Yup.

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Don't forget to attack!

Your cousin was responsible for my favorite race in 2012, at Omloop when he attacked in the big ring up the Molenberg and then with 20k to go, looked down at his gears and attacked on the pave section to drop Devenyns and Hayman, and then beat Boonen in the sprint.

Yes Vanmarcke is a class rider and hopefully he will extend his good form for at least two more weeks. Having Tjallingii with him should help on the cobbles, he podiumed Roubaix a couple of years ago and was in the break for 270 km in M-SR this year (last to be caught by Nibali).

I agree, but they have more strong riders. Wynants has been really strong and is a guy that will still be near the front in the final hour of the race. Same with a guy like Tankink. There are a few other guys that do their work earlier in the race, and depending on what the team decides even Lars Boom may end up working for Sep. They are not a team like OPQS with so many big names that can all win (depending on how the race unfolds), but they have a great team athmosphere and are motivated to work hard for Sep and Boom in the classics. That's one of the main reasons why he wanted to stay with Belkin and renewed his contract for another 2 years. (And when it's time for the Tour de France, it's the other way around and Sep gladly turns into a domestique).

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Don't forget to attack!

I don't see anyone beating the Devolder/Cancellara monster in Flanders, barring any crashes/mechanical issues.

Indeed - Devolder showed some interesting cards yesterday at G-W.

Both Boonen and Cancellara appear to be in great form with strong team support at their disposal.

Clearly these two are the favourites. Cancellera has a ridiculous level of consistency in the so called, "Monuments". He's stated, that he now cares much less, for the ITT, and that these are the races in the twilight of his career that matter most to him. However, part of the excitement, and attraction of bike racing at this level are all the variables, and unkowns. Until you get across that finish line, anything can happen.


The dream finale for Flanders and/or Paris-Roubaix would be Cancellara and Boonen away in a late two-up break-away going mano-a-mano over the final kilometers.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

We can only hope!

Good article on velonews: http://velonews.competitor.com/...oonen-rivalry_322044

It's crazy reading how the Cancellara/Boonen days are soon to be over and they are only 33. I started to pay attention to the classics 2-3 years ago and I am 33 also.
Its great I got to watch these 2 historic cyclists, but also excited to see the next generation from the beginning.

I will never forget FC crashing in the feed zone 2 years ago, I woke up early to watch the highly anticipated TB/FC showdown, then he crashed and I really felt empty!

Boonen was off form last year, but having Sagan in the mix made it exciting.

Fabian is very lucky to have a Devolder on good form. Will Terpstra work for Boonen since he had a good start!
Devolder was the classics rider for US postal for Bruyneel, I read yesterday how Bruyneel was responsible for bringing Devolder on the same team as FC. I get a little skeptical reading this, but this past week it has made for some quality classic viewing

Sunday I will be up at 7am to watch the Eurosport feed on my computer, its a shame no US channels are carrying the race this year.

I don't think Devolder got back to Trek thanks to Bryneel but more thanks to his mentor, Dirk Demol. Devolder did indeed ride for US Postal for a bit, and then went to Quickstep where he won Flanders twice. I don't know exactly when his (mental) struggles began but he when he rode for Vacansoleil he was simply nowhere and had major self doubts. Demol was the only guy that still believed he could bring Devolder back, just like Devolder thought Demol was his only mentor that could help him succeed. Last year was a big step forwards again, this year the best Devolder seems to be back. I'd love to see him win another big classic!

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Don't forget to attack!

Just saw that NBCSN is going to stream 4 hours of P-R live here: http://stream.nbcsports.com/liveextra/

Hats off to Vanmarcke, also loved watching him take on Cancellara last year in P-R. Hope he can be in the mix this year again for both races, I really want to see an underdog win this year and despite his results he often gets overlooked for a spot on the "riders to watch." Last year he became on of my favorite riders after watching that race.

epic races are going to be epic...

hard to bet against FC, or Tom but things happen so let see.

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The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev

when you think about it, both of them have been at it for more than 10 years: Cancellara started in 2001 and Boonen in 2002. I'm sure that both of them are still more than capable of being competitive, but the lifestyle of a pro cyclist is tough, even when you are one of the top riders in the world. I think a classics specialist can be competitive up to the late 30's, though at the moment, the only one i could think of is Vino, but i'm sure there are others. I guess Bettini was also competitive in 2007 & 2008.

btw, is BeIn sport not covering Rvv? if so, that'd be a real shame

off-topic, but i just noticed your signature, and i'm quite flattered. Though as i originally mentioned, it took some guidance from my coach to see the light.

Hope your training has been going well

I fired a good 10 coaches before I found the light...

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The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev

Cancellara to attack on the Taaienberg either forcing a small selection or going clear on his own. After that he either TT's it in or finishes the job on the Kwaremont or Paterberg. This course really suits his preferred tactics: The 35-50K attack, and then the 10-15K attack if he needs it. He looks to be coming into his usual other-worldly form after almost dragging the whole race up to the lead group at E3.

Sagan is racing De Panne this week, which I think is a mistake. You rarely, if ever, see the big favorites doing De Panne. My hunch is that he's going to be missing a gear come Sunday.

1) Cancellara
2) Sagan @ 1:00+
3) Vanmarcke

He did it last year and finished 2nd at RvV. I think he won the first two stages and then bailed.

Did you see today's stage? He blew the race apart on the last climb, then led Gatto out so well he couldn't come by him even with Sagan hitting brakes. Flanders might be the race he's best suited to win.

Slight dark horse in Paolini. Mostly rooting for him cuz he's the coolest looking one in the peleton.
Boonen very ready, but if Sagan hasn't dulled the edge he had at Gent, he's ridiculous. But racing this week, who knows. Hopefully his handlers do.
FC right there, but don't see him riding the field off his wheel.

I'll take Flanders over all the others, including PR. Going to be great.

Sagan said he won't ride the last day of the De Panne, which is same as he has done the last 2 years. Done right, it is a good way to hone his form going into RvV. Main thing is to not crash or get injured.

Yep......exactly ;-)

I just watched the last 20k of today's stage. He certainly blew the race apart, but I couldn't help but think if that were Cancellara that would have been game over at that point. I could be totally wrong. I just have a bit of a hunch that Sagan is missing a half step. We haven't seen the Sagan of 2013 Brabantse Pijl yet this year, where he just tore the legs off of everyone. He could show up Sunday for sure, but he hasn't shown that yet. I think he has a great shot if it comes down to a sprint. I don't think he will win solo. But I suppose he doesn't need to...

I just had to make a quick comment.....this is the first year I have watched any of the Spring Classics. Dam, it is some fun racing to watch. The atmosphere is very different from any of the GT stuff that I have seen in the past.

Thanks to the Universal Sports Network, I have a DVR filling up every day with more to watch.

this was me 2-3 years ago, and ever since my interest in the TDF has disappeared, I still watch it everyday while at work, but its not as exciting to me

Classics, also enjoy the vuelta/giro over the TDF anyday

I told my wife this morning that the TDF just looks boring in comparison. I'll still watch but......

I loaded last years Paris-Roubaix onto my media server for some trainer entertainment.

Bump.
Place yo bets for Flanders.
One name. No hedging. No hypotheticals.
Who wins?

stijn devolder

Cadillac: Sep Vanmarcke
Steak knives: Terpstra
Fired: Cancellara from a small group

Top 10: van Avaermaet, Luca, Paolini, Sagan, Stybar, Kristoff, and Turgot

Interestingly enough, Kwiatowski is not racing

Fabian for the win, Boonen and Sep to round out the podium.

But I also kinda like Paolini....

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Chicago Cubs - 2016 WORLD SERIES Champions!!!!

"If ever the time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." - Samuel Adams

Obviously I gotta support Sep Vanmarcke!

Poll on the Sporza website gives 24% of votes to Tom Boonen, 23% to Cancellara, and 12% to both Sep and Sagan. Devolder gets 9% and then it's a bunch of outsiders with 1-2%.

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Don't forget to attack!