Depends on the reporters. They should have the startlists right now so if they have time and are proactive we could even have racing today, which is unlikely.
Doubt that races will start within 12 hours. If we've learned anything from the first part, it will probably take at least 24 hours but could be up to a week. I think Shonak and Welker are quite reliable though (not unlike others) so we should see the start by the weekend
Luis Leon Sanchez wrote:
So racing shall commence within 12 hours? And does it matter which race is first? Rvv or Pais Vasco, I know RVV is scheduled first but does it matter.
You really really really need to get some patience
First of: Selwink told you guys to send the stuff alphabetically. Do it!
Secondly: Let’s kick off Mid-Season…
Ronde van Vlaanderen, April 2013 -Flanders‘ finest-
The second monument of this season is up and it’s the world-famous, heavyweight Ronde van Vlaanderen. Arguably the most important one-day race for Belgium, Belgian fans and cobblestone enthusiasts from all round the world will gather each year to celebrate one of the biggest cycling events. Everybody cares about this race, except for SSJ2Luigi.
Tom Boonen won 2012. Who will be triumphant this year?
Since its start 1913, the race slowly gained prestige and recognition for its excellent combination of vicious hills and dangerous, hardly sufferable cobblestone passages. The Hellingen and Kasseien of the Ronde van Vlaanderen gained world-wide infamy over the decades. Climbs such as the Muur van Geraardsbergen, Koppenberg and Oude Kwaremont are feared, nightmarish ascents for any cyclist and thus gained naturally the status of fan favourites. The Ronde lightens as a beacon in Flemish culture as well as in cycling history, and its success has caused in the far past countless incidents due to the hundred thousands of spectators. Thanks to the professionalization of the sport, the Ronde van Vlaanderen can now however be solely regarded as a sportive highlight of the season.
Although the route has changed over the years, Ronde van Vlaanderen includes large parts of the Region. It will start in Brugge and in Oudenaarde. Hills that are featured in this edition include, for example, Tiagemberg as the starting hill, Eikenberg, Valkenberg, Koppenberg and 3x times Oude Kwaremont & Paterberg. 3 time record winners are Fiorenzo Magni and the belgians Achiel Buysse, Johan Museuw, Eric Leman and Tom Boonen. With the latter still active, he is once again, to be counted as one of the top favourites for the race. His toughest opponent is probably Fabian Cancellara. Both are – without a doubt – the best riders for the two cobblestone Monuments and will be the guys to watch as they battle it out. Though the list of favourites is quite long and any top rider in this specialization dreams of winning this race: Stijn Devolder (2x times winner), Nick Nuyens, Peter Sagan, Vanmarcke, Van Avermaet, Flecha… and so on, there are many riders to watch out for.
Full Startlist
Spoiler
AG2R
Argos
Astana
Belkin
A. Domont
John Degenkolb
Bazayev
Bol
J. Berard
Tom Veelers
Bozic
Boom
H. Houle
Koen de Kort
Grivko
Leezer
Y. Hutarovich
Ramon Sinkeldam
Guarnieri
Tjallingi
G. Bagdonas
Bert de Backer
Iglinskiy
Van Emden
S. Minard
Albert Timmer
Keissakoff
Vanmarcke
L. Mondory
Tom Stamsnijder
Muravyev
Wagner
S. Chainel
Yann Huguet
Ponzi
Wynants
BMC
Cannondale
Euskaltel
FDJ
Ballan
Fabio Sabatini
Aberasturi, Jon
Boucher
Burghardt
Guillaume Boivin
Chaoufi, Tarik
Delage
Gilbert
Kristijan Koren
Kocjan, Jure
Fischer
Hushovd
Maciej Bodnar
Oroz, Juan José
Ladagnous
Oss
Peter Sagan
Radochla, Stefan
Le Bon
Phinney
Paolo Longo Borghini
Schulze, André
Offredo
Schar
Ted King
Tamouridis, Ioannis
Rollin
Van Avermaet
Jakub Krizan
Verboven, Rudy
Pal
Garmin
Katusha
Lampre
Lotto
Farrar
Denisov, Abraham
Pozzato Filippo
Bak, Lars
Nuyens
Florencio, Xavier
Favilli Elia
Bille, Gaetan
Andrews
Gusev, Vladimir
Sagdijez Borat
Debusschere, Jens
Vansummeren
Kristoff, Alexander
Cattaneo Mattia
Greipel, Andre
Millar
Kuschynski, Aleksandr
Graziato Massimo
Roelandts, Jurgen
Rathe
Löwenherz, Richard
Palini Andrea
Sieberg, Marcel
Klier
Paolini, Luca
Cimolai Davide
Vangenechten, Jonas
Maaskant
Tsatevitch, Alexey
Malori Adriano
Willems, Frederik
Movistar
Omega Pharma
Orica
RadioShack
Oget,
Tom Boonen
Fumy Beppu
Cancellara,
Amador
Sylvain Chavanel
Sebastian Langeveld
Rast
Erviti
Zdeněk Štybar
Jens Keukeleire
Gallopin
Gutierrez
Stijn Vandenbergh
Christian Meier
Roulston
Rojas
Niki Terpstra
Travis Meyer
Devolder
Sanz
Guillaume van Keirsbulck
Daniel Teklehaimanot
Hondo,
Ventoso
Dries Devenyns
Svein Tuft
Popovych
Del Pino
Nikolas Maes
Thomas Vaitkus
Sergent
Saxo
Sky
Vacansoleil
Accent Jobs
Matti Breschel
Thabo Jango Sithembile
Veuchelen
Steven Caethoven
Jonas Aaen Jorgensen
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Wauters
Andy Cappelle
Karsten Kroon
Bernhard Eisel
Mol
Davy Commeye
Marko Kump
Geraint Thomas
Boeckmans
Jempy Drucker
Anders Lund
Ian Stannard
Valls
Staf Scheirlinckx
Erik McDermott
Matthew HAyman
Westra
Stefan Van Dijk
Michael Morkov
Salvatore Puccio
Flecha
James Vanlandschoot
Matteo Tosatto
Gabriel Rasch
Leukemans
Benjamin Verraes
Cofidis
Crelan
Europecar
Topsport
Lixandru
Amorison
Di Silvestro, Drago
Armee
Ghyselinck
Barbe
Gaudin, Damien
De Vreese
Bessy
Delfosse
Jérôme, Vincent
Declercq
Barle
Hovelynck
Khamse Khamphan, Lue
Neirynck
Valetin
Juodvalkis
Pichot, Alexandre
Van Asbroeck
Fouchard
Nys
Thurau, Björn
Van Hecke
Cammaerts
Peeters
Turgot, Sébastien
Vanbilsen
Lemarchand
Planckaert
Voeckler, Thomas
Vandouselaere
The beginning of the race sees as usual various attacks. Leezer (BEL) is the first to attack. Lotto Belisol’s Vangenechten follows with Neirynck (TSV) at his wheel, however neither of them stand much chance as too many teams are eager to bring someone into the breakaway. Rollin from FDJ is eventually the one to make the final push. One his wheel are Vaitkus (OGE) and Löwenherz (KAT – yes, no kidding). Pichot (EUC) and De Kort (ARG) are about to catch up to them. Otherwise, they have about a minute lead. However, despite the comfortable lead of over 2 minutes, there are still many riders that want to take their chances as well.
Wagner (BEL) and Kump (TST) are the two that can catch up to the front of the race.
Not much hassle in the peloton though as the lead has currently over 4 minutes after 40 kilometers. Radioshack and Omega Pharma fulfill their top team-duties.
Spoiler
Team Tirol somewhere… strolling around.
Slight rain comes down at 70 kilometers. All of the cobblestone sections are still ahead of us and if the rain gets heavier, this will only make the sections tougher for the riders.
The rain got really heavy by now. Every rider is wet-soaked, while we are at about 100 kilometers. There’s still a lot left to go and the hard part is still yet to come. The peloton has about 8 minutes gap onto the front of the race. Surely something that Omega Pharma and Radioshack can get back once they start serious pacing.
Wagner is the rider to lead the break into the first passage of cobblestones. Thankfully the rain has stopped. The weather looks like it could start raining any second though again, so better hurry up guys.
After the first cobble section, Leukemans (VCD) surprisingly attacks. He surely is a rider that could win today but isn’t this a attack a bit too daring? It’s a long way to go and by the looks of it, he seems to be all-alone.
We also get the call that Sithembile (SKY) and Rudy Verboven (EUS) are in the far back of the peloton and have lost touch with the leading riders upfront. It’s likely that they will get back though, however none of their teammates have reacted at first, but soon Hayman, Thomas, Rasch, Puccio and Edvald Boasson Hagen(!) drew back to help Sithenmbile.
Lixandru (COF) tries the same as Leukemans. He has him in his sights and together they might be able to catch up to the front of the race. Both are excellent specialists for this terrain. Surprisingly Eisel (SKY) has attacked too, while his captain is still struggling far back. Sithembele and Verboven have around 2 minutes on the peloton.
Spoiler
Ouch! Crash by Voeckler. And they are riding over his face!
Eventually, everyone is back in the peloton though who lost previously contact. Even Voeckler. However, the peloton is dangerously long-stretched and it’s likely that people will lose contact rather fast as soon as a couple of riders show signs of weakness. The pace is quite high already.
Leukemans and Lixandru have finally managed to catch up to the breakaway. Eisel joins a bit later as well. The break consists then of 10 riders. With these 3 riders at the front, the breakaway manages to once again increase its lead to 5’30’’.
BMC, Omega Pharma and Radioshack each have their riders at the front of the peloton and dictate the pace. They have some good harmony going on. The pace-makers are: Hushovd, Stybar, Oss, Maes, Popovych, Roulston, Phinney, Devolder, Gallopin and Burghardt. At the far back two FDJ riders are waiting for their turn. Delage and Le Bon obviously feel like that their captain Pal stands a chance today – and of course, the youngster is one of the favourites today.
The back of Khamphan, and we see that the… Asian rider from some Asian place has Erik McDermott ahead of him. There are surely worse rider you can orientate yourself at.
Oude Kwaremont for the first time! Oho. Better brace yourselves. Eisel leads the break together with Leukemans. Right in the climb, it starts to rain… of course. Why shouldn’t it?
Radioshack show nomercy in Kwaremont. The breakaway is losing ground as the water runs down the cobbles.
This race seems to be over for Khamphan. Group Boonen & Cancellara is long gone through the cobbles, while he still struggles up Oude Kwaremont. Only Kristoff (KAT) is further down the peloton. Some of the other guys like McDermott, Verboven or Ballan just come out of the cobbles but they already have quite some gap on Group Boonen. Saxo-Tinkoff and Katusha (even PaolinI!) are quick to send back their helpers to aid their captains and bring them back to the main group.
Spoiler
While some others pull up their legs, look what they should do, Niki Terpstra blazes down Paterberg and goes full-throttle. Just don’t let them come back, his manager must be telling him. Omega Pharma is riding for the win today as its their sponsor goal.
Time for a short overview after the first out of three times Oude Kwaremont: The break is still ahead and has around 4 minutes to E2. E2 includes: Tom Boonen, Cancellara, Pal, Gilbert, Pozzato and whole lot of Omega Pharma riders. Vanmarcke and Sagan are close to coming back into this group as they have lost touch in the Paterberg. A bit further down is a 7 men group, while the “peloton” of 36 riders is lead by Saxo-Tinkoff for McDermott. Kristoff (KAT) is the last of the favourites. Only Flecha (VCD) and Khamphan (EUC) are doing worse than him right now. Looking at this race, we must admit: Radioshack’s tactic worked incredible well. They utterly destroyed the peloton over Kwaremont!
The situation for Sagan, EPIC's Ranking #1, is even worse than we thought currently. He isn’t in Group Vanmarcke, he is behind him. With about 7 more riders, he has to most work to get back…
Terpstra makes no prisoners at Koppenberg. However some riders still manage to get back, like Sagan or McDermott. But will they also be in the group once they are on top of Koppenberg?
Sithembe (SKY) and Pal (FDJ) do a massive ob today as they hold up great with Boonen and the other famed cobblers. Will this be the day their star rises? However, Tom Boonen, Pal and Sithembe are not at immediate front of the race, where Terpstra is still dictating the pace.
Roelandts pushes harder when Omega Pharma look for their captain, Boonen, who was actually a bit behind.
WAAAAAAH! Excuse me, my excitement. But a personal favourite of mine, Löwenherz (KAT), paced so good over Koppenberg that Lixandru and De Kort were the only ones capable to follow so far. Eisel, Leukemans and the others are a bit in the back.
Did Radioshack ride too hard? It’s still 60 kilometers but Cancellara lost contact with Group Boonen. Of course, Omega Pharma are now seriously stepping up their game, while all Radioshack domistiques might be done for today…
Spoiler
McDermott and Ballan seem to be finished for today. Just like Andrews, who leads the bunch over the . They stand no chance as they are still in the cobbles and Group Boonen and Group Cancellara are long gone. However at least Saxo-Tinkoff are not willing to give up: Breschel and McDermott take charge over the group and want to get back to Group Boonen at all cost.
Spoiler
Cancellara has to do most of the work as he sees the back of Sithembile (SKY). With him are Oget (MOV), Vanmarcke (BEL), Ladagnous (FDJ), Sagan (CAN) and Nuyens (GRS), but they are either unable or unwilling to help Spartacus.
Spoiler
Bad luck for Degenkolb (ARG). He was in the main group, but crashes. Basically no real chance left for the win.
Leukemans, Lixandru, Eisel, Löwenherz and De Kort have about 1’30’’ left on the peloton. It won’t be enough for the win probably, but all of them have perform really in a great fashion today. Eventually Leukemans says good bye to them as Lixandru blows up. Löwenherz and Eisel look like they want to pass Lixandru but by then Leukemans is already gone.
Wow, it’s cold as hell, and then Van Avermaet (BMC) puts on the heater by attackings! Thanks. With his attack he passes immediately Group Löwenherz. On other news, Sagan, Cancellara and Co. have made it into Group Boonen for now again.
Leukemans stands no chance when Van Avermaet (BMC) passes him. 45 kilometers left.
Is this maybe the decivise moment of the race? Over the hill, Omega Pharma increase their pace. Stybar, Chavanel, Terpstra work perfectly for Boonen. Only Pal (FDJ) and Pozzato (LAM) can follow so far.
Spoiler
Cancellara is once more left to do the chasing. This time Sithembil and Boasson Hagen help him. Turgot looks very strong too. He surely has to perform after Khamphan disappointed today.
The race presents itself as such. Van Avermaet is still leading at 40 kilometers, one minute to Group Boonen. Merely 26 seconds is a large clustergroup of various riders, leaded by Cancellara, Europcar french men Turgot and Gaudin.
Spoiler
Nuyens, Oget and Vansummeren meanwhile have lots finally all chance for the race as they are the next group behind Group Cancellara with about already another minute gap. Too much for such an intense race, or can they come back at the Oude Kwartemont?
Spoiler
McDermott and Ballan are passing lots of riders, but anything they do is just result-clinging.
While Stybar has done his part of the day (major domistique service, kudos to him!), can we just mention the incredible performance by Peter Pal before it’s too late? The young french is really a bit surprising as he holds up with the Omega Pharma trio and Pozzato very well. #EPICfdj indeed. Eventually in Kwaremont the inevitable happens: Cancellara and the others reel back in the leading group though.
Van Avermaet’s fight against the crowd, the weather and the road…
Seems like the boss is taking over. Boonen, Belgian champ, wants his Ronde win as he drastically picks up the pace! He escapes the fangs of the peloton and only Spartacus seems to be able to follow him. But even Cancellara can’t hold on.
Boonen rushes up Paterberg, on the hunt for Van Avermaet.
Spoiler
The Group behind Cancellara includes Sagan, Pal, Sithembil, Vanmarcke, Turgot, Langeveld and Pozzato amongst others.
Van Avermaet’s lead is decreasing as Boonen rushes down the road. Bad news: There’s still over 20 kilometers left to go. And one more time climbing Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg. With about a minute to Cancellara (from Boonen’s Perspective), the win will be decided between those two.
The little lead, these few meters over the hill give Van Avermaet though a motivational boost as he increases his lead again in the downhill! Cancellara meanwhile gets caught by the other riders.
Spoiler
Well, we take a look around and we see that McDermott is actually really making up places. It’s still not enough to really satisfy the high-hopes the managers had for him, but he should get a Top 25 result.
With about 20 kilometers, the race is nearing its end and some riders are already reserving a bit energy for the final sprint like apparently Vanmarcke.
This is where it counts now. Van Avermaet pushes into Oude Kwaremont for the last time. Tom Boonen sees him but he is not close to him. Everything depends now on Van Avermaet. He needs to give everything. Go over his limits. A day he has been training for, a wish he has been longing for. It’s his chance to fulfill it. His lead is still around 40 seconds.
Van Avermaet really bursts up Paterberg! There’s no other way to describe it. 50 seconds on Boonen. He is burning. He is flying…! Only 12 kilometers left now!
Spoiler
Boonen couldn’t catch Van Avermaet yet, but maybe he has reserved some energy for the last kilometers? In any case, no matter who wins, a fantastic race by both of them…
Sagan has apparently rested through large parts of the race, but now at Paterberg he attacks and challenges everybody. A bit weird, since he would obviously win the sprint for third place. Chavanel is following him too. We’ll see how far they get. In any case, the 6 remaining riders have nothing to counter his attack so far, as Chavanel drops back.
5 kilometers. This race belongs to Van Avermaet no doubt about it. He still has 50 seconds to Boonen. Both of them are their limit. No, both of them have gone over their limit. They can’t do much more. Nothing’s left in their tank. Just ride it home. Meanwhile, further back, Sithembile (SKY) is the only one left chasing Sagan, and as such Cancellara and Sithembile drop the other 4 guys (Vanmarcke, Pal, Turgot and Chavanel).
Gora Van Avermaet, Gora BMC!
An impressive win by the belgian! And much deserved as his daring attack lots of kilometer ahead of the finish, brought him ultimately the victory. A truly worthy performance of the new Ronde van Vlaanderen champ. Much kudos belongs to Boonen too though, who rode an impressive finale but just couldn't make it today.
Spoiler
Boonen, 2nd.
Sagan, 3rd.
Pal wins the sprint in the first group and thus takes 4th.
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
