The early season day races thread 2013 *SPOILERS*

[thom]

What about perhaps a semi-Belgian? Zdenek Stybar
It's perhaps a pretty long shot, but especially if the weather is looking icy cold, he must be feeling himself in his element (being a cyclocrosser and coming from Czechia)

I think you are right and that he will do well but I suspect that given his bike handling skills that he's more likely to really stand out in the bumpy stuff with cobbles in a few weeks time. It's not clear to me in a tactical sprint with a handful of riders (as is likely to be the way of the finale) that he'd either have the acceleration or experience to win.

 

[The Couch]

... that he'd either have the acceleration or experience to win.

On acceleration, I wouldn't worry there, he used to BMX when he was a boy and just ask the cyclocrossers if they were looking forward taking him to the finish line.
Then again, indeed I believe that experience might be the major thing missing (in a tactical sprint).

 

[Flying_Monkey]

KBK will be the first time this season we have a potential Cav vs. The Gorilla showdown. Should be fun.

 

[smutchin]

Just to be different (in that no one has nailed their colours specifically to his mast), I'll put my money on Roelandts in the Omloop. I'll be cheering for the G-Man though.

Not sure I want to predict a winner in KBK but I'll back Cav. Whoever wins, it could be an important early psychological blow in what promises to be a season of monumental sprints between him and Greipel.

 

[thom]

On acceleration, I wouldn't worry there, he used to BMX when he was a boy and just ask the cyclocrossers if they were looking forward taking him to the finish line.
Then again, indeed I believe that experience might be the major thing missing (in a tactical sprint).

Actually my ignorance has been corrected in learning there are indeed cobbles in Omloop so it could indeed be a good opportunity to see Stybar's handling skills.

 

[smutchin]

KBK will be the first time this season we have a potential Cav vs. The Gorilla showdown. Should be fun.

The added spice coming from the fact that a Belgian race is the setting for a head-to-head between the two big Belgian teams. Very tasty.

I suppose you could say the same for Roelandts vs Vanmarcke in the Omloop, except there are plenty of other contenders there. Assuming there are no crashes or other mishaps, I can't see beyond one of Cav or Greipel in KBK.

 

[Strathlubnaig]

I wonder if Hutarovich of Ag2R will be thinking his time has come after 2 first loser placings in a row on the KBK .

 

[smutchin]

Fyi...

KBK is on Eurosport 2 with live coverage from 2.15-4.15pm and highlights at 9.15pm, repeated on Eurosport 1 at 11pm.

Anyone know if the Omloop is on UK TV anywhere?

 

[normgow]

Fyi...

KBK is on Eurosport 2 with live coverage from 2.15-4.15pm and highlights at 9.15pm, repeated on Eurosport 1 at 11pm.

Anyone know if the Omloop is on UK TV anywhere?

have a look in the thread Tells us what cycling is coming up on TV....

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

have a look in the thread Tells us what cycling is coming up on TV....

Yes, I'm grabbing the links off procyclinglive as soon as they become available (ok, as soon as I or someone more on the ball spots them) and entering them in the calendar. No free-to-air TV coverage in the UK as far as I'm aware.

 

[smutchin]

have a look in the thread Tells us what cycling is coming up on TV....

Ah! Yes, good idea. Thanks.

 

[The Couch]

... I can't see beyond one of Cav or Greipel in KBK.

I agree here (I guess as most people would).
And especially if Roelandts can't fulfill his status as topfavourite the day before, I strongly believe that Lotto will do everything they can to make it a sprint (and OPQ won't mind helping).

I wouldn't put money on it, but my guess would be on Cav.
The only guy that I potentially might see surprising them (and I can't stress potentially enough) would be Bouhanni, but it's Demare who got the nod for KBK.

 

[Noodley]

I'll take a punt on Offredo for Omloop, can't see past Cav for KBK but again I'll take a punt on Soupe as an outsider - FDJ have had a good start to the season so hopefully the form will continue...<sad, idealistic nobber that I am)

 

[User169]

Inner Ring....

"No more Arabian nights in five-star hotels or photo-ops with kangaroos – now it’s cobbles, narrow roads and wintry weather. There’s no gentle introduction here. Time for the hardmen to fight."

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Reading Inner Ring made me think, surely Bernie Eisel is made for the cobbled classics - now he doesn't have to babysit Cav, might he be allowed a go at grinding down the peloton?