Question What about a fantasy cycling season

[Wvv]

Strong move by Vanmarcke! Naesen and Kragh are following, but Asgreen closes the gap and everybody returns.

 

[Wvv]

Backaert is almost ready for the graveyard, even though we're in between cobbled sections right now. But he's still there. Gutsy ride by the new addition to the B&B-squad!

 

[Wvv]

With 30 kms to go, we're almost ready to tackle five decisive cobblestone sections.

7: Cysoing to Bourghelles (km 232 – 1.3 km) ***
6: Bourghelles to Wannehain (km 234.5 – 1.1 km) ***
5: Camphin-en-Pévèle (km 239.5 – 1.8 km) ****
4: Carrefour de l’Arbre (km 242.5 – 2.1 km) *
3: Gruson (km 244 — 1.1 km) **

The leaders, still together, maintain an advantage of around 40 seconds on the group with Van der Poel and Terpstra.

Still anything is possible in this thrilling edition of Paris-Roubaix. How is it gonna play out?

We'll see it tomorrow, cause I'm sleepy : P Hope you guys are excited!

 

[Wvv]

New acceleration by Kragh and this could be an important moment! Stybar and Vanmarcke respond, Asgreen holds still and the three have a gap. Van Avermaet tries to react but Langeveld neutralizes immediately.

 

[Wvv]

Reaching the Cysoing section, the three have already 20 seconds over their previous companions! Van Aert is making use of the cobbles to put the pressure back on, but they're not making up much because the cooperation in front is good.

 

[Wvv]

In the back Van der Poel and Terpstra are doing everything they can to get back into contention. Sénéchal and Stuyven are the only ones left hanging on after the Bourghelles to Wannehain section.

 

[Wvv]

Entering the final 20 kilometres, Camphin-en-Pévèle is coming right up. Instantly followed by the Carrefour de l'Arbre and the Gruson section. Certainly the Carrefour is a terrifying and notorious cobblestone passage where the race was often decided in the past.

 

[Wvv]

Stybar, Vanmarcke and Kragh have 25 seconds on the pursuers. The Dane seems to suffer a bit more and concedes a few bike lengths, but stays in touch.

 

[Wvv]

Camphin is the final blow for Backaert. B&B will be really proud though of how the Belgian rode today, and if he doesn't collapse he'll still get a more than decent result.

 

[Wvv]

Camphin-en-Pévèle is done. There are now 17,5 kilometres of racing left, which means the Carrefour will emerge in 1 kilometre.

This is the situation:

Kragh, Stybar and Vanmarcke
<20">
Naesen, Van Aert, Van Avermaet, Asgreen, Pedersen, Langeveld, Van Baarle, Politt and Garcia
<15">
Backaert
<15">
Van der Poel, Terpstra, Sénéchal and Stuyven

 

[lemon cheese cake]

I feel this is going to go to one of the Danes. If Pedersen wins, what a day that would be with the rainbow bands! (Plus a good day for Trek with their new Domane frame)

 

[Wvv]

Two turns left, one turn ... aaaand the Carrefour is begun!

 

[Wvv]

OH VANMARCKE. Just when he is about to take the lead to turn up the speed, his bike is letting him down. His chain or gear seems to get stuck and he has to let Stybar and Kragh go. You can read the disappointment and despair on his face.

 

[Wvv]

Poor Vanmarcke is overtaken now by Van Aert, who is dropping a huge bomb. Naesen follows, GVA hangs on, Asgreen is doing everything he can to keep contact. Pedersen, Garcia and Van Baarle are losing ground a bit but still resisting. Politt and Langeveld seem done, although the last one might wait for his unlucky teammate.

 

[Wvv]

 

[Wvv]

Meanwhile Stybar is unleashed and Kragh has to dig deep to keep his wheel. In the back it's Van der Poel who's putting his final cards on the table and solo making up ground fast. He passed Backaert and Vanmarcke and joins Langeveld and Politt.

 

[sir fly]

Meanwhile in Overijse Bling catches the arrow.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

These daily written updates, and no other source of info or alternative interpretations of events, must have been what following the early Tours was like.

 

[Wvv]

These daily written updates, and no other source of info or alternative interpretations of events, must have been what following the early Tours was like.

Yes and no. In the early days, it were written stories in magazines and newspapers, so of course no feeling of 'live coverage'. But I get what you mean.
My dad's generation followed the Tour through radio broadcasts in the fifties and sixties. Back then televisions were not yet or rarely around. Radio coverage is exciting though, since it requires your imagination to create images to the words. I can still enjoy some live radio updates when it comes to sports, although livestreams on smartphone are kinda killing that too.

 

[Wvv]

Coming out of the Carrefour and immediately linking up with the Gruson part, Stybar and Kragh have 18 seconds on Van Aert, Naesen, Van Avermaet and Asgreen. Shortly after them we see Pedersen, Garcia, Van Baarle and ... an unbelievably strong Van der Poel!

 

[Wvv]

MVDP uses Gruson to finally get back in the running for a high placing. The Dutchman tows Garcia, Pedersen and Van Baarle back as well. Around 15 seconds behind them, a furious Vanmarcke nears again to teammate Langeveld and Politt, but only a miracle will let him battle for victory again.

 

[Wvv]

Gruson is done! Only 13,9 kilometres left to the finish line on the velodrome! The two leaders have to defend 17 seconds.

Kragh and Stybar
<17">
Van der Poel, Naesen, Van Aert, Van Avermaet, Asgreen, Pedersen, Van Baarle and Garcia
<20">
Vanmarcke, Langeveld and Politt
<5">
Stuyven, Terpstra, Sénéchal and Backaert

 

[Wvv]

INCREDIBLE! Van der Poel attacks with 13 kms to go, full of adrenaline!
The others hesitate and MVDP is off solo. Will he manage the impossible?

 

[Wvv]

The gap is 15 seconds. In the distance, MVDP can see the two leaders. But they are working well together in order to keep the Dutchman behind.

 

[Wvv]

Ten kms to go, 13 seconds. THIS IS NAIL-BITING people!