Editorial note: Posting this very early because no other PT level race after Nederland and it is such a traditional and important race. Report will come when we get to (approx.) the right date in the calendar.
Ronde van Vlaanderen
PTM: 25/3, 265.5 km
absolutely anything here is pre-racing besides the startlist
Welcome to the 13th edition of Ronde van Vlaanderen, raced continuously since the forming of the MG back in 2007. Cycling races have been held under the Ronde van Vlaanderen banner since 1913. The race starts in Bruges, in northwest Flanders, close to the North Sea. After the start in the city center, the race heads south, along broad roads over the flatlands of West-Flanders. After about 50 km we reach Kortrijk in the south of West-Flanders, then heading east towards the Flemish Ardennes where the landscape becomes hillier. After about 100 km the course passes Oudenaarde for the first time, after which the race remains in the Flemish Ardennes, in the southern half of East-Flanders, with a succession of hills and a few flat cobbled roads, many of the climbs are short but very steep, and most of them are cobbled.
Under the MG banner legendary Tom Boonen took the first victory in 2007, he also won the race in 2009,2010, 2012 and 2013 becoming the first rider to win the race 5 times to this day an uncontested record. Three time winner Sam Bewley had a shot at four wins last season but was not successful losing to Greg Van Avermaet
All winners under the MG banner:
5 wins: Tom Boonen (13-12-10-09-07)
3 wins: Sam Bewley (17-16-15)
1 win: Greg Van Avermaet (18), Fabian Cancellara (14), Alessandro Ballan (11), George Hincapie (08)
Tom Boonen crosses the finish line in 2007 riding for Quick Step – Innergetic
Now let’s take a look at some of the most notable riders this season:
Just as previous year the top favourite will be 32 years old Bewley born in Rotorua on the northern Island of New Zealand.
In theory Bewley comes with a negative result from Strada Appia Antica where he was outsprinted by Lukasz Wisniowski in the end, but considering that he had a critical puncture with 8 km left should not put too much into that, the comeback for 2nd was amazing.
In Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Bewley attacked from 4 km to take it solo with a 22 gap to the other favourites, and in his last monument Paris – Roubaix he used his superior sprint to win from a reduced group of 14 riders, taking stunning 6 Roubaix victory in a row. The only important spot in his CV was that he did not take Ronde van Vlaanderen last year, and we must expect it to be a perfect daily form and also stronger punch that Greg Van Avermaet used to perfection, attacking late to take the sprint out of the race, that will be harder this time with Van Avermaet getting older.
Having no clear weaknesses in a race like this, it is hard to see why he would not take his 4th win. If it comes to a sprint he is a much better sprinter than anyone else, and also the best on the cobbles. His acceleration supreme making him able to close any gaps fast, and although he is not the best puncher amongst the favourites, he still have a good combo of climbing skills and punch, so I see no reason he should struggle too much with the Ardennes as his technical skills on the cobbles should easily make of for minor issues with the steep hills. The only possiable challenge that I spot would be a terrible daily form.
Sam Bewley starting the last km of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2019, about to claim this 3rd victory in the race
Below Bewley it is much more difficult to rank the favorites, in a race like this there is too many parameters and it becomes hard to weight them right, I will list the next riders in an order it find correct, but must admit absolutely nothing is set in stone.
I see 28 year Wisniowski most likely to podium. Łukasz Wiśniowski was born in Ciechanów in north-central Poland.
Wisniowski comes with high moral from a win in Strada Appia Antica, where he outsmarted the other riders in an 18 rider favorite group by an attack from 18 km with Jan Polanc. In Omloop Het Nieuwsblad he finished 11 as part of the 2nd group, may not be that impressive but considering he was aggressive early sitting alone from km 25 to km 4 it is not too bad and he shows he do not race for anything less than a major result. He was 5th in last year’s Paris – Roubaix, so also he have to look back to last year’s Ronde van Vlaanderen to find a for him really bad result with a major time loss as 14th at 5’53.
Wisniowski has his most clear advantage on the flat sections, but also his resistance is very good, his sprint and especially acceleration is good, and he got a fine combo of climbing and punch. His major weakness besides not being one of the top 4 on the hard cobbles is his lack of stamina, and if something is going to eat his energy that is likely it. Grieg – Maersk brings one of if not the best supporting rider in Pedersen
Lukasz Wisniowski winning Strada Appia Antica just holding off Sam Bewley and Mike Teunissen
I guess as likely to podium as Wisniowski are also Theuns, Senechal, Trentin and maybe even Gerts
28 years old Edward Theuns was born in Ghent in the Flemish Region of Belgium, so he is clearly one of the spectator’s top choices for a win here.
Edward Theuns comes from a top 5 in Strada Appia Antica so clearly the form is where it should be, not to mention 2nd behind Bewley in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad earlier this season. Edward Theuns team was PCT last season and we have no results from any of the cobbled monuments but the rumors is that he have improved a lot in the offseason so in any case should not trust past results too much.
Theuns is not one of the very best technical cobblers in this race, but he has a unique skillset with few clear weaknesses, maybe the best combo of punch and climbing amongst the top favorites. His only issue could be top speed on the flat if the attacks come there, but should not be too bad on this profile.
Edward Theuns passes the line in Strada Appia Antica
Youngest of the top riders are 26 years old Florian Sénéchal, born in Cambrai in northern France less than 100 km south of Oudenaarde. Florian comes from a disappointing 18th in Strada Appia Antica and 12th in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad so you may wonder if his form it there, but those races are short compared to Vlaanderen which should suit him better. 9th in Paris – Roubaix and 16th in Ronde van Vlaanderen do not paint the picture brighter, he really lack resent results and that may hurt his moral, but some day will be his and I think today may be it.
Besides being a perfect cobbler Florian Sénéchal has a lot of stamina the prefect combination for anyone aiming to win a cobbled monument, his time is not now I guess as Bewley is too strong but his day may come. His climbing and punch is not perfect but it is ok compared to most of the top cobblers. Florian Sénéchal has not the best top speed so he won’t like attacks on the flat but he has a reasonable sprint. The team has provided a good support in Sulimov
Florian Sénéchal in Ronde van Vlaanderen 2016, he came 4th something he also achived in the following edition.
30 years old Italian Matteo Trentin was born in Borgo Valsugana, Trentino.
He comes from a top 10 in Strada Appia Antica and as he did not take part in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad his form is unclear, his lack of climbing ability may have hurt him in Rome. A disappointing 17th in Paris – Roubaix last season and 12th in Vlaanderen is not too impressive, but respectively 8th and 6th the year before testament to the fact that he might just have been unlucky in 2018.
Matteo Trentin has never made it to a top 5 in Ronde van Vlaanderen but 2 times 6th and 2 time 7th proves that he is not all bad in the Belgian cobbled monuments. His best result in a cobbled monument is 5th in 2016 Roubaix.
Trentin is in many ways comparable to Theuns, both good sprinters with top level acceleration, both good punch and both with a fine stamina, Trentin the better technical cobbler and faster on the flat but lack Theuns great climbing and some of his resistance.
Trentin closest to the side banner sprinting for his top 5 in Paris – Roubaix 2016
27 years old Dutch Floris Gerts born in Maastricht is a true outsider in this race as he is a very different rider type than the others in this “podium candidate” group. He comes from a 9th in Strada Appia Antica, but 21th in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad was a disappointment earlier this season. 11th in Paris – Roubaix last season and 15th in Ronde van Vlaanderen but the young rider have developed some since last season so should on paper do better on the hill’s this time.
Gerts is not a perfect cobbler so that is his Achilles heel, but he is by far the best puncher and also his resistance is supreme, making him able to push hard over those many steep short hills. All in all besides the somewhat weak technical still on the cobbles a perfect rider for this race.
Floris Gerts on a cobbled section in Strada Appia Antica
28 years old Arman Kamyshev was born in Nur-Sultan (formerly known as Astana) capital city of Kazakhstan. Arman Kamyshev comes from a disastrous 49th in Strada Appia Antica, most likely as a result of him being a bad climber, not taking part in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad it is hard to anticipate current form. 13th in Paris – Roubaix and 9th in Ronde van Vlaanderen last season, so just as Sénéchal he lack good results recently.
Besides being a top cobbler Arman Kamyshev best feature is his stamina, he ability to continue after many km is uncontested by any of the other favorites. His is also able to set a high pace on the flat and his resistance is fine, his weakness is sprint, punch and climbing and as such might say that Paris-Roubaix should on paper be the race for him, but he just never did well in the French monument.
Considering his ability’s, quite strange that one of Arman Kamyshev’s best results was a top 10 in Vlaanderen last season.
Beneath this “podium candidates” three riders maybe less likely to make it into top 3, but very likely, that at least one of them could break top 5.
30 years old Adam Blythe was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. Blythe comes from a disappointing 28th in Strada Appia Antica and as he did not take part in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad his current form is debatable, as also his last year result riding for PCT team Iberia - Team Degenkolb, though a clear top favorite in PTC not worth a mention. He did not take part in any of the cobbled monuments last season, but going back a few seasons his has greater results: 4th in Roubaix 2016 and 2015, 6th in Vlaanderen 2016 and podium in 2015.
Adam Blythe wins the sprint for 6th in Vlaanderen 2016
26 year old Spanish Marcos Altur one of the young guns in the race, Altur comes from a 7th in Strada Appia Antica and 4th in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad so his form should be one of the better. 8th in last year’s Paris – Roubaix and 10th in Ronde van Vlaanderen shows that he can also ride the longer monuments and should be interesting again to follow him here after the top result in somewhat similar Omloop
Marcos Altur crosses the line in Strada Appia Antica
28 year old Maxime Daniel was born in Rennes, France. He comes to the race with a disappointing 20th in Strada Appia Antica but that could easily be just bad climbing, and he did not take part in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. He came 6th in last year Roubaix and 8th in Vlaanderen to testify that he can make great results in the monuments.
Maxime Daniel lost the sprint for 3rd comming 6th in last season’s Paris – Roubaix
Now let’s look at some of the other team leaders in the race, some of the best may have a shot at top 5-10 near the bottom of the list likely to just hope for just some points from this race.
Jerome Baugnies did not take part in Strada Appia Antica but took a fine 6th in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. 7th in Roubaix last season, as far as I can tell he did not take part in Vlaanderen, but he did in 2017 making it 11th, his best result in Vlaanderen 5th in 2015.
Greg Van Avermaet finished outside the time limit in Strada Appia Antica and 37th in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, something that might suggest that his complete lack of climbing skill may be a problem also in this race. Last season he came 4th in Paris – Roubaix and won Ronde van Vlaanderen, but he is getting older and it would be almost impossible that he could do that again.
Mike Teunissen comes with great morals from a podium in Strada Appia Antica and with also a fine 9th in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad nothing wrong with resent results. 10th in last season’s Paris – Roubaix and 5th in Ronde van Vlaanderen results not to be ignored by his competitors, showing he is also dangerous in the monuments.
Mike Teunissen sitting in the winning trio, taking the last podium in Strada Appia
Kenneth Vanbilsen comes from a disastrous 129th in Strada Appia Antica, not taking part in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad it is debatable how he will perform here. Riding in PTC last season he was not in any of the cobbled monuments. His best result in Roubaix was 8th (2015), in Vlaanderen he was 14th in 2017, 9th in 2016 and 18th in 2015
Kenneth Vanbilsen (yellow jersey center) with his best Vlaanderen result back in 2016
Jan Polanc comes from a brilliant 4th in Strada Appia Antica, he did not take part in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. 21th in Roubaix last season and also 21th in Vlaanderen his best result in the race.
Jan Polanc just missed the podium in Strada Appia Antica
Tom David comes from 11th in Strada Appia Antica, he did not take part in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
His best result in Roubaix was 21th in 2016. He did not race Ronde van Vlaanderen last season but took a solid 7th in 2017 riding for Festina, in 2016 he was 13th and also at Festina.
Tom David finishing Strada Appia Antica just outside top 10
Sep Vanmarcke comes from 16th in Strada Appia Antica most likely too much climbing for his taste, 3rd in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad though to show nothing wrong with his spring preparations. He did not take part in any of the cobbled monuments last season riding in PTC.
Results elsewhere in 2018 include, 5th in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, 9th in GP Kigali and 3rd in Gent – Wevelgem. In Ronde van Vlaanderen 22th in 2017, 24th in 2016 is his best results.
Sep Vanmarcke (far right) just loses the sprint for 2nd in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad last month
Team Puma – SAP and Farfetch Pro Cycling bring leaders on paper very weak compared to the team leaders mentioned above, so they at least on paper must expect to race for a minor points haul.
Declerq comes from a 33th in Strada Appia Antica, he did not race Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. 18th in Roubaix last season and 39 in Vlaanderen
Holy crap what a preview Tamijo. Gonna unpack it all whenever I have some more time but wow, stunning job you did there. Surely must have taken a lot of effort.
Well, I'm really hoping Theuns can get me a top 3 here and I'm pretty positive that a podium is a realistic expectation to have with how he raced in the past few cobbled classics.
Top10 from Altur would be pretty awesome. Hoping we can get someone into the break just for visibility/fun, maybe Grashev or Wolverine to put themselves up against the best of the best. If it comes to a sprint we're well stocked with Kek-Edmo-G being a pretty good sprint train by itself
Editorial note: Posting this very early because no other PT level race after Nederland and it is such a traditional and important race. Report will come when we get to (approx.) the right date in the calendar.
Very nice preview Tamijo! Nice touch with the personal details and historic photos. Great read and very fitting for this race!
Incredible preview, probably the most attention one of my riders ever got in a WT race. Vanbilsen has been great in the PCT races so far, so let's see what he can do here. As always in this race, win it or use up all your punctures for this season.
Also as a sidenote, why wasn't the new profile of the race used?
Editorial note: Posting this very early because no other PT level race after Nederland and it is such a traditional and important race. Report will come when we get to (approx.) the right date in the calendar.
Very nice preview Tamijo! Nice touch with the personal details and historic photos. Great read and very fitting for this race!
Amazing preview! This of course a huge race for us, and it's really cool to be able to have such a strong team here, with out a doubt the strongest team we've ever had om RvV.
Can Bewley be beaten? With an amazing day, yes. So that's what we are hoping for, though a place on the podium is the realistic goal for us here.
I've really enjoyed how aggressive Wisniowski have been on the cobbles so far, so hopefully we can see more of the same here (and hopefully it goes more like Strada Appia Antica then Omloop).
Ollfardh wrote:
Also as a sidenote, why wasn't the new profile of the race used?
All this is time issues, if we just update an existing MG profile we usually don't have to fix narrow roads, if we use a new route have to open it and often fix a lot of narrow, making roads wider often resulting in bad grafics and then take time looking for and fixing those.
Also this is quite a good version, just saying so would put my energy elsewhere if I had time to do something with new profiles.
Edited by Tamijo on 22-01-2020 18:43
Incredible detailled and quality preview here! Really one of the very best, I have ever read in the MG.
Preseason I was hoping that my guys, which are still far from elite but at least 5-6 with 72+ would show up in couple of cobbled events.
But PCM19 makes them pretty useless, so I can`t even hope for a top50 here until the talents are developed.
Looking forward if we see a small surprise here. Theuns would indeed be a nice change, but I guess one of the top3 cobblers will win it.
How many different ways are there to praise a preview? This deserves every single one and more. Pretty sure i made this a goal race and will regret it. Not too optimistic these days...
Amazing preview Tamijo. If the report and the racing is only half as good as preview, we are going to enjoy a great day
Seems like the overall level is too strong for Sep to deliver anything special, but he's coming from a decent showing in Netherlands, and with the podium in Omloop in mind... i'm kinda confident
What a preview Tamijo, you are the absolute greatest Sadly I can't follow the whole race entirely live but I love the report so far, the preview was stunning and I expect a great race, PCM18 has delivered some not so popular races but I think it will shine here with the classics AI, an interesting startlist, a gorgeous Leon40 route and fantastic coverage
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." [PT] Xero Racing
Seems like the game at least handles Blythe a bit like a favourite which is great to see. Is it smart to see our guys chasing already? Not sure. Do i appreciate it? Yeah!
Ronde van Vlaanderen 
Sadly I can't follow the whole race entirely live but I love the report so far, the preview was stunning and I expect a great race, PCM18 has delivered some not so popular races but I think it will shine here with the classics AI, an interesting startlist, a gorgeous Leon40 route and fantastic coverage 
