Spring Classics 2016 discussion & commentary ***SPOILERS***

[Proto]

My daughter is riding the women's event (and the Tour of Flanders). Going to be a tough day for her. Wish her luck, please! And I can't see me doing much work, I'll be glued to twitter for a few hours.

PS two women's teams have pulled out. Hitec for logistics reasons, I think, and Park Hotel out of respect.

 

[rich p]

My daughter is riding the women's event (and the Tour of Flanders). Going to be a tough day for her. Wish her luck, please! And I can't see me doing much work, I'll be glued to twitter for a few hours.

PS two women's teams have pulled out. Hitec for logistics reasons, I think, and Park Hotel out of respect.

Good luck to her and helping to maintain a sense of normality.

 

[smutchin]

Good luck to your daughter, @Proto. Hope she has a good race.

 

[The Couch]

Gatto - after years off obscurity - looking strongest in DdV together with Devenyns
Unless the peloton gets organized, it seems to me it will the group that is now ahead (after the Paterberg) that will have a shot at going for the win

 

[The Couch]

At about 10K from the finish regroup (with another very big peloton close behind)
Van Avermaet is going to test him on Nokereberg

 

[Dayvo]

Classic case of not racing through the line. He won't do that again when it matters.

 

[Crackle]

Poor old GVA, 300metres and caught.

 

[Proto]

Good luck to your daughter, @Proto. Hope she has a good race.

It didn't go well. Had a problem on the Paterberg and lost contact with peleton. Came in 77th (of 130+), very disappointed. Her words, "I learned a lot about riding on cobbles today!" All good experience! Sadly, one of her team mates crashed and broke a collar bone.

 

[Strathlubnaig]

I sat and watched the race (Dwars door Vlaanderen) today and it was only afterwards I realized Sky were not in it. Not that I'm bothered, but missing the first race of the Vlaamse Wielerweek, even if a 'semi-classic' , poor show. Must not have proper spring classic aspirations.

 

[Berk on a Bike]

I sat and watched the race (Dwars door Vlaanderen) today and it was only afterwards I realized Sky were not in it. Not that I'm bothered, but missing the first race of the Vlaamse Wielerweek, even if a 'semi-classic' , poor show. Must not have proper spring classic aspirations.

They participated in Handzame Classic and Nokere Koerse. Looks like they've got a full card this weekend with Volta a Catalunya, E3, Gent-Wevelgem and Coppi e Bartali. Some things have to give, I guess.

 

[Strathlubnaig]

They participated in Handzame Classic and Nokere Koerse. Looks like they've got a full card this weekend with Volta a Catalunya, E3, Gent-Wevelgem and Coppi e Bartali. Some things have to give, I guess.

I just like taking a poke at Sky if I am honest.

 

[smutchin]

I sat and watched the race (Dwars door Vlaanderen) today and it was only afterwards I realized Sky were not in it. Not that I'm bothered, but missing the first race of the Vlaamse Wielerweek, even if a 'semi-classic' , poor show. Must not have proper spring classic aspirations.

Here's your full list of the 8 out of 19 WT teams not present at DDV today:
Astana
Cannondale
Dimension Data
FDJ
Lampre-Merida
Giant-Alpecin
Team Sky
Trek-Segafredo

 

[Strathlubnaig]

Here's your full list of the 8 out of 19 WT teams not present at DDV today:
Astana
Cannondale
Dimension Data
FDJ
Lampre-Merida
Giant-Alpecin
Team Sky
Trek-Segafredo

just checking folk were paying attention.

 

[mjr]

Not that I'm bothered, but missing the first race of the Vlaamse Wielerweek, even if a 'semi-classic' , poor show. Must not have proper spring classic aspirations.

DDV is category 1.HC, so is maximum 70% World Tour. Sky might not have been invited.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

This is a great site for previews of races (not just Classics):
http://www.cyclinghub.tv/livestream

And also decent live streaming

Occasional guest appearances - this week has seen Oliver Naesen and Leigh Howard, both of whom were excellent.

Also worth a follow on twitter