Gent-Wevelgem 2015 (contains spoilers)

Inquitus

Live on Eurosport, proper miserable day, savage crosswinds, well worth a watch by the looks of it 123km to go.

TheBlaaMan

It looks like carnage on the roads already....they are clearly getting a share of the conditions that we have here today - with a lot more rain added. A few riders consulting with the race commissars - are they looking to have the race modified?

drogdub

is that Bennett is in the front group?

Pudsy33

drogdub wrote: »

is that Bennett is in the front group?

He certainly was a few minutes ago. Wouldn't be too concerned, I'd be surprised if some groups don't come back together.

marvin80

Degenkolb towards the front as well I think

Pudsy33

To clarify, we don't need spoiler tags for one dayers right?

Inquitus

No Spoilers needed.

pprendeville

Seems to be as windy over there as it is here? Is Wiggins after pulling out? Read it on the cyclingnews feed. Any particular reason why? Would like to see Sagan come good in this. He seems to gained some humility this year just going by his interviews.

Pudsy33

pprendeville wrote: »

Seems to be as windy over there as it is here? Is Wiggins after pulling out? Read it on the cyclingnews feed. Any particular reason why? Would like to see Sagan come good in this. He seems to gained some humility this year just going by his interviews.

Its absolute madness, people were getting blown off the road earlier. Not sure why Wiggins is gone but he should be worried, the way Stannard and Thomas are riding sky would be nuts to have him as team leader in Roubaix. Sagan looked weak at E3 on Friday so itll be interesting to see how he gets on.

marvin80

Thomas crashes (because of the wind) - what a pity

ThisRegard

Thomas got caught by a strong gust there right into the ditch and head over heals.

marvin80

Thomas caught up again - some going

pprendeville

some day to be out on the bike.

ROK ON

I'd love to see lennyMc lookalike Paolini win this.

pprendeville

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Its absolute madness, people were getting blown off the road earlier. Not sure why Wiggins is gone but he should be worried, the way Stannard and Thomas are riding sky would be nuts to have him as team leader in Roubaix. Sagan looked weak at E3 on Friday so itll be interesting to see how he gets on.

too right, Thomas by way of his form should be getting full backing.

pprendeville

looks like Roalandts is going to be caught shortly. Etixx boys are trying to push on.

pprendeville

disaster for Terpstra. Flat and a bike change.

marvin80

Roelandts put in a savage shift at the front, just got caught, 20 km to go.
Terpstra has a mechanical, a bit slow getting a replacement bike - looks like he's gone

pprendeville

fair play, looks like the group waited for him.

pprendeville

and then he attacks straight away???? that's pretty bad form considering they waited for him to get back on.

marvin80

Terpstra tears back to the front and brings Paolini with him - great entertainment

pprendeville

marvin80 wrote: »

Terpstra tears back to the front and brings Paolini with him - great entertainment

some entertainment alright, don't think Sky will be happy with those tactics though.

G1032

Some effort from GT again

Pudsy33

Debuschere is going to get back on here, the Etixx lads need to get him out of there.

pprendeville

Incredible. Pity Vanendenbergh got back. Looks like Debusschere and Vanmarck might get back on as well. must be brutal out there. Debusschere looks ballsocked altogether.

JK.BMC

Are we watching one of the great classics of recent times? Brilliant racing; Darwinian-style survival. Arch-tactician Paolini might still do it!

pprendeville

my money is on Terpstra or Van M.

marvin80

I'd like to see Thomas win - hard to call though

pprendeville

Paolini has a tailwind to the line i think.

Inquitus

Etixx conspiring to throw this away with their negativity.

Pudsy33

Etixx haven't a clue. Embarrassing again
As I say it they get going.

Eamonnator

Paolini is gonna take it

ROK ON

Can't see him hanging on

Of course he did. Delighted for him.

pprendeville

Terpstra and Thomas giving chase now.

G1032

I just don't know how they do it..! Amazing stuff

pprendeville

Paolini in the 53/11. Would love to see his power file for this effort.

Eamonnator

20 second gap

Brian?

What a race! Go on Luca!!

marvin80

Brilliant race

Borderfox

Great win, what a cock up again by Ettix. I don't understand with two in the break they don't drill one lad on the front.

Smart riding by Paolini

Pudsy33

Etixx-misstep at it again.

TheBlaaMan

Great to see Paolini win that race. Great days racing in horrendous conditions.

luapenak

What a race, best 150km I've watched in a long time

JK.BMC

38 years old
5ft 9in
Tactical masterpiece
Congrats Luca

PS: f*** powermeters!

pprendeville

Who needs Tom or Fab if we get excitement like this. In saying that, it's a pity not to see them around.

Eamonnator

That was epic.

MPFG

Great race and fantastic win by Paolini

TheBlaaMan

luapenak wrote: »

What a race, best 150km I've watched in a long time

...or at least since Omloop. The spring racing has been fantastic this year...

Even (though it kills me to say it) Valverde has really lit up the racing in Catalunya this week.

Despite the hype around some of the younger racers, they have not really left their mark, (G. Thomas aside) and Sagan yet again fails to deliver. Aul Oleg must be busting a gasket at this stage.....:P

neris

Good interview with him here


http://rouleur.cc/journal/riders/luca-paolini

Inquitus

Great shot of the echelons in today's race

DominoDub

A few clips of the wind effect today :eek:

Some leaning 45 degrees into the wind to stay up !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6HFh0G2-d0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBNJF7rwcQ4