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On eorosport.
or even eurosport as well,
Will be interesting as it will be a cold one so whoever can do their best Sean Kelly impersonation
Kwiato again ?
Apparently it's been minking it down over there!
Mudguards, anyone?
Lashing it down non-stop apparently, bet it'll be hard to tell who is who
Hope it’s not a damp squib as it becomes too hard to ride agresively. It’s developed into a great selective course in good weather, could be horrible tomorrow. Id like wout but Stybar I think. Sagan to make the running but fade.
I’d love to see Van Aert up there. It’s a quality field for a filth fest, can’t wait.
Disc brakes must be advantageous on that course with those conditions.
In the wet, the white roads take on an interesting 'squidgy' texture - not slippery mud, but noticeably slower / energy absorbing that takes quite a lot of power to really get the bike moving also staying on the 'racing' line and not getting forced into the softer stuff at the sides. Mte Sainte Marie will probably be where the winning move / break goes from as it's a longish drag up from Asciano, before it kicks over the top and then a false-flat over the top - horsepower and those prepared for the northern classics will probably win-out from the lighter, climber types. Be interested to see if Wout van Aert can hang in there like Het Nieusblad and use his power where it matters.
I did the sportive last year in the most torrential rain and the roads sort of become slightly soft but not really muddy. They are pretty engergy sapping in those conditions. Also the wet chalk chews through convential rim brake pads and rims. Disc brakes are a very good option there.
its hard to gauge it on the TV but some of the little climbs are brutal and it never seems to be flat.
Not riding the sportive this year but a mate is and he says it flipping freezing over there at the moment.
The snow got washed away today, the temperature was 10C higher than yesterday although there was an impressive thunderstorm mid afternoon, and it's been raining on and off all day. Heavy rain forecast for tomorrow.
Braised ox cheeks tonight.
Anyone know what time its on?
Women's race starts in just over half an hour.
its just started raining heavily.
1pm on Eurosport 2.
Eurosport 1 showing the womens race later on.
Eurosport have the ladies race on at 11.25 according to the player schedule
Powermans course in those conditions. Don't forget Valverde.
1pm on Eurosport 2.
Thanks
Don’t forget Valverde.
I keep trying to
Dunno what nibalis form is like just now but he’s seemingly powered by rain. I think dumoulin will feature again this year too
Hard mans course, Sagan or Stybar.
It's raining and Spaniards generally are rubbish in the cold / wet and it's a sit-down power-climbing effort needed, not a dirty-cheating liars' 😉 The Dutch / Belgians will love it.
Braised ox cheeks tonight.
Is that a euphamism?
Why is eurosport showing an empty Siena and not the racing?!!!
down to the broadcaster probably, its not them filming
Why is eurosport showing an empty Siena and not the racing?!!!
They lost the feed of the women's race with about 12km to go, weather related I guess. View from the camera bike broke up then they cut to pics of the town.
Ah thanks, makes sense.
What a place to lose the feed!
Great to see Van Aert on the front with just over 50K to go. Shirley the fairy story won't deliver (hope it does!)
Looking properly tough.........
Would be great to see Van Aert do well. It really is a filthy course, loving it
Anyone but Valverde please.
Cheating ****
Amazed to see Bardet riding without gloves in that weather. Perhaps he's producing so many watts he doesn't feel the cold.
Ace, hard riding Belgian ... awesome.
That was great! Good race. That cyclocross kid looks one to watch.
I follow Bardet on Strava so am taking all the credit for spurring on his training!!! Given some of the pics he posts I dont think he feels the cold!!
Cracking ride by the winner!
Sweariest tv interview ever with the winner 😁
Proper Flemish 'hardman' winner - no gloves and armwarmers, initially I thought his pink arms were part of his team kit!
I like the faces caked in clay and chalk, apart from 2 badger stripes under the eyes - from where you've had grit in them for 4 hours and have cried the dirt away.
Was there commentary live on the women's race? When we caught up on Eurosport player we just had the feed.
What an epic race. Van Aert showing he has a big career ahead on the road. The TV pictures didn’t show it but he completely cramped up on the climb to the finish and ground to a halt which is why Bardet put so many seconds into him for second.