Gent conjures up images of the quintessential Flemish city. Age-old medieval architecture rising from the river’s edge is classically Belgian. Gent is also firmly tied to Belgium’s greatest gift to the world, cycling tradition. Many a pro-expat cyclist has relocated to Gent with the hope of testing their mettle in the seat of cycling’s soul. Brad Wiggins and Tyler Farrar are two current stars who come to mind who emigrated to Gent. It is where Wouter Wylant hailed from and I believe it’s where Andrei Tmchil calls home. Wevelgem, while I’m sure a very fine place, boasts only an old German airport constructed in WW1 and a pair of Miss Belgiums (2007 and 2011). But the countryside in between is the ideal place to hold one of cycling’s classics, Gent-Wevelgem.
Some may see it as a semi-classic. That argument held more water when the race was placed in between The Ronde Van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix in April. Now that it’s been given it’s own weekend on the calendar leading up to Cycling Week, I think it’s fair to say that, while not a Monument, it deserves full classic status. Just look at the list of winners – Van Looy, Merckx, Van Springel, Godefroot, Maertens, Steels, and Boonen. And those are just a smattering of the Belgians. Throw in a few Cipollinis, Mosers, Kellys, and Hinaults and the winners list is a who’s who of hardmen.
That is all well and good but what is really getting me excited about Gent-Wevelgem this year is the Kemmelberg. The Kemmelberg factors virtually every year in the race but what’s different for me this year is the Keepers Tour is staying in Kemmel, very near the fabled climb. I imagine striking out on a morning ride just days after the race to have a go at the climb myself with the other blokes on the tour. I just hope I don’t have to unclip and walk up the damn thing and thank Merckx I don’t have to do it twice if I don’t want to (The racers will complete the climb twice).
There is no such thing as a VSP that is easy to forecast but this one can be particularly tricky. It’s usually one for the sprinters but rather than ending in a bunch gallop it often ends with a sprint from a small selection of riders who make it over the Kemmelberg intact. What does this mean for Mark Cavendish after his dismal day last weekend? Additionally, riding a bloc in this race could risk a premature peak for The Ronde the following week. In which case, maybe you look to guys like Sagan, Haussler, and EBH who are strong and likely to factor in the Monuments but may (and have) lay it all out for a day of Flandrian glory as they plot their up-and-comer status.
Here’s some great footage of the Kemmelberg and many of the other climbs being contested in 2010. It’s all good but if you want to skip to the Kemmelberg it’s featured at 7:30.
There are many dudes who seem to be going well right now so get your picks in before 5am PST. Here’s the challenge – think for yourself this time, don’t follow the herd, and you just might put yourself in position to increase your tally for the Shop Apron awarded at the end of the season. Start list here.
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Kemmelberg round one!
@frank
Had my browser hang for a while, and it didn't show the picks go through. Then it did. All good.
Cav needs to start eating his Weetabix......
Wow! I doubted Tomeke and removed him from my picks. I'm an idiot. Can't wait to see him join RdV on 4 Paris Roubix wins in 2 weeks!
Jeez, all this racing is cuttin' in to my own ridin'!
Nice win, Tom Boonen!
BBBBBOOOOOOONNNNNEEEEENNNN!!!!!!!
That was a PROPER sprint. No leadouts, five dudes across the road, just riding full gas to see who breaks their cranks off first.
AWESOME!
Great racing and a lovely day in Belgium.
Race Results
1. BOONEN Tom
2. SAGAN Peter
3. BRESCHEL Matti
4. FREIRE GOMEZ Oscar
5. BOASSON HAGEN Edvald
VSP Results
1. pink (14 points)
2. dancollins (12 points)
3. Jay (12 points)
4. RayElVis (11 points)
5. Blah (11 points)
6. Marcus (10 points)
7. Noel (10 points)
8. Ron (10 points)
9. gaswepass (10 points)
10. TOM.NELS2120 (9 points)
11. Simon (9 points)
12. Two Ball Bill (9 points)
13. The Fish (9 points)
14. blue (9 points)
15. seemunkee (9 points)
16. marko (9 points)
17. Gianni (9 points)
18. Danger (9 points)
19. Cyclops (8 points)
20. napolinige (8 points)
21. San Tonio (8 points)
22. Mikel Pearce (8 points)
23. CanuckChuck (8 points)
24. Nosyt (8 points)
25. Buck Rogers (8 points)
26. Calmante (8 points)
27. mouse (8 points)
28. Azzurri Tim (8 points)
29. sthilzy (8 points)
30. R00tdown (8 points)
31. Markp (8 points)
32. Lukas (8 points)
33. Skip (8 points)
34. niksch (8 points)
35. G'phant (8 points)
36. imakecircles (8 points)
37. MJ Moquin (8 points)
38. LastBoyScout (8 points)
39. noiyce (8 points)
40. Bill (8 points)
41. Trobs (8 points)
42. ramenvelo (8 points)
43. Islandbike (8 points)
44. wiscot (7 points)
45. Rickx (7 points)
46. Mikael Liddy (7 points)
47. Louutah (7 points)
48. xponti (7 points)
49. il ciclista medio (7 points)
50. Heihachi (7 points)
51. Sam (7 points)
52. Spicy McHaggis (7 points)
53. ChrisO (7 points)
54. Jonny (7 points)
55. snoov (7 points)
56. Mikeweb (6 points)
57. brett (6 points)
58. xyxax (6 points)
59. Bianchi Denti (5 points)
60. frank (5 points)
61. acciaio (5 points)
62. Alex (5 points)
63. Geordi (4 points)
64. taon24 (3 points)
65. ajn124 (3 points)
66. RedRanger (3 points)
67. Cyclistthings (3 points)
68. Fausto (3 points)
69. olliewm (3 points)
70. scaler911 (3 points)
71. sprider (3 points)
72. The Oracle (3 points)
73. trustnoone (3 points)
74. Tartan1749 (3 points)
75. eightzero (3 points)
76. tony macaroni (3 points)
77. mattd (3 points)
78. paolo (3 points)
79. Skinnyphat (3 points)
80. Mason (3 points)
81. LA Dave (3 points)
82. nico (3 points)
83. pakrat (3 points)
84. Aidas (2 points)
85. TomC (2 points)
86. Vin'cenza (2 points)
87. Flying Crowbar (2 points)
88. payaso (2 points)
89. Souleur (2 points)
90. itburns (2 points)
91. King Clydesdale (2 points)
92. 936adl (2 points)
93. simonsaunders (2 points)
94. SimonH (2 points)
95. moondance (2 points)
96. Dr C (2 points)
97. motor city (2 points)
98. Dan_R (2 points)
99. roger (2 points)
100. Rigid (2 points)
101. Rob (2 points)
102. Chris (2 points)
103. zac (2 points)
104. diablo (2 points)
105. Benj (2 points)
106. Belgian Cobblestones (2 points)
107. godsight (2 points)
108. G'rilla (2 points)
109. tomb (2 points)
110. Nate (2 points)
111. harminator (2 points)
112. DerHoggz (2 points)
113. VeloVita (1 points)
114. Erik (1 points)
115. GProsser (1 points)
116. roadslave525 (1 points)
117. draffenator (1 points)
118. Steampunk (1 points)
119. Anjin-san (1 points)
120. cchern (1 points)
121. jkennedy (1 points)
122. Pistolfromwarragul (1 points)
123. Jarvis (1 points)
124. Poppyseed (1 points)
125. Tobin (1 points)
126. sgraha (1 points)
127. Lister (1 points)
128. calves (1 points)
129. mcsqueak (1 points)
130. el gato (1 points)
131. taylorgibson (1 points)
132. Oldschooly (1 points)
133. JC Belgium (1 points)
134. DaRCrider (1 points)
135. David (1 points)
136. adrian (0 points)
137. Pedale.Forchetta (0 points)
138. Lepidopterist (0 points)
139. Dino (0 points)
140. sgt (0 points)
Sporza originally flashed that Cavendish was #2. Ha, that was kind of funny.
And wow, Boonen is surely answering any questions (answered!) about how his form is after an off year or two. Seems to be back BIG TIME.
Now I just wish I spoke Flemish so I could understand what Gert is saying. These interviews on Sporza blow my mind - for U.S. sports like football & basketball it is just really, really dumb dudes offering cliches & bs. Sporza has there guys sit down in their kit after a few hours of racing and offer some actual answers & replies. It's completely ridiculous, but I'd rather watch Gert talk in a language I can't understand than some weirdo football player talk about how god allowed him to win the game. And how he gave 110%.
I can't imagine riding that far on Friday, then Sunday, much less pulling off a double win
Fantastic finish. Too bad about my VSP. Boooooooooonen.
@pink taks the win with 2 points of daylight over @dancollins and @Jay who tied for second. @Marko's protégée, @The Fish takes the lead in the GC with two point of daylight @Fausto in second and @zac in third.
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