The Spring Classics - 2016

[Gen]

Wouldn't mind seeing a top three of Sagan, Tommeke and Spartacus/Fabulous (that one's for Gen). As for the winner I'd prefer Sagan but one of the other two will do just fine as well.

Would be a memorable podium for sure.

 

Stybar and Terpstra however look the stronger of the Etixx lot though..

 

Fact there are so many rides that are capable of winning it.. aren't we fortunate that there is a whole generation of incredible classics riders now..

 

 

Also add here that Martin will also be in the etixx team for Sunday. .so once again they go to Flanders with an exceptional team..

[Mntboy]

Would be a memorable podium for sure.

 

Stybar and Terpstra however look the stronger of the Etixx lot though..

 

Fact there are so many rides that are capable of winning it.. aren't we fortunate that there is a while generation of incredible classics riders now..

 

 

Also add here that Martin will also be in the etixx team for Sunday. .so once again they go to Flanders with an exceptional team..

And nobody's mentioned Westra, Boom and EBH yet. So yes some epic competition for the win.

[Cav']

Would be a memorable podium for sure.

 

Stybar and Terpstra however look the stronger of the Etixx lot though..

 

Fact there are so many rides that are capable of winning it.. aren't we fortunate that there is a whole generation of incredible classics riders now..

 

 

Also add here that Martin will also be in the etixx team for Sunday. .so once again they go to Flanders with an exceptional team..

Those two will be in the top 5/6 for sure.

[Gen]

And nobody's mentioned Westra, Boom and EBH yet. So yes some epic competition for the win.

Very much so..

['Dale]

Boonie seems in mediocre form hey, you Tommeke fans

When he can't get even close to follow the Sagz attack up Kemmelberg at Gent'

Hmmm....

End of an era already?

 

Who's Etixx's number 1 or are they doing the multiple-hope-and-pray strategy again?

 

I reckon Zdenek nê for best performance at Ronde'?

[T-Bob]

If this doesn't get you itching to go ride #nothingwill

[tombeej]

Now...Who wil 2016's victor be...

 

My heart says Tomekke but my head says Spartacus,Sagan or GvA.

 

Agreed, those 3 riders have been a fraction of a percentage better than the rest of the field leading up to this weekend.

 

One of them (GVA) had their luck ran out a little bit (illness). He's now very slightly on the back foot.

 

So for me, on current form it has been reduced to a dice between Cancellara and Sagan.

 

And Sagan beat Cancellara at Gent–Wevelgem so his tail is up. Seems the momentum is shifting in his favour.

 

BUT it's not always about form. We know you also need a healthy amount of good luck as well. The best and strongest don't always make the final selection in these monuments.

[Cav']

Agreed, those 3 riders have been a fraction of a percentage better than the rest of the field leading up to this weekend.

 

One of them (GVA) had their luck ran out a little bit (illness). He's now very slightly on the back foot.

 

So for me, on current form it has been reduced to a dice between Cancellara and Sagan.

 

And Sagan beat Cancellara at Gent–Wevelgem so his tail is up. Seems the momentum is shifting in his favour.

 

BUT it's not always about form. We know you also need a healthy amount of good luck as well. The best and strongest don't always make the final selection in these monuments.

I agree, would be funny if Benoot takes it though 

 

Another rider I think is going to perform very well is Kwiatowski. (just cause he's super good and in form)

[jcza]

Anyone seen a weather forecast? 

[tombeej]

Boonie seems in mediocre form hey, you Tommeke fans

When he can't get even close to follow the Sagz attack up Kemmelberg at Gent'

Hmmm....

End of an era already?

 

Who's Etixx's number 1 or are they doing the multiple-hope-and-pray strategy again?

 

I reckon Zdenek nê for best performance at Ronde'?

 

Ja he's had some bad luck with major crashes (including a serious head injury) and a knee issue.

 

Ordinarily I'd say he's out of the running. 

 

But De Ronde is basically Belgiums own World Champs. Nothing comes close to it for this nation. So all the Belgian riders will be more willing to go deeper into that very dark place because of what this race means to them.

 

And you also can't discount the importance of all the experience and tactical nous honed over decades of racing these twisty, confusing little lanes (they start racing these cobbles as little kids).

 

For me, what Boonen does on the Taaienberg will tell me everything I need to know.

 

If he's attacking off the front on that climb - which comes at about 40 km from the finish - then I know he's feeling good and he fancies his chances. 

 

But if I see him mid pack, letting others leading the crucial attack over 'his' climb, then I'll know he's out and we won't see him making the final selection.

 

Re. Stybar: I haven't seen him anywhere near his 2015 form. I don't expect to see him feature in this race to be honest. Terpstra too. 

[Gen]

Anyone seen a weather forecast?

According to the weather reports, there is going to be wind and rain on Sunday.

 

http://www.velominati.com/velominati-super-prestige/velominati-super-prestige-mens-ronde-van-vlaanderen-2016/

[Gen]

Anyone seen a weather forecast?

According to the weather reports, there is going to be wind and rain on Sunday.

 

http://www.velominati.com/velominati-super-prestige/velominati-super-prestige-mens-ronde-van-vlaanderen-2016/

[tombeej]

Anyone seen a weather forecast? 

 

Yip, partly sunny 18 degrees Celsius with a chance of a bit of rain in the afternoon.

 

Wind: 15 - 18 km/h SSW.

 

Here's a map of the finale below. Once they've over the final climbs of the Kwaremont and Paterberg, there is that last 13 - 14km of pan flat race to the finish.

 

With this SSW'er (yellow arrow) this means a cross tailwind all the way home along that stretch.

 

So I expect that whoever escapes first over the Paterberg will not be seen again by the chasers until the finish line.

['Dale]

Ja he's had some bad luck with major crashes (including a serious head injury) and a knee issue.

 

Ordinarily I'd say he's out of the running. 

 

But De Ronde is basically Belgiums own World Champs. Nothing comes close to it for this nation. So all the Belgian riders will be more willing to go deeper into that very dark place because of what this race means to them.

 

And you also can't discount the importance of all the experience and tactical nous honed over decades of racing these twisty, confusing little lanes (they start racing these cobbles as little kids).

 

For me, what Boonen does on the Taaienberg will tell me everything I need to know.

 

If he's attacking off the front on that climb - which comes at about 40 km from the finish - then I know he's feeling good and he fancies his chances. 

 

But if I see him mid pack, letting others leading the crucial attack over 'his' climb, then I'll know he's out and we won't see him making the final selection.

 

Re. Stybar: I haven't seen him anywhere near his 2015 form. I don't expect to see him feature in this race to be honest. Terpstra too. 

 

 

Yeah, all the journo inputs clearly state that The Steppers don't have a front-running rider that is able to follow the form of Spartacus, Sagz, even Kristoff, etc.

Must be a massive concern for the high-calibre Ettixx

[tombeej]

double post.

 

[T-Bob]

 

Now...Who wil 2016's victor be...

 

My heart says Tomekke but my head says Spartacus,Sagan or GvA.

Farrar.... Jokes. 

 

I'd like to think EBH and Haussler would be up there for the final selection as a dark horse choice. They're both had form but I think EBH peaked too early. 

 

Boonan hasn't really done much all season (except not crash in the last 3 weeks). 

 

Second rung fav's have to be: Kristoff, Benoot, Rowe, Thomas, Stannard

 

Front runners are inform'rs, recent winners and old legends: Sparticus, Sagan, Kwiatowski, GVA,

 

Final note, despite having a mass of talent as usual, EQS don't seem to have anyone flying with that X factor. Terpsta isn't on form, Boonan has been MIA really, Stybar has been about but not featured and so on. That said it's what every Belgian rider lives for so dismiss anyone in that team or even the grieving Wanty-Goubert Team (they will be riding on pure emotion & bigger fairy tails have happened) at your peril.