There are quite a few cycling enthousiasts here. I suppose that some have seen what happened yesterday. An enormous 'chute' (accident) during a descent that will change the outcome of the upcoming classics. Most of the big names were casualties in that accident.
The Dwars door Vlaanderen Classic ('Through Flandres') has a few kms of dangerous descent: downhill from the 'Kanarieberg' (Canary Mountain), on a well-paved, wide and mostly traight road. The speed rises to 75 - 80 km/hr at some points. Ironically, commentators on Flemish TV, all ex-profs, criticized that route as being too dangerous: the pack is too close together. Not a stretched line like you see in the Alps during the tour. Only seconds after one of the commentators mentioned it again, they men on the bikes touched each other and a total crash @ 80 km/hr was the result. It's a miracle that no one died on the pavement!
Big names for the Tour de Flandres, Paris-Roubaix, Amstel Gold and the LBL are out: broken ribs, broken shoulders, broken hands, elbows and wrists; open wounds on their back. Biggest names here: Wout van Aert, Jasper Stuyven, Biniam Girmay and Mads Pedersen (the latter beat MvdP last week during the E3).
MvdP, Mathieu vd Poel, was not in yesterday's race. Tom Pidcock will not start in the Tour de Flandres.
Yes I watched the live version that is recorded. That was one of the worst crashes I’ve seen. It’s a real shame that go was involved and feel so sorry for Wout and Mads.
I’ve not seen the updates yet on what injuries they have. But it shows just how hard cyclists are 80kph crash on asphalt with just a paper thin Lycra to protect you. bonkers.
Just watched it , thanks for alerting us.
Thats a major setback for wVA coming off a very moderate cyclocross season. He looked strong in the early one day races. Withonly five weeks to the Giro , it’s unlikely he will make that and questionable for the Tdf
Was at Gent/Wevelgem with a bunch of friends at the w/e, and always watch on the Kemmelberg, we generally go to see one of the Flanders Classics, so easy to get too and such good fun (unless you're racing!)
Climbing on a 12% section, the speed they go up make it look like on the flat!
Last edited by cbh; 28th March 2024 at 12:29. Reason: Pic added
Tour de Flandres today. According to the Flemish TV commentators: '... the strongest winner since Eddy Merckx' (who's declared as holy in Belgium). No spoilers if you haven't seen it yet. Search for 'Koppenberg' when you want to watch a resume on YT or similar.
Spoiler Alert...YouTube.Originally Posted by thieuster
It's absolutely incredible. Like his '21 win of the Strada Bianchi and the '19 win of the Amstel Gold Race. But this time, he said, he'd reached his limits.
Thats what a solid series of 2023/24 Cyclocross victories gives you. That climb was pure X Cross.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
