tombeej Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 Two other lighties I've got on my radar this year are Danny van Poppel (22) and Tiesj Benoot (21). I'm expecting a big result in a major classic from at least one of them this year. Tiesj Benoot Benoot burst on the scene in 2015 as a 20 year old when we watched the lad place 5th in his first Tour of Flanders. That day he finished just 35 seconds behind the winner (Kristoff) with only Terpstra, Van Avermaet and Sagan in front of him. In the long run in to the finish he rode away from the likes of Degenkolb and Štybar. He’s a tall boy at 1.90m with a perfect build for the Classics. I'm a big fan of his. His most notable results in 2015: 2nd overall in the Tour of Belgium (behind Van Avermaet)4th Le Samyn4th Paris-Tours5th Tour of Flanders6th Dwars door Vlaanderen He also claimed three top-10 finishes in stages of the Critérium du Dauphiné. Danny van Poppel We first took notice of the kid when he signed up for the 2013 Tour de France aged just 19 years old (the youngest since WWII). On the opening stage, he finished in 3rd place in a big bunch sprint behind Kittel and Kristoff. In the 2015 Vuelta he won stage 12 in another bunch sprint and then came 2nd behind Degenkolb on the final stage into Madrid. He’s joined Sky this year – let’s see what the move does for him.
T-Bob Posted January 27, 2016 Author Posted January 27, 2016 Two other lighties I've got on my radar this year are Danny van Poppel (22) and Tiesj Benoot (21). I'm expecting a big result in a major classic from at least one of them this year. Tiesj Benoot Benoot burst on the scene in 2015 as a 20 year old when we watched the lad place 5th in his first Tour of Flanders. That day he finished just 35 seconds behind the winner (Kristoff) with only Terpstra, Van Avermaet and Sagan in front of him. In the long run in to the finish he rode away from the likes of Degenkolb and Štybar. He’s a tall boy at 1.90m with a perfect build for the Classics. I'm a big fan of his. His most notable results in 2015: 2nd overall in the Tour of Belgium (behind Van Avermaet)4th Le Samyn4th Paris-Tours5th Tour of Flanders6th Dwars door Vlaanderen He also claimed three top-10 finishes in stages of the Critérium du Dauphiné. Danny van Poppel We first took notice of the kid when he signed up for the 2013 Tour de France aged just 19 years old (the youngest since WWII). On the opening stage, he finished in 3rd place in a big bunch sprint behind Kittel and Kristoff. In the 2015 Vuelta he won stage 12 in another bunch sprint and then came 2nd behind Degenkolb on the final stage into Madrid. He’s joined Sky this year – let’s see what the move does for him. Ohhh Benoot... forgot about him. He's looking like an incredible prospect. Shame about Ala-P. I thought he was back and going already.
Mntboy Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 Ok game on... Tommeke is my boy. Come on Tommy, one last time for us please. We need to see all 5 fingers in the air!To be honest I don't think I'd be too upset if Tommeke pips Spartacus for the win at PR. As you've said theirs has been a great, respectful and at times enigmatic rivalry that has made the classics so much fun to watch. But I suspect that this year both will be putting in superhuman efforts to win and with this being Spartacus' final season a win over Tommeke in their favorite race would be a special memory and a wonderful addition to PR folklore. That said with these two marking each others move like hawks maybe Zbar sneaks in a surprise win. We know he is more than capable. Or even Boom, even though he rides for team dodgy ethics aka astana.
tombeej Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 Ohhh Benoot... forgot about him. He's looking like an incredible prospect. Shame about Ala-P. I thought he was back and going already. I see that Alaphilippe is entered for the 4-day Mallorca Challenge, starting tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how he does over the next few days.
'Dale Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 I see that Alaphilippe is entered for the 4-day Mallorca Challenge, starting tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how he does over the next few days.He's been down with illness for a large chunk of the off-seasonMononucleosis ????
tombeej Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 He's been down with illness for a large chunk of the off-seasonMononucleosis Yes I know, that's what we've been discussing. Keep up boet
'Dale Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 Yes I know, that's what we've been discussing. Keep up boet Oh Sorrie Often miss some info on the smartphone
Mntboy Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 I see that Alaphilippe is entered for the 4-day Mallorca Challenge, starting tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how he does over the next few days.That it will be. I think he will be hoping to finish all four day's safely in the bunch.
Cav' Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 If tommeke can just win one more classic, I'll do backflips! Pity about Degenkolb, I really like him.
'Dale Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 I would love to see EBH win PR.Like X 100000Now you're typing!
'Dale Posted January 28, 2016 Posted January 28, 2016 http://cyclingtips.com/2016/01/how-sean-kelly-rates-cancellara-sagan-and-martins-chances-for-the-spring-classics/ Sean Kelly with some perspectives
'Dale Posted January 28, 2016 Posted January 28, 2016 “I think when you are at the end of a career and you have won all those races and you have such a good palmares, you don’t give a feck [about pressure]. You f*cking just go into the event. You have the experience, of course, and that is always very important. Hehehe, Kelly on Spartacus and possible complacency
T-Bob Posted January 29, 2016 Author Posted January 29, 2016 See Benoot placed in illustrious company in Mallorca today. Can't wait to see what happens once the races head north. Andratx (Challenge Mallorca, day two): Pollenca to Port de Andratx, 162.6km1. Gianluca Brambilla (Ita) Etixx-QuickStep2. Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Team Sky at 2 secs3. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Etixx-QuickStep4. Tiesj Benoot (Bel) Lotto Soudal5. Dylan Van Baarle (Ned) Cannondale6. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Trek-Segafredo7. Scott Thwaites (GBr) Bora-Argon 188. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar9. Leopold Konig (Cze) Team Sky10. Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Movistar same time
tombeej Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 Day 3, Mallorca Challenge: Spartacus looks to be in top form this early in the season. Great to see. He held off the peloton for the last 10km to take the win. Kwiatkowsi also looking very good with another 2nd. And my boy Benoot gabs third. The lighty is going to make some serious waves this year, watch
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