@Mikael Liddy

@wiscot

@Drew

Been lurking for the past year or so and decided to join my fellow V followers. Glad we had a proper start to the Classics.

I’ll spot you all a few points!

By Delgadoing the first two VSP events, I’ve spotted everyone a few points already! I wish my scores at Trivia Monday were the same as my VSP picks.

proof once again that no one reads the articles, these events aren’t counting towards the overall (which starts at MSR), I suspect they were run to make sure it still works with the new site structure.

Yeah FFS guys, should we even bother writing anything and just post a photo? It’d save us a lot of time!

I read it, otherwise I might have had a proper moan about the entry window which pretty much coincided with me going to bed, getting up for a ride and coming home to find there had been a VSP.

To which the correct response would have been that I’m fucking useless at the VSP anyway so whether I missed none, one or ten would make very little difference.

@wiscot

@Drew

Been lurking for the past year or so and decided to join my fellow V followers. Glad we had a proper start to the Classics.

I’ll spot you all a few points!

By Delgadoing the first two VSP events, I’ve spotted everyone a few points already! I wish my scores at Trivia Monday were the same as my VSP picks.

proof once again that no one reads the articles, these events aren’t counting towards the overall (which starts at MSR), I suspect they were run to make sure it still works with the new site structure.

Yeah FFS guys, should we even bother writing anything and just post a photo? It’d save us a lot of time!

@Drew

Been lurking for the past year or so and decided to join my fellow V followers. Glad we had a proper start to the Classics.

I’ll spot you all a few points!

By Delgadoing the first two VSP events, I’ve spotted everyone a few points already! I wish my scores at Trivia Monday were the same as my VSP picks.

proof once again that no one reads the articles, these events aren’t counting towards the overall (which starts at MSR), I suspect they were run to make sure it still works with the new site structure.

Been lurking for the past year or so and decided to join my fellow V followers. Glad we had a proper start to the Classics.

I’ll spot you all a few points!

By Delgadoing the first two VSP events, I’ve spotted everyone a few points already! I wish my scores at Trivia Monday were the same as my VSP picks.

Been lurking for the past year or so and decided to join my fellow V followers. Glad we had a proper start to the Classics.

I’ll spot you all a few points!

Welcome, glad that you have taken the plunge.  Ah sorry, we should not plunge………..

I’ll spot you all a few points!

Great pic of Terpstra and Tommeke post race.

Yup, Lefevre must have been pretty pissed after the race. 3 guys in a four man break and you finish 2,3,4. Huge props to Stannard though. That was masterful riding all the way. Thankfully Cav saved their weekend on Sunday.

Ok, these two races are semi-classics, but when was the last time, if ever, that two Brits won both major races on a single weekend?

I was just thankful that Stybar didn’t get back on and win with a Rule #82 violation.

(Or GvA with his fucking toe covers.)

There should be a rule against riding on smooth surfaces to the side of a cobbled secteur. It could be called the O’Hearn Directive. Stannard shows the peloton how it’s done here:

Toe covers – that’s why Cavendish had to pull around Kristoff, couldn’t let K-B-K be won by a guy from Norway who heads south and still needs artificial help to keep his piggies warm.

And is it crappy looking helmet season, too?

(Or GvA with his fucking toe covers.)

@Gianni

OK, I overstated to say that finish was as lame as the Schlecks at LBL. Tommy did try a run at 5 km and Stijn was ruined by the end and Terpstra obviously has no sprint.

Brothers Schleck just rode Gilbert to the finish at LBL then pulled off and let Phil Gil win. That was still much more lame than this finish. Stannard has some serious strength right now. He should have a good spring.

What I don’t get is why Terpstra let Stannard get behind him in the last k? Even if he pulls a trackstand, just stop as well, the only bloke who’s gonna catch up to you is Tommeke, so the team still wins…

Was thinking the same thing whilst watching and not quite believing what I was seeing.

As others have said Id like to be a fly on the wall in the team bus after.

And a British double to open the season. Good omen for Wiggo I hope.

+1 on this response

I watched the end of this last night, I nearly spit soda all over my computer when I saw what happened.

I am still shaking my head, wtf was that!

I am still shaking my head, wtf was that!

Stannard had absolutely no reason to do any work at the end. Name me one guy who would have in that situation. The EQS boys simply got beat by a guy who rode a smarter race. End of.

Are people still doing Downfall pastiches?

Hitler would get very angry if he knew you were even asking.

Good idea though, I’d watch it. Patrick LeFuhrer in the Quickstep bunker.

@Gianni

OK, I overstated to say that finish was as lame as the Schlecks at LBL. Tommy did try a run at 5 km and Stijn was ruined by the end and Terpstra obviously has no sprint.

Brothers Schleck just rode Gilbert to the finish at LBL then pulled off and let Phil Gil win. That was still much more lame than this finish. Stannard has some serious strength right now. He should have a good spring.

I don’t think so Gianni.

LBL was two against one, not three. And the one was Gilbert, who at the time was unstoppable, with a superb classics pedigree.

This was three to one, and while Stannard isn’t chopped liver, he’s on the level of Vandenbergh but not Terpstra or Boonen.

Yes LBL was lame but it somehow seemed inevitable – it was really that nothing happened, except the Schlecks let Gilbert ride over them.

This was incredible, both for the succession of tactical cock-ups and for who was committing them, plus the excitement of seeing Stannard pull it off.

I think Etixx didn’t have much of a choice but to fuck it up royally. Stannard owes Sep and Greg a pint for making the trio work so hard because by the time they were clear, all of them were way too fucked to attack and counter-attack.

If Etixx had been caught, they would’ve gained Stybar but left to contend with Vanmarke and Van Avermaet. Very risky, and losing to either would’ve been very embarrassing. So they worked hard, and had to hold off on attacking Stannard.

Basically, without that furious chase, they would’ve been able to tire him out earlier. The way things turned out, he had an armchair ride to 5km out, instead of fighting to survive those 35km that preceded. Plus, remember he’s a former Pursuit rider – that counts as “can sprint” here on the road.

The final 5k were full of cock-ups, and Stannard rode masterfully – but I don’t think they had much of a chance of beating him. He was just far fresher. Even before the 5k point, Tommeke had troubles hanging on, they were on fumes.

P.S The Schlecks at least tried to attack on the climbing before the finish. Too bad it was against SuperGilbert.

OK, I overstated to say that finish was as lame as the Schlecks at LBL. Tommy did try a run at 5 km and Stijn was ruined by the end and Terpstra obviously has no sprint.

Brothers Schleck just rode Gilbert to the finish at LBL then pulled off and let Phil Gil win. That was still much more lame than this finish. Stannard has some serious strength right now. He should have a good spring.

I don’t think so Gianni.

LBL was two against one, not three. And the one was Gilbert, who at the time was unstoppable, with a superb classics pedigree.

This was three to one, and while Stannard isn’t chopped liver, he’s on the level of Vandenbergh but not Terpstra or Boonen.

Yes LBL was lame but it somehow seemed inevitable – it was really that nothing happened, except the Schlecks let Gilbert ride over them.

This was incredible, both for the succession of tactical cock-ups and for who was committing them, plus the excitement of seeing Stannard pull it off.

OK, I overstated to say that finish was as lame as the Schlecks at LBL. Tommy did try a run at 5 km and Stijn was ruined by the end and Terpstra obviously has no sprint.

Brothers Schleck just rode Gilbert to the finish at LBL then pulled off and let Phil Gil win. That was still much more lame than this finish. Stannard has some serious strength right now. He should have a good spring.

What I don’t get is why Terpstra let Stannard get behind him in the last k? Even if he pulls a trackstand, just stop as well, the only bloke who’s gonna catch up to you is Tommeke, so the team still wins…

Like, new baby. My daughter is having a sleep over. I’m working on the weekend. Logged on to cyclingnews and asked myself, “What? Racing? For reals?” DELGADO.

Wow.

He did although from memory he was a bit fucked and didn’t really contend the final sprint. Sky are looking good with Stannard, Thomas (picked up a GC win last week) and Wiggo not to mention the likes of Eisel and Rowe. Could this be there year when they come good for the classics. They have had some great moments stage racing but they’ve been pretty underwhelming in the Northern races.

@Chris

@Gianni

Strong indeed and a very cool head to stick to his own plan when reeling in the attacks.

“When they all started attacking me it wasn’t a great feeling. When Boonen went I was thinking ‘right, what do I do here?’ I knew if I rode him back I’d get attacked. I paced myself back a little bit. I could feel the wheel behind was trying hard to stay with me. So I felt like it was going pretty good and then I just took my chance.”

Didn’t Stannard come close to winning Milano-Sanremo during that nasty edition? He would be a worthy winner of that this year. He and G. Thomas are my boys on Sky these days. And Kennaugh for his white socks, of course.

Strong indeed and a very cool head to stick to his own plan when reeling in the attacks.

Terpstra’s sprint was poor considering he’d had a free ride for the last 3km.

Things are looking good, first Contrador and Froome beat the shit out of each other in the Portuguese mountains and now the Spring Classics kick of with a cracker.

Brothers Schleck just rode Gilbert to the finish at LBL then pulled off and let Phil Gil win. That was still much more lame than this finish. Stannard has some serious strength right now. He should have a good spring.

[vsp_results id=”32391″/]

Cycling has to be one of the only sorts in which 2nd, 3rd and 4th places signifies abject failure.

Yep, Schleck’s LBL bungle was not as dumb as this. Brilliant win by Stannard. I’m glad he could defend so well. I bet Wiggins would not have done the job if he was up there.

No longer the worst choke in recent memory.

How fucking simple was it – let Stijnbergh and Terpstra work him over and let Boonen – you know, the former world champion and green jersey winner – sit on Stannard’s wheel and go for the sprint.

What’s Belgian for ‘Duh’?

Quiet table at dinner tonight in the EtQS hotel

GET IN….

Awesome ride by Stannard. Three Quickstep v Stannard and he still won. Brilliant.

I never cheer for the English as a rule but THAT was fkn impressive. Very cool how he pulled Boonen back without a hint panic then countered the counter attack. I thought Terpstra would do him easy in the sprint. Strong and smart. Awesome start to the season.

Awesome ride by Stannard. Three Quickstep v Stannard and he still won. Brilliant.

1. Sep Venmarcke

2. Niki Terpstra

3. G V Avermaet

4. Alexander Kristoff

5. Tom Boonen

2. Vanmarcke

3. Kristoff

4. Boonen

5. Debusschere

Wait a minute, no, I’m wrong, I can’t read properly at this time on a Saturday

Jaysus, Man. You can’t drop that kind of vibe and then backtrack! Bad form. Hill Repeats for you!

VSP picks:

1. Van Avermaet

2. Terpstra

3. Boonen

4. Sinkeldam

5. Ligthart

Balls.

1. Boonen
2. Kristoff
3. Demare
4. Rowe
5. Vanmarke

1. Kristoff
2. Demarre
3. Brandle
4. Keisse
5. Stannard

VSP PICKS:

1. A Kristoff
2. S Vadebergh
3. G. Van Avermaet
4. A Demare
5. E Boason Hagen

1. Van marke
2. Boonen
3. phil gil
4. Wiggo
5. terpstra

1. Kristoff
2. Boonen
3. Van Avermaet
4. Wiggins
5. Boasson Hagen

1. Evald Boasson Hagen
2. Sep Vanmarcke
3. Van Avermaet
4. Luke Rowe
5. Alexander Kristoff

VSP PICKS:

1. Sep Vanmarcke
2. Greg van Avermaet
3. Alexander Kristoff
4. Niki Terpstra
5. Tom Boonen

VSP PICKS:

1. Boonen
2. Van avermaet
3. Wiggins
4. Boasen hagan
5. Vanmarke

1. Van Avermaet
2. Demare
3. Terpstra
4. Kristoff
5. Van Marke

VSP PICKS:

1. Greg Van Avermaet
2. Sep Vanmarcke
3. Alex Kristoff
4. Tom Boonen
5. Ian Stannard

1. Eddy boss
2. kristoff
3. stybar
4. avermate
5. boom boom

1. Alexander Kristoff
2. Tom Boonen
3. Niki Terpstra
4. Ian Stannard
5. Sep Vanmarcke

VSP PICKS:

1. Alexander Kristoff
2. Greg Van Avermaet
3. Sep Vanmarcke
4. Zdenek Stybar
5. Pim Ligthart

1. Alexander Kristoff
2. Greg Van Avermaet
3. Sep Vanmarcke
4. Zed elk Stybar
5. Pim Ligthart

VSP PICKS:

1. Van Avermaet
2. Vanmarcke
3. Stannard
4. Haussler
5. EBH

VSP PICKS:

1. Sep Venmarcke
2. G V Avermaet
3. Alexander Kristoff
4. Shane Archbold
5. Eddy Boasson Hagen

1. Sep Venmarcke
2. G V Avermaet
3. Alexander Kristoff
4. Tom Boonen
5. Eddy Boasson Hagen

VSP PICKS:

1. Niki Terpstra
2. Alexander Kristoff
3. Greg Van Avermaet
4. Sylvain Chavanel
5. Edvald Boasson Hagen

1. Wiggins
2. Kristoff
3. Boonen
4. Van Avermet
5. Vanmarcke

VSP PICKS:

1. Stannard
2. Vanmarcke
3. G V Avermaet
4. Kristoff
5. Tomeke

1. N Terpstra
2. G V Avermaet
3. M Ladagnous
4. P Ligthart
5. J Drucker

Greggy V-A will always be 2nd.

Wiggo and Tomeke will be involved, but not sure where

Kristoff will win the filed sprint.  Again.

VSP PICKS:

1. Eddy Boasson Hagen
2. Greg Van Avermaet
3. Wiggo
4. Tomeke
5. Alexander Kristoff

VSP PICKS:

1. Kristoff
2. Van Avermaet
3. Vanmarcke
4. Boonen
5. Stybar

1. Sep Vanmarcke
2. Niki Terpstra
3. Greg Van Avermaet
4. Ian Stannard
5. Zdenek Stybar

VSP PICKS:

1. Stybar
2. Terptra
3. Kristoff
4. Ender Wiggins
5. Boonen

1. VanMarcke
2. Van Avermaet
3. Stybar
4. Kristoff
5. Terpstra

VSP PICKS:

1. Kristoff
2. Vanmarcke
3. Vandenbergh
4. GVA
5. Rowe

1. Terpstra
2. Wiggo
3. Boonen
4. Van Avermaet
5. Vanmarcke

1. Greg Van Avermeat
2. Boonen
3. Sep Vanmarcke
4. Kristoff
5. Phillip Gilbert

1. Hagen
2. Boonen
3. Terpstra
4. Kristoff
5. GVA

1. Hagen
2. Boonen

1. Terpstra
2. Boonen
3. Gilbert
4. Wiggins
5. Stannard

1. Greg Van Avermaet
2. Niki Terpstra
3. Arnaud Demare
4. Zdenek Stybar
5. Stijn Vandenbergh

1. Vanmarcke, Sep
2. Van Avermaet, Greg
3. Kristoff, Alexander
4. Terpstra, Niki
5. Boonen, Tom

1. Niki Terpstra
2. Greg Van Avermaet
3. Sep Vanmarcke
4. Johan Vansummeren
5. Alexander Kristoff

1. Vanmarcke
2. Kristoff
3. Van Avermaet
4. Terpstra
5. Stybar

1. Boonen
2. Van Avermaet
3. Vanmarcke
4. Kristoff
5. Bossen Hagen

VSP PICKS:

1. Nikki Terpstra
2. Sep Vanmacke
3. Ian Stannard
4. Matthias Brandle
5. Alexander Kristoff

VSP PICKS:

1. Van Avermaet
2. Terpstra
3. Vanmarcke
4. Kristoff
5. Stannard

1. Alexander Kristoff
2. Greg Van Avermaet
3. Sep Vanmarcke
4. Niki Terpstra
5. Heinrich Haussler

VSP PICKS:

1. Alexander Kristoff
2. Greg Van Avermaet
3. Arnaud Demare
4. Eddie Boss
5. Tom Boonen

1. Boonen, Tom
2. Vanmarkce, Sep
3. Kristoff, Alexander
4. Van Avermaet, Greg
5. Vandenbergh, Stijn