Tour of Flanders *SPOILER*

[Flying_Monkey]

There's been plenty of interesting racing going on over the last couple of weeks, but this weekend we have the Tour of Flanders. Simple question: is there anyone who is likely to beat Cancellara?

 

[mangaman]

Ahh. My favourite time of year.

The TD Flanders and Paris-Roubaix

I agree Cancellara is favourite, but Boonen won Ghent-Wevelgem and I think he's a serious challenger - especially in Flanders.

And, of course, luck can play such a part in the cobbled classics with punctures / crashes etc.

One thing I'd never do is bet on them.

I'd go Boonen for Flanders and Cancellara for Roubaix - just on a whim.

As I said, if it rains, it becomes a lottery and they could both crash out and anyone could win - I'd like to see Flecha get lucky one year.

 

[raindog]

For anyone who thinks a rider other than Cancellara is going to win, have a good hard look at this clip from last saturday. The bloke's a beast. The commentators are gob smacked.


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOZCXiaaSpU&feature=player_embedded

If we get a repeat performance of this, the other contenders will need counselling at the finish.

 

[John the Monkey]

Vroomen:

Normally speaking, Cancellara cannot win Flanders this year. With 192 riders against 1+7, the one has no chance. Not even Cancellara. And when you ride as he has, there is no reason for the 192 riders not to race against the one.

http://www.cervelo.com/en_us/news-blog/rider-blogs/article/the-cancellara-conundrum/2664/

 

[rich p]

If Cancellara doesn't win, I'll eat my helmet.

 

[raindog]

Is Fab beatable? Four opinions, four videos. Museeuw names Chavanel as a dark horse.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/video-is-cancellara-beatable-at-the-tour-of-flanders

 

[raindog]

Race situation at 11.30.......
Roger Hammond (Garmin Cervelo), Jeremy Hunt (Sky), Stefan van Dijck (Veranda's Willems), Mitchell Docker (Skil-Shimano) and Sébastien Turgot (Europcar) at one minute thirty.

 

[Skip Madness]

I'm going for embarrassment and predicting Blaak and Pozzato for today.

 

[raindog]

if anyone needs a feed....
http://www.teamskyfans.com/live.html

 

[rich p]

What a superb race. Respect to Fab C for giving it a good crack more than once but they hunted him down well.

Very aggressive riding and another good result for Nuyens. Geraint Thomas is doing well too.

Riis must be pleased to put one over Trek-Leopard.

 

[Baggy]

Sounds like a good day, wish I'd been able to watch it somewhere.

Chuffy is actually out there watching. Well, I hope he is, anyway - he rode the sportive yesterday so he might be be suffering from a cobble overdose...

 

[raindog]

We wus robbed. Chavanel would've got that if he hadn't farted about looking over his shoulder for Boonen. It would've been the win of his career.

But you're dead right Rich, what a great race - if next week end is half as exciting as that I'll be happy.

 

[Keith Oates]

If Cancellara doesn't win, I'll eat my helmet.

Do we get a photo of this event Rich !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[fungus]

Great race today with a bit of everything, our Rog & Jezza in the early break, boonen outclassed again by Fabian & a great win for Nik Nuyens. Good to see Geraint in the thick of it towards the end too & Emma Pooley came 10th in the womens race

 

[rich p]

Do we get a photo of this event Rich !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course Keith, I always pay my debts!