Tour of Belgium, 25th -29th of May - 2.HC

[Moondance]

Devolder is so poor this season, Really hoped he would push on this term.

The Curse of the Sunny Vacationers strikes again!!!

 

[superconfex]

Lol.. Dutchman owning a Belgian race

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Didn't the sunny vacationers just win the stage?

 

[Moondance]

New arrivals to the team are only affected, obv. (the curse has to wear off eventually)

Also, I feel fairly confident in saying that this is Westra's first TT/prologue win, after a slew of second places in such stages.

 

[El Pistolero]

He even seemed dissapointed to finish 2nd, he thought he could win. He seems motivated

I'm actually glad he didn't win. Vacansolei need those wins more than OLO and Westra is nice to look at(riding style of course). His accent is annoying though.

But yeah, he(Phil) said "normaal moet ik winnen in Eupen". Love it when someone says things like that

His position seemed better than before. He's going to need it at the TTT of the Tour de France.

 

[Kwibus]

Nice win by Westra! Really happy for the guy.

He's been riding a lot of top5s in TT's this year and now finally he got a win. He really seems to be getting better every year. I hope he rides the TdF... I'm pretty sure he will actually.

 

[Moondance]

Nice win by Westra! Really happy for the guy.

He's been riding a lot of top5s in TT's this year and now finally he got a win. He really seems to be getting better every year. I hope he rides the TdF... I'm pretty sure he will actually.

I think his chances are good.

Vacansoleil have pretty much confirmed Feillu, Devolder, and Poels for the Tour. Besides those three I imagine Leukemans, de Gendt, and Marcato can be pretty sure of a start.

Which leaves plenty of room for Dutchies like Westra, and perhaps also Mouris and Hoogerland (if the latter can recover from the Giro).

 

[roundabout]

I know Devolder had good results in the past, but what has he done apart from winning the Tour of Belgium and the NC since the Ronde over 2 years ago?

 

[Moondance]

I know Devolder had good results in the past, but what has he done apart from winning the Tour of Belgium and the NC since the Ronde over 2 years ago?

That may be, after a google search I find Vacansoleil have confirmed him.

http://www.sportdome.nl/Nieuws/32605-Vacansoleil-met-drie-Belgen-naar-Tour-de-France.html

Might have been in his contract that he gets to ride the Tour. Anyway, Leukemans and de Gendt also confirmed.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Great news about De Gendt and Leukemans.
Guaranteed attacks.

And then there's Volderke...

 

[roundabout]

That may be, after a google search I find Vacansoleil have confirmed him.

http://www.sportdome.nl/Nieuws/32605-Vacansoleil-met-drie-Belgen-naar-Tour-de-France.html

Might have been in his contract that he gets to ride the Tour. Anyway, Leukemans and de Gendt also confirmed.

I hope it's not a long contract...

 

[Moondance]

I hope it's not a long contract...

This season and next I believe.

 

[Shardi]

Gilbert's TT placement could further fuel the "Gilbert future GT-GC winner" discussion. ("he can TT now, all there is left is to get the hang of longer ascents").

on topic: nice win for Westra.

 

[jens_attacks]

goddamn gillbert is so impressive...he will murder lots of guys in le tour.

 

[El Pistolero]

Is this the race thats the oldest (or one of the oldest) stage races in the world or is that another belgian race?

This is the oldest stage race in the world. Only the Tour de France is older. First held in 1908 and won by someone who won the Tour in the same year.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

This is the oldest stage race in the world. Only the Tour de France is older.

Is it the oldest or not?

 

[El Pistolero]

Is it the oldest or not?

I mean one week stage race.

 

[Barrus]

Stybar his TT position was absolutely atrocious compared to others. I am still amazed he could finish that well. Wonder how good he can get at prologues if he works on his TT positioning

 

[will10]

Stybar his TT position was absolutely atrocious compared to others. I am still amazed he could finish that well. Wonder how well he can et at prologues if he works on his TT positioning

Got a pic? didn't see him ride.

 

[El Pistolero]

Got a pic? didn't see him ride.

No pic, but it really was horrible.

 

[Barrus]

Got a pic? didn't see him ride.

Can't find a pic
It looked as though he was riding a regular bike. He made almost no use of the handlebars at the front (no idea what you call them ) and his position was completely not aero, he sat way too high. It looked like it was one of his first times on a TT bike

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

It looked like it was one of his first times on a TT bike

And I think it really was.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

BTW: about the same can be said about Rob Goris.
The guy was captain of the Belgian national Ice hockey team until 2009

29 years old, but only his first year as a pro (after a year with the amateurs)

Ended 18th at 13sec!!!!

 

[El Pistolero]

BTW: about the same can be said about Rob Goris.
The guy was captain of the Belgian national Ice hockey team until 2009

29 years old, but only his first year as a pro (after a year with the amateurs)

Ended 18th at 13sec!!!!

Did you see his legs? Looked like the actor from rundskop

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Did you see his legs? Looked like the actor from rundskop

Yep his thighs are amazing + the guy weighed 110 kgs 3 years ago