Wow, great race - I just watched the finale. Everybody is thrashed. Fruitless attacks: Benoot, Vanmarcke, Roelandts, van Avermaet; all too tired to make it stick, and Stybar and Gilbert there to shut it down.

Still - it seems like BMC should've put Roelandts and Kueng on the front to close down the gap. Roelandts in particular put in a few digs; if he had put that same energy into chasing down Terpstra he might've set up GVA for the win. Poor teamwork by BMC.

And did everybody see Terpstra's "Don't touch me!" moment? Shades of Cadel!

I did see that. hilarious. tough to match cuddles though.

about 20 seconds after that they handed him his bike to "go ride over there" or whatever. the look on his face was priceless. he even bowed his head on the saddle for a moment. he just couldn't bring himself to throw his leg over the bike. he was too thrashed.

wow. echappist's spring classic pick'em game is a microcosm of my life.

I am stinking up the house.

I gotta turn this franchise around.

Picks for Gent

Vanmarcke, Sagan, Stuyvens
Terpstra, Matthews

edited

Vanmarcke, Sagan, Stuyvens
GvA, Matthews

Dang I missed e3.. I’m not a big fan of terpstra personally, but can’t deny quick step is just annihiliating the field in almost every race in the early season.

For gent wev:
Sagan
GVA
Gilbert

Boring picks, but I think its the slovakian beating out the flandrien in a battle of the titans. And the wallonian makes the podium on pure tactics.

you get two more outsider picks

Sorry:

Sagan
GVA
gilbert

Groenevagen
Colbrelli

I can't bring myself not to pick Sagan, but so far the spring classics campaign hasn't been going well for him. I'm sure if I don't pick him he'll inevitably win. So...

Sagan, Stuyven, VanMarcke
Trentin, Matthews

I'm somewhat at peace with the notion that to be a cycling fan these days requires a bit of "suspension of disbelief", but damn, Valverde really makes it hard. The dude is ALWAYS on form.

Gent:

Groenewegen
Viviani
Van Aert

Kristoff
Matthews

well, given how Rebellin was (has been?) racing well past 45, I guess we'll be seeing Valverde and his unrepentant a** for at least another half decade...

Drunk Jimmy says Valverde keeps smoking the young stud fields through efficiency and guile and treachery. Sober Jimmy says stop being delusional. Valverde has a rap sheet a mile long. Gilbert actually is a remarkable one day puncher, on a completely loaded team.

For Gent

Kristoff, Sagan, Groenenwegen, Viviani, Cobrelli

Whatever he's doing, he doesn't seem to be sharing it with his teammates, though.

Quitana does, and always has, appeared to be somewhat human. (Within the context of them being different types of riders.)

We'll see about Landa.

Groenewegen, Matthews, Kristoff
Vanmarcke, Van Avermaet

Going for the sprint finish, group of 25-30 guys...

Helps to peak for 6 month.

Or something

My picks for Gent:

Vanmarcke
Naesen
Stuyven

Trentin
Colbrelli

Is it OK if I take Sagz for one of my wildcards? :-)

Just kidding!

Podium:
Vanmarcke
Gilbert
Van Avermaet

WC:
Moscon
Groenewegen

I have to take Groenenwegen. He is rested, on form, and Lotto will not have a leadership role in the early part of the race. They put a guy on the front to help control things and then have a full contingent to control stuff and ensure a sprint from 40k out.

GW

Sagan, Kristoff, groenewegen

Stybar and trentin

Sagan and GVA are off form right now, Sagan is either perfectly peaking for roubaix or this is an off season.

if you get a chance to watch the closing circuit in Barcelona, stage 7 Catalunya.....very cool track.....it's pretty great racing except for a crash with Bernal, Henao, and Martin....they cut back to it and Dan Martin is back on his bike rolling away.....he is one tough dude

screwed up one pick for Gent: shoulda had Mathews..too late ..had him for MSR and thought it was a mistake then bc he's been out hurt but I think he's fresh now....wouldn't be surprised to see him right there...

Sagan looks pissed/focused and I bet he's going to let it rip early and not wait for QS to dictate.

maybe not but i see pink up front looking frisky.........Sep?

BMC did too much work; GvA better be strong

I'm starting to think the domestiques up the road have a slim chance.

Edit: OK, nevermind.

Sep has a real shot....looks great.