The Classics

[Gen]

'Disqualification would've been too tough'

 

Peter Sagan, Greg Van Avermaet and Sep Vanmarcke could all face a fine for riding on the pavement during Saturday’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, according to Sporza. The riders escaped any punishment immediately following the race, despite several riders stating that they’d been informed they would be disqualified if they used bike paths or pavements during cobbled sectors

And the photo that put them in the naughty corner.

 

Technically Sagan wasn't on the path [emoji6]

 

But yeah UCI and race organisers are seldom consistent when it comes to enforcing rules..

 

Give them all a lekker big fine.[emoji106]

 

And they wonder why cyclist break bigger rules when they don't even enforce the small rules[emoji17]

 

Edited March 1, 2017 by Gen

[Gen]

I lagged during KBK..when the riders went onto the bike path a few were complaining but then they all went over..

 

The commentators were discussing it and the one said.. that's racing in Belgium.. half of it is finding the smoothest surface before the next rider can..to save that little bit..

 

But come on it looks ridiculous when you see a cobbled section and no one riding on it[emoji53]

Edited March 1, 2017 by Gen

[BigTom]

I don't recall which section it was (or even which of the weekend races for that matter), but they had paved a section next to the cobbles specifically for the race - and then they are not supposed to ride on it?

 

Apparently was not a popular decision with the locals, and more than one made attempts to remove the newly laid tar

[Gen]

I don't recall which section it was (or even which of the weekend races for that matter), but they had paved a section next to the cobbles specifically for the race - and then they are not supposed to ride on it?

 

Apparently was not a popular decision with the locals, and more than one made attempts to remove the newly laid tar

Yeah.. there is a photo and video doing the rounds where a local was trying to stop them

 

 

And here it is

 

https://www.google.co.za/amp/amp.timeinc.net/cyclingweekly/news/latest-news/watch-belgian-man-stages-brave-lone-protest-tarmacking-cobbled-climb-315225%3Fsource%3Ddam

Edited March 1, 2017 by Gen

[BigTom]

Yeah.. there is a photo and video doing the rounds where a local was trying to stop them

 

 

And here it is

 

https://www.google.co.za/amp/amp.timeinc.net/cyclingweekly/news/latest-news/watch-belgian-man-stages-brave-lone-protest-tarmacking-cobbled-climb-315225%3Fsource%3Ddam

Thanks for that - good for a morning laugh.

 

Surprised it took the guy on the roller so long before he reacted.

[Gen]

Thanks for that - good for a morning laugh.

 

Surprised it took the guy on the roller so long before he reacted.

And in France they work to make sure the cobbles are sorted for Roubaix

 

Always an interesting read

 

https://rouleur.cc/editorial/friends-paris-roubaix/

['Dale]

There's no sidewalk on the white roads this weekend

[Gen]

There's no sidewalk on the white roads this weekend

He he.

 

 

And so that I don't get confused again.. it is Saturday not Sunday

Edited March 1, 2017 by Gen

[BigTom]

And in France they work to make sure the cobbles are sorted for Roubaix

 

Always an interesting read

 

https://rouleur.cc/editorial/friends-paris-roubaix/

Great read.  Thanks for that.  Never really considered the cobble maintenance issue before.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Yeah.. there is a photo and video doing the rounds where a local was trying to stop them

 

 

And here it is

 

https://www.google.co.za/amp/amp.timeinc.net/cyclingweekly/news/latest-news/watch-belgian-man-stages-brave-lone-protest-tarmacking-cobbled-climb-315225%3Fsource%3Ddam

That must be the worst example of a protest I have ever seen, good grief, things were happening in slow motion, for a second I thought it was Mr Bean! 

 

....news must be slow if this made headlines. 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

He he.

 

 

And so that I don't get confused again.. it is Saturday not Sunday

Yah, Sat. I may watch the Strade this year, haven't bothered before but last years finish was quite epic.

Italian races are always good in my opinion, one can never discount the Stybar's and like, but I think Nibali is looking better than ever, he can deal with the white roads, he is on a new team and he is Italian, I may just keep an eye on him.        

[pe3nguin]

No one watching La Samyn this afternoon? Its basically a mini Paris Roubaix in the shithole that is Wallonia. Been fantastic viewing.

['Dale]

Grim

202 kms

4:52 racing time

Brrrr

 

Good finalè

 

https://youtu.be/WZqQy7WNCFs

[Geronimo]

Nice one  . Thanks 'Dale.

['Dale]

For Gen & shaper

 

 

https://youtu.be/aDYZP_qt1w8

['Dale]

The weekend marked the start of the first Classics campaign since the retirement of three-time Flanders and Roubaix winner Fabian Cancellara. With his main rival Tom Boonen also set to retire after this year’s edition of Paris-Roubaix (and sidelined at the weekend with a DNF and a DNS), the next major Cobbled Classics rivalry already seems primed to fill the limelight for years to come.

 

 

READ MORE HERE

 

https://cyclingtips.com/2017/03/talking-spring-classics-opening-weekend/