Tommeke, The Greatest Cobblestone Rider of All Time?

[King Boonen]

Very disappointed

 

[scholar]

From a picture, the angle he landed at would syggest he hit it hard

(That signature didn't last long.)

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

No broken bones, but no classics either. He has to rest 3 to 6 weeks and no competition for sure.

Too bad really, one of the few classics rider who really want to race from far out gone

 

[Tournesol]

This is so disappointing.Although others like Vanmarcke and Sagan would have been there,the duel between Tommeke and Cancellara would have been the main draw at RVV/PR.Gutted for him.

 

[Volderke]

No broken bones, but no classics either. He has to rest 3 to 6 weeks and no competition for sure.

Too bad really, one of the few classics rider who really want to race from far out gone

So 2 weeks on rollers/hometrainer, 1 week with some bike rides, some competition and he'll be ready for Roubaix, no?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

So 2 weeks on rollers/hometrainer, 1 week with some bike rides, some competition and he'll be ready for Roubaix, no?

Lefevre already confirmed it's certain he'll miss the classics. So no.

 

[bala v]

So only WCRR could save his season now

 

[Tournesol]

So only WCRR could save his season now

I was trying to think what other targets he could aim for apart from Worlds but not much springs to mind.

 

[peloton]

So 2 weeks on rollers/hometrainer, 1 week with some bike rides, some competition and he'll be ready for Roubaix, no?

Riding the cobbles with a dislocated shoulder is impossible.

Very bad news, dammit

 

[Netserk]

That's three years in a row with bad luck heavily influencing his cobbles campaign

 

[Flamin]

Damn he must be super disappointed. His season just ended here as there's nothing left to win for the remainder of the year. Next goal is 12 months away, I hope he can still find enough motivation.

 

[Pentacycle]

There's also a cobbled stage in the Tour where he would be a big favourite, but I doubt he could me motivated to join that crashfest.

 

[Netserk]

Damn he must be super disappointed. His season just ended here as there's nothing left to win for the remainder of the year. Next goal is 12 months away, I hope he can still find enough motivation.

Worlds?

I would like him to aim for Paris-Tours as well.

 

[Flamin]

Worlds?

I would like him to aim for Paris-Tours as well.

At this point of his career, the only big races Tommeke can potentially win are those with at least 50k of cobbles in it.

 

[winkybiker]

And he's out for Flanders and Roubaix. Tragic. Much of my interest is gone.

 

[May0maniac]

And he's out for Flanders and Roubaix. Tragic. Much of my interest is gone.

They are still awesome races, but I will miss him

 

[hfer07]

Quite frankly- is a pity that Boonen suffered this injury right before the classics....... Having said that, I believe he wasn't going to be a decisive factor in the classics at all, since he seems to be fading while Terpstra appears to be in much better shape & ready to lead the team properly.

 

[sir fly]

I wish him fast recovery and mental toughness.
On the other hand, this changes the classics' game massively.

 

[trevim]

Quite frankly- is a pity that Boonen suffered this injury right before the classics....... Having said that, I believe he wasn't going to be a decisive factor in the classics at all, since he seems to be fading while Terpstra appears to be in much better shape & ready to lead the team properly.

Yeah I agree but it will be totally different for Terpstra to lead Ettix without Boonen taking the heat of the pressure. Let's see how he handles it

 

[scholar]

Yeah I agree but it will be totally different for Terpstra to lead Ettix without Boonen taking the heat of the pressure. Let's see how he handles it

I think you're right, but between ?tybar, Terpstra and Vandenbergh there's enough talent for them to be able to make sure that a talented rider can benefit from someone else's being marked. Of course, converting that benefit into a win is a different matter entirely.

 

[Netserk]

I just hope Terpstra attacks before Kwaremont in Ronde. No way he can follow Canc and Vanmarcke (and Sagan if in top form) there. It's nice to have many cards to play, but if you keep them in your hand they won't be worth much. Stybar is perfect in the role of following the others.

 

[scholar]

I just hope Terpstra attacks before Kwaremont in Ronde. No way he can follow Canc and Vanmarcke (and Sagan if in top form) there. It's nice to have many cards to play, but if you keep them in your hand they won't be worth much. Stybar is perfect in the role of following the others.

Yes, particularly to the last bit, as he showed in PR 2013. Then again, I'd be interested to see what Terpstra could do if Vandenbergh went up the road before the Kwaremont and ?tybar latched onto Cancellara/Vanmarcke etc. It could mix things up interestingly.

With Tommeke out I wonder if they'll consider bringing Kwiatkowski in for the Ronde. I mean, I'm sure they won't, but we can dream, right? I'd love to see what he can do two years on from being the closest to being able to follow Cancellara and Sagan from the break (and after Chavanel was dropped so easily).

 

[Netserk]

Yes, particularly to the last bit, as he showed in PR 2013. Then again, I'd be interested to see what Terpstra could do if Vandenbergh went up the road before the Kwaremont and ?tybar latched onto Cancellara/Vanmarcke etc. It could mix things up interestingly.

With Tommeke out I wonder if they'll consider bringing Kwiatkowski in for the Ronde. I mean, I'm sure they won't, but we can dream, right? I'd love to see what he can do two years on from being the closest to being able to follow Cancellara and Sagan from the break (and after Chavanel was dropped so easily).

Vandenbergh up ahead = no go.

Absolutely only if it's relatively early so another from the team can bridge up to him before Kwaremont. The dude can't win. He can pull and that's it. Sure, he is strong, but he isn't explosive nor smart. A move from him on the penultimate Kwaremont or using him to chase/pull hard in final is the best they can do with him.

 

[TourOfTexas]

Lefevre already confirmed it's certain he'll miss the classics. So no.

Nothing is certain. We'll see. Contador dominated the Vuelta after "for sure not going to ride it".

 

[scholar]

Vandenbergh up ahead = no go.

Absolutely only if it's relatively early so another from the team can bridge up to him before Kwaremont. The dude can't win. He can pull and that's it. Sure, he is strong, but he isn't explosive nor smart. A move from him on the penultimate Kwaremont or using him to chase/pull hard in final is the best they can do with him.

Agreed, as far as his chances are concerned. But having him up-front from early on would be useful in ensuring that neither ?tybar nor Terpstra had to pull, wherever it is that they bridge. And he could be useful for either (or both) of them.