on the calendar and nobody likes. It is only there for the legs not to go dead before Roubaix.

Hasn't it only been before Roubaix since 2010? Or has it been so a long time ago as well?

 

[El Pistolero]

This is a race for wannabes who think they're classic specialists just because they won the Scheldeprijs or Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne lol.

 

[RedheadDane]

Re: Re:

Nico Denz described it as a race, that is just on the calendar and nobody likes. It is only there for the legs not to go dead before Roubaix.

Hasn't it only been before Roubaix since 2010? Or has it been so a long time ago as well?

Nico Denz only became a pro in 2015, so for him that's how it's always been...

 

[Billie]

Re: Re:

Nico Denz described it as a race, that is just on the calendar and nobody likes. It is only there for the legs not to go dead before Roubaix.

Hasn't it only been before Roubaix since 2010? Or has it been so a long time ago as well?

It used to be after Roubaix before then.

I remember in 2005 or 2006 Quick step were absolute shite in Roubaix, Boonen was alone for the last 80 kms there so as punishment they were all forced to go full gas from the start in Scheldeprijs. Only about 20 guys managed to finish that year.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Let's just hope that as few people as possible get injured and that nobody gets forced out of Paris-Roubaix.

 

[shalgo]

Re:

Let's just hope that as few people as possible get injured and that nobody gets forced out of Paris-Roubaix.

In all seriousness, that is indeed what we should hope for.

 

[myrideissteelerthanyours]

Re:

This is a race for wannabes who think they're classic specialists just because they won the Scheldeprijs or Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne lol.

I think you mean Vattenfall he never won KBK and only podiumed other semiclassics.

 

[barmaher]

So this race is actually taking place now, believe it or not.

There is a group of 7 lads up the road. They are just over 3 minutes ahead with around 110km remaining. It is a very unremarkable break.

Pim Ligthart
Roompot - Nederlandse Loterij

Marco Mathis
Katusha-Alpecin

Christophe Premont
Veranda's Willems Crelan

Stijn Steels
Sport Vlaanderen - Baloise

Frederik Veuchelen
Wanty - Groupe Gobert

Eugert Zhupa
Wilier Triestina

Julien Stassen
WB Veranclassic Aqua Protect