De Ronde van Vlaanderen: No More Eikenmolen?
We are still at least a month away from the official announcement of the 2010 Tour of Flanders route, but word is leaking out of Belgium that the Eikenmolen -- a decisive climb since its introduction two years ago -- may be removed from this year's finale. Two years in a row, the Eikenmolen (or Oak Mill) was the scene of Stijn Devolder's winning move, but apparently roadwork is causing some adjustment of the course. Not an unusual development, and the removal of the Oak Mill just returns the finale to its former state, when everyone assumed the key move would happen on the Valkenberg or the Muur. Back in would be the Parikeberg, halfway between Geraardsbergen and Brakel, which I think means it comes between the Valkenberg and the Muur. If so, the Parikeberg would be more of a palate cleanser, 0.6km averaging under 6%, between the two more decisive events.
Official route is expected in "mid-January." I plan to rig a computer to stay open to Sporza and autorefresh every 45 seconds, starting January 11. Stay tuned.
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They are going to rewrite the tactics.
Get near the front leading up to the Koppenberg.
Be in the first 12 or so following Boonen.
Sit and wait.
Watch Devolder win.
Brooklyn Chewing Gum: Vlaanderens Mooiste
Yeah I wonder who might try to shadow Devo?
And maybe more important, who has the legs to stay with him once he’s fully wound up?
I could so read a de Ronde preview right now.
Is it still too early?
It was just a long race--Edvald Boasson Hagen, on the Giro
I am curious about 2011 because they said the course might have some major shake-ups like
the Molenberg being moved more towards the business end of the race. Ugh I just want it to be April all ready.
You know you are a demi-god
when they change the Ronde route to give the other guys a fair chance of winning.
OK, mini-mini-preview time
Cancellara had damn well better be fit this year, and get a real chain too. Same for Ballan and Hincapie. Because the last couple Ronde’s have been too limited in real contenders. You still have to lock onto Quick Step, but having more naturally aggressive guys like Cance and Ballan could shake things up a lot. Last year featured QSI vs Pippo, ever the counterpuncher, and you can see where that got us.
"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert
Is Hincapie riding the Ronde?
And I hope Rabo is finally peaking at the right course because with:
Langeveld, Nuyens, Posthuma, Tjallingi and Boom.. Ouch.. That hurts my legs thinking about it..
Hink
I would assume so.
Are you daring me to write another Rabo spring preview? Because I am ready…
"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert
Haha it wouold be so cool..
But hey.. You also can cover the upcoming… Belgian/ USA are there? etc…
The problem with Rabo is ALWAYS their line-up looks great but afterwards they were nowhere to be seen.. But quietly they were there.. Because they are always on the Top 5 teams. So I will keep hoping
Het NB
four-man Rabo breakaway… one of my favorite moments of 2009. Of course, the problem is that leaves 19 teams with a lot of incentive to chase…
"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert
Thanks. Still breathtaken beautiful!
What a power. From 40km out hammering.. Even break the small group of 15, with names as Burghardt, to 7… But men.. Why on earth can’t they finish, Langeveld should have attacked for the second time when they get him with less than a kom to go.. But I will be stunned if they can do this next year. No complaining from my side than.. Ok ui will complain.. But whatever. ALLEZ RABO! You got me the best shots from 2009!
And Jens.. One thing.. It is zorgen.
He didn't..
From 3:53.. It looks like he is going to attack but on 4:07 he sit down again. He is than next to Chavanel and Flecha
He tried at 4:04
but it went nowhere, I think he already gave up before Chavanel moved. But it did take him to the front of the group again, so apparently it was some sort of attack.
what about the "other" belgian???
I can understand not mentioning Gilbert for last year’s race, but riding with his new found confidence might have him tearing up the Spring and Fall…
Ronde van...huh?
Is that related to the Tour de France?
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
No
Didn’t you fetch it to use on that spammer last week?
"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert
ah tu veux dire le Tour des Flandres!
;)
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Dec 3, 2009 8:21 PM EST up reply actions
It's a minor warm-up race
… for P-R, I believe :-)
(You can’t swing the banhammer at me, Chris – I live in the future, I’m always a day ahead remember? Besides… the entire season is a warm-up for P-R, in my world…)
[chokes on her porridge]
The porridge was made with oats, incidentally… ;-)
True, porridge is an ideal meal at any hour
… but no, midnight was over 7hrs ago :-). And now I’m off the the salt mine. On the positive side… it’s FRIDAY!! Woohoo!
well played
"well...you live in england so: you love the rain. loves the queen. hates cycling. based on mr bean had a tremendous amount of humour. all ride in a mini cooper. all getting drunk before the age of 12. getting drunk at least 3 times a day."- frinking, 7/9/09
thanks
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Dec 3, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions

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