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Brabantse Pijl... LIVE!

Copy_of_pineapple_face_tiny by Chris... on in News

Same drill as yesterday. Rabo may not have made the moves at E3, but you can bet they'll be heavily involved today. Enjoy!

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Freire's kingdom
He's the winner of the last three editions. He must be motivated

by King of Doping on Mar 30, 2008 7:03 AM EDT   0 recs

Riders are signing in
and the weather looks overcast and wet, though I'm not sure if it's lightly raining or rained already.
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 9:25 AM EDT   0 recs

And they're rolling out
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 9:28 AM EDT   0 recs

And miraculously
are 77K from the finish. That was a quick start.

No idea who's in the break yet.

"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 9:29 AM EDT   0 recs

G2 5:00 back
Peleton at 9'
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 9:30 AM EDT   0 recs

Correction
Peleton at 8:25. Lead group is 3 riders, all small teams.
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 9:31 AM EDT   0 recs

Good morning !
(well it's a sunny afternoon over here)

Any idea who is in the leadgroup?

by Jens on Mar 30, 2008 9:38 AM EDT   0 recs

He Jens
Bettini having a tough day so far
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 9:39 AM EDT   0 recs

'hi'
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 9:39 AM EDT   0 recs

Saunier Duval
in 3 man break.
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 9:40 AM EDT   0 recs

Too lazy
to look up break on CN, doing some multitasking at the moment.
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 9:41 AM EDT   0 recs

Looks wet and cold
over there, all the riders are really grimy.
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 9:41 AM EDT   0 recs

mnorning all
I hope you are well.  Cold rain here this morning, I'll wait for them to call me.

Any idea when this race hits c.tv?

America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Mar 30, 2008 9:43 AM EDT   0 recs

It's on now
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 9:43 AM EDT   0 recs

Cold here but sunny
was going to race but it's 25 degrees. Will wait until it gets warmer this afternoon.
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 9:44 AM EDT   0 recs

ah there it is...
America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Mar 30, 2008 9:44 AM EDT   0 recs

CN not awake yet
I can´t make up my mind if I want wet and grimy or warm and sunny for next weeks Ronde. I'm leaning towards the selfish sunny alternative eventhough the crap weather makes it more epic.

by Jens on Mar 30, 2008 9:44 AM EDT   0 recs

no CN ticker
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. - G. Marx

by flying dog on Mar 30, 2008 9:46 AM EDT   0 recs

It's important to be near the front
America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Mar 30, 2008 9:46 AM EDT   0 recs

Good morning, all
It's nice and sunny here. I am happy to not be riding in rain and muck like these poor men.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 9:46 AM EDT   0 recs

NC has the same weather as Belgium this morn
America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Mar 30, 2008 9:47 AM EDT   0 recs

someone
a live stream?

by Frinking on Mar 30, 2008 9:48 AM EDT   0 recs

http://cyclingfans.com/
America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Mar 30, 2008 9:48 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

thanks
but I don't have premium channal at cycling.tv

by Frinking on Mar 30, 2008 9:50 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

sorry
I don't have any other suggestions
America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Mar 30, 2008 9:51 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

How fortune changes
Lars Bak crashes and looks like being left behind by CSC.

Front 3:

194 Raynold Smith (RSA)
218 Wouter Mol (Ned)
47 Ermanno Capelli (Ita)

by Monty. on Mar 30, 2008 9:48 AM EDT   0 recs

Astana rider overshoots corner
Works hard to get back into the group.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 9:50 AM EDT   0 recs

Don't blame him
He's riding DePanne later this week so it's not like he needs the miles before Flanders.
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 9:51 AM EDT   0 recs

ooh!
Those corners are squirrely. Serious bike handling required for this race.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 9:51 AM EDT   0 recs

nice camera work
Peloton swarming in the distance.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 9:53 AM EDT   0 recs

pure distilled misery
on the faces of the riders in the peloton.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 9:54 AM EDT   0 recs

That finish looks great
You almost hope to have a bit of a group battling it out. I can't remember that finish from last year, is it the same?

by Jens on Mar 30, 2008 9:55 AM EDT   0 recs

Same
that climb, Alsemburg?, is where its decided.
America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Mar 30, 2008 9:57 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

arm waving all over the place
two passengers in the leading group of 4.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 9:57 AM EDT   0 recs

Peleton has chopped
3' off the lead in 18K.
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 9:58 AM EDT   0 recs

Mornin all,
thanks for catching me up. Booting up c.tv now. Back in 30 minutes.

by Chris... on Mar 30, 2008 9:59 AM EDT   0 recs

Hehe
It was a bear this morning for a while. Prepare yourself.
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 10:00 AM EDT   0 recs

Peloton closing in
on group of 6.

Minimal coverage of the leading group so far.

-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 10:02 AM EDT   0 recs

Woohoo!
I'm in. That's some serious slop. Are they on the climb?

by Chris... on Mar 30, 2008 10:03 AM EDT   0 recs

Yep
And they'll see it every lap from now on.
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 10:04 AM EDT   0 recs

So is today the day
when I get to regret my decision to dump Nuyens from my VDS? I picked up Philbert instead so I think not (in the long run).

Nuyens is still my pick for today though.

by Jens on Mar 30, 2008 10:04 AM EDT   0 recs

Morning everyone
Including you Goatboy  

It's only 41 degrees and drizzeling here-consider yourself called out!

Looks the same in Belgium...

Cofifis working out front!

It's just around the next bend. Really.

by tshawytcha on Mar 30, 2008 10:05 AM EDT   0 recs

I'm hoping that
this is the day I am finally glad I kept Nuyins
It's just around the next bend. Really.

by tshawytcha on Mar 30, 2008 10:07 AM EDT   0 recs

Don't look at me to work

I have a teammate up the road.

-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 10:09 AM EDT   0 recs

Hey!
Is that from today?

by Chris... on Mar 30, 2008 10:11 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

it is
instant screen captcha.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 10:12 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

sure
see comment below. It's pretty simple.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 10:21 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

ROTFLMAO
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. - G. Marx

by flying dog on Mar 30, 2008 10:12 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Brilliant!
How'd you do that?
It's just around the next bend. Really.

by tshawytcha on Mar 30, 2008 10:12 AM EDT   0 recs

hit screen cap
then crop and load into photobucket and link here
America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Mar 30, 2008 10:14 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

that's it
Just need to pick the right moment to capture it.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 10:16 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Dang
on the climb, you can see that there are cobbles on the fringe, meaning this would be a signature Flemish climb if they hadn't paved it over.

by Chris... on Mar 30, 2008 10:13 AM EDT   0 recs

Man is Kevin quick
That happened less than 5' ago. My new hero.
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 10:14 AM EDT   0 recs

What is the LUC sign
I see it all the time.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 10:14 AM EDT   0 recs

Chris
They're going to sing your song!
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 10:15 AM EDT   0 recs

WOOHOO!
Now they get around to important subjects... US!

Sorry Anthony & Brian, Inner City Pressure is more of a Kiwi joke. Drew doesn't know his Empire accents.

I'll settle for God Save the Queen, the Pistols version preferred.

by Chris... on Mar 30, 2008 10:16 AM EDT   0 recs

They aren't getting much
screen time for the lead group. I am wondering if they even exist.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 10:18 AM EDT   0 recs

Morning all
Now this looks like a Belgian race.

by Jimbo... on Mar 30, 2008 10:18 AM EDT   0 recs

Bettini looking relaxed
just grabbed a twinkie from the team car.

by Chris... on Mar 30, 2008 10:19 AM EDT   0 recs

Van Impe
and a 'Steiner rocket off the front as the peloton close in on the group of 6.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 10:19 AM EDT   0 recs

They instantly bridge
to the group of 6.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 10:19 AM EDT   0 recs

Woah woah woah
I certainly know my accents. Just because Brian's Scottish doesn't mean he couldn't sing it.

Are you insinuating that he's only good for a tune by the Chieftans, Jim Kerr, or the Proclaimers?

"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 10:20 AM EDT   0 recs

Hm
not a bad idea. Cap in Hand maybe?

by Chris... on Mar 30, 2008 10:21 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

diff kb diff places
look for print screen
America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Mar 30, 2008 10:21 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

usually
on Windows Alt-Print Screen for the active window.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 10:22 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

then, depending
on various random stuff, it will either work, or you'll get a black window where the image should be, or you'll get the image.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 10:23 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

on a mac
command-shift-4 gives you cross hairs to capture a bit o' screen
--JFS

by JFS_PGH on Mar 30, 2008 10:26 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Lucky pink shoes!!!
It's just around the next bend. Really.

by tshawytcha on Mar 30, 2008 10:21 AM EDT   0 recs

Cofidis
looking very interested today. Of course, reading the ambitions of the peloton is a little dicey til they do something. But the gap is coming down quickly like a Tour de France stage.

by Chris... on Mar 30, 2008 10:22 AM EDT   0 recs

Question
Do you even venture out your front door if you live on a traffic circle in Belgium during a race?
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 10:23 AM EDT   0 recs

How many climbs
per lap? At least two.

by Chris... on Mar 30, 2008 10:23 AM EDT   0 recs

lots of attacking on this lap
Gap to mythical lead group is 1:18
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 10:27 AM EDT   0 recs

Wynands
blowing up the break. Maybe Quickstep will figure it out today. This is supposedly their specialty.

Attack off the front of the peloton? Someone made a move but I can't tell if they're going anyplace. Pack is in full cry, now only 1.37 back.

by Chris... on Mar 30, 2008 10:27 AM EDT   0 recs

Wynants
rethinks his solo attack. Waits for the remnants of group 2.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 10:29 AM EDT   0 recs

1.30 back
1.28... 1.27...1.26 ...1/.25

and so on. Wynands is wasting his time.

by Chris... on Mar 30, 2008 10:29 AM EDT   0 recs

Wynants swings over
but nobody pulls through to work. Ouch! I hate that.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 10:30 AM EDT   0 recs

why communism doesn't work
demonstrated in a bike race.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 6:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

cofidis on front of peloton
I see the shoes
--JFS

by JFS_PGH on Mar 30, 2008 10:31 AM EDT   0 recs

Cofidis
driving hard. Gaps are plunging.
-K-

by KevinK on Mar 30, 2008 10:33 AM EDT   0 recs

I have my coffee Anthony!
and a tarp
It's just around the next bend. Really.

by tshawytcha on Mar 30, 2008 10:33 AM EDT   0 recs

And Cofidis looking to play
Nuyens or Chavanel. Nice cards.
"Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." -Andrea Tafi

by Drew on Mar 30, 2008 10:36 AM EDT   0 recs

gap coming down
America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Mar 30, 2008 10:37 AM EDT   0 recs