Minor Races Thread 2015 - [SPOILERS]

[iLB]

DDP all got pretty tasty in the final 50km today, blown apart by the wind... then Lotto Soudal pulled an Etixx and did a nice lead out for Kristoff,,,

 

[The Couch]

3daagse De Panne weather update:
Although the wind might be a tad less hard, it's still blowing in the same direction (which means mostly head on today as they ride back to the coast) and it's more chilly than yesterday

So could be a very interesting race today if some teams want to make it a hard day

 

[The Couch]

Currently the peloton is in "de Moeren" (where the peleton had the biggest trouble in Gent-Wevelgem or where Steegmans took a refreshing dive), but there is not enough wind (and from the wrong angle) for the peloton to go crazy in echelon-formation.
Looking like it's gonna be a big group sprint today.

 

[The Couch]

Kristoff makes it 3 for 3 (a unicum, I believe) in the 3daagse De Panne.
Winning the bunch sprint of the short morning stage in a millimeter-sprint vs. Greipel... really millimeter-sprint!
This one could/should have perhaps been called a tie :

Kristoff starts this afternoon with 22 seconds bonus on Devolder, 23s on Bak, 26s on De Bie and 32s on Bystrom.
It's a 14K timetrial, so he has a good shot of keeping the lead (especially considering the form he is showing this year).

 

[The Couch]

Wow... Wiggo blows the competition away so far (18s ahead of current No. 2 Van Keirsbulck).
He could do it and take enough time away from Kristoff (1min) and Devolder (38s)

 

[beastie]

Wiggins looking strong! Also you can fair see where he has put weight on. he looks all rump.

 

[The Couch]

Greipel only loses 42s, so I assume Wiggo hasn't gone fast enough to catch all

 

[The Couch]

Woooowww, Kristoff 3rd (!) in the TT, taking a very deserved overall win

 

[raindog]

Yep, Kristoff cleans up amazing - wasn't expecting that
and Brad 3rd on GC!

 

[Flying_Monkey]

That's a big time gap on that short a TT for Wiggins though. I really wouldn't put PR past him. So long as he's still there at the right point, I have a feeling he's just going to go off alone or perhaps tandem TT it with Thomas, Duo Normande-style in the last 20km...

 

[Apollonius]

Some very impressive rides in a short, gnarly and quite nasty ITT today. Wiggins looks so motivated. Tremendous time trialling by sprinters Kristoff and Greipel in particular. What a good curtain-raiser for Flanders on Sunday.

 

[raindog]

I thought Kung, the Swiss lad, did a great ride - 2nd at only 10 seconds down on Wiggins.

 

[oldroadman]

Kristoff makes it 3 for 3 (a unicum, I believe) in the 3daagse De Panne.
Winning the bunch sprint of the short morning stage in a millimeter-sprint vs. Greipel... really millimeter-sprint!
This one could/should have perhaps been called a tie :

Kristoff starts this afternoon with 22 seconds bonus on Devolder, 23s on Bak, 26s on De Bie and 32s on Bystrom.
It's a 14K timetrial, so he has a good shot of keeping the lead (especially considering the form he is showing this year).

Bet the chief judge had his magnifying glass out. They always seem to be able to find the half millimetre - respect.

 

[iLB]

Wiggins on great form after his win...

 

[raindog]

Cracking interview. That's why I like Brad so much - great humour, down to earth and has bike racing in his bones. "Well I can remember what I was doing 14 years ago today, I was riding De Panne and getting my effing head kicked in"