@the Belgian delegation, anyone knows why they got ride of the Taainberg? Yes, i know Boonen retired, but that little hill didn’t disappoint the past two seasons. The exposed false flat at the top was a nasty little surprise that really shredded things.

@the Belgian delegation ... also, what's the weather? someone just told me that it will be below freezing for Loop's start.

5°C and a lot of cold wind (5 beaufort)

Not going to make any outlandish picks for the Omloop:

GvA, Gilbert, VanMarke
Stybar, Wellens

Although I'm really interested to see how Sunweb or Mitchelton-Scott go this classics season.

i'm not liking this course change. still bunched together with 30km to go. small groups of strong riders were formed by this point on the old course...

Trentin or Cobrelli might take this

Well, that was......something.

Interesting to see faves burn matches from 30k ish in. Seemed like a lot of early riding into form going on. Plenty of guys could have followed that last move, but maybe not.

KBK

The moves went at 50km out each of the last three years; so 30 is understandable. This course needs a longer lead-in to be selective.

Also, what happened to Gaiviria?

I am sad whenever Astana wins...

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"one eye doubles my eyesight, so things don't look half bad" John Hiatt

Yeah 9 minutes down, I assume some sort of mechanical?

Interesting outcome.

Surprised to see the whole of the race almost come back together in the final few hundred meters. Typically, the last few years, it's been more selective, with a much smaller group in the finale. I thought tomorrow's KBK was the one for the Sprinters this weekend!

I have mixed feelings about Astana - but nice to see Canadian bike company, Argon-18 get a "win". They (Argon-18), are doing some great things!

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

Working with Astana has been extremely beneficial to Argon. You want to get feedback on a bike ? Give it to Fuglsang for a week. He holds no punches.

That will probably affect my picks for KBK

Greg was probably wishing that Peter was there. Then again, as Greg couldn't follow Vanmarcke, I'm pretty sure Vanmarcke, Stybar, and Sagan would have been contesting the win had Sagan started.

Working with Astana has been extremely beneficial to Argon. You want to get feedback on a bike ? Give it to Fuglsang for a week. He holds no punches.

I'm sure it is.

I remember both Cerevlo's co-founders Phil White and Gerard Vroomen telling me that working with the top riders, on the CSC Team as they were in the early to mid-2000's , was a massive advantage! It coincided with the time that the brand and their business really started to take off!

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

Think the wind played a huge role in keeping things together compared to prior years.

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"It's good enough for who it's for" - Grandpa Wayne

Looked like Gaviria sat up as soon as it got tough, like a few openers and then throw out the anchor. He’s my pick for tomorrow.

When Valgren went I thought, it’s over. Great move. He’s flown just under radar of favs but probably not any longer.

How about Van Aert in front group all the way to end? Damn impressive—could be a Strade Bianche dark horse.

+1 on both points. Impressive debut. though is his team invited to Strade?

KBK picks:
Gaviria, Groenewegen, Nizzolo
Colbrelli, Demare

Not sure but the company that owns those races has made various changes to various races over the years. It's interesting that they totally redesigned the Tour of Flanders several years ago, but now incorporated the old Flanders route into today's Omloop.

Yes they are and Van Aert is on their start list.

KBK:

Gaviria, Groenwegen, Nielsen
Cobrelli, Bennett

Gaiviria, Demare, Cobrelli
Debuscherre, Trentin

Gaviria, Trentin, DeBuyst
Roelandts, Sep

KBK

Demare, colbrelli, gaviria

GVA and stuyven

woops......forgot to pick......i'm DQ'd.....just saw Gaviria pop w 70 k left so not him.............

dark horses: Swift, Langeveld, McNally, Bozic, Gatto