Ronde Van Vlaanderen (spoilers)

[thom]

New route : The mythical Muur is no more. Who will be the best on the day ?
Boonen, Sagan, Cancellara ?
Will it be strength or speed that determines the winner ?



I think Boonen.

 

[raindog]

I would think Boonen is favourite the way he's riding at the moment, but I think I'll go with EBH.

start list here
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-flanders-2012/start-list

I love this photo of Eddy in this race - seems to sum up everything about the spring classics somehow

 

[ColinJ]

I'm interested to see how the new route works out. I can see why they made the change, but I loved the race the way it was.

Let the best man win! (I'm not bothered who it is as long as it is a good race and he doesn't get busted later for doping!)

 

[rich p]

If it's anything like it is over here it will be a dry, dusty one which is certainly less dangerous than the wet pave (e accent ecu)

 

[ColinJ]

If it's anything like it is over here it will be a dry, dusty one which is certainly less dangerous than the wet pave (e accent ecu)

Hold down the right Alt key (Alt-Gr) key and type e - pavé!

 

[rich p]

Hold down the right Alt key (Alt-Gr) key and type e - pavé!

flash git!

 

[rich p]

ééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééééék

How clever you are Col!!!!

 

[ColinJ]

flash git!

I had to look it up ...

I suppose we will now have to have café stops on my forum rides!

 

[thom]

If it's anything like it is over here it will be a dry, dusty one which is certainly less dangerous than the wet pave (e accent ecu)

There's supposed to be a certain amount of danger though...
Stories of disgruntled Geraardsbergen residents planning to put tacks on the road might create some unwanted sparks

 

[Herzog]

There's supposed to be a certain amount of danger though...
Stories of disgruntled Geraardsbergen residents planning to put tacks on the road might create some unwanted sparks

It's a shame that the Muur is not being included. Asides from the history, it's a great climb (I did it on a fully loaded tourer at about 2 mph last year, and the cobbles were something).

I would love to see Chavanel do something, but he'll probably be in the service of Boonen. However, if Boonen is not in contention and Chavanel can ride freely, I think we could see him finish strongly continuing his recent form.

That said, Boonen looks very strong (especially with Gilbert out of sorts at the minute).

 

[rich p]

There's supposed to be a certain amount of danger though...
Stories of disgruntled Geraardsbergen residents planning to put tacks on the road might create some unwanted sparks

Maybe it was lost in translation - lots of a tacks in Geraardsbergen

I'd like to se Cancellara win it.

 

[thom]

Maybe it was lost in translation - lots of a tacks in Geraardsbergen

I'd like to se Cancellara win it.

Yes, there's something noble about his solo attacks.
Here was that story.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

By the way, have any of you seen the Miltag site recently??

There are a couple of new Vlaanderen cycle jerseys in their range now!

http://milltag.cc/

 

[BalkanExpress]

It is dry, sunny and a little crisp, a perfect day for a spin through the countryside

Hard to see beyond Boonen on current form...

 

[raindog]

Yes, there's something noble about his solo attacks.

A couple of seasons ago, some people were even saying there was something a bit "electric" about them.