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Omloop Het Nieuwsblad - Discussion
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| Nemolito |
Posted on 19-11-2021 08:54
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Classics Specialist
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Joined: 20-04-2020
PCM$: 425.00
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Preview made by knockout, race report made by Nemolito
Welcome to Belgium to celebrate the start of the Belgian cycling calendar. We are here in Gent where the riders will start and finish today's 14th edition of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Omloop has an illustrious history with many of the biggest legends of the cobbles on the list of winners including only three time winner Sam Bewley, two time winner Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara or Danny Summerhill but the only former winner in today's startlist is Carrefour's Kris Boeckmans who won the 2017 race in a sprint against 15 competitors.
Fans of this race will recognize the profile as it is entirely unchanged since 2018. It's a 199.4 km long route with 24 cobbled sectors along the way but the final ~18km are on flat tarmac roads. In each of the last three editions the big pre-race favourites prevailed (2020: Summerhill, 2019: Bewley, 2018: Bewley + Summerhill) and could keep a chasing group of 8-13 riders at distance.
This year things look a lot more open without a big favourite at the top of the startlist. Several previewers agreed that the group of previous PT leaders Blythe, Trentin and Stallaert is slightly favored in most cobbled races and the clashing C1 race Viano do Castelo does not prevent that all three are present here.
| FL | MO | HI | ST | RS | CB | SP | AC | FG |  Blythe | 76 | 54 | 66 | 76 | 71 | 82 | 76 | 73 | 72 | |  Trentin | 74 | 60 | 74 | 76 | 71 | 81 | 75 | 76 | 67 | |  Stallaert | 77 | 60 | 67 | 76 | 68 | 81 | 79 | 76 | 67 |
Blythe (previous results: 6th in 2016, 44th in 2015, 11th in 2014, 9th in 2013, 14th in 2009):
Coming from a succesful PT season with the ultimate career highlight of winning Paris - Roubaix, Adam Blythe will try to follow that up this season. He is arguably the strongest pure cobbler but with only Insausti at his side he lacks a bit of top quality support and is a bit weaker on the uphill sections than his opponents.
Trentin (5th in 2020, 4th in 2018, 13th in 2017, 15th in 2013) was close to his first podium in this race in both his last appearances in this race. He is the best puncheur amongst all cobblers in this startlist but his support lacks in power as the absence of Sinkeldam leaves Kulppi and Lander as the only support for this race.
Stallaert (14th in 2019, 8th in 2018, 5th in 2017, 58th in 2016, 6th in 2015, 7th in 2014, 51st in 2013, 34th in 2012) missed this race last season for the first time after eight consecutive participations. He is is the top sprinter amongst the top cobblers and has the strongest support of the top trio with
Lampaert, Okbamariam and Schoonbroodt as strong domestiques.
| FL | MO | HI | ST | RS | CB | SP | AC | FG |  Spengler | 74 | 58 | 66 | 72 | 73 | 83 | 61 | 70 | 67 |  Zepuntke | 72 | 55 | 69 | 79 | 72 | 82 | 72 | 65 | 66 | |  Altur | 75 | 62 | 70 | 75 | 70 | 82 | 72 | 68 | 70 |
This trio of leaders is very strong on the cobbles but lacks skills to win a group sprint so their best shot at winning this race is attacking on the cobbles to solo away from a larger group.
Swiss star Spengler sees strong Swiss support by Bohli, Grand and Schäppi to improve his record here (8th in 2019, 24th in 2018).
Zepuntke (10th in 2020, 10th in 2019, 20th in 2018, 7th in 2017, 4th in 2015, 16th in 2014) has been very consistent in recent editions. He has good support by his team with Lindeman. Sweeck, De Witte and Marcos here to support him.
Altur (4th in 2019, 27th in 2018, 8th in 2017, 8th in 2016, 39th in 2015) has a very deep support team and a strong lieutenant in Owen.
| FL | MO | HI | ST | RS | CB | SP | AC | FG |  Daniel | 73 | 56 | 69 | 76 | 76 | 80 | 76 | 72 | 69 | |  Havik | 73 | 56 | 64 | 74 | 68 | 76 | 79 | 76 | 60 |  Van Asbroeck | 75 | 53 | 71 | 75 | 72 | 74 | 80 | 78 | 74 | | Lander | 77 | 55 | 69 | 77 | 72 | 73 | 79 | 77 | 63 | | Boeckmans | 71 | 59 | 66 | 71 | 68 | 72 | 79 | 80 | 63 |  Halvorsen | 76 | 58 | 65 | 74 | 71 | 70 | 80 | 80 | 70 | |
If none of the top favourites can solo away, we might see a larger group sprint it out for the victory. These riders are dual threat riders that can cobble well but are also strong sprinters which as Boeckmans has proven a few years back could be enough for an upset.
| FL | MO | HI | ST | RS | CB | SP | AC | FG |  Vanbilsen | 78 | 50 | 69 | 80 | 74 | 80 | 72 | 71 | 72 |  Breen | 77 | 62 | 70 | 72 | 72 | 78 | 73 | 72 | 74 |  Bush | 74 | 63 | 63 | 75 | 73 | 78 | 71 | 73 | 66 |  Baugnies | 76 | 55 | 70 | 77 | 70 | 78 | 63 | 70 | 72 |  Anderberg | 78 | 64 | 69 | 77 | 76 | 78 | 60 | 73 | 70 |  Kuroeda | 74 | 53 | 63 | 72 | 73 | 77 | 74 | 78 | 63 | | Bohli | 74 | 63 | 68 | 79 | 75 | 77 | 74 | 68 | 66 | | Kuroeda | 72 | 63 | 70 | 76 | 77 | 76 | 76 | 73 | 67 | | | Jansen | 72 | 64 | 70 | 75 | 72 | 76 | 75 | 70 | 66 | |
Finally, this is an incomplete list of cobblers that surely can't be ruled out of the podium fights as last year proved when Bush finished 3rd last year behind two time podium finisher Breen (2nd in 2020, 3rd in 2014).
Here is the full startlist for the day:
Disclaimer by Nemolito: Don't mind the bibs though, as I forgot to take a picture of the startlist when I actually reported the race, and this is a picture of the same riders on a random hilly parcours as I had already deleted the stage files 
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 19-11-2021 09:14
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World Champion
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Well, things can go only better after January. I hope.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 16:38
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 19-11-2021 09:57
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
PCM$: 15345.00
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I see Zepuntke shall finish tenth
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| cunego59 |
Posted on 19-11-2021 10:05
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Team Manager
Posts: 6508
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High hopes after Stallaert's Franceville performance. The race should suit him well and I would hope that he's strong enough to be in the mix in the final selection. Top 5 is the goal, anything outside the Top 10 would be terrible. And hopefully, Lampaert can be close to the front as well.
Thanks for the nice preview, knockout, looking forward to the report, Nemo!
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| redordead |
Posted on 19-11-2021 10:16
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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Just here for the xp, which I can write for all my races this month
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 19-11-2021 10:45
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
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Need to take a step forwards from a disappointing Franceville. With the prevalence of sprinting classics men we will need to make this an aggressive race, will the AI actually recognize this?
At least it's another test and opportunity for Wolverine & Edmo to cement their roster spots for next year. Plus i'd like a Caribbean in the breakaway 
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 19-11-2021 10:56
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
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Go Stallaert!
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 19-11-2021 11:14
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4505
Joined: 05-10-2010
PCM$: 900.00
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Hope Trenton can dominate.we’re just here for the xp
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 19-11-2021 15:39
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
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Always a risk to play both sides of a cobbled clash, but with Sinkeldam being perfectly suited for Viana, we felt it was necessary.
That means Trentin will be without his main superdomestique in his debut race for us, which of course isn't ideal. But we still have faith that he can go toe to toe with any of the top cobblers here. He's strongest on the hills, and his quickness may be very useful as well. I think there are about 2-5 other riders listed who should be able to beat him, but as always, a lot will depend on daily form and strategy. In the end, the goal is always tos core as many points as possible. So let's do that.
Excited to see one of my high priced leader race in my colors! Hopefully the day ends with a satisfying result. Thanks for the preview!
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 19-11-2021 17:53
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4669
Joined: 29-09-2018
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+1
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| quadsas |
Posted on 19-11-2021 20:02
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2518
Joined: 18-01-2013
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Let's see what De Goat can do here. Halvorsen won some sort of cobbled race last year unmaxed, maybe he can use the other teams to stay in leading group
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| ember |
Posted on 19-11-2021 21:46
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Team Leader
Posts: 6849
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Finally! I have waited three seasons for this, finally we get to see a maxed Hampus on the cobbles 
I am really, really looking forward to this, it has been a long time since I felt this kind of buzz for a race! |
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| Laurens147 |
Posted on 20-11-2021 11:13
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Protected Rider
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Congratz cunego59! 
MG - Lotto - Caloi
[MG] New Manager of the Year - PCM.daily Awards 2022
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 20-11-2021 11:18
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
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Missing the top 10 again, we're losing a lot of points early season.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 20-11-2021 13:28
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4669
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Good to see Tediashvili hold on for quite some time in the breakaway, but finally we have to take our first zero-pointer. Definitely not unexpected, but would still have been nice to see Basso a few spots higher up.
Congrats to cunego once again. Stallaert is doing a terrific job so far!
And thanks for the report, Nemo!
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| cio93 |
Posted on 20-11-2021 13:57
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World Champion
Posts: 10845
Joined: 29-10-2007
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Awesome racing!
I really enjoy this result, with one of my favorite PCT teams winning ahead of two former Puma riders I wish I never had to sell.
Congrats to cunego and thanks Nemolito.
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 20-11-2021 14:09
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 10438.70
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Really disappointing to miss out on that lead group due to getting blocked by a breakaway rider. It's classic PCM, but it's still incredibly stupid when we've even taken the time to get rid of all narrow roads. Trentin would have been in prime position for a podium. Instead, we have to settle for 7th, which is below expectations for a rider of his caliber. That's especially disappointing after how much work Kulppi did in the group behind. You'd hope that would mean he and Trentin would be well positioned to respond to an attack, but apparently Kireva outwitted them. Guess P:A had some allies they wanted to help out...
Definitely not how we wanted to finish here, but not disastrous either. Particularly with Kulppi managing to finish 12th, we still take home some points, just less than we hoped for. Hopefully we have some better luck in future races.
Congrats to cunego and thanks for a fantastic report Nemo!
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 20-11-2021 14:23
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
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I thought we'd finished with our cursed season :/
"Move to PCM20, the AI is way better"
-AI gets blocked on by one rider on a 2 spline road-
And not a good showing from either Wolverine or Edmo with Gayral out second best in 35th place. We are in clear trouble on the cobbles, although at least here we were clearly f*cked by the AI.
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| ember |
Posted on 20-11-2021 16:44
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Team Leader
Posts: 6849
Joined: 27-03-2008
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Enjoyed the report a lot, and wow what a sight, seeing Hampus this strong! Very encouraging for what is to come. Also a great, great team effort, way above expectations. Finally we have hit the ground running in the PCT
Also big congratulations to cunego! Stallaert, but also Lampaert, doing what you hopes for, but also more than what you expected, I suspect. Well done! |
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| tastasol |
Posted on 20-11-2021 17:30
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2889
Joined: 11-09-2010
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Stallaert off to a stellar start to the season 
Cool to see the Aker boys doing their best impression of Grieg in Franceville Always great to see some former riders getting in that top 10. Trentin probably hoping for more, but a great 10th for Amund.
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![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
