Great race! Thanks Ian

Sylvain 9th so front row next race, didn't expect too much here.

Brüggemann surprises me, in the top 15 so early in both season and race and that wasn't one of his best races. Huser finished where I expected. And comgratulations to Power!

Very very very nice way to start the season
TMM should be happy about that for sure, I'm happy as well because Matt did even better than last year, which bodes well at least #desperatelylookingforpositives

Thanks for the report Ian, now looking forward to Blaarmeersen, that will be even better.

Good to have it back. I've missed it quite a bit. <3

Cheers guys. While writing the report, I suddenly felt I have missed it, too great to be back with another season and with these amazing and still growing characters, along with some new ones to discover!

Arguably my favorite course of the season. Here is the Blaarmeersen preview!

A new addition this year, close to the finish line, a running section (though it could be taken on bike, with a sense of risk). Might have an impact on the race!

It's possible I don't have much time next week so therefore I hope to do the Blaarmeersen cross tomorrow

And here is the Blaarmeersen report! Enjoy!

Awesome report Ian, great performance from all my riders really to finish (even Dirk) and Milan's relative inexperience shining through failing to reach the podium.

Lovely report, Blaarmeesen is one of my favs as well. Wonder why. Vague is enjoying a brilliant season start, especially with the World Cup and Superprestige races is vital to have a good November and December, and he's well on track.

Sylvain racing well to get third, unfortunately the running didn't have as big an impact as I hoped, but I'm happy with this.

Another 2nd in Blaarmeersen for Matt but that's against one of the best ever FNVs ever probably. I take it as first of the humans

Well entertaining report for a lovely course, thanks for that, also sorry for the lack of activity on my end - not posting in the Game Thread as I would like - but will crank out something decent tomorrow.

Cheers guys, glad you enjoyed it.
Don't know why, but here are my observations after the first two races:

Vague with a fantastic track record in Blaarmeersen, actually, after checking it:
2014 - first, second race ever with the pro's.
2015 - 3rd, but caught behind almost a minute earlier in the race after mechanical. Came back to 7 seconds.
2016 - first, with only one able to threaten him, and in the end not quite.

Mazzarelli proving his late season form last season was no coincidence. Seems to have taken another step forward, but still has to learn to finish off a race with a win.

Lipawsky seems in good form. Needs to have all the right cards to win but is in a good enough form to do so on a terrain to his liking.

Listerijn growing into a real contender for some races. Should find his way to the podium rather soon.

Cook is biggest question mark. No domination in the sand of Oostende. One fantastic lap in Blaarmeersen but cut short after a mechanical. Still, you have to wonder if he would've kept up that beastly tempo...

Americans with another step forward. Power taking the win and Goldenberg with a great Blaarmeersen, despite his climbing skill.

New guys not yet in the position to race for the podium, but there's some obvious talent. Roleplaying will point us in the right direction here

Some things that came to mind.

Hobart Sunny Classic Preview
A beach race, but not entirely.
A climbing race, but not entirely.

An interesting mix of elements, to say the least!

Just to keep you updated:
Tomorrow I've got a very busy day. Thursday might be difficult, too. So I'll probably be able to do the report Friday at the earliest, perhaps Saturday next few weeks should be calmer again!

Didn't have a good week. So it wasn't easy writing this report. Hope it's good enough, though. Not the greatest quality but should suffice for this early season classic.! Hobart Sunny Classic

Oh ffs....
Gratz to Atlantius though, overdue win imo!

When Sylvain finally follows an attack he gets a flat. This has gotten to the point where it's funny.

Thanks for the report Ian.

Indeed high-time, gratz!

Vague finally got a classic podium, sweet. Actually liked the report very much due to the Schiltz-Vague dynamic, which will be fun to write about later, or tomorrow.. I always love it when it reads like Vague and Schiltz (alternatively: Cook) are raciing with only eyes for each other.
The next Classic will be at christmas, which should suit him very well.. if he's in form still, who knows. Now looking forward to Melbourne and the wild circus in NZ.

No worries about the pace and quality Ian. It's always lovely to read something in the Game Thread, either you or from a role player, but of course work etc. always come first. That said, this just kept me from writing about UNIDO, so... uh, thanks?

Also, lol at the top sort lads (including Dirk). Good togethership to finish the race! I'm good with a return to normality soon, hopefully will get a few Lachy posts in before his big season goal and hopefully sometime in the not too distant future introduction for at least Mark and an update on life with his fan idols for Arthur.