Who wants the old Ronde circuit back?

[Roude Leiw]

The very exciting race i am watching now leads to my question

 

[Gloin22]

Everyone ?

This is utter **** so far. Boring...

 

[Ferminal]

Who wants Stijn Devolder back?

 

[Netserk]

Just remember how awesome the race was in 2011. I want the old back!

 

[cineteq]

Where is the 'Blame the riders' option?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Where is the 'Blame the riders' option?

There should be a 'blame the pursuit of $$$' option. Let's be clear, the only reason for the change is for the organisers to line their pockets a bit more.

 

[cineteq]

There should be a 'blame the pursuit of $$$' option. Let's be clear, the only reason for the change is for the organisers to line their pockets a bit more.

OP please add this one too.

 

[Eshnar]

Is there anyone who's pleased with this route? Apart from the organisers that is...

 

[Afrank]

Is there anyone who's pleased with this route? Apart from the organisers that is...

No true cycling fan is.

Great win by Cance, soloing away and everything, but very boring up to that, bring back the old route!

 

[Ferminal]

Maybe they can change the L-B-L route too.

 

[Netserk]

Maybe they can change the L-B-L route too.

Do you know what they'll do instead of Roche-Aux-Faucons?

 

[Pentacycle]

It seems people forgot the old Flanders route was a waiting game as well, and that some of us are being overly conservative. We've seen the best three riders of the race on the podium for two years in a row, so what's the big deal? I guess I'm too young for this discussion though...

 

[Descender]

Smart move by Peter Second not to ride Roubaix this year.

 

[Parrulo]

It seems people forgot the old Flanders route was a waiting game as well, and that some of us are being overly conservative. We've seen the best three riders of the race on the podium for two years in a row, so what's the big deal? I guess I'm too young for this discussion though...

what? that's nonsense rewatch every ronde from 08 to 2011 in all of them the favourites started to move from further then 50k out and on all of them cept 2011 the winning rider made his move from nearly the same distance.

this course is bland, has no feeling to it and so far has miserably failed to produce exciting racing.

also circuits on a monument? no thank you very much

 

[theyoungest]

Last year was equally boring. This is just not a good course, everyone is afraid and waits for the final 20 k. Even the Amstel Gold Race provides more entertainment.

 

[roundabout]

Meh. I blame QS, BMC and Sky being strangely passive.

 

[Netserk]

Old route:

New route:

 

[Lanark]

Yeah, boring route with no atmosphere that has people waiting more than in the past. Pointless change.

 

[Pentacycle]

what? that's nonsense rewatch every ronde from 08 to 2011 in all of them the favourites started to move from further then 50k out and on all of them cept 2011 the winning rider made his move from nearly the same distance.

this course is bland, has no feeling to it and so far has miserably failed to produce exciting racing.

also circuits on a monument? no thank you very much

Are you calling Devolder a favourite as well? Was Cancellara riding very smartly in 2011? In 2010 it was clear who the strongest riders were, the two favourites rode away and noone had anything left to chase them.

At least the current parcours allows the strongest riders to win, although it would be a shame if sub top-riders don't have any chance to win. Lack of possible scenarios is the only possible objection against the route change.

 

[Netserk]

Are you calling Devolder a favourite as well? Was Cancellara riding very smartly in 2011? In 2010 it was clear who the strongest riders were, the two favourites rode away and noone had anything left to chase them.

At least the current parcours allows the strongest riders to win, although it would be a shame if sub top-riders don't have any chance to win. Lack of possible scenarios is the only possible objection against the route change.

How about this as an argument:
2012 and 2013 are the worst editions I have ever seen.

2011 is still on of the best one-day races of recent times.

 

[The Sheep]

Doesn't have to be the old route but they should change it.

 

[burning]

I think this is the most one-sided poll I have ever seen in this site

 

[l.Harm]

Also those wide roads the last 10k... now it didn't matter because Canc stayed away anyway, but it could make a difference in the coming years.

 

[Pentacycle]

How about this as an argument:
2012 and 2013 are the worst editions I have ever seen.

2011 is still on of the best one-day races of recent times.

Can't argue with that. Last year was a good edition IMO with lots of attacks, too bad Boonen won though as he was only sucking wheels on the climbs. This year it was a shame everyone waited too long, but apparently all other favourites thought they could follow the best. They thought wrong, but in fact Radishack rode very good today, they even managed to find a use for Devolder.

 

[jens_attacks]

i gave it a chance.
that's it, no more. i want the old one too