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^Cosmo's race summary articulates it well.
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The new parcours is meant to improve the race for people who are actually there, and I partly admire a retrograde step that puts a TV audience second. The flip side is that is seems to partially neutralise the race, but I think at least part of that was the teams tactics. It wasn't as dull last year.
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I think the riders are still trying to work out how they can manage their efforts on the new course, which will have an impact on how the race is ridden. Take off the rose tinted glasses for a second and the old course was pretty formulaic, with the Muur creating a selection then the Bosberg usually defining the winner, with the occasional version following a different script when someone got away earlier and a tactical stalemate behind allowed them to hold on.
Lotto showed how a canny rider can get a result this time by using the team wisely so other teams (hello Sky) should be looking at how they can do something similar.
However, the strongest rider won so in a sense the new course did it's job.
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The new parcours is meant to improve the race for people who are actually there, and I partly admire a retrograde step that puts a TV audience second. The flip side is that is seems to partially neutralise the race, but I think at least part of that was the teams tactics. It wasn't as dull last year.
I'm not so sure I buy the whole 'better for spectators' thing - my experience of being there is that by the time the race heats up everyone is hammered, and is busy shouting at video screens. If you want to see the race a few times, you can still zip about in a car, and if you choose somewhere like OK you can easily see them come past twice if you're quick on your feet.
I miss the Muur. -
I can't remove the rose tints I'm afraid.. But, as ever, you are largely right about it andy.. It's just the bunch laps that hurts me. Usually the field is whittled down before the Muur with the "daring" coming from who's going to be strong enough from there. You know as well as I do how fucking awesome the Muur is to ride and watch from.. Plus the run in from Bosberg to Ninove is undulating rather than the pan flat TT into Oudenaarde..
I'm sorry if it's been over pages back.. Just needed a little vent.. And it was totally stunning to see Cancellara in full flight again.. It was beautiful..
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Scheldeprijs sprintfest today!
Bos, Kittel, Cav, Demare?
or even....
15.55 UK time (it's daylight saving time now right?)
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Oof, Henao, great rider, deserves a break out, although he may get taken on the TT. Most likely by Porte....
Hoping he can fulfill some GT potential soon, it's a complicated pecking list at Sky
Wondering if Cav is enjoying his time at OPQS so much now, he's looking more human without the HTC train to protect him and an emerging generation of sprinters snapping at his heels. Think he's defintely been hurt by the absence/form of Boonen, who may have been leading him out here.
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Jens Voigt is all set for tomorrow:
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So all you need to cover is moves from Wiggins, Froome and Porte. Or Henao. Or Dombrowski.
Mark them and Uran will fuck you. Not literally though, Harmon, if you are listening
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^^ WANT! Where do I get one?
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oof, so many cheap slurs...I have passed this test, I will diminish and go into the West...
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Jens Voigt is all set for tomorrow:
I love Jens Voigt, Jens Voigt loves me...
#to elgar's pomp and circumstance#
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I think I've decided I don't care about Mark Cavendish winning bike races any more.
Good timing: he isn't
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Perhaps he needs tips from Sagan on bikehandling, second crash in a week
Brave
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About
2013 Pro-cycling season thread
Posted by
@peter_v
http://www.podiumcafe.com/2013/4/2/4172990/cafe-chat-floating-over-the-pave-with-taylor-phinney
This is a good read. I have been a fan of Schar since the OIympic road race last year, when he looked a classy rider in the flesh.