boomcie said:
I would say on par with them. He has not showed himself at the moment.
Devolder has/ 2 time winner so i think he may be co-leader along with Bjorn.
Terpstra has only just really broken through cobbles wise and Langveld/ EBH are both talented youngsters. I would put them all on par with each other.
CasperVg said:
No team would let that group get up the road. Langveld would also not beat Breschel in a sprint. BMC will also make sure they are either present chasing ( like last year ) or they will seek to get someone in the break- learning from last year.
- Feb 15, 2011
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CasperVg said:
That would be a very weird breakaway. It's way too strong IMO. If those 5 were to hit the road, surely others would follow.
I'm also wondering whether the other teams are going to let Chavanel get away again this year.
A winning break would probably look more like the one in PR last year, or a sneaky Devolder-like escape.
- Feb 15, 2011
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greenedge said:
Disagree.
Look at the last editions of the RVV. Leukemans is always up there. For him, these are virtually the only races of the year and he knows how to perfectly prepare himself for them.
Devolder is ok, but not strong enough. His TT performances have been mediocre, a solid indicator. I'll await the TT in De Panne today, but am not very hopeful for him.
Terpstra has been a good cobbled rider for a while already. He just snatched his first victory in Waregem because of good team tactics. He could have done that a few years ago as well. I'm sure.
EBH will not finish ahead of Leukemans either. Unless they're in a big group and are contesting the sprint.
Langeveld is a bit of a question-mark. Most def not a solid bet like Leukemans.
What i meant was Terpstra broke through to the scene of being a contender.
I know that Bjorn is a talented rider- he seems well suited for all Classics ( i love him in the Ardennes ). With the EBH part i meant developing wise sry.
I still think Devolder is looking better than he has in the last 2 years so he could go well ( they have 3 cards to play ).
Langveld did quite well last year and might benefit from the race being made harder.
I know that Bjorn is a talented rider- he seems well suited for all Classics ( i love him in the Ardennes ). With the EBH part i meant developing wise sry.
I still think Devolder is looking better than he has in the last 2 years so he could go well ( they have 3 cards to play ).
Langveld did quite well last year and might benefit from the race being made harder.
- Apr 1, 2009
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Im putting all my money on Bram Tankink for the win. Just look at the CN article on the riders recon of the course. He is the only one to man up and take on the cobbles rather than sticking to the gutter.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pho...riends-preview-tour-of-flanders-course/214830
RVV takes a real man or Bram in this case. Kom op Bram, sterkte!
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pho...riends-preview-tour-of-flanders-course/214830
RVV takes a real man or Bram in this case. Kom op Bram, sterkte!
Der Effe said:
It's hard to disagree that those are the five riders to beat. There will always be a performance by someone that will be unexpected but I think the winner will come form those five riders. Can't see the winner coming from BMC or Garmin or Sky.
If Leukemans is not at 100% it's a huge blow for Vacansoleil. Devolder has not shown signs of form yet, unless you consider several Barredo-like moves as an indication of good shape. I agree that today's TT will show a lot, this is the best indication of his form but in my opinion he just isn't as good as Leukemans.
- Jun 1, 2011
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Cancellara
Boonen
Chavanel
These three in any given order.
It would be cool to see Chavanel win. I expect to see him up the road in attack mode.
Boonen is at his best in years and with the aid of Chavanel could be unstoppable.
Cancellara could use help up the road, but there is no Chavanel for RSN. Rast is the possible exception, but I think the Roubaix favors him more the cobbled climbs of Flanders. I would certainly change things if Cancellara had a teammate to charge for him in the final 15 Ks or up the road over the last climbs of the Hotond twice the Paterberg.
For a solo repeat of 2010, Cancellara could strike on the Hotond after making a selection on the first time up the Paterberg. I think later would be better for him, but if the opportunity arises earlier he will take it.
I really hoping to see solo efforts instead of marking each other in a group in the last 15Ks, that will of course favor Boonen. Chavanel needs to be well on his own with a marking chase from behind. It could happen.
If Cancellara finds himself in chasing group, I don't think he will drag the others to the finish this time.
Boonen
Chavanel
These three in any given order.
It would be cool to see Chavanel win. I expect to see him up the road in attack mode.
Boonen is at his best in years and with the aid of Chavanel could be unstoppable.
Cancellara could use help up the road, but there is no Chavanel for RSN. Rast is the possible exception, but I think the Roubaix favors him more the cobbled climbs of Flanders. I would certainly change things if Cancellara had a teammate to charge for him in the final 15 Ks or up the road over the last climbs of the Hotond twice the Paterberg.
For a solo repeat of 2010, Cancellara could strike on the Hotond after making a selection on the first time up the Paterberg. I think later would be better for him, but if the opportunity arises earlier he will take it.
I really hoping to see solo efforts instead of marking each other in a group in the last 15Ks, that will of course favor Boonen. Chavanel needs to be well on his own with a marking chase from behind. It could happen.
If Cancellara finds himself in chasing group, I don't think he will drag the others to the finish this time.
In fact Oude Kwaremont is a proper Roubaix sector, only slightly uphill
This route is good for Roubaix guys
This route is good for Roubaix guys
boomcie said:
wow, could you please add Breschel, Ballan, Oss and Hoste to fill my prediction up?
PS: of course if Leukemans is fit, no way he gonna miss the top-10, but i believe him that he is not.
EDIT: Thank you!
- Jun 11, 2011
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Its tough to call here.
I really can't see Cancellara NOT attacking at some point and if he's significantly stronger than Boonen then he should win.
If Boonen has the legs he follows and takes it in the sprint - easy.
Can't see anyone else getting enough tactical rope to change this scenario much.
Chavanel? Would be good to see but I don't think hes strong enough to go toe to toe with the big two and it sounds like the new course is selective enough to make it more a battle of stength over cunning.
On balance - Boonen - he's going well enough to contain Cancellara and his tactical plan is simple.
I really can't see Cancellara NOT attacking at some point and if he's significantly stronger than Boonen then he should win.
If Boonen has the legs he follows and takes it in the sprint - easy.
Can't see anyone else getting enough tactical rope to change this scenario much.
Chavanel? Would be good to see but I don't think hes strong enough to go toe to toe with the big two and it sounds like the new course is selective enough to make it more a battle of stength over cunning.
On balance - Boonen - he's going well enough to contain Cancellara and his tactical plan is simple.
- Sep 8, 2009
- 15,306
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