Ronde Van Vlaanderen (spoilers)

[thom]

Well played Quickstep !

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Ha, that was like watching a track sprint. I was almost expecting them to start riding backwards. Boonen and Pozzato - the two playboys of pro-cycling - both seem to have put new energy into their job.

 

[Noodley]

Delighted to see (or should I say "not see" but read) Ballan beaten...I cannot stand him!

 

[Herzog]

Great race, missed the Muur though...

 

[burrachaga]

I only started cycling just before last years TDF so this is my first look at these classics. Im loving every race. Because I dont have much knowledge of the history of such events Im not always sure though how cyclists time their peak performances over the season. Would Boonen have timed his pre-season around this event? (how many real contenders did he have?)

I dont know whether I like the tiny cobbled tracks as well? I guess cycling history will gradually seep into my bones but it seemed unfair that the peleton can get so strung out over the paterberg purely because of the width of the roads... I am a novice I will learn! lol..

 

[Strathlubnaig]

Sat offshore working, but managed to sneak away and catch the last 40 odd km. Great finish, the fact they had put so much time on the chasing pack allowed for a little cat and mouse games at the end, but Boonen was always going to take it after he held on at the last climb.

 

[Noodley]

... I am a novice I will learn! lol..

Aye, before long you'll be speaking as much bullshit as the rest of us!

 

[oldroadman]

I only started cycling just before last years TDF so this is my first look at these classics. Im loving every race. Because I dont have much knowledge of the history of such events Im not always sure though how cyclists time their peak performances over the season. Would Boonen have timed his pre-season around this event? (how many real contenders did he have?)

I dont know whether I like the tiny cobbled tracks as well? I guess cycling history will gradually seep into my bones but it seemed unfair that the peleton can get so strung out over the paterberg purely because of the width of the roads... I am a novice I will learn! lol..

Most races in Belgium have plenty of small roads. It's part of the character of races there, you have to ride near the front to be competitive, or be good at finding your way through a crowded peloton. On the cobbled climbs, front or bust, basically. If you think that's tough for narrow bits, wait until Roubaix next Sunday. The flat out riding to be near the front when you hit the pavé is almost finish speed, except with 200 riders and zero space. Then there is Wallers-Arenberg...oh joy..

 

[philk56]

Returned on Sunday night from a weekend in Flanders - riding part of the route on Saturday then watching on Sunday. Riding the route was certainly an experience! The pavé is brutal, especially combined with some of the climbs. Not sure which is worst - uphill or down.

On Sunday we managed to find a good place to watch, on one of the first pavé sections, combined with the attractions of a beer-tent and windmill. Watching at close-up the speed of the riders along the cobbles was unbelievable. We then retired to a local bar to watch the rest on tv. Shame that Cancellara crashed out although I'm not sure he would have kept with Boonen in his current form, even if for a few seconds he looked like he might have been dropped. At the end the bar just erupted - he is very much the local hero. If anyone is interested I have a few photos here (ignore those of middle-aged men in yellow!). If anyone can identify any of the riders I'd be grateful - I just pointed and clicked indiscriminately as they went past.

 

[Strathlubnaig]

pic 034 has Svein Tuft, current Canadian champ (Greenedge, he is behind the rider in lime green) although he was one of many DNF on Sunday.