Breakaway win was obvious given the lack of domestiques left to chase. Kvist getting a top 10 is pleasant. He's been another useful surprise in this race. Glad I didn't sell him so far.
Now it all comes down to tomorrow. I have no reason to be optimistic about a win, but I also have no reason to complain about that. I've been very lucky.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Wow what a race. Super super happy with Nolf's performance throughout this race as I was pretty nervous about what the change of PCM would mean in a race like this
2nd in the GC, even if it was a tie is pretty hype and probably mean more good things to come out of him which is super exciting
So close for Gallopin, but second is either way a good result. A couple of good stages for us here, highlighted by van der Haar's stage win, but disappointing not to compete higher in the GC.
Albert was always going to finish fifth in the GC, but that's a great result! All five riders in the top 25, Zepuntke a bit lower than expected but Albert stepped up nicely.
Kind of an odd result for this race. Thank you Abhi for the reports.
I would have liked to take a top-10 here, but a stage win, podium in the points competition, and other minor placing will still give a decent point hall.
Well, I am absolutely astounded. Two GC wins in De Panne in a row. Who would have though VSB's TT abilities would be so clutch.
Commiserations to Maxime for getting the wrong end of the tie. I probably wouldn't have taken it as well. Although to be fair, losing to Nolf would be a bit of a sore spot considering team history.
I'm on mobile, so I'll analyze more tonight back at my PC, but thanks for the amazing reports! We needed this win, and I couldn't be happier. I only wish it had happened with less help from screwed up AI.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
I guess the depth and teams classification helps a bit, but leaving the race without being on the podium is disapointing here, although he did net a stage aswell, still not a disaster.
Thanks Abhi and congratz BBL seems like Vanspeybrouck still has it
Alright, now that I'm home and at my PC, let's assess the race.
Overall, the race was not good for MG. The AI in the first stage was ludicrous. I don't have as big of a problem with so many riders abandoning, but I do have a big problem with so many favorites just completely sitting up in a stage race won on time. it makes no sense, and it needlessly destroyed a lot of team's plans. I was lucky to come out on top of it, but that doesn't make it good.
Obviously though, I couldn't be happier with my team's performance. Vanspeybrouck seems to really like this race, as his slight TT edge over most other cobbles guys really helps him. But I'm just happy he stayed with the favorites whenever it mattered. he has a habit of having absent moments that cost him, and that almost happened in stage 1. Luckily, he bridged and held on, and gained a real edge for it.
Moreover, I have to talk about the team in general. A GC win is always the goal, but the team made that happen and then some. Constant support for VSB helped get and keep him up front. Sinkeldam's 8th in GC is better than anything Nolf did as second in command (although Nolf is apparently a better leader!), and Niki finishing 11th in such a strong field is just icing on the cake. That's a lot of depth points to add to the highest place on the podium - usually you don't get both. Plus, Kvist had a podium and another top 10 to add even more. Terrific race all around. Everyone did their role well.
Thank you for the amazing reports Abhishek, and sorry to everyone who the AI screwed over!
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
