It’s a continuation of the cobble season as our PCT teams meander the streets from Mons to Dour in Belgium. Babymetal Cycling will be holding up the fort for the CT teams as the only representative of the division. We count 21 separate cobble sectors, many of which are grouped together to create longer periods of tough racing. The climbs in Le Samyn are very gradual, so we will see whether attempts are made on the ascents or whether the longest sectors will be the challenge. The finish should be an uphill sprint, so maintaining composure not to jump too early should be important.
With an almost identical favorites list to Omloop, let's see how the change in terrain impacts the tactics for these favorites.
History
Le Samyn is a relatively new fixture in the MG schedule with only 4 previous appearances. Sam Bewley, Danny Summerhill, Joeri Stallaert, and Jermoe Baugnies have each taken the crown, with Stallaert and Summerhill here this year to become 2-time winners. Stallaert took his victory on a 4 second gap which meant his sprint was too powerful for his counterparts. Summerhill ended on the same time in his 2020 win, holding off a 26 man chasing group. Whether for the victory or for the minor podium spots, Le Samyn has always ended with a group sprint, so those with the ability to kick should make good on their RD here if they time things correctly.
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The top cobblers will be the major favorites for this race as is always true. If you can’t make it over the major sections in the top group, there is simply no way for a proper result. While you’ll also need some sprint, the best cobblers will be most consistent and have the chance to break away for the win, too.
Name
FL
HI
ST
RS
CB
SP
AC
FG
Spengler
74
67
74
73
83
62
70
67
Zepuntke
72
69
79
72
82
72
65
66
Stallaert
77
67
76
68
81
79
76
67
Van Hooydonck
73
71
75
74
81
61
72
64
Summerhill
76
71
73
69
81
68
70
79
Theuns
72
74
76
73
80
77
76
64
Daniel
73
69
76
76
80
76
72
69
Spengler is the best cobbler as he was in Omloop, but this race has given him more of a challenge. Spengler finished 15th in 2019. In that instance, Spengler finished last of the front group which is certainly a risk as his sprint falls below the other favorites. He should be hoping to push away and keep the front group as small as possible.
Zepuntke has two finishes in 16th from 2019 and 14th in 2020. His stamina and comparatively decent hill rating should also allow him into the top group, but again his sprint could let him down if he tries to take others to the line. When he came to the finish in a group, he might struggle to beat the majority.
Stallaert has to be the clear favorite with his strong sprint. He is by far the best sprinter with over 75 cobble and he’s shown why you can’t go to the line with him. He’s a beast on the pure flat too, so gapping him between sectors is a problem as well. The best chance for someone to get away is to punch a climb as hard as possible and hope it makes separation. Still, Stallaert is the man to beat, but we’ll see if others collaborate to put him behind. There’s a reason that Stallaert has won his only appearance at this race.
Van Hooydonck does not arrive with any history at this race. He’s one of the better hill riders in this grouping, but he’ll need to join a group attack to get away as he probably can’t hold up on the flat alone. That’s equally troublesome as his sprint is the worst of all favorites, so he may be the person to reserve energy and bank on a major result without looking for the win. Maybe he can push away like he did in Omloop.
Summerhill is back on a slight decline at 34, but his cobble skill is still unmatchable from the peloton. He should be looking to repeat his 2020 assault and break away from the favorite. This time, a later attack might be the best move after the last cobble sector and hope that the remaining favorites look at each other to close the gap. This was Summerhill’s only trip here was his victory so at least one of Stallaert and Summerhill will take their first loss here.
Theuns is my personal 2nd favorite of this group, as the second best sprinter. He has never come to this race, but an uphill sprint seems to suit him well. He’s already found a win this season and this could easily become his second if he plays his cards right. If this comes down to a group sprint like, I expect both Stallaert and Theuns to be in the group. Positioning, fatigue, and tactics could make the difference.
Daniel might be one of the most consistent riders in the history of this race with two 8th places, while many riders haven’t attended frequently. He’s the best of the rest behind the two legitimate sprinters of the favorites. He’s also one of the strongest with the ability to hold on for as long as possible. We’ll see what support he gets and whether someone else’s move triggers Daniel into a strong 2 or 3 man group to the line. Sadly, Daniel may also end up supporting teammate Van Keirsbulck come the sprint but the multiple options are good for Lampre – Pinarello.
Ready to Surprise Preview
Name
FL
HI
ST
RS
CB
SP
AC
FG
Blythe
73
63
71
66
79
73
68
69
Zubov
68
63
70
69
79
61
69
67
Gamper
77
66
77
77
79
63
71
72
Debesay
75
74
75
79
79
69
78
73
Fenn
71
60
73
69
78
69
67
71
Van Keirsbulck
72
71
75
73
78
70
68
71
Ringheim
72
67
75
71
78
73
75
66
Moulingui
74
71
71
71
78
65
68
64
Jacobs
76
69
77
76
78
67
67
71
Kuroeda
74
63
72
73
77
74
78
63
Manamalage
81
59
71
64
77
57
56
64
Bohli
74
68
79
75
77
74
68
66
Kolev
75
62
73
71
77
62
67
71
Ulloa
72
70
73
72
77
68
68
68
David
73
74
75
73
77
69
72
67
Everyone in this grouping will need to find a way to survive to the top grouping on the cobbles for a strong result, but the path to a top podium slot differs.
Van Keirsbulck will be working alongside Daniel to try to play team tactics. Blythe will be relying on his past success to keep him calm and composed as others make their moves.
A standout here may be Manamalage who could make the difference on the flat after the final sector if and only if he hasn’t lost too much energy. Saya Kuroeda is another one who should make the best of his skills. He’s a high quality sprinter for the group that may come in together for 6th or 7th. Teammate Shiki Kuroeda could do the same thing having just missed this list. Both can sprint well to take a high position in a later group.
We won’t go into the riders we expect to see in the breakaway, because the likelihood of those riders making it to the end will be unlikely. Still, expect to see a Babymetal Cycling jersey amongst those in the early stages. Assa Abloy will also likely attempt to make the early break.
We do indeed! Fourth in OHN is obviously not a terrible result, but it would be great if he improved on that. Last year, Joeri was 9th here I believe, a repeat of that would be rather bad. I think mostly, we just need to be tactically sound and hopefully Okbamariam can provide better support. Let's see what happens!
Sure, as long as he finishes behind Theuns, I'm fine with whatever magic he does
On a more serious note, Stallaert is obviously the top favorite again, as in every HC/C1 race he enters. He's great on the cobbles, he's a great sprinter - but we've seen in Omloop that he's human.
Back-to-back wins for Theuns would be fantastic, and the course should really suit him. He's the best puncheur among the top cobblers (alongside Debesay) - and the second best sprinter, so that's a nice combo. But surprises can always happen, so I'll take any Top 5 result. Lower would be disappointing. Plus, unlike in Omloop, he's got his standard support present with Tediashvili and Kosic. So, no excuse for not delivering.
Thanks for the preview, and good luck to everyone!
Obviously we aren’t expecting much from this race. Will be interesting to see how we go though! If Perera can make it over the cobbles maybe he can do something. And potentially Muhindo or Erdenesuren. It will be interesting either way!
Finally, we get to race! Just a shame that it’s a cobbles race and we probably don’t even have a squad worthy of the BOTD. Venturini is a very interesting rider and could, if the race were non-selective and he was feeling like a god , do something. But to say we have zero expectations is an understatement.
Well, Stallaert did much better to manage his energy and not attack early, but then as the report said his positioning going into the finale was just poor. Unfortunate, but 3rd is still a decent result. Would love to see him break through in KBK later this month.
Congrats to Fabianksi again, very strong start for Theuns! And to Abhishek as well, what a day for Ringheim!
Was not expexting much of Zepuntke, as this parcours seemed to be quite un-selective, also looking at his previous results here.
When he first missed that attack of six and then went with another eleven riders to the finish line, I could see him easily finish outside of the top-10. So it was a very pleasant surprise to se him finish fourth in that group, definitely a happy manager here!
Theuns on fire though! Congratulations Fab. Maybe not going for cobbles all those years is the only thing that stood between you and winning the PT title
Also glad to see Jo Ko Ono and Big Joeri on the podium! Thanks for a great report again, sean
Wow, what a stunning finale by Eddie, what a way to get back-to-back wins in his home country! Two cobbled classics, two wins - and in both races it was himself who launched the winning move, displaying an awesome feeling of race situations. At least I could say that IRL, I guess in MG it's a lot of luck - and part of that luck was that his puncture (hopefully the only one of the season) came early enough in the race to not have a negative impact.
I definitely didn't expect him to hold on when the others got so much closer on the final meters - and I did even less expect Ringheim to be his closest opponent, big congrats to Abhi, it's so far looking like that guy was a fantastic signing!
Which of coruse has to be said of Theuns as well. Despite some hesitation - I don't really like to have 32y.o. riders on my team - I thought it was worth it, and so far it looks like that's indeed the case Eddie is just continuing to write history - not only did he get our first cobbles win, cobbles now are also the only terrain where we got more than one classic win - within just a few days! It feels great (although renewals won't ), and I enjoy it as long as it lasts - unfortunately, HC cobbles are already over for my team, but I hope Eddie will enjoy the other categories just as much
And last but not least, kudos to Bakke and Kosic for their attacks, and to Tediashvili for getting a strong 25th place finish!
Thanks to seancoll for preview and report! And thanks for all the congrats
@cunego, I'll talk to Eddie, but unsure what he'll think about leading out Joeri in KBK...
Clearly the team has a big weakness in the cobbled races. Our riders still have to grow alot to keep up with the experts. I do believe in Fretin and Askey to get there. Thanks for the nice report seancoll!!
