I'm assuming this is only for the early cobbled races like Omloop Het Niewsblad and not the whole cobbled season as it would be hard to keep form constant for the whole thing.
Due to him being my favourite young cobbled rider I want to see Stuyven get a chance to lead the team on the cobbles so he continues developing his tactical sense, and so that he can start to put into action some of the lesson's he must have picked up learning from Spartacus in previous seasons.
If it is to cover the whole cobbled season then I would choose
[Degenkolb - Stuyven Share Captain Role]
Stuyven could do Spatacusesque things by attacking and using his big engine whilst Degenstache can sit with the favourites and ride more conservatively and look to not be dropped as he should be able to outsprint pretty much every other contender except maybe Sagan and Van Aevermart who both might come down more to tactics and who has more energy left.
Well since it's late march I assume it's for the quartet/dwars, so
[Degenkolb - Stuyven Share Captain Role]
for me. Would be interested in how the three if them went in omloop and kuurne as I haven't had the time for the latest YT updates yet.
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
"On paper a hard day for sprinters to survive, but the hardest climb is maybe not late enough for it to make difference. Getting closer to the finish back in Calella, the wind can play a part in making this day hard.
The plan for us was basic, keep Alberto safe and at the front. And let the sprinters and their team do the work.
The stage started hard, a lot of teams trying to get into the breakaway. After a hard start, the break got away. And stayed clear troughout the first 2/3 of the stage.
There was a scare leading into the biggest climb of the day. A big group of riders went down in the peleton, but managed to get back as the peleton slowed down to let them back up.
The action started as the peleton got along the coast. The sprinter teams setting a hard pace getting closer to the finish, in the process splitting the field up. The sidewinds was hard. We went up and helped setting the pace, seeing as Contador was at the front.
"This stage has the potential of making the race. At least considering the GC. We have a decent time trialing squad here, and we hope we can stay within the reach of the best times.
During the team meeting i told the team to go all out from the start, leave it all on the tarmac. If we want to win this race, we can't loose to much time today.
The road to the second time check was very hard, with a climb up to the line. Our guys was starting to hurt, and the pace was not strong enough. And we had lost time. Team Sky was now in the provisional lead, and as we had, Movistar had also lost time to the British train.
By the time we got to the finish line, our structure was gone, and the clock was ticking against us. Team Sky and Landa was the big winners today, capturing the leaders jersey before the queen stage tomorrow."
"The queen stage, the stage where you can loose your hopes of winning overall. We had ambitions of winning, so today was a huge day for us. The stage goes over Alt de Toses, La Mosella and we end up in La Molina."
During the team meeting we went over who to follow and who to let go. Today we wanted to make our mark on the day, and keep up the tactics we agreed upon earlier this year. Ride hard and aggressive.
The stage started like we expected, a break formed of riders wanting to compete for the KOM and of course riders looking for a stage win. Within the group was the Cofidis rider, Navarro.
As the peleton drew closer to the first climb of the day, Alt de Toses, we went to work. I ordered the team to pace, and pace hard. Over the top of Alt de Toses the gap to the break was now cut in half. As we began the climb to La Mosella, the Peleton consisted of about 80 riders.
We didn't let up, Contador and Zubeldia reported over the radio that they felt great. So there was no reason to ease up on the pace. At the beginning of the climb to La Molina, we caught the first rider from the morning break. It was Navarro. The remaining group of 3 was 30 seconds up the road. As Julien Bernard went to the front of the peleton, we starting reeling in the remaining riders of the breakaway.
Now the stage was set for an Attack by El Pistelro. Jarlinson Pantano went all out in the front, and riders was dropping of as they couldn't keep up with the pace anymore.
As the first group went over the top before the finish, Contador went hard. He was unable to create a gap, but he got the victory!
"Stage four, a short but sweet stage. A climb before the finish, Turo del Puig, which is 5.3km at 5.4%, could make this a harder day then what everybody has planed for. Riders who lost time on yesterdays tough climbs to La Molina, could us the climb to make something happen.
As the flagged dropped, a group of riders went away from the peleton. Didier was at the front and joined in. I told the squad before the stage that i wanted to do something on the last climb over Turo del Puig. Having a rider in front to help pacing into the finish would be helpful. 13 KM goes quicker with two riders rather then 1.
As the breakaway hit the climb, the attacks started. They had a 1'47 gap down to the chasing peleton, and the easy ride from the top made a late surge a possibility. Vervaeke managed to get away from the rest, so i told Laurent Didier to wait.
1'47 later, Alberto did the same thing. He went hard and attacked. Having Didier up the road made this a real chance to gain time on Landa.
Contador catched Didier right after the top, and Didier went to work with a chasing peleton right behind. A gap of 20 seconds had formed.
Nothing could be done with Vervaeke, he takes the stage with Contador and Didier's group straight behind. Unlucky for us, the peleton managed to close the gap right at the line. We sent in a protest, considering there was a clear gap there. But it got rejected. At least we did something, but a swing and miss this time. Still a lot of chanches left."
"If we wanted to win this race, we had to make a major move today. Everybody knew this, the looks on the their faces said it all. Today is the day. The team meeting prior to the stage was just a formality. We all knew that Alberto had to make a move at some point up to Mirador del Portell (Lo Port). Luckely for us, there was plenty of others in need of a win, or at least a time gap to Landa, so the responsibility is not just on us.
The tactic was basic, but in our eyes, effective. Get a man in the morning breakaway, hope that the break has some time down to the peleton before the last climb. And hope that Alberto has enough juice to make a surge at Lo Port.
The stage started perfectly for us, the break went and we managed to place Cardoso in it. And if that wasen't enough, the got a big gap. At least bigger then we had planned for. 4'27 at the most.
With confidence that we wouldn't catch the break to early, we started making our move. Every man to the front. At the same time, the breakaway was a bit up the climb, and Nicholas Roche felt frisky and attacked. I told Cardoso over the radio to pace himself, and to be ready for Alberto when the time comes.
When the peleton started the climb to Lo Port, Uran felt the urge to do something and went, Chaves shared his opinion and grabbed his wheel.
I told the team over the radio to keep calm and to keep it steady. Pantano did an amazing job. He managed to keep the gap close, they never had more than 18 seconds. At the same time further up the road, the UAE rider Polanc had bridged the gap up to Nicholas Roche and the lone rider had become a duo.
Pantano was finished, he had given his all. In the process Zubeldia had also gotten the hammer, and could not give Alberto anything. Alberto went, and got company by Uran, Chaves and Bardet.
Up the road waiting for him was Cardoso, and as soon as Alberto catched up. He went, bridging the gap to the duo in front. And in the process, Bardet and Chaves had enough, falling backwards. Landa and the others could not get back in time, they where actually loosing ground to Alberto and Cardoso. Things where looking great.
As the now, 6 man group, got close to the top. Polanc and Roche had another go, fighting for the stage win. Cardoso grabbed their wheel, but Alberto got the hammer. The major surge was to much for him.
He finished 5th with Cardoso 4th, and Alberto rode himself into the leaders jersey in the process. A great day for us!"
"Stage six to Reus seems on paper to the be a day for the punchier sprinters or the hopefull. A break could very well go all the way, considering we had no plans to pace the peleton, as long as nobody in the break would threaten Alberto's lead.
Theirfor during the team meeting i told the squad to feel free to go in the break and ride for their own chances today. And everybody else, protect Alberto and save as much energy.
As soon as the stage got under way, the attacks started. And Hernandez managed to sneak his way into the break.
After the group got away, the peleton sat up, and the gap was building rapidly. With the lower pace and relaxed attitude, a bigger group of riders went down. Luckely nobody got seriously hurt. And the peleton gathered again.
The case was quickly closed, the winner of today was in the group in front of the peleton. And when the group hit the last climb of the day, Alt de la Musara. Daniel Teklehaimanot felt lucky, and went for it. Hernandez was right on his wheel, and the two created a duo. Right behind them was Tiralongo chasing hard. Behind him was Devenyns, but he was more in a no mans land.
With 5 KM to go, the duo had became a trio. With Devenyns right behind, trying to catch up.
This is a favourite stage for the organisers, with the lap circuit featuring the climb of Montjuic. The riders cover 8 laps of a very challenging route, with plenty of opportunities for those who want to attack.
"The last day to do something, and for us, defend defend defend was the name of the game. Every man around Contador, and keep the field together! I kept the team meeting short and sweet, everybody knew what was expected of them today. The King of the Mountain jersey is still up for grabs, so the chasing duties should fall on either Katusha(Jhonatan Restrepo 50p) or Dimension data(Daniel Teklehaimanot 79p).
The stage started as everybody around the paddocks had predicted. The attacks came fast and often, before a smaller group managed to get a minute on the chasing field, led by Dimension data. Jhonatan Restrepo had managed to sneak his way into the break, and the panic was real in the peleton. The high pace and panic spread like fire in dry gras. And a big group of riders went down. Dimension Data was hit hard, and had to let up the chase. This ment Restrepo and his breakaway companions slipped further up the road.
Over the first climb with KOM points, Restrepo went. With the young german Emanuel Buchmann close behind. This was the story for the middle part of the stage, as the race hit the circuit in Barcelona.
The last time over Montjuic, Restrepo fought, and he got his reward. Winning the KOM jersey with 1(!) point down to Teklehaimanot. What drama!
For us, we seemed to be home free. We did not chase the entire day, and kept Contador safe. Buchmann took the stage with ease, and that was a proper ride by the young german."
E3 Harelbeke is held on the last Friday of March and marks the start of the Flemish Cycling Week, starting a fortnight of WorldTour racing on the cobbles and bergs of Flanders. It is the second in the series of cobbled races in Belgium and northern France that take place over a two-week period from the Wednesday after Milan–San Remo until Paris–Roubaix. E3 Harelbeke is the race that resembles the Tour of Flanders the most.
In 2010, UCI made some calendar changes, most notably positioning the Pro Tour race Gent–Wevelgem on the day after E3 Harelbeke, causing a dispute between the two races. In 2012, when the E3 race was upgraded to World Tour status as well, organizers changed the date of their event to Friday to meet the demands of UCI, who requested a day of rest between two arduous World Tour events.
Because of its place on the calendar, the race has built a reputation as the final rehearsal for the more prestigious Tour of Flanders, the Flemish monument race coming nine days after the E3 Harelbeke. With a distance of 200–215 km, the E3 route is shorter than the Tour of Flanders, but addresses many of the same roads and hills of the Flemish Ardennes. With cobbles, steep climbs, winding and narrow roads, and often affected by wind, it offers all race circumstances that characterize Flemish classic races. Favourites for the Tour of Flanders often do well in Harelbeke, eager to win the race and using it as the perfect testing ground. Because of the similarities, Flemish media have dubbed the race The little Tour of Flanders
After the Kwaremont comes the Karnemelkbeekstraat and then the Tiegemberg, the final official climb of the day. From there, less than 20 kilometres remain until the race finish in Harelbeke. Without any serious topographical challenges, those final kilometres require tactical savvy and either a big engine to solo away on flat terrain, or a healthy finishing kick to outsprint rivals at the line.
Experts:
The peloton's premiere cobblestone specialists will do battle at E3 Harelbeke this Friday on much of the same terrain that will host the Tour of Flanders in less than two weeks. More than simply a useful tune-up, however, E3 Harelbeke has earned its place as a bona fide Classics prize, with an impressive list of recent winners and a knack for providing entertaining racing.
Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky) claimed the 2016 edition of the race, jumping clear with Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and then topping the world champion in a thrilling finale. Kwiatkowski won't make the start this year, but Sagan and plenty of other big names will.
E3's deftly balanced parcours practically guarantees a constant barrage of attacks and counter-attacks in the final hour of the race. The route traverses enough challenging topography to encourage aggressive racing, but its mostly flat finale spurs creative tactics in what is typically a vastly reduced field by that point.
An excellent spot on the calendar doesn't hurt either. With the cobbled Classics' two biggest prizes around the corner, the one-day specialists are nearly in peak form by the time they hit the start line in Harelbeke—but Flanders is just far enough away that there is little worry of going too hard nine days out. In other words: Expect to see the star-studded start list racing to win Friday.
"E3 Harelbeke, the first WT Cobble classic of the season. After a horrible outing in Dwars Door Vlaanderen, without Degenkolb. The squad was motivated to make a mark. Jasper Stuyven had a bad day in Vlaanderen, and with a shared captain role with John, will make it easier for both. As the team now has to cards to play.
The race started hard, very hard. A lot of teams wanted to get a man in the break. Including us, De Kort tried several times to get away. But he fell short. The 11 man breakaway that finaly got away included both the French National Champion and the older brother Sagan.
As soon as the peleton hit the Kruisberg, the race was on. Allready creating gaps within the field. The field split, and got back together, split and then back togheter again. But when the field hit the brutal pairing of the Paterberg and the Oude Kwaremon, it was game over for a lot of riders.
Before the Karnemelkbeekstraat, Degenkolb was finding himself in the wrong group. As the youngster Stuyven was sitting with all the pre-race favorites. As the peleton, led by Quickstep, hit the Karnemelkbeekstraat Stuyven felt it was time to go, and went for it. He got company from the Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen. And chasing behind them was the Wolrd Champion Peter Sagan.
As soon as Sagan catched the group, he went straight on the attack. And it was all over for Stuyven. He got the hammer. As Stuyven fell backwards, Boasson Hagen started the chase.
Edvald was caught by the Quickstep train, led by Niki Terpstra. They later caught Peter Sagan aswell. And the leading group included Sagan, Van Avermaet, Vanmarcke, Terpstra, Boonen and Gilbert. I didn't take long before Sagan felt the need to try again.
As Sagan went forward, Gilbert had done his job and was going backwards alongside Boasson Hagen. For us, Degenkolb had now caught Stuyven and kept putting his head down. Trying his best to bridge the gap to the first group. It was looking dier.
Up the road, the group caught Sagan again. And as soon as Terpstra was on the wheel of Sagan, Boonen went straight on the counter attack.
Everybody looked to the World Champion to bridge the gap, and after a couple of exchanges of words between the riders, Sagan tried attacking himself, but the group was straight on his wheel. The caught Boonen, and Terpstra tried the counter, but everybody was ready for it. The pace slowed down, and everybody was marking each other.
Behind them, a hungry frenchman fresh of his victory in Sanremo, was out for blood. Démare managed to bridge the gap. Nobody managed to get away, and it was all set for a sprint.
Sagan was the first to open the sprint, going hard with everybody trying to overtake. With a late surge by Démare it looked like he would take it, but Sagan threw his bike a the line, and the commissures gave him the win, rightfully.
For us, it was not what we had hoped. Degenkolb sprinted in for a 8th place."
Interesting idea of implementing links to the racing action! I like it a lot, though others not so text-focused readers might prefer them in the text.
The pace is unreal, and so is the quality. A hot story on the block!
Thank you sir! I know, i've been debating rather to change it or not. But decided against it. I have a bunch of video coming from the races during the Monthly Report coming soon
Gent–Wevelgem, officially Gent–Wevelgem – In Flanders Fields, is a road cycling race in Belgium, held annually since 1934. It one of the classic races part of the Flemish Cycling Week, run in late March on the last Sunday before the Tour of Flanders.
Although the event is often called the sprinters' classic due to its flat finishing terrain, its early-season date means riders are often tested by wind and rain, as well as several climbs, including two ascents of the steep and fully cobbled Kemmelberg. As a result, few editions of Gent–Wevelgem actually end in a bunch sprint – often the winner comes from a small group of escapees.
In 2005 the race was included in the inaugural UCI ProTour and in 2010 in its successor, the UCI World Tour. Since 2011 it is organized by Flanders Classics, which also organizes the Tour of Flanders. Since 2012 a woman's event is held on the same day as the men's race.
A stretch of 30km without a categorised climb will be key, as those who have missed out on the selections desperately try and regain a grip on the race, while those out front look to form alliances and establish a race-winning advantage. It's far from straight forward, however, as the riders take on the aforementioned 'plugstreets', with 4.7km of the rough stuff across three narrow stretches.
The second ascent of the Banenberg signals the start of the end game with just under 40km remaining. It's followed a few kilometres later by the steeper side of the Kemmel, which has been said to be the toughest climb in Flanders, averaging 11.6 per cent gradient and reaching well over 20 per cent in parts. That will no doubt force a further selection, though the 34km run to the line will ensure the race hangs in the balance, with tactics playing an increasingly important role all the way to the line in Wevelgem.
Experts:
After Dwars door Vlaanderen and E3-Harelbeke earlier in the week, Sunday's Gent-Wevelgem marks the third Flemish cobbled classic in the space of five days, and the final stop before the Tour of Flanders seven days later.
Gent-Wevelgem has the reputation of being the most sprint-friendly one-day race of what's known as Flemish cycling week, though a glance down the results of recent years would suggest that's a tag that is wearing increasingly thin. Last year, in a bid to further blur the balance of the race, the organisers introduced a second ascent of the Kemmelberg, the race's emblematic climb, but this time from the steeper side, and world champion Peter Sagan duly won from a group of four.
Even if there is a group sprint, it will be a far from a fresh one. There may be fewer climbs than the other Flemish races, but the wind can blow as the route eschews the customary hellingen around Oudenaarde to head towards the north coast before taking in the climbs of West Flanders. With a distance of 249km – just 10km shy of the Tour of Flanders – it's sure to be an exacting day in the saddle.
The official name of the race carries the tag 'In Flanders Fields', traditionally traversing some of the battlefields of the First World War, and this year a special tribute to the lives lost will come in the form of 'plugstreets'. These are gravel roads found not far from one of the sights of trench warfare, where British and German soldiers famously played football in no-man's land during the Christmas 1914 ceasefire.
As race director Hans De Clercq said, "By integrating the Plugstreets in the itinerary, there will be combat once again, although this time, luckily, by bicycle. In addition, we also pay tribute to the victims and the viewer can commemorate the fallen in an appropriate manner."
Patrick Lefevere and Jan Bakelants may vent their frustration and argue that not every race needs imitate the popular Strade Bianche, but the change is unlikely to have a pivotal impact on proceedings. That said, the 4.7km of farm tracks, which are exposed to the wind, add another layer of difficulty and unpredictability to a race that is already finely poised.
"A chance of redemption for us today, after a disapointing perfomance in E3. During the morning meeting i stressed the issue of staying in the front from the flag drop. No exuses.
From the flag drop it was on, the pace was insane. Everybody wanted to break away. We did not succed, but it was alright. One more guy to protect Degenkolb and Stuyven. The peleton kept the group that managed to get away on a leash, never letting them truely get their hopes up.
The next part of the race was more or less straight forward, or as some say, boring. Things kicked up again as the breakaway and then the peleton hit the one and only cobble section. The pace increased, and riders started to get spewed out the back.
The favourites where all there still, so no drama yet. Leading into the Kemmel, we sat every man whe had left to the front of the peleton and turned it up a notch, or ten. Over the top, a bunch of riders have been measured a few numbers to short. In the process we had the breakaway in reach.
We had a strong team left in the favourites group, so there was no openings to break away. And with 10 KM left, the break was on their last efforts.
With 5 KM left, we started our lead-out for Degenkolb, as the breakaway was caught. Degenkolb was looking strong, and with a perfect lead-out by Stuyven, we where looking great. Edvald Boasson Hagen and Modolo tried their best to make a late surge for the line, but no chance. Degenkolb took it by a mile!
Antonio Cabello - Coach Giovanni Ellena - Coach Alberto Elli - Coach Greg Lemond - Coach
Greg Lemond: "A great start to the season gentleman, what a ride in Catalunya Antionio. Great job!
This makes the plan for Alberto clear, we'll go all in for him in the Tour de France. Wich leads us to this. How should he spend the time leading up to the Tour. Should we send him and some helpers to do recon, or should he focus on training only?"
Giovanni took the lead
Giovanni Ellena: "My position on this is simple, he needs to keep working without any disturbances."
Alberto quickly countered
Alberto Elli: "I have to respectfully disagree with you Giovanni. Im a strong supporter of knowing what to expect. Theirfor i rather have him doing recon"
Greg looked towards Antonio and gave him a look and a nod, with a "well?" look on his face
Antonio Cabello: "Both has it's pro's and con's to be honest. Being with Alberto in Catalunya, it's a hard choice. He will be good with whatever we choose to do."
Greg Lemond: "Well, then my conclusion is simple...."
Choiches:
[Send Contador to Recon] X1
[Let Contador train in peace]
West Flanders, Belgium 
Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
Nacer Bouhanni
Rigoberto Urán
Rohan Dennis
Daniel Teklehaimanot
Damiano Caruso
André Cardoso
Steven Kruijswijk
Leopold König
Ilnur Zakarin
Maximilian Schachmann
BMC Racing Team
Cannondale - Drapac
Team Sky
Vasil Kiryienka
Nicolas Roche
Andrey Amador
Laurent Didier
Jan Polanc
Daniel Teklehaimanot
Glad that you're following the story.
Peter Sagan
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Trek - Segafredo:
Mads Pedersen
