Who will win Ronde van Vlaanderen? (Flanders)

[Anonymous]

right.. 1,2,3 im going

hoste (as previously tipped), Devolder and flecha

 

[disgruntledgoat]

Boonen for me too... Something to prove, great team, great rider.

I'm live blogging the race in a cyclingnews style over at http://pdmalcolm.wordpress.com

 

[Bjartur]

Kroon, Pozzato and Haussler are in great form. Quick Step is very strong. Although they have no victories this year Gilbert and Hoste are in the gruop of favourites. Cancellara had a lot of problems, but a strong cyclist is always a strong cyclist.
I think that Chainel, Geslin and Goss can do a surprise, not to win but to be at the front of the race.

 

[lookkg386]

Hoste away!, must be feeling strong.

 

[Jasper]

Boonen and Pozzato are no short of impressive today

 

[jaylew]

Boonen and Pozzato are no short of impressive today

Definitely. Haussler looks like he's still on good form but has wasted a bit of energy.

 

[53x11 in DC]

Somebody please tell Quinziato and Hoste to shut up.... Chava and Boonen are doing EXACTLY what they should be doing. Armchair ride, baby.

Go Van Haecke! Podium for the TopVlan boys

 

[tifosa]

Chava is playing THE ultimate teammate!

 

[Merckx]

Woot, definitely called Devolder! back to work now

 

[ElChingon]

So any word as to why QuickStep didn't get to use their new Kit?

They rolled in with it,

But ended up riding with the old kit for the race.

 

[dylanfly]

Chava is playing THE ultimate teammate!

QUESTION:
How did Chavanel "control" the chase group???

Quote from online Cycling mag: "When he [Devolder] attacked Chavanel kept control of the chase group, allowing Devolder to open up a gap of nearly a minute."

I can understand how Devolder's teammates (Chavanel and Boonen) would not then attck and could then afford to hang back. Ok--makes sense. Not likely they chase down their own teammate or cooperate with another team to chase. However, how can a rider "control" a chase group? I mean, s/he can opt to hang back, but how else can s/he control it?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Maaskant 4th... I'm happy

 

[jaylew]

QUESTION:
How did Chavanel "control" the chase group???

Quote from online Cycling mag: "When he [Devolder] attacked Chavanel kept control of the chase group, allowing Devolder to open up a gap of nearly a minute."

I can understand how Devolder's teammates (Chavanel and Boonen) would not then attck and could then afford to hang back. Ok--makes sense. Not likely they chase down their own teammate or cooperate with another team to chase. However, how can a rider "control" a chase group? I mean, s/he can opt to hang back, but how else can s/he control it?

When a chase group is that small(2 riders at 1st, 3 later when they were rejoined by Van Hecke) and the rider sitting on is a strong rider like Chavanel who is also clearly strong on the day, he is in effect "controlling" the chase group.

Devolder had a big gap by the time they went over the Muur and was still killing it - there was no way Quinziato could bring him back by himself(he had just had a mini-blowup on the Muur trying to stay with Devolder) and it was awhile before Van Hecke rejoined them and he didn't have the legs of Quinz or Chav. So, by refusing to help until it was far too late, he ensured that the chase would not succeed. They would have had to tear themselves inside out to catch Devolder and even if they managed it, a much fresher Chavanel would have immediately attacked and both Quinziato and Van Hecke knew it.

 

[jaylew]

Woot, definitely called Devolder! back to work now

Good call. I thought Chavanel might wind up being the guy for QS as Boonen and possibly Devolder would be too closely marked. My dark horse pick Quinziato had a shot but was just outnumbered. Terrific race by Quick Step.

 

[poki..]

Perfect conditions yesterday for racing Flanders. Fantastic race by Quick Step!
I rode the Tour of Flanders on saturday - it`s really great to ride there, I love the hellingen, especially the Muur van Geraardsbergen!

 

[Calzone]

Found a great video of the Flanders

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAbIf7pv6vY