Tim Wellens thread

[El Pistolero]

Re:

No semi AGR/LBL/TDF stages this year?

Only the stage to Geraardsbergen is interesting. And that's not ideal terrain for him to win the race on.

The winner will be someone with a strong team, decent time trial and someone that can hold his own on the cobbles. The bonus seconds can also play an important role. I just don't think we'll see a worthy winner of the race this year. Greg van Avermaet can win it if he gains a lot of time in the TTT and doesn't lose too much in the TT. I don't know how long the time trial is, or if it's flat or hilly, but if Tom Dumoulin starts, he's the favorite.

 

[Samamba]

Re:

No semi AGR/LBL/TDF stages this year?

The Flanders and AGR (it is in Belgium though, but near Maastricht) stage are still in it but they aren't hard enough to make the difference. The TT's and boni seconds will probably be decisive. Pretty lame. Back to the Martin/Gutierrez/Julich/Hagen borefest. The only positive thing about the change is that it will make the "Golden KM" more exciting.

Only bad weather in the last two stages can make this interesting.

 

[Kokoso]

What about his insane cadency today? That was really striking. Extreme, just doesn't seem right. Maybe if he would take it slower, results would be better. Watched L.A. too much I suppose.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Also surprisingly bad in the road race. But he could just have had an off day

 

[Kokoso]

Re:

Also surprisingly bad in the road race. But he could just have had an off day

His chances were hampered, it was neither freezing nor raining (just joking)

 

[Gigs_98]

Already three wins this year, and the season hasn't even really started yet. I really hope he'll win a few one day races this spring.

 

[Flamin]

Wellens starts reminding me more and more of De Gendt. A special breed in the peloton that like to do their own thing, very unpredictable but truly superb on a good day and not afraid of a looong solo.

Only the former is more explosive and therefore likely to win more races while the latter has the bigger engine.

 

[trevim]

It's kind of disturbing to see Wellens winning races not in the WT. It breaks a nice pattern, hopefully he fixes that soon.

 

[Tonton]

Wellens is a strong and smart rider. He had this thing figured out, and he was irresistible. Good for him. He's a guy who can win big. I don't know what his schedule is for '17, but he can win a monument, no doubt. He's strong and smart.

 

[Wurfel]

Wellens is a strong and smart rider. He had this thing figured out, and he was irresistible. Good for him. He's a guy who can win big. I don't know what his schedule is for '17, but he can win a monument, no doubt. He's strong and smart.

He can only do this kind of thing because he is no threat in the GC. Okay, he is good and sometimes has nice results, but if the big guys are good and on their terrain Wellens has to let them go. I really don't believe in a monument for him at this time...

 

[Valv.Piti]

Wellens is a strong and smart rider. He had this thing figured out, and he was irresistible. Good for him. He's a guy who can win big. I don't know what his schedule is for '17, but he can win a monument, no doubt. He's strong and smart.

He can only do this kind of thing because he is no threat in the GC. Okay, he is good and sometimes has nice results, but if the big guys are good and on their terrain Wellens has to let them go. I really don't believe in a monument for him at this time...

I don't really believe in a monument either, he can only win L-B-L and Lombardia. He doesn't have to tho, he is already creating a very nice palmarés for himself.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Doesn't it always rain in Bergen though? Wellens for WC

 

[Gigs_98]

Wellens is a strong and smart rider. He had this thing figured out, and he was irresistible. Good for him. He's a guy who can win big. I don't know what his schedule is for '17, but he can win a monument, no doubt. He's strong and smart.

He can only do this kind of thing because he is no threat in the GC. Okay, he is good and sometimes has nice results, but if the big guys are good and on their terrain Wellens has to let them go. I really don't believe in a monument for him at this time...

I don't really believe in a monument either, he can only win L-B-L and Lombardia. He doesn't have to tho, he is already creating a very nice palmarés for himself.

That counts for most riders who win these two races though.
I also don't think its true that there are no scenarios where he is stronger than anyone else. His rivals which got completely demolished by him in the eneco tour weren't exactly nonames and I doubt anyone else could have done what he did in poland last year.

 

[Flamin]

Wellens is a strong and smart rider. He had this thing figured out, and he was irresistible. Good for him. He's a guy who can win big. I don't know what his schedule is for '17, but he can win a monument, no doubt. He's strong and smart.

Don't know his exact schedule but Strade Bianche is next (then Tirreno probably), which should suit him very well. Also Ardennes and Tour.

How things are looking for now, a monument will be extremely difficult. He's never done well in Liège despite having set his mind on it, and it's not a race made for him. Too passive these days. Lombardia maybe if they do a soft route like 2014 (and if it rains) but no chance on a hard one like 2015-2016.

 

[SafeBet]

I'm very curious to see him ride Strade Bianche, since he's never tried it before.
His shape seems excellent.

 

[Echoes]

He's very ambitious for the Strade Bianche, he's raced on them as a U23. He also wants to race Milan-Sanremo (source: Het Laatste Nieuws)

 

[Netserk]

Let's hope he won't be alone over Cipressa, but in a brave and strong group. He would certainly add to that.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Since Lotto doesn't bring any top sprinter (no disrespect for Debusschere or Roelandts), they could be very offensive.

Looking forward for them, they're a joy to watch in the Classics.

 

[the asian]

I have high expectations for him at Strade Bianche.

He certainly will be aggresive and animate the race, considering the shape he is in.

It also seems to be the most suited classic for him.

 

[Gigs_98]

Great ride from him. How he let the peloton explode on Monte Sante Marie and how he bridged a few gaps during the race was just incredible. Iirc he bridged a twenty second gap to Kwiat, Stybar and Dumoulin, who worked together quite well, almost alone.
I really would have loved to see him doing a solo like Kwiat, but still I'm very happy about his performance.

 

[Forever The Best]

Another awesome race by Rain Wellens
Hope to see him like this on MSR as well.

 

[Alexandre B.]

He's a great ambassador to the sport.

I wish him all the best for his Ardennes campaign.

 

[the asian]

Awesome Performance.

Glad that he proved me right.

Wishing him all the best for LBL.

 

[Samamba]

Re:

Awesome Performance.

Glad that he proved me right.

Wishing him all the best for LBL.

Great prediction.
Think L-B-L is still a bit too much for him (he never performed there), but who knows. He looks stronger than ever.
Hope he animates Amstel again and goes for it in MSR (Greipel isn't riding so he has a free role).

 

[Velolover2]

Would Wellens be able to do well in Flanders or is it too flat for him?