Of course. I agree. Its the best way to win. Its the best way to race. So kudos to Mr P Sagan for staying alert all day, doing his work and taking the sprint. In the bands. Like a boss. I’m sure that if Kuznetsov could win bike races like that he’d prefer to do it with that kind of class. But you know what he’s thinking. The poor fucker only got let off the leash the day before when Kristoff bailed. Suddenly he’s at the pointy end with a little chance to actually win. He’s already imagining telling his kids about the day he outfoxed Faboo and the world champ. Plus he’s been in the red zone for the last hour and a half. His mind is weak. I’m not judging him. He helped make a great race. I love this shit. Tuesday and still talking about it.

@Oli

@Buck Rogers

In an ideal world you’d be right, but in marketing terms a win’s a win, and how that win comes about won’t even come into it for the majority of non-fans that the advertising is aimed at.

“D’you see that guy Kuznetsov wheelsucking last weekend”

“Da. Last time I buy my vehicle-mounted rocket launchers from those phonies”

I know, I know.  My problem is that I still expect people to behave with integrity and honour in this world of Trumps and Hillarys.

I’ll leave it to Atticus and be happy that the wheelsuckers of life lost, at least they did this last weekend.

“They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions… but before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”

@Buck Rogers

In an ideal world you’d be right, but in marketing terms a win’s a win, and how that win comes about won’t even come into it for the majority of non-fans that the advertising is aimed at.

“D’you see that guy Kuznetsov wheelsucking last weekend”

“Da. Last time I buy my vehicle-mounted rocket launchers from those phonies”

@Harminator

@wiscot

Katusha-boy wasn’t the only one sittingin. The bunch behind sure had a lot of wheel-suckers in it too – I’m looking at you, Orica Greenedge. All just waiting and hoping for EQS to pull the break in. Katusha-boy was never going to stay away solo, the problem is, you had Sagan, Fabs and Vanmarke in the break too. WTF was EQS thinking in letting them get 5 seconds, let alone 40?

I forsee Fabs doing something awesome in the Ronde. He had to be pissed at not getting at least a podium place on Sunday.

Steady on people. These things can happen. The race is wild. Anyone can end up in an uncompromising position. Exhibit A: What right thinking rider would get in a 2 man break with Tony Martin.

Nobody. Ask De Marchi.

So what does Kuznetsov think when he looks to see who has bridged up to him? Unless the gap is in danger he’s mad to work when those 3 strongmen are driving. In the end we see why. Rule #70 These guys are at the next level. Sags is happy to pull like Slovak Tractor and win sprint. Formidable.

Just had to say I LOVE this photo. I’d not seen it before but it tells such a story. TM, comfortable but forcing the pace, DeM – hurting, barely hanging on but not wanting to drop off the wheel.

By ‘non-fans’ I mean that it’s only the hardcore aficionados who care about such details as who’s lapping and how much – most casual viewers would be oblivious. And a film clip, picture or poster of a rider throwing up his arms at the finish tells nothing about how that win transpired, so won’t reflect badly on an advertiser/sponsor in the least. People will just see said brand succeeding.

In an ideal world you’d be right, but in marketing terms a win’s a win, and how that win comes about won’t even come into it for the majority of non-fans that the advertising is aimed at.

@wiscot

Katusha-boy wasn’t the only one sittingin. The bunch behind sure had a lot of wheel-suckers in it too – I’m looking at you, Orica Greenedge. All just waiting and hoping for EQS to pull the break in. Katusha-boy was never going to stay away solo, the problem is, you had Sagan, Fabs and Vanmarke in the break too. WTF was EQS thinking in letting them get 5 seconds, let alone 40?

I forsee Fabs doing something awesome in the Ronde. He had to be pissed at not getting at least a podium place on Sunday.

Steady on people. These things can happen. The race is wild. Anyone can end up in an uncompromising position. Exhibit A: What right thinking rider would get in a 2 man break with Tony Martin.

Nobody. Ask De Marchi.

So what does Kuznetsov think when he looks to see who has bridged up to him? Unless the gap is in danger he’s mad to work when those 3 strongmen are driving. In the end we see why. Rule #70 These guys are at the next level. Sags is happy to pull like Slovak Tractor and win sprint. Formidable.

I see that but in the end these riders are paid first and foremost to represent the company that pays them.  Their number one job is to represent their company in a positive light.  If they win in a shitty, low integrity fashion, that can actually hurt the company.   It is better to be present and accounted for and perhaps place third than to sit in and win while sucking off everyone else and be known as the Smith Company guy who is a fucking cheater without honour.  If I owned the company, I would rather have Sagan place second every time than have him sit in and not do his part and possibly win a sprint.

If you are not being paid to win, i.e. not on a pro contract, and you wish to sit in and save it for the end and manage to do so while not working … you win, it is only your own personal honour that you sacrifice.

@LawnCzar

@Buck Rogers

@Ron

After being in a solo break, is it really expected that you’ll contribute if caught by a trio? I honestly don’t know, asking tactical etiquette from the more seasoned Followers.

to sit on for 30 k’s, until you are within 200 meters and THEN mount a truly strong sprint … nah, you’re a fuckhead if you do that, in my opinion.

Yeah, I’ll admit to uttering a, “c’mon, man, show some class.” I hate it when someone opens up a gap so the rider who just took a pull can slide into the N – 1 position. “Oh, no, please… after you.”

You can make an argument that Luca’s tactics last year were close to this (as I recall, he was parked at the back of the break when he wasn’t bridging back up to it), but he was also fighting back after at least one crash, being dropped at least once, and he didn’t sit in until 200m… he went with maybe a kilometer or two to go, didn’t he? It’s amazing how just a few small tweaks make the difference between hero and heel.

Speaking of heels, on my ride later, I’m going to wear some black team kit socks coming to just below the calf. Howzat!

Yeah, if he had the juice for that strong of a sprint, he has to work. Going solo is brave and if you’re fucked then you can just sit on and get a tow to the line, but to sit on a sprint like that is lame in my opinion.

Boys!  Front page in the professional racing handbook: “In order to win, you must be prepared to lose”. Once you establish that you are willing to lose, your bluffs have substance. It becomes a fascinating game of rolling poker. Great finish, each rider in the break applying tactics based on what they had left. I found my hands sweating just watching with 2kmto go. All overshadowed when I heard of the tragic death this AM.

Katusha-boy wasn’t the only one sittingin. The bunch behind sure had a lot of wheel-suckers in it too – I’m looking at you, Orica Greenedge. All just waiting and hoping for EQS to pull the break in. Katusha-boy was never going to stay away solo, the problem is, you had Sagan, Fabs and Vanmarke in the break too. WTF was EQS thinking in letting them get 5 seconds, let alone 40?

I forsee Fabs doing something awesome in the Ronde. He had to be pissed at not getting at least a podium place on Sunday.

Steady on people. These things can happen. The race is wild. Anyone can end up in an uncompromising position. Exhibit A: What right thinking rider would get in a 2 man break with Tony Martin.

Nobody. Ask De Marchi.

So what does Kuznetsov think when he looks to see who has bridged up to him? Unless the gap is in danger he’s mad to work when those 3 strongmen are driving. In the end we see why. Rule #70 These guys are at the next level. Sags is happy to pull like Slovak Tractor and win sprint. Formidable.

@wiscot OGE only had 2 guys in there and no proper threat. BMC?

Ha!  Well at least they are trying (I’m still all for chucking the podium kisses).

I forsee Fabs doing something awesome in the Ronde. He had to be pissed at not getting at least a podium place on Sunday.

@Buck Rogers

@Ron

After being in a solo break, is it really expected that you’ll contribute if caught by a trio? I honestly don’t know, asking tactical etiquette from the more seasoned Followers.

to sit on for 30 k’s, until you are within 200 meters and THEN mount a truly strong sprint … nah, you’re a fuckhead if you do that, in my opinion.

Yeah, I’ll admit to uttering a, “c’mon, man, show some class.” I hate it when someone opens up a gap so the rider who just took a pull can slide into the N – 1 position. “Oh, no, please… after you.”

You can make an argument that Luca’s tactics last year were close to this (as I recall, he was parked at the back of the break when he wasn’t bridging back up to it), but he was also fighting back after at least one crash, being dropped at least once, and he didn’t sit in until 200m… he went with maybe a kilometer or two to go, didn’t he? It’s amazing how just a few small tweaks make the difference between hero and heel.

Speaking of heels, on my ride later, I’m going to wear some black team kit socks coming to just below the calf. Howzat!

Yeah, if he had the juice for that strong of a sprint, he has to work. Going solo is brave and if you’re fucked then you can just sit on and get a tow to the line, but to sit on a sprint like that is lame in my opinion.

@Ron

After being in a solo break, is it really expected that you’ll contribute if caught by a trio? I honestly don’t know, asking tactical etiquette from the more seasoned Followers.

to sit on for 30 k’s, until you are within 200 meters and THEN mount a truly strong sprint … nah, you’re a fuckhead if you do that, in my opinion.

Yeah, I’ll admit to uttering a, “c’mon, man, show some class.” I hate it when someone opens up a gap so the rider who just took a pull can slide into the N – 1 position. “Oh, no, please… after you.”

You can make an argument that Luca’s tactics last year were close to this (as I recall, he was parked at the back of the break when he wasn’t bridging back up to it), but he was also fighting back after at least one crash, being dropped at least once, and he didn’t sit in until 200m… he went with maybe a kilometer or two to go, didn’t he? It’s amazing how just a few small tweaks make the difference between hero and heel.

Speaking of heels, on my ride later, I’m going to wear some black team kit socks coming to just below the calf. Howzat!

@Buck Rogers

And what about Van Marke??? Dude seriously NOT pulling his weight in that break. Missing turns and doing the shortest possible turns from the 25 fuckin k mark to the finish. I guess it almost paid off but in the end, he didn’t win and came off as a integrity-lacking Bastard. Off course, the Katusha rider was worse but I expect that from them.

After being in a solo break, is it really expected that you’ll contribute if caught by a trio? I honestly don’t know, asking tactical etiquette from the more seasoned Followers.

 

Good question.  Hell, I was never above a Cat 3 so what do I know?

But, the Katusha guy was in a solo break for about 10 k and then got caught and subsequently sat on for 30 k without doing jack shit.  I might not have raced high level but in watching pro cycling since the late 80’s, when caught, you are totally okay to sit in for a few k’s, maybe even 10 k’s depending on how much of the race is left and how long you’ve been out there/how dead you are, but to sit on for 30 k’s, until you are within 200 meters and THEN mount a truly strong sprint … nah, you’re a fuckhead if you do that, in my opinion.

Besides, he’s a Katusha rider so if there was any doubt, that answers it, right???

And what about Van Marke??? Dude seriously NOT pulling his weight in that break. Missing turns and doing the shortest possible turns from the 25 fuckin k mark to the finish. I guess it almost paid off but in the end, he didn’t win and came off as a integrity-lacking Bastard. Off course, the Katusha rider was worse but I expect that from them.

After being in a solo break, is it really expected that you’ll contribute if caught by a trio? I honestly don’t know, asking tactical etiquette from the more seasoned Followers.

Also, gotta love early season VSPs…I only “know” 4 of the top 10. The excitement of things kicking off always brings out new folks.

I hope this leads to changes. If Peyton Manning was killed during a game, the U.S. economy would stop. If Messi was, the world economy would stop. Hope the lives of cyclists, from pros to us lowly enthusiasts, are treated with more respect.

Terrible news indeed.

@Buck Rogers FEINT, not faint.

Fuck, right.  Thanks, Mate.  And me being a Taekwondo fighter for the last 23 years.  Too many blows to the head, I guess.

@Buck Rogers FEINT, not faint.

Although they’re totally unrelated, the title photo does seem somehow prophetic now.

Amid so much senseless death, in an innocuous instant, another grieving family and a gap that can’t be closed. It’s a sport that we “play” at, but pros and plodders alike know that that instant could be just around the next curve, an industry of wrist bands created to identify us if it does. What the fuck….

I am so sorry Antoine Demoitie.

Unless they already do – in which case I’ll shut up and sit down. It’ll piss off the TV stations, but they can lump it. Hs to be a way to improve the situation.

@xyxax

@xyxax

@Mikael Liddy

But far worse was the guy from Wanty, Demoitie, who fell and then got hit by a moto, now in the ICU.

Sorry, missed that you mentioned this already. I’m the print news of this site.

Reports now are that Antoine Demoitie has died after his crash and allegedly being hit by a moto. No further info at this time. Very sad day.

Oh man, this is awful.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/antoine-demoitie-dies-following-gent-wevelgem-crash/

@xyxax

@Mikael Liddy

But far worse was the guy from Wanty, Demoitie, who fell and then got hit by a moto, now in the ICU.

Sorry, missed that you mentioned this already. I’m the print news of this site.

Reports now are that Antoine Demoitie has died after his crash and allegedly being hit by a moto. No further info at this time. Very sad day.

@Mikael Liddy

But far worse was the guy from Wanty, Demoitie, who fell and then got hit by a moto, now in the ICU.

Sorry, missed that you mentioned this already.  I’m the print news of this site.

@Mikael Liddy

@xyxax

given the way his left leg was kinda planted on the ground with him moving around it, I wonder whether something may have broken…hope he’s ok.

Saw a report in a Belgian news site that Debusschere had a concussion (commotion cerebral!) and a shoulder injury.

But far worse was the guy from Wanty, Demoitie, who fell and then got hit by a moto, now in the ICU.

Any news ?

@xyxax

given the way his left leg was kinda planted on the ground with him moving around it, I wonder whether something may have broken…hope he’s ok.

Saw a report in a Belgian news site that Debusschere had a concussion (commotion cerebral!) and a shoulder injury.

But far worse was the guy from Wanty, Demoitie, who fell and then got hit by a moto, now in the ICU.

@Buck Rogers

And what about Van Marke??? Dude seriously NOT pulling his weight in that break. Missing turns and doing the shortest possible turns from the 25 fuckin k mark to the finish. I guess it almost paid off but in the end, he didn’t win and came off as a integrity-lacking Bastard. Off course, the Katusha rider was worse but I expect that from them.

Van Marke has been burned by Fabs too many times in the past. He must have been conserving V for the sprint. He did get second behind Sagan so…nothing.

Well Fuck, man.  With that reasoning, no one would ever pull with Sparty!  He’s burned everyone so many times!

@Buck Rogers

I wish they had a mic on Fabs he was cursing for the others especially Vanmarke to take a turn…

Definitely.  Both he and Sagan were doing the most work, by far.  Just read the post-race interview with Sagan and he said that Vanmarke stopped pulling early on.  Glad that Vanmarke did not get the win.

And what about Van Marke??? Dude seriously NOT pulling his weight in that break. Missing turns and doing the shortest possible turns from the 25 fuckin k mark to the finish. I guess it almost paid off but in the end, he didn’t win and came off as a integrity-lacking Bastard. Off course, the Katusha rider was worse but I expect that from them.

Van Marke has been burned by Fabs too many times in the past. He must have been conserving V for the sprint. He did get second behind Sagan so…nothing.

@brett

any chance that wasn’t an accident to ensure a Belgie won the day after Brussels?

False flag racing for false flag attack… interesting!

I wish they had a mic on Fabs he was cursing for the others especially Vanmarke to take a turn…

Oh, and Heiney, DNF. check.

I find it quite frankly despicable. If you start a race you finish it. Unless illness, injury or another factor makes it impossible. You keep pedaling untill you can’t.

VLVV and all that.

And what about Van Marke???  Dude seriously NOT pulling his weight in that break.  Missing turns and doing the shortest possible turns from the 25 fuckin k mark to the finish.  I guess it almost paid off but in the end, he didn’t win and came off as a integrity-lacking Bastard.  Off course, the Katusha rider was worse but I expect that from them.

@LawnCzar

@Kevin

Sagan, Cancellara, Vanmarcke and Kuznetsov fill in for Kristoff.

Winning Break? Me thinks so!

I’m thinking so — I’ve got three of the four in my picks, but then again I think most other folk do, too!

Watching those 3 keep the Etixx boys at bay is impressive. Kuznetsov is dead weight and the blue of Etixx just looks slow.

Lefevere must be blowing a GASKET!  Etixx putting on a masterclass in how to fuck up a race and miss every winning move in the Spring Classics this year.  There had better be a result in either RVV or P-R or there will be, As Lars Owen said, Hell to Pay!

What a finish! I was sure Fabian was going to win it after that little fake! Cheeky!

Final Race Results

1. SAGAN Peter

2. VANMARCKE Sep

3. KUZNETSOV VYACHESLAV

4. CANCELLARA Fabian

5. DEMARE Arnaud

 

Final VSP Results

1. Bart (12 points)

2. Jay (12 points)

3. bobthecat (11 points)

4. Scott Shannon (10 points)

5. Lebowski Achiever (9 points)

6. CanuckChuck (9 points)

7. frank (8 points)

8. universo (8 points)

9. sthilzy (8 points)

10. Luis Muñoz (8 points)

…

11. Pierre Couderc (8 points)

12. VbyV (8 points)

13. RedRanger (8 points)

14. il muro di manayunk (8 points)

15. Vbikes (8 points)

16. Kevin (8 points)

17. Father of Four (8 points)

18. Buck Rogers (8 points)

19. John (8 points)

20. Phillip Mercer (8 points)

21. Quadzilla (8 points)

22. Rusty Gramm (8 points)

23. oldensteel (8 points)

24. Kyle (8 points)

25. 1860 (8 points)

26. JonnyG (8 points)

27. Geordi (8 points)

28. GoldenGorilla (7 points)

29. Quasar (7 points)

30. ramenvelo (7 points)

31. oneninefiveninesix (7 points)

32. Clingon (7 points)

33. chui (6 points)

34. Wietse Verbrugghe (6 points)

35. TheDon (5 points)

36. Mikael Liddy (5 points)

37. fly (5 points)

38. Rubin Christophe (4 points)

39. SamV (4 points)

40. Rafael Ribeiro (4 points)

41. Minnesota Expat (4 points)

42. Ccos (4 points)

43. ColinS (4 points)

44. CJ@178 (4 points)

45. Cameron W (4 points)

46. Tom Mc (4 points)

47. dancollins (4 points)

48. ojhart (4 points)

49. aaus (3 points)

50. Jed (3 points)

51. BacklashJack (3 points)

52. Hansen (3 points)

53. freddy (3 points)

54. LawnCzar (3 points)

55. fignons barber (3 points)

56. V-olcano (3 points)

57. Rigid (3 points)

58. ziggy (3 points)

59. Owen (2 points)

60. piwakawaka (2 points)

61. Barracuda (2 points)

62. Al__S (2 points)

63. Harminator (2 points)

64. KogaLover (2 points)

65. DVMR (2 points)

66. JohnB (2 points)

67. PT (2 points)

68. dinosaurJR (2 points)

69. hudson (2 points)

70. Duende (2 points)

71. Fred (2 points)

72. R00tdown (2 points)

73. Olli (2 points)

74. gmk69 (2 points)

75. AJ (2 points)

76. Iain Taggart (2 points)

77. TheVid (2 points)

78. BenAndo (2 points)

79. taon24 (2 points)

80. mulebeatsdrums (2 points)

81. dpalazzo (2 points)

82. Gervais (2 points)

83. litvi (2 points)

84. tifosicolnago (2 points)

85. BarTapeMummy (2 points)

86. Stefan (2 points)

87. osbk67 (2 points)

88. Luis Gee (2 points)

89. Skip (2 points)

90. bea (2 points)

91. fenlander (2 points)

92. cycleman3000 (2 points)

93. Canucklehead (2 points)

94. Erik (2 points)

95. oligali (2 points)

96. eenies (2 points)

97. Peeter Black (2 points)

98. BaltoSteve (2 points)

99. Pot Belj (2 points)

100. gilly (2 points)

101. portemat (2 points)

102. Geraint (2 points)

103. Fabshiddenmotor (2 points)

104. craigo (2 points)

105. MikeK (2 points)

106. xyxax (2 points)

107. Ron (2 points)

108. Ken (2 points)

109. Gianni (2 points)

110. The Grande Fondue (1 points)

111. dyalander (1 points)

112. Verbrugghe David (1 points)

113. Carel (1 points)

114. Kunanyi (1 points)

115. Slowtrane (1 points)

116. RobSandy (1 points)

117. the Engine (1 points)

118. VirenqueforeVer (1 points)

119. justinevan88 (1 points)

120. Teocalli (1 points)

121. Tobin (1 points)

122. JCM (1 points)

123. Nicholas (1 points)

124. Monti Martani (1 points)

125. Guy (1 points)

126. wilburrox (1 points)

127. Steampunk (1 points)

128. Roobar (1 points)

129. Bill Chris (1 points)

130. minion (1 points)

131. Yagerbomb (1 points)

132. Radar (1 points)

133. MangoDave (1 points)

134. John Irvine (1 points)

135. Neil83 (1 points)

136. Heusdens (1 points)

137. moondance (1 points)

138. Rob (1 points)

139. ErikdR (1 points)

140. foggypeake (1 points)

141. brett (1 points)

142. Haldy (1 points)

143. simonsaunders (1 points)

144. seemunkee (1 points)

145. LeoTea (1 points)

146. Chica (1 points)

147. Bianchi Denti (0 points)

148. wiscot (0 points)

149. tony macaroni (0 points)

150. Matthew M (0 points)

 

151. Ted G (0 points)

 

 

Yes, I have never seen a faint like that in the closing finish.  Crafty Fox but Sagan was not biting.

@xyxax

Yup, although sounds as though he wasn’t the worst from the day. Apparently one of the Wanty Goubert riders was taken out my a moto & required hospitalisation.

It is astounding how closely those motos are driving by the riders; it is even more astounding that we can’t seem to go a single race without having one nearly take a rider out.

[vsp_results id=”39316″/]

Yup, although sounds as though he wasn’t the worst from the day. Apparently one of the Wanty Goubert riders was taken out my a moto & required hospitalisation.

@xyxax

given the way his left leg was kinda planted on the ground with him moving around it, I wonder whether something may have broken…hope he’s ok.

Oh damn. Looks like he just got crowded out by his own team on the narrow road. Terrible luck esp given his form.

@Kevin

Sagan, Cancellara, Vanmarcke and Kuznetsov fill in for Kristoff.

Winning Break? Me thinks so!

I’m thinking so — I’ve got three of the four in my picks, but then again I think most other folk do, too!

Watching those 3 keep the Etixx boys at bay is impressive.  Kuznetsov is dead weight and the blue of Etixx just looks slow.

Sagan, Cancellara, Vanmarcke and Kuznetsov fill in for Kristoff.

Winning Break? Me thinks so!

I’m thinking so — I’ve got three of the four in my picks, but then again I think most other folk do, too!

Winning Break?  Me thinks so!

Noooooooo.

given the way his left leg was kinda planted on the ground with him moving around it, I wonder whether something may have broken…hope he’s ok.

The bunch seems to have whittled down a fair bit already

Weather’s better than I expected. I was seeing rain and 20mph winds when I looked at the forecast yesterday, so maybe this IS one for the sprinters. Was expecting a bunch of echelons already.

The bunch still isn’t huge now that the 2 groups have come back together, it’s a shame Dimension Data didn’t have any help, otherwise that split that got up to about a minute could have stuck.

any chance that wasn’t an accident to ensure a Belgie won the day after Brussels?

@brett

Damn it, I’m changing again. Coquard will remember to throw his bike, not his arms first.

VSP PICKS:

1. Coquard
2. Che
3. Nacer Spades
4. Give us a Lift
5. Zabel

Whew! That was fucking close, Mate as Standard threw in the towel with sickness right before the start. The Gods were with you on that change!

Stannard didn’t start!?! Noooooooooooo, etc.

God damn it! Im up at the cabin for Easter vacation with limited access to t’internet and that totally blew past me.

What happens now? Does my nr 2 become my tip for winner, my third become second?

Does everything remain status quo and I forfeit the chance at 7 points?

Or do I just pull a boohooani and climb off because the mountains are too hard?

Weather’s better than I expected. I was seeing rain and 20mph winds when I looked at the forecast yesterday, so maybe this IS one for the sprinters. Was expecting a bunch of echelons already.

Fuck you Kristoff. This shit’s hard enough without last minute scratchings.

Yeah, with GVA on Friday, last minute DNS of favorites is hard on the heart and there should be a rule.  The brief shot of him on a berg on Friday and he was making a face that I recognize all too well in my trips up any 5% grade; a bad prognostic sign.

Damn it, I’m changing again. Coquard will remember to throw his bike, not his arms first.

VSP PICKS:

1. Coquard
2. Che
3. Nacer Spades
4. Give us a Lift
5. Zabel

Whew!  That was fucking close, Mate as Standard threw in the towel with sickness right before the start.  The Gods were with you on that change!

Yeah — some are arguing that him leaving Catalonya early and then riding GW before that race finished was questionable. Leaving stage races to avoid the mountains is very low, in my opinion.

VSP PICKS:

1. Terpstra
2. Debusschere
3. Cancellara
4. Sagan
5. Boonen

s oot

VSP PICKS:

1. GVA
2. Tiesj Benoot
3. Sep Vanmarke
4. Boonen
5. Faboo

VSP PICKS:

1. Sagan
2. Cancellara
3. Van Avermaet
4. Stannard
5. Stybar

VSP PICKS:

1. Greipel
2. Demare
3. Nizzolo
4. Gaviria
5. Viviani

Updated…

VSP PICKS:

1. Viviani
2. Debusschere
3. Vanmarcke
4. Boonen
5. Cancellara

VSP PICKS:

1. Sagan
2. Stannard
3. Cancellara
4. Boasson Hagen
5. Bouhanni

VSP PICKS:

1. Coquard
2. Che
3. Nacer Spades
4. Give us a Lift
5. Zabel

VSP PICKS:

1. STYBAR Zdenek
2. SAGAN Peter
3. BOOM Lars
4. ROELANDTS Jurgen
5. CANCELLARA Fabian

VSP PICKS:

1. Stannard
2. Che
3. Nacer Spades
4. Give us a Lift
5. Little Eric

VSP PICKS:

1. VANMARCKE Sep
2. SAGAN Peter
3. KRISTOFF Alexander
4. HAUSSLER Heinrich
5. BEVIN Patrick

VSP PICKS:

1. Fernando Garviria
2. Nacer Bouhanni
3. Ella Viviani
4. Arnaud Demare
5. Bosen Hagen

VSP PICKS:

1. CANCELLARA Fabian
2. DEBUSSCHERE Jens
3. DEMARE Arnaud
4. SAGAN Peter
5. STANNARD Ian

Or Ian Stannard will just lay waste to everyone and I’ll have nothing again.

VSP PICKS:

1. Kristoff
2. Griepel
3. zabel
4. Sagan
5. Fabs

VSP PICKS:

1. Debusschere
2. Vanmarcke
3. Sagan
4. Greipel
5. Terpstra

VSP PICKS:

1. Kristoff
2. Sagan
3. van Avermaet
4. Cancellara
5. Gaviria

VSP PICKS:

1. Jens Debusschere
2. Fernando Gaviria
3. Alexander Kristoff
4. Peter Sagan
5. Fabian Cancellara

VSP PICKS:

1. Bouhanni
2. Gaviria
3. Nizzolo
4. Haussler
5. Griepel

VSP PICKS:

1. Sagan
2. Greipel
3. Kristoff
4. Van Avermaet
5. Haussler

VSP PICKS:

1. GAVIRIA
2. VIVIANI
3. Bouhanni
4. DEMARE
5. BOASSON HAGEN

VSP PICKS:

1. Sep Vanmarcke 
2. Alexander Kristoff  
3. Greg Van Avermaet
4. Jens Debusschere
5. Niki Terpstra

VSP PICKS:

1. Sagan
2. Gaviria
3. Kristoff
4. Stybar
5. Debusschere

VSP PICKS:

1. Gaviria
2. Kristoff
3. Coquard
4. Sagan
5. Cancellara

We’ll be needing VSP echelons, I hear.  If anybody needs me, I’ll be in the gutter.

VSP PICKS:

1. Terpstra
2. Debusschere
3. Cancellara
4. Sagan
5. Stannard

VSP PICKS:

1. Cancellara
2. Sagan
3. Van Avermaet
4. Gaviria
5. Kristoff

VSP PICKS:

1. Gaviria
2. Sagan
3. Coquard
4. Debusschere
5. Benoot

VSP PICKS:

1. Gaviria
2. Cancellara
3. Safan
4. Debusschere
5. Stannard

VSP PICKS:

1. Fabian Cancellara
2. Peter Sagan
3. Zdenek Stybar
4. Greg Van Avermaet
5. Tiesj Benoot

VSP PICKS:

1. Fabian Cancellara
2. Fernando Gaviria
3. Peter Sagan
4. Jens Debusschere
5. Arnaud Demare

VSP PICKS:

1. Kristoff
2. Greipel
3. Demare
4. Nizzolo
5. Gaviria

VSP PICKS:

1. Martin
2. Sagan
3. Cancellara
4. Stannard
5. Kristoff

VSP PICKS:

1. E B Hagen
2. I Stannard
3.  S Vanmarcke
4. F Cancellara
5. P Sagan

VSP PICKS:

1. STYBAR Zdenek
2. SAGAN Peter
3. VAN AVERMAET Greg
4. ROELANDTS Jurgen
5. CANCELLARA Fabian

VSP PICKS:

1. STYBAR Zdenek
2. SAGAN Peter
3. VAN AVERMAET Greg
4. ROELAMD

VSP PICKS:

1. Gaviria
2. Stybar
3. Sagan
4. Kristoff
5. Bouhanni

VSP PICKS:

1. Zdenek Stybar
2. Peter sagan
3. Alexander Kristoff
4. Fabian Cancellara
5. Bosen Hagen

VSP PICKS:

1. Bouhanni
2. Gaviria
3. Nizzolo
4. Kristoff
5. Sagan