Ultimate Preview: 96th Ronde van Vlaanderen (HIS)

[El Pistolero]

I didn't say RVV is the queen of the classics, I said it has a build up like nothing else. Also the fact that it is in Flanders which is basically the home of cycling and everyone watching it gives it another special feel which Paris Roubaix which most people in France don't even know what it is, can never have.

Nord Pas de Calais is practically Flanders though. Even 700 years after it got conquered by the French the old generation still speaks real Flemish. Government of France is killing it off now though

Cycling really lives there.

 

[Leopejo]

Nord Pas de Calais is practically Flanders though. Even 700 years after it got conquered by the French the old generation still speaks real Flemish. Government of France is killing it off now though

That's often the impression I get, that is of Paris - Roubaix as a Flemish race. Is it only because of all those Flemish Lion flags?

 

[greenedge]

Langeveld at long odds for someone who came 4th last year. Looks in good form at GW.

5th last year actually.

 

[Lexman]

Does OPQS only start with 6 riders ??

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-flanders-2012/start-list

Omega Pharma - QuickStep

21 Tom Boonen (Bel)
22 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra)
23 Dries Devenyns (Bel)
24 Nikolas Maes (Bel)
26 Niki Terpstra (Ned)
27 Matteo Trentin (Ita)

 

[kanari]

Does OPQS only start with 6 riders ??

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-flanders-2012/start-list

Omega Pharma - QuickStep

21 Tom Boonen (Bel)
22 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra)
23 Dries Devenyns (Bel)
24 Nikolas Maes (Bel)
26 Niki Terpstra (Ned)
27 Matteo Trentin (Ita)

They want to keep it fair.

 

[Lexman]

oh BTW Boonen is mentioned on the conditional startlist for Amstel Gold Race