De Ronde van Vlaanderen: No More Eikenmolen?

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 3, 2009 1:20 PM EST in News

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

by Koppenberg on Dec 3, 2009 1:22 PM EST reply actions

Well

it will be totally different. I mean, where they sit and watch Devolder win from.

"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 3, 2009 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

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?

by ursula on Dec 3, 2009 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

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

by majope on Dec 3, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

Me too.

In the meantime we can deal with next year’s VDS rider lists. ;)

by ursula on Dec 3, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

I want theeeem!

by Frinking on Dec 3, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions

Are you daring me?

"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 3, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions

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.

by Vlaanderen90 on Dec 3, 2009 2:10 PM EST reply actions

You know you are a demi-god

when they change the Ronde route to give the other guys a fair chance of winning.

by Jens on Dec 3, 2009 2:17 PM EST reply actions

So if you are Cancellara...

Who would you pay more attention to, Boonen or Devo?

by ursula on Dec 3, 2009 2:19 PM EST reply actions

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

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 3, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

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..

by Frinking on Dec 3, 2009 3:33 PM EST up reply actions

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

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 3, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

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

by Frinking on Dec 3, 2009 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

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

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 3, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

"voor spektakel sorgen"

“Hap ap ap”

by Jens on Dec 3, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

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.

by Frinking on Dec 3, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions

Langeveld did attack

but he had really nothing left, Chavanel just easily moved to his wheel.

by tedvdw on Dec 3, 2009 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

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

by Frinking on Dec 3, 2009 5:15 PM EST up reply actions

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.

by tedvdw on Dec 3, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

I know

that all tactics should be smart tactics… but this was just too awesome not to love.

"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 3, 2009 6:03 PM EST up reply actions

And

as to next year, they’re one year smarter now, right?

"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 3, 2009 6:04 PM EST up reply actions

Well, one year awesomer at least

by Jens on Dec 3, 2009 6:18 PM EST up reply actions

Thank you for that

It made me happy.

by Drongo on Dec 3, 2009 11:04 PM EST up reply actions

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…

by rowyco on Dec 4, 2009 8:12 AM EST up reply actions

Yep

Phil Gill will be a big big big factor come spring.

by ursula on Dec 4, 2009 11:42 AM EST up reply actions

There you have it: The Mark of Death

Count Gilbert out next season. He’ been Gasparottoed.

by Jens on Dec 4, 2009 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

Ronde van...huh?

Is that related to the Tour de France?

I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it

by plinytheelder on Dec 3, 2009 2:25 PM EST reply actions

Hm

now where did I put the banhammer…?

"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 3, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions

Last I saw it , it was in Tha Blilldozers rectum

I vote that Drew fetches it.

by Jens on Dec 3, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

No

Didn’t you fetch it to use on that spammer last week?

"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 3, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

I used the ban-Allen wrench

Not as imposing, but surprisingly effective.

by Jens on Dec 3, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

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…)

by Lou... on Dec 3, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

Lou--Tom Boonen in disguise.

It was just a long race--Edvald Boasson Hagen, on the Giro

by majope on Dec 3, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

[chokes on her porridge]

The porridge was made with oats, incidentally… ;-)

by Lou... on Dec 3, 2009 3:21 PM EST up reply actions

We know that's not porridge, Lou.

by ursula on Dec 3, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

Isn't it midnight?

"Harder! Better! Faster! Stronger!" Philippe Gilbert

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 3, 2009 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

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!

by Lou... on Dec 3, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

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

by Ben Shave on Dec 3, 2009 5:23 PM EST up reply actions