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

[sir fly]

QS guys riding in the front couple of dozens of the peloton

 

[MagnusMagnussen]

Who's going to crash this year in the final k?

 

[carolina]

First crash, but everyone is alright. It was nothing serious.

 

[shalgo]

The most exciting moment of the race so far: Sagan fetching bottles.

 

[sir fly]

Re:

The most exciting moment of the race so far: Sagan fetching bottles.

He was struggling!

 

[GraftPunk]

Re:

The most exciting moment of the race so far: Sagan fetching bottles.

Fetching for the lulz I suppose?

 

[saganftw]

did the same last year,then pulled out like 20 km to go

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re:

did the same last year,then pulled out like 20 km to go

And people sometimes accusing him of lacking a racing brain! That's the smartest approach to this race.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

did the same last year,then pulled out like 20 km to go

And people sometimes accusing him of lacking a racing brain! That's the smartest approach to this race.

I think and hope this is sarcasm..

 

[saganftw]

its not sarcasm,scheldeprijs is famous for crashes

 

[Valv.Piti]

I am well aware of that, but you don't exactly need racing brain or smarts to decide that.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re: Re:

did the same last year,then pulled out like 20 km to go

And people sometimes accusing him of lacking a racing brain! That's the smartest approach to this race.

I think and hope this is sarcasm..

It's certainly not sarcasm. If I was a Paris-Roubaix contender and was ordered to ride this mess, I'd think getting a few bottles and dropping out long before the sprint was the wisest use of my efforts.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re:

I am well aware of that, but you don't exactly need racing brain or smarts to decide that.

And yet many will stick around and contest the sprint or follow it in closely.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

did the same last year,then pulled out like 20 km to go

And people sometimes accusing him of lacking a racing brain! That's the smartest approach to this race.

I think and hope this is sarcasm..

It's certainly not sarcasm. If I was a Paris-Roubaix contender and was ordered to ride this mess, I'd think getting a few bottles and dropping out long before the sprint was the wisest use of my efforts.

Couldn't he try to attack and go off the front instead - or get in the break? Would avoid the crashes and actually have an outside shot of winning the race. Not really sure what the point is in entering this just to collect bottles for team-mates, three days after crashing with another big race next weekend. If he's being forced to ride it, at least go for the win.

 

[saganftw]

its training for him,thats what big time riders do, they enter smaller races to train and leave the race for teammates who help them throughout the season

 

[sir fly]

Don't know what's situation with Zhupa's contract for the next season, but if he's free UAE or Bahrain might be good destinations for him.

 

[May0maniac]

Re:

Don't know what's situation with Zhupa's contract for the next season, but if he's free UAE or Bahrain might be good destinations for him.

Why would they sign him?

 

[DFA123]

Re:

its training for him,thats what big time riders do, they enter smaller races to train and leave the race for teammates who help them throughout the season

Well, it would be the biggest win of his season. Perhaps worth more than training.

 

[saganftw]

if he is about to contest the sprint i doubt it would be because of lack of results, but more to do with checking if his hip can take it

 

[sir fly]

Re: Re:

Don't know what's situation with Zhupa's contract for the next season, but if he's free UAE or Bahrain might be good destinations for him.

Why would they sign him?

They need to strengthen their Classics squads.
Could be useful in short stage races too. He's a strong rider who knows the roads in the north.

 

[May0maniac]

Tommeke training session right now, he's leading the main bunch.

 

[therhodeo]

Safest place for Tom to be.

 

[Jagartrott]

OK, Tom, get out of there now please.

 

[May0maniac]

And here we go, it's a demolition derby on roadbikes.

 

[carolina]

big crash!