Tour de Belgique - May 26-May 30

[theyoungest]

Gilbert got time bonuses during the 1st stage, so the rain just compensates.

Cornu was the fastest at the intermediate. The best won.

+1
IIRC, Gilbert was something like 20 secs back on the first time check, and the weather looked more or less ok there, so I guess a top-20 result could have been possible, but nothing more.

Moerenhout could have won the Tour last year, and I hope he wins it today.

 

[Andre.J]

Well I hope he does well today. Meanwhile, Dries Devenyns has put himself in a good position for the overall. Maybe even Devolder could win it all.

 

[theyoungest]

Freire, Hoste, Lequatre, and Ruygh have a 1'46" gap on the peloton.

 

[tgsgirl]

Oscarcito's in a break? Weird, but awesome.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Well the peloton already split in pieces, and last year when the TV coverage started, only 30 riders were left with 80km to go...

The difference in strength between the few PT teams and the many CT teams is so big that this stage usually ends in total massacre
Thus Freire in the break, not so suprising, probably rode away with a group when the peloton was splitting.

 

[theyoungest]

Oscarcito's in a break? Weird, but awesome.

He's 53 secs back on GC, and that makes him Rabobank's worst placed rider (I think) so he's the obvious choice to send in the break Just using up Skil's resources, I guess.

 

[theyoungest]

Kenny van Hummel is leading the peloton on La Redoute.

 

[Jamsque]

Gap is growing according to the ticker.

Friere for the stage, Hoste for the overall?

 

[Echoes]

Live begins on TV. Peloton is 1.46 behind, now. So no.


http://bvls2.yolasite.com/ch-12.php

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Kenny van Hummel is leading the peloton on La Redoute.

And Devolder had to drop off on La Redoute.

Wow. Devolder being dropped by Kenny van Hummel. That says a lot about Devolder

 

[theyoungest]

Meanwhile, Gilbert is crushing everyone.

 

[Bernardus]

Meanwhile, Gilbert is crushing everyone.

He has even crushed his back tire.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Albert dropped from the peloton. Clearly not as good as last year

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

And Devolder found his second life.

It's almost like the Tour of Flanders. Being dropped early on, and then extremely strong in the second part

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I think Devolder has this in the bag

 

[Mellow Velo]

I think Devolder has this in the bag

That comment could easily get misunderstood around here!

 

[tgsgirl]

Hermans wins the stage, Volder gets the GC as both ride over the line in a victory salute.

 

[Andre.J]

Great effort from Gilbert to come back from the flat tire. It would have been his stage probably.

 

[Andre.J]

Cornu is a giant!!!

Ben Hermans racing like a future star.

 

[Echoes]

Albert dropped from the peloton. Clearly not as good as last year

He dropped out on the bridge. How much has he trained since february?

But Walsleben was strong. If he can hold this form level till next winter, it's gonna be fun.

Nys and Franzoi weren't that bad either. I expected more from Pauwels, however.

 

[Echoes]

Devolder said he had an incident on the Redoute. Haven't really understood. But Gilbert noticed very early that he was not good in the beginning. Strange.

 

[jaylew]

But Walsleben was strong. If he can hold this form level till next winter, it's gonna be fun.

I noticed you left him off your 'crossers list above. Oversight?

 

[jaylew]

Chtioui looks like a guy to keep an eye on for the future. 1st year with the big boys and solid, solid results all year long. He finished every stage in the top 13 riders.

 

[Echoes]

I noticed you left him off your 'crossers list above. Oversight?

Oh yeah, thx. I'm editing.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Great to see Devolder back in form.

Devolder for the win in Switzerland?