Is It Time to Leak the Gent-Wevelgem Finale?
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 7, 2012 3:39 PM EST
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Yes. Yes it is. Wielerman, a/k/a Renaat Schotte, twitpics a photo of the printed race guide (a pretty good sign), which reveals some tasty nuggets of information:
- Final distance is 234.6km, finally crashing the 230km barrier that G-W has threatened for a couple years now.
- After messing around in France, the decisive climbs are as follows:
- Vidagneberg, km 170
- Baneberg, km 172
- Kemmelberg, km 180
- Schomminkelstraat, km 185
- Baneberg, 189
- Kemmelberg, 196
- Monteberg, 200
Then the usual long romp from Kemmel to Wevelgem. This is a pretty big change from last year, when the race used the Rodeberg and Scherpenberg amongst the Kemmel/Bane/Montebergs for a single climbing circuit done two times. Now you've got the Baneberg and Kemmelberg done twice, but with different pathways before the Baneberg and after the Kemmelberg. The Monteberg is the last climb of the day.
The Rodeberg was pretty decisive two years ago, so it's a big deal to exclude it now, in theory at least. In practice, riders will use whatever hills are available to break things up, if they can/desire, and the Vidaigneberg or Schomminkelstraat will suffice if tongues are wagging. On the other hand, the distance is a big deal, and suggests that attacks will come as late as possible. Gent-Wevelgem is six weeks from this Sunday. [I really enjoyed typing that last sentence.]
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Probably
More to Farrar’s liking? It’s long and tough but the hills might not be as decisive. Boonen obvy too, and Cav could be in the mix. Which is why I’m picking… never mind.
De cross gaat out that door.
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 7, 2012 9:29 PM EST up reply actions
You're forgetting Goss I think.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Except he's finished 2nd here before (but on the older, shorter course...) ;-)
I NEED MOAR MUD
by Douglas Ansel on Feb 7, 2012 11:47 PM EST up reply actions
He's not on my team, so I can hype him up all I want.
:D
I NEED MOAR MUD
by Douglas Ansel on Feb 7, 2012 11:47 PM EST up reply actions
I think Goss came third...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Or we could discount native English speakers, which would probably be smart. (Yes, I know about GH 2001).
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Do you think
that I’m going to say who I really like before the FSA-DS deadline?
De cross gaat out that door.
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 8, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions
Regardless of all the little details of the course I'm calling this for Cavendish right now.
I think it will take injury or some major racing-efforts for him to let this go to anyone else.
Seems a bit outside his season targets, right?
I would be surprised if he’s doing much this spring being that he’s gonna try and Peak at the TDF & Olympics.
What would Deming do? (+8:00 GMT)
I think it is THE target in the spring after MSR
1.Olympics, 2. MSR 3. TdF stages 4. Gent-Wevelgem is my guess of his ranking of targets in 2012
Really?
Because he’s got a ways to go based on his form right now. I’d be a little surprised if he did anything of note (other than Scheldepris) prior to the Tour. That said, I’d love to see him make the effort.
"I’m pretty disappointed, but if this is what people want to see, a race decided on a downhill," Andy Schleck said. "I don’t think that. A finish like this should not be allowed."
I think he looks superb for February
He led the Sky TTT home despite being a bit under the weather for a day or two before and then won a sprint comfortably. I think he will go into MSR in far better shape than the year he won unless he runs into trouble.
I better go make some changes then...
"I’m pretty disappointed, but if this is what people want to see, a race decided on a downhill," Andy Schleck said. "I don’t think that. A finish like this should not be allowed."
Think first
Jens says a bunch of stuff before the FSA-DS deadline closes. And you’re going to make changes?
De cross gaat out that door.
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 8, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
I love when Jens starts VDS talk
It’s like the crocuses poking their heads out of winter’s slumber.
All I've had today is, like, six gummy bears and some scotch.
Why would I start thinking now?
It just confuses things
"I’m pretty disappointed, but if this is what people want to see, a race decided on a downhill," Andy Schleck said. "I don’t think that. A finish like this should not be allowed."
He listened to you about the goat rectum soup, didn't he?
Once bitten, twice shy, or so they say.
All I've had today is, like, six gummy bears and some scotch.
Was that all that was left of Girbecco?
I understand there are many people in Norway who wanted me to go with yellow shoes, but it's okay to try something else--Edvald Boasson Hagen
In actual fact the results of the last few years suggest Benna may win...I can't believe I just said that.
I foolishly put money on Mitch Docker for at least a podium finish. I should have checked he was going to be swathed in bubble wrap until race time arrived.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I'm so sad for him...huge talent.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
How should this race be pronounced?
In my mind, it’s always been ‘Guent-Wevvle-guem’ (hard G), even though I’m about 104% sure that’s wrong.
When I look at the spelling of Ronde van Vlaanderen
I really don’t see where that “woohoo!” comes from at the end.
http://audioboo.fm/boos/517633-rvv
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Feb 8, 2012 3:47 AM EST up reply actions
Take another pint . . .
. . . you obviously haven’t drank enough before you tried to understand that language.
What would Deming do? (+8:00 GMT)
I'm thinking it's like the click consonant that they in some African languages
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Feb 8, 2012 3:59 AM EST up reply actions
It's a complicated language, flemish
Coffee cures all. ~ Gav
by tgsgirl on Feb 8, 2012 5:36 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Doesn't occur often
Coffee cures all. ~ Gav
by tgsgirl on Feb 8, 2012 5:56 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
That one I could say, with practice.
There’s no G in it.
I understand there are many people in Norway who wanted me to go with yellow shoes, but it's okay to try something else--Edvald Boasson Hagen
Why have people booed you 11 times?
I understand there are many people in Norway who wanted me to go with yellow shoes, but it's okay to try something else--Edvald Boasson Hagen
"Gent-Wevelgem is six weeks from this Sunday. [I really enjoyed typing that last sentence.]"
I really enjoyed reading it.
All I've had today is, like, six gummy bears and some scotch.
well I am allowed to post this pic for sure,
cause it’s me on the Kemmelberg in 1983. Wish I had raced up it (or down) never did though ;-)
I've heard you folks are a little loopy
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