Win goal here will be tough against the entire cobbled field. Sep needs a tough race to win, though with Boom we have a breakaway option as well.

Let's see what Ladagnous and Offredo can conjure up. The earlier classics have us looking to take a Top10, and i would be more than happy with that! Gotta push here to gain a bit more on other PCT teams.

A win will be hard, but normally a top 3 should be a realistic aim.

Quite looking forward to this.

It will both be very interesting to see how the AI handles Garmin/McDermott as well as seeing how the new Euskaltel cobbles squad will fare on the highest level of racing.

This race is historicaly considered to be 3rd to only Ronde Van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix, but to be honest the cobbled sections are not the worst. Sure, the Kemmelberg requires skills, but the rest of the race isn't that selective and the final is mostly normal roads. A sprint finish of a reduced peloton is most likely here, although the wind can play an important role as well.

Last year, Peter Sagan used this race as the real start of his season, as he went on to dominate the Ardennes and win the UCI rider classification. What was noticed most was the absence of Omega Pharma - Quick Step though. Boonen has dominated the cobbled season until then, but his team did not make a top 20 in Wevelgem and something cracked. He went on to get 2 second places in Ronde and Roubaix.

Looking at the favourites, it's probably someone who can take cobbles and hills and still has a great sprint in the end. Needless to say, that makes Peter Sagan the top favourite to make it two in a row. But don't underestimate Tom Boonen, he does not have the speed of Sagan, but he does take the cobbles a lot better. A tougher race will be in his advantage, although it remains to be seen what effect the demolition of the cobbled squed in the offseason will be. An easier race will favour Andre Greipel on the other hand, he has the speed to beat Sagan if he's still there and has a good leadout with Roelandts.

Behind those 3, it's Alexander Kristoff, Edvald Boasson Hagen and John Degenkolb that seem to have the most chances. They should survive the cobbles and be there for the sprint. Don't underestimate Erik McDermott, Lue Khamse Khamphan or even Rudy Verboven either. Although the first might compete with team mate Zdenek Stybar, who already took care of the sprint in Kuurne. Greg Van Avermaet isn't slow either, but he needs a really tough race to win it in the sprint.

Then the pure cobblers will need a tough race and go from far out. Fabian Cancellara never managed to win this race, will this be his year? Sep Vanmarcke hasn't been that convincing on the classics yet, but these are the races he is peaking for. Those two will definitely need to attack though, let's see how that works out!

Hmm,Nibali failed Astana's goal.
And a very passive race in MSR except Chavanel
I am not Astana's manager though so I'm gonna shut up

No mention of Demare after his KBK exploits? In with a great shout if it comes to a sprint. Or we've got Ladagnous and Offredo as usual. Plenty of options for FDJ!

Racing coming up in a bit, until then just saying: Gilbert has the World Champion jersey in PCM14 DB. (And no, it's not the old DB cause my guys have the current stats and also team transfers and stuff are correct)

cant wait, Shonak

Welcome to Harelbeke, start and finish of the E3. The weather isn’t too bad either, but it’s quite cloudy so we might be in for rain later. The startlist is composed of a who’s who of northern specialists. From the top tier riders like Cancellara and Boonen to the youthful aspirants of the EPIC program; we hope they all look to give us an entertaining day of racing.




Debusschere (LTB) makes the first move right at the start. With him are some other names such as Veilleux, Porsev, Amorision, Cort, Vaitkus and Drucker. Later Morkov joins up as well. But the peloton isn’t too far away and when too many riders end up in the breakaway, they reel them back in as it happens here with 12 kilometers behind us.


A bit later, Lindeman heads out. Porsev, Veilleux and Drucker are again part of the break. We see Navardauskas at the end of the break, replacing Cort this time around. Belkin, Trek and others are chasing with some pace, so the break isn’t certain yet.


And – another go. This time with Nicky Van Drenthe in there too for Vacansoleil, but they too get caught eventually by the fast racing bunch. All but for one:


Jens Debusschere managed to make it for now and has obtained a solid minute lead after 50 km of racing. He's nearing the first cobbled section, whilst Svein Tuft and Traksel have gone clear of the peloton too now. Just in time for the cobble they then catch up. Jacobs and Bonnet are some two other names down the road. When the peloton comes here later, the first little splits already occur.


We are nearing the half-point of the race. Roughly 3 to 4 minutes are a rather small lead for the BOTD. Jacobs and Bonnet took their fair time to reach Debusschere & Co but now the five man group finally is together. Traksel and Tuft are the other two names.


And about the time when the peloton comes through the same spot, Edvald Boasson Hagen attacks for SKY! He quickly establishes a lead over the peloton, where the bunch is rather calm. Trek, Omega Pharma, Katusha and Belkin do easy relays still.


A while later, Offredo of FDJ sets out for a similar move, heading strong in Boasson Hagen’s direction, who is only 2 minutes down on the BOTD already. Daniel Oss is another rider trying to break free. Someone Arnaud Demare has ended up on Oss’ wheel but is refusing to help the chase.


Attack by the spanish master of cobblez. No, it’s not Del Pino. Some other, basically unknown guy called Juan Antonio Flecha. Movistar new signings attacks here where the slope goes slighty up. Boasson Hagen has meanwhile reached the break, whilst Offredo still has a minute to gap on them. Trek and Omega Pharma are now left as the only teams working, the bunch is still very much intact.


Breschel is with Flecha now and both look very solid at this point. Offredo is with Boasson Hagen now and whilst one would imagine they’d the majority of the work, Debusschere is actually leading them over the cobbles.


Interesting gap after this Hellingen. Cancellara is behind with his squad, however Boonen has Elijssen in this break. McDermott, Khamphan and Vanmarcke are also here. As is Stannard and Pedersen for SKY, and Chavanel for Europcar. They have roughly 40 seconds at the end of the short descent on Cance’s group.


Despite having a teammate upfront, Stannard puts on the pain here in the next section of cobbles and the ensuing part of narrow road. McDermott and Boonen are right behind him. Vanmarcke looks very fit. Some riders that are struggling in the back include Kristoff, Degenkolb and Turgot.


With Stannard forcing the pace down the hill, the peloton has split from its tail. 41 riders are included, however counting seems to be hard and we’ll wonder who’s still left in a few more kilometers. The tough sections are really here now. It’s up and down, and the cobblestones especially are made to make those riders suffer. Notable riders caught back in the peloton at this point: Turgot, Kristoff, Vansummerne, Thomas, Ladagnous, Demare, Degenkolb, Hushovd, Verboven, Paolini. It looks like the peloton might have a chance to catch up in the next Hellingen, however with those riders positioned so far in the back, they have to really spent some serious energy to get up there then.


McDermott is clearly enjoying riding for Garmin-Sharp here, he’s really showing himself and is riding more active than we remember him from last season. Maybe it’s down to the welcome double combo of Stybar and him. Devolder and Leezer are the next helpers in line. And then already Boonen is up there.


We didn’t forget the break of course: Flecha and Breschel finally catch Group Boasson Hagen/Offredo, and with four excellent specialists in the break now, there’s some real quality there, that may last until the final kilometer of the race. For now, it’s still roughly 50 kilometers to go. Only 2 and a half minutes lead to the bunch.


After the latest section, Van Avermaet and Sagan are caught at the wrong side of the peloton and have missed the split. Guys like Terpstra and Boom are right behind them here. SKY and Trek are determined at keeping the pace high, so it’ll be difficult to get back. Some BMC riders are dropping back to help GVA.


Sagan, BMC and Degenkolb’s Astana are all interested in getting back there but it’s way more tricky than one could imagine. Devolder & Rast areputting in some monster turns as does McDermott. But in the end, Sagan & Co. manage to reach the front group here again. The bunch has a size of around 60 riders at this point, 45 kilometers to go.


As soon as the peloton is out of this climb, Vanmarcke attacks in his typical style. We are bit surprised he prefers the downhill but maybe he got word of Sagan’s arrival at the back of the group. Boonen is right on his wheel. As are Cancellara, and McDermott! However Stannard closes the gap. Degenkolb and Van Avermaet have been found out once more again, but Sagan stayed in the group this time around. With 40 kilometers to go, the BOTD only has a minute lead left.


An attack by Debusschere in the BOTD. We didn’t expect him to go for such a move, considering he’s fast sprinter legs, but here it is. Jacobs of Topsport is following. Meanwhile:


Once more Vanmarcke. Again he’s followed by Boonen and Cancellara. Also in the attacking mood are Sagan and Khamphan. Chavanel, McDermott and Pedersen follow with moves as well but they just missed the moment there.


Debusschere stood little chance once the Oude Kwaremont was here to take its tribute. This great section will make the riders really suffer. And Vanmarcke is here to bring the pain. He’s leading the chasing group now. Just a couple of seconds to the front group. Khamphan is looking very fit on Vanmarcke’s wheel. Sagan and Cancellara are a bit down here. When Vanmarcke pushed enough, only Boonen and Khamphan stayed on the wheel.,


Vanmarcke looked very annoyed there, when the break was simply blocking the pathway and it was hard to get through. But they managed eventually. A bit of a lead but Cancellara and others took advantage of this little stopping time and came closer again. With break and the favourites group being together now, we see a total of 14 riders in there. Behind them, is a group of 17 riders about a minute down. One man escaped Vanmarcke’s onslaught on Oude Kwaremont and his name is *drum roll* Offredo. 30 seconds on Vanmarcke at this point.


Buttcam for Cance. Boonen attacks in this turn, Vanmarcke is quick to react as usual. Chavanel is right behind on Cance’s wheel initially, but let’s go eventually. With this gap, the four riders are in the clear now. Strong race by Khamphan.


Ahead of the Taaienberg, Sagan attacks the group behind where McDermott is doing chasing duties right now. Pedersen and Chavanel are up ahead of him. He is pedaling very fast and comfortable. A race with little effort so far for EPICs #1?



Some real misery on the Taaienberg right now. Vanmarcke is clearly suffering but so is almost everybody else. Except for Cancellara who is still riding seemingly very strong at this point. It’s up to him now to create a gap if he wants a solo-win. But he keeps us waiting for a move. Instead, Boonen takes initiative and increases pace in the downhill. The group of five riders manages to stay ahead of Sagan & Co. That’s right: Offredo and Khamphan might be tailing at the back but they are still here.


The remaining 20 kilometers are up, and Khamphan can’t hold the pace anymore. Boonen, Vanmarcke and Cancellara are in the clear and one of them will take victory here today in Harelbeke. Kudos to Offredo who is riding very strong throughout the day. In the front group, Boonen and Cancellara are doing relays. Vanmarcke is looking to recover a bit on the wheel but soon takes a relay as well. Common ground in the front group right now.

A quick overview: It’s mostly flat time till the finish now. Almost no wind at all. Either way Boonen, Cancellara or Vanmarcke take this. Khamphan and Offredo have obtained a sizeable gap to the front group but look to get 4-5. Pedersen and Chavanel managed to stay ahead of Sagan at the Taienberg, yet Pedersen is doing all the work here whilst Chavanel takes a free ride. Sagan is in no man’s land, as McDermott leads Jacobs and Breschel to a possible top 10 pacling. Next is Group Van Avermaet with a very big gap to the front. Not his day. Without an attack by Cancellara or Vanmarcke, it’s now down to a sprint in the final kilometer---


They have cleared taken speed of the pedals. The tactical games begin. Cancellara is at the front but with 40 kph, they are riding far less fast than Khamphan who is a minute down.


We see the last kilometer sign and Boonen opens up the sprint, Vanmarcke is right at the wheel!


Cancellara plays no role here, the old fox was outfoxed. Vanmarcke makes ready to overtake Boonen but are 400 meters enough – Boonen still has a very clear lead on Vanmarcke of an entire bike!


But that lead is coming down!!


And just by a few millimeters, Boonen takes the win. Tommeke wins E3 Prijs. Vanmarcke comes close second, this time the millimeters were against Belkin. Cancellara is clearly spent and takes a 3rd place he might not be entirely satisfied with. In the back, Offredo outsprints Khamphan for 4th place, after the man from Laos did the entire work here. Chavanel does the same to Pedersen and takes 6th. Peter Sagan meanwhile gets narrowly 9th, since Breschel and Jacobs come dangerously close to catching him on the line. McDermott has done a great race but with all his work, the other two had a easy time here in the finale.





E3 Prijs Harelbeke, Results

Rank	Name	Team	Time
1	Tom Boonen	Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team	4h32'32
2	Sep Vanmarcke	Belkin Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
3	Fabian Cancellara	Trek Factory Racing	s.t.
4	Yohan Offredo	FDJ.fr	+ 1'01
5	Lue Khamse Khamphan	Team Europcar	s.t.
6	Sylvain Chavanel	Team Europcar	+ 1'25
7	Alf Pedersen	Sky Procycling	s.t.
8	Peter Sagan	Cannondale Pro Cycling	+ 2'15
9	Matti Breschel	Team Tinkoff - Saxo	s.t.
10	Pieter Jacobs	Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise	s.t.
11	Erik McDermott	Garmin - Sharp	s.t.
12	Jürgen Roelandts	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
13	Luca Paolini	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
14	Ian Stannard	Sky Procycling	s.t.
15	Greg Van Avermaet	BMC Racing Team	s.t.
16	Alexander Kristoff	Katusha Team	s.t.
17	Heinrich Haussler	IAM Cycling	s.t.
18	Zdenek Stybar	Garmin - Sharp	s.t.
19	Lars Boom	Belkin Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
20	Sébastien Turgot	Astana Pro Team	s.t.
21	Tom Veelers	Team Giant - Shimano	s.t.
22	John Degenkolb	Astana Pro Team	s.t.
23	Björn Leukemans	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
24	Grégory Rast	Trek Factory Racing	s.t.
25	Sebastian Langeveld	Orica - GreenEdge	s.t.

Offredo F*cking monster for 4th place, suck it Lue and suck it other PCT teams

Nice attempt by Flecha. Too bad it didnt went well in the end...
del Pino must have given up after being back at one of the random splits. This is the only reason that sounds legit to me after seeing him finish dead last of all non-control team riders...

13th for Vaconsoleil is ok, but when did the break get caught?

Gnah, how much closer to a hard goal can you get..

Still, a great report from a great race. I was a bit afraid for the breakaway bug, but the strongest cobblers fought it out for the win. Vanmarcke rode a very good race, but Boonen is still Mr. E3!

Ermahgerd Breschel actually did something on the day that Breschel actually does something irl in the same race *cue illuminati music etc*

Far off from our ridiculous podium goal (I mean seriously UCI? ) but nevertheless some welcome points in what seems to have been another slow start to the season.

And finally, an absolutely fantastic report Shonak, really detailed and made for great reading

Great report Shonak

Shonak I love you! And at all critics...OPQS is still top notch on the cobbles!

What. A load. Of bollocks.

Superb report though as always.

Fuck...

Also, unfortunately the sprints still don't work in Algarve. Can someone else maybe take over?