Is Flanders too hard for its own good?

[PurplePenguin]

But if the chasing group had been able to (or maybe wanted to?) work together effectively and chase Pog down it could have been pretty thrilling yesterday. Big if I know.

None of them had the legs to chase, so even if they had given it their all, they still wouldn't have caught him. That scenario plays out a lot on that stretch of road.

 

[ddraver]

I've seen 3 people getting CPR in my life, 2 were at the RVV sportive...

But maybe it's not the worse way to go, if we have to.

 

[M.R.M]

Is the modern route just too hard at the expense of the racing ? Ok cycling has never really been chess on wheels but tactics have always been a big part of it - some modern races - Strade Bianche and Flanders for two -have become significantly harder and I'm not sure it's good. Ok maybe it's just the Pogacar affect but when a race is that hard it cuts down the number of potential winners who can make up for physical shortcomings by riding smart.

Both San Remo and RVV were phenomenal editions. Strade Bianche is a much better example for your case. I think it won't make a difference as Pogacar and MvdP are also among the most clever riders in terms of race craft, reacting on the spur of the moment and positioning themselves when they need to.
Atm there is simply no real answer to the Pogacar problem besides to just keep trying.

 

[mididoctors]

I think the last 10km is consistently pointless, so would happy for that to be removed, but I suspect the finish is there for commercial reasons.

I'm.ok.with the 10k run in where you can contemplate all that came before

 

[wakemalcolm]

I don't especially enjoy it as a spectacle, and maybe it could do with being 5k instead but it adds an additional skill required to win via breakaway beyond Fleche-Walloning it up the final berg.

 

[Beebo]

https://road.cc/content/news/two-cyclists-dead-tour-flanders-sportive-313401

15k riders it's not unusual.

Happens at marathons all the time...

I did a local 10K “fun run” on a pan flat course and one person died.
As you say these things happen as part of life.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

It's a great race because it is so tough, as it should be, it is, after all, a test for the greatest riders on the planet.

Personally, I prefer the drama of a solo breakaway to a sprint finish.

 

[PurplePenguin]

I'm.ok.with the 10k run in where you can contemplate all that came before

P-R is similar in that there is 15km after Carrefour; however, it has the iconic finish to build up to. I'd just like something in that final 10km.

 

[No Ta Doctor]

I'm.ok.with the 10k run in where you can contemplate all that came before

The 10km run-in is great if you have a small group - that's when the turn-shirking and escape attempts and silly-buggers starts. 10km of Pog solo though? At least it's only going to take a little under 15 minutes.

Both San Remo and RVV were phenomenal editions. Strade Bianche is a much better example for your case. I think it won't make a difference as Pogacar and MvdP are also among the most clever riders in terms of race craft, reacting on the spur of the moment and positioning themselves when they need to.
Atm there is simply no real answer to the Pogacar problem besides to just keep trying.

II agree on Strade Bianche. It's worth noting that MvdP hasn't raced Strade Bianche since they extended it, it's just a touch too heavy on the climbing for him now.

Overall I think it's the riders that make races hard. It was noticeable that Pog used every meter of climb available to put pressure on

 

[Dogtrousers]

Overall I think it's the riders that make races hard. It was noticeable that Pog used every meter of climb available to put pressure on

On GCN they pointed out that Pog's last ascent of the Oude Kwaremont, when he broke free, was 10 sec slower than his previous one. It's just that the 4 he left behind were even slower having been worn down.

 

[No Ta Doctor]

On GCN they pointed out that Pog's last ascent of the Oude Kwaremont, when he broke free, was 10 sec slower than his previous one. It's just that the 4 he left behind were even slower having been worn down.

The Oude Kwaremont ascent that looked fastest to me was the first, when MvdP was for some reason about 30 bikes behind, but came through like he was riding a moto - eventually coming past Mads P and closing the gap to Pog

 

[M.R.M]

That was insane. Incredible how much ground he made up in such a short amount of time. But all those (extra) efforts cooked him in the end. Wonder if he could have held on if he hadn't been sick before & had the crash, but probably not. It looked like Pogacar actually had a bit of reserve left, since he was substantially less f**ked (copyright Mads P) than the other 4 at the finish.

 

[mididoctors]

A Dutchman died of a heart attack on the Taaienberg and a Frenchman became "unwell" (no further details) on the Oude Kwaremont and didn't survive. A third cyclist was rushed to hospital but recovered.

Thanks