Cycling: The next classic, the Ronde van Vlaanderen, is just around the corner tomorrow. After the triumph at Milan-Sanremo and numerous races on cobblestones, the Deceuninck – Quick-Step team is also the favorite at the Tour of Flanders. But can the Belgian team do justice to this role?
Tour of Flanders 2019: over 17 slipways to happiness
For many cycling fans, the Tour of Flanders is the most interesting one-day race of the year. This season it leads over 267,7 kilometers from Antwerp to Oudenaarde. For comparison: That is a greater distance than the linear distance between Berlin and Hamburg. Only with the difference that the pros in Flanders 17 slipways be in the way. The legendary makes the start Oude-Kwaremont after 119,1 kilometers. It has to be crossed three times that day. For the last time 16,7 kilometers from the finish. Then he brings the decision together with the last slipway, the Paterberg, about three kilometers later. Cycling fans should tune in no later than around 60 kilometers from the finish line when this combination is already being completed.
5x Quick-Step, many Belgians and two Crossers
There is no doubt that Team Deceuninck – Quick-Step can field the strongest squad for the Tour of Flanders. As a joke, many experts say that all eight professionals in blue and white are among the favourites. Luckily it's not that bad. But with Zdenek Stybar, Philippe Gilbert, Bob Jungels, Tim Declercq and Yves Lampaert we should have at least five of them on the list. Most of the other favorites have a home game. of Belgium greg van avermaet (CCC), Tiesj Benoot (Lotto – Soudal) and Oliver naesen (AG2R La Mondiale) compete almost in isolation against the wolf pack. We can be particularly excited about the two crossers wout van aert (Jumbo – Visma) and the Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel (Corendon-Circus). Can they keep up with the elite on the street despite the huge distance?
What can Valverde and Sagan achieve?
Actually are Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Peter Sagan (Bora – hansgrohe) always count among the favourites. Rarely do their names not come up when it comes to important bike races. This time, however, they seem to have taken on more of an outsider role. The explanation for Valverde is simple: The world champion is starting at the Tour of Flanders for the first time – and that at the age of almost 39. Actually crazy, because the profile of the Ronde suits the Spaniard. His first-class bike control and his qualities in poisonous climbs stand him in good stead. But 2019 has not been his so far. As with Peter Sagan, the top results can be counted on one hand. But maybe this outsider role is an advantage for the two of them. Also Last year's winner Niki Terpstra (direct energy), Matteo Trentin (Mitchelton-Scott), alexander kristoff (UAE Team Emirates), Luke Rowe (Sky) and Michael Matthews (Sunweb) should not be underestimated. The German hope is called John Degenkolb (Trek – Segafredo).
Velomotion prognosis: It's time for Zdeněk Štybar
It is difficult to say whether this season will see a successful early attack or whether the winner of the Ronde van Vlaanderen will be decided in a group sprint. The superiority of Deceuninck – Quick-Step is huge, so they will use the Kwaremont/Paterberg combination to force a decision with 60km to go. They probably intend to place one rider in each group from then on, to hold all the cards in their own hands. Even if the competition can always ensure a merger, one of the blue and white wolf pack will always attack. At the latest after the last crossing of the Paterberg, the decisive tactics begin. With the exception of Quick-Step, hardly any team will be able to fall back on more than one driver - and that's exactly what will make the difference in the end. Who drives behind when in the last ten kilometers Zdenek Stybar attacks? The Czech has never won the round and hasn't even finished in the top 5. Again and again he had to help out. Now it's time to reward yourself.
Live on TV: The Tour of Flanders 2019 on Eurosport
Cycling fans will hardly miss anything from the Tour of Flanders 2019. Already Eurosport will broadcast from 10:30 a.m the race live on TV. Even if this means an hour-long marathon is imminent, an early look at the classic is worthwhile. Because there is no other monument where decisions are made as early as the Tour of Flanders. Especially with the superiority of Deceuninck - Quick-Step, tactics can play an important role.
🎤Singing skills: 5/10
💬 Antwerp dialect: 6/10
🙆♂️ Enthusiasm: 8/10
💪 Ready for the start of the Ronde in @Stad_Antwerp: 10/10@laurensdevreese @julienvermote @jensdebusschere @jasperstuyven #RVV19 #deRondeInAntwerp pic.twitter.com/MnPcA2S2Jx— Ronde Van Vlaanderen (@RondeVlaanderen) 5 April 2019
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