Tour of Flanders, 2014

[Scott SoCal]

The parcours has been announced. A few key changes... namely, the Koppenberg is just 45kms from the finish and only two times up the Paterberg.

Should open up the racing....

http://www.rondevanvlaanderen.be

 

[Parrulo]

Seems much improved although the last 13k of dead flat on idiotic large roads are still there. . . .

Still it seems like a big improvement.

When does the Oudenaarde finish deal end? The race hasn't been the same since it moved there. . .

 

[Parrulo]

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/15853/Koppenberg-takes-centre-stage-in-2014-Ronde-van-Vlaanderen-route.aspx

A few more details.

 

[Scott SoCal]

Seems much improved although the last 13k of dead flat on idiotic large roads are still there. . . .

Still it seems like a big improvement.

When does the Oudenaarde finish deal end? The race hasn't been the same since it moved there. . .

I think the finale is the same as last year. 10 or 12kms to the line after the last ascent of the Paterberg.

 

[Parrulo]

I think the finale is the same as last year. 10 or 12kms to the line after the last ascent of the Paterberg.

Yup, i misread the finish line km thingy and instead of 259 i read 250

 

[Ferminal]

I think I can hear Luca and Fabian celebrating already. Although if Koppenberg is a ****fight it could mess the train up.

 

[Scott SoCal]

I think I can hear Luca and Fabian celebrating already. Although if Koppenberg is a ****fight it could mess the train up.

I have much respect for Canc. But Sagan is gonna kick him where it hurts.

Sagan's race to lose... and I can't wait to see him at Roubaix next year.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

I have much respect for Canc. But Sagan is gonna kick him where it hurts.

Sagan's race to lose... and I can't wait to see him at Roubaix next year.

I think he could be marked out of the game as they say in football.

Edit: Your tickets ready for yearly trip next year?

 

[Scott SoCal]

I think he could be marked out of the game as they say in football.

Edit: Your tickets ready for yearly trip next year?

Yes sir. The Ronde Cyclo entry is already done (open now). The Paris-Roubaix Challenge opens up December 2nd, I believe.

Yep, spring in Belgium (and France). Nothing like it.

 

[screaming fist]

Sagan is going to own Cance, just like this year

 

[maltiv]

I have much respect for Canc. But Sagan is gonna kick him where it hurts.

Sagan's race to lose... and I can't wait to see him at Roubaix next year.

Cancellara dropped him so easily last year, I don't see why that would change all of a sudden.

 

[Scott SoCal]

Cancellara dropped him so easily last year, I don't see why that would change all of a sudden.

I'm betting Cancellara would tell you it was not easy to dump Sagan.

Let's put it this way:

Who do you think Cancellara is more concerned about: Boonen or Sagan?

Who do you think Boonen is more concerned about: Cancellara or Sagan?

Both would say "both" but I'm guessing each is more concerned with Sagan.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Cancellara dropped him so easily last year, I don't see why that would change all of a sudden.

Meh, it wasn't that spectacular. I don't think Sagan has to improve by all that much to be able to stay in his wheel. (But that won't necessarily win him the race, either, of course.)

 

[barmaher]

Sagan will be a year older.

Cancellara will be a year older.

Both of these facts will favour the Slovakian.

I just hope the big three all tog out fit and on form in April. Then we're in for a treat.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Sagan will be a year older.

Cancellara will be a year older.

Both of these facts will favour the Slovakian.

I just hope the big three all tog out fit and on form in April. Then we're in for a treat.

This...that would make it one great vlaanderen.

 

[Afrank]

Very glad to see they have changed it, course they've used the last couple years has sucked big time. These parcours look better and like they could open up the race more. Look much better, we'll have to see how the riders decide to race them now.

Now I just want to see this.

I just hope the big three all tog out fit and on form in April. Then we're in for a treat.

So, nobody crash this time!

 

[jens_attacks]

definitely better
i hated the guts out of that kwaremont-paterberg criterium


nibali attack on koppenberg imminent!!!

 

[Opalius]

Ugh. It makes me psyched just speaking about them duking it out.

Couldn't care less about who'd win, as long as they'd provide us with a phenomenal spectacle.

Route looks better.

 

[barmaher]

I am looking forward to seeing Kwiatowski ride this next year.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

This approach is 3857291,6x better than the 2012-13 route. Maybe even 3857291,7x.

The big problem with the Oudenaarde finish is nothing more than the insanely long, straight and dull closing stretch on the N453. Even if it took the climbs a couple more km from the end, going in on the N8 and around the north of the town, or from the N453 route turning left and heading through Bevere, having a few corners and running through the city streets (even on the occasional urban cobbles that are nothing more than ceremonial, like sector 1 in Roubaix) would make it just much more scenic and appealing a finale rather than an interminable straight line. I'd vastly prefer it if they finished in the Markt, which would be much more scenic, create a much better carnival atmosphere, be better for tactical racing whenever there's a group coming to the finish, and also finish almost in front of the Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen.

No cycling fan needs to be reminded what Oudenaarde Markt looks like, but I don't get tired of looking at it, so I'm going to post it anyway.

 

[JRanton]

Seems to be a big improvement. Let's hope the race turns out that way too.

 

[BigMac]

I am looking forward to seeing Kwiatowski ride this next year.

Yes, so am i. He will top 10, i am sure of that.

 

[Gloin22]

Is he even going ride that?

Didn't in one of recent itnerviews said he was going skip cobbled classics to focus on Ardennes more or less and have more rest?

As much I like Kwiatek, this is the route for Stybar to ace them all! Only rider bar Boonen I've seen lately that could follow Cance in attack mode 'easilly' on cobbled road.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Is he even going ride that?

Didn't in one of recent itnerviews said he was going skip cobbled classics to focus on Ardennes more or less and have more rest?

As much I like Kwiatek, this is the route for Stybar to ace them all! Only rider bar Boonen I've seen lately that could follow Cance in attack mode 'easilly' on cobbled road.

Has Stybar managed to follow Boonen (in top form) in a big race? Don't think we have had the pleasure to see it just yet.

 

[Gloin22]

Has Stybar managed to follow Boonen (in top form) in a big race? Don't think we have had the pleasure to see it just yet.

Well in last year form I think he could. Preety sure Stybar will prefer the hilly bergs to Boonen. And Cance will destroy Boonen on the bergs on top form. Hence for Ronde for OPQS Stybar would be my choice. If of course comes with top shape.