the_hoyle - I hope so. Gerrans is on the downhill, so we're praying for a GT with Porte!
TimoCycling - Thanks! Will need it.
baia - Yeah, 2014 was over pretty quickly Matthias certainly hopes to get to the WC this year! I think he belongs there, after what he's shown already.
Jesleyh - Kelderman with a nice race I'll be cheering for him since he is no competitor for Matthias in this story
That time of the year again. Everyone's very excited for the start of the Belgian season. This is also the first cobbled race on the agenda. This year I'm peaking more gradually. I didn't think I had the legs to win today, but you never know what happens in a race.
The team is putting a little pressure on me now. There are two reasons for that:
1. My contract expires at the end of the season. So I'll need to deliver this season to fight for a new contract.
2. If I'm to be leader in the cobbled classics, I need to prove I'm worth it.
Profile
We know this route. Last year it came down to a sprint of three man. But the weather conditions were far worse. We'll see what happens.
I tried to ride my race calmly, not get excited about certain events before we hit the Eikenberg.
It was an uneventful race, to be honest. Only 70 kilometers from the finish, the peloton started breaking up in the narrow roads of Flanders.
As the was little organisation from the big teams, I decided to test my legs a little. I attacked.
The team of Vanmarcke stepped up for the chase, though. I didn't get far.
And so a group was formed. There were 23 of us. The last real cobbled section was behind us.
I decided to put everything on the sprint. But attacks were certain to happen. I tried to float along as they did, but it was hard and I nearly cracked.
The sprint was on. I wasn't feeling very fresh anymore, though.
150 meters from the line, I got a terrible cramp, it went from my leg to my ear, honest. I sat down, unable to sprint any further.
John Degenkolb came out on top today. I finished 8th, better than last year.
Without that cramp, I'm sure I would've finished top 5 today!
Result
1
John Degenkolb
Team Sky
4h36'21
2
Peter Sagan
Cannondale
s.t.
3
Filippo Pozzato
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
4
Sep Vanmarcke
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ.fr
s.t.
6
Kenneth Vanbilsen
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
7
Arnaud Demare
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
8
Matthias Vleminckx
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
9
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Heinrich Haussler
IAM Cycling
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Zdenek Stybar
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
12
Yohan Offredo
FDJ.fr
s.t.
13
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
14
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
15
Jasper Stuyven
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
16
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
17
Björn Leukemans
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
18
Tom Van Asbroeck
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
19
Ramon Sinkeldam
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
s.t.
20
Bernhard Eisel
Team Sky
s.t.
21
Nick Nuyens
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
22
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
23
Geraint Thomas
Team Sky
s.t.
24
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
+ 3'16
25
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
26
Matthew Hayman
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
27
Gert Steegmans
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
28
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
29
Martin Elmiger
IAM Cycling
s.t.
30
Iljo Keisse
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
31
Robert Wagner
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
32
Fabio Sabatini
Cannondale
s.t.
33
Matteo Tosatto
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
34
Kevin Reza
Team Europcar
s.t.
35
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
36
Alexander Porsev
Team Katusha
s.t.
37
Matthew Goss
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
38
Olivier Pardini
Veranclassic - Doltcini
s.t.
39
Tim De Troyer
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
40
Bert De Backer
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
41
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin Sharp
+ 3'58
42
Maxime Daniel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 5'18
43
Jesse Sergent
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
44
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 8'23
45
Damien Gaudin
Team Katusha
s.t.
46
Alexander Kristoff
Team Katusha
+ 10'20
47
Koen De Kort
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
48
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
49
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
50
Alexandre Pichot
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
51
Greg Van Avermaet
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
52
Maarten Wynants
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
53
Sebastian Langeveld
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
54
Gianni Meersman
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
55
Marco Marcato
Cannondale
s.t.
56
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
57
Sylvain Chavanel
IAM Cycling
s.t.
58
Michael Mørkøv
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
s.t.
59
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
60
Mickaël Delage
FDJ.fr
s.t.
61
Egoitz García
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
62
Jimmy Engoulvent
Team Europcar
s.t.
63
Dries Devenyns
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
64
Danilo Hondo
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
65
Grégory Rast
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
66
Maciej Bodnar
Cannondale
s.t.
67
Salvatore Puccio
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
68
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
69
Pieter Serry
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
70
Sébastien Minard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
71
Elia Favilli
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
72
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
73
Bradley Carroll
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
74
Gustav Erik Larsson
IAM Cycling
s.t.
75
Maxime Vantomme
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
76
Jack Bauer
IAM Cycling
s.t.
77
Rick Zabel
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
78
Paul Voss
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
79
Eduard Vorganov
Team Katusha
s.t.
80
Bram Tankink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
81
Steven Kruijswijk
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
82
Kevin De Weert
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
83
Jonathan Fumeaux
IAM Cycling
s.t.
84
Dominic Klemme
IAM Cycling
s.t.
85
Danilo Napolitano
Team Sky
+ 11'49
86
Jonas Vangenechten
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
87
Ryan Anderson
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
s.t.
88
Marko Kump
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
89
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
90
Yves Lampaert
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
91
Dylan van Baarle
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
92
Kristof Vandewalle
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
93
Giorgio Brambilla
Veranclassic - Doltcini
s.t.
94
Benjamin Verraes
Veranclassic - Doltcini
s.t.
95
Timothy Dupont
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
96
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
97
Vladimir Gusev
Team Katusha
s.t.
98
Francis Mourey
FDJ.fr
s.t.
99
Sébastien Rosseler
Veranclassic - Doltcini
s.t.
100
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
101
Pieter Jacobs
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
102
Leigh Howard
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
103
Sean De Bie
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
104
Mikhail Ignatiev
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
105
Scott Thwaites
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
106
Tim Declercq
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
107
Sven Nys
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
108
Louis Verhelst
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
109
Nico Sijmens
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
110
Joeri Stallaert
Veranclassic - Doltcini
s.t.
111
Staf Scheirlinckx
Veranclassic - Doltcini
s.t.
112
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
113
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
s.t.
114
Gert Dockx
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
115
Niels Albert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
116
Julien Fouchard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
117
Yury Trofimov
Team Katusha
s.t.
118
Eric Young
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
s.t.
119
Stig Broeckx
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
120
Peter Velits
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
121
Christian Knees
Team Sky
s.t.
122
Thomas Degand
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
123
Brett Lancaster
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
124
Michael Friedman
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
s.t.
125
Arthur Vichot
FDJ.fr
s.t.
126
Thomas Vaubourzeix
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
127
Mattia Cattaneo
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
128
Valentin Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
129
Gabriel Rasch
Team Sky
s.t.
130
Julien Duval
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
131
David Boucher
FDJ.fr
s.t.
132
Tom Zirbel
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
s.t.
133
Alexis Vuillermoz
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
134
Pawel Poljanski
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
135
Nathan Haas
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
136
Ramunas Navardauskas
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
137
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
138
Stijn Steels
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
139
Dave Willems
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
140
Daniel Schorn
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
141
Wout Poels
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
142
Alex Howes
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
143
Valerio Agnoli
Team Katusha
s.t.
144
Oliver Zaugg
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
145
Sérgio Paulinho
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
146
Luca Wackermann
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
147
Romain Bardet
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
148
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
149
Grégory Habeaux
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
150
David De la Cruz
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
151
Natnael Berhane
Team Europcar
s.t.
152
Niccolo Bonifazio
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
153
Michel Koch
Cannondale
s.t.
154
Petr Ignatenko
Team Katusha
s.t.
155
Jesper Hansen
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
156
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke
Team Sky
s.t.
157
Aidis Kruopis
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
158
Ben Hermans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
159
Nadir Haddou
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
160
Daniele Ratto
Cannondale
s.t.
161
Joseph Dombrowski
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
162
Jimmy Turgis
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
163
Jesse Anthony
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
s.t.
164
Julian Kern
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
165
Edward Theuns
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
166
Frantisek Padour
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
167
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
168
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
169
Emilien Viennet
FDJ.fr
s.t.
170
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
171
Peter Stetina
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
172
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
173
Jens Mouris
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
174
Bartosz Huzarski
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
175
Bryan Nauleau
Team Europcar
s.t.
176
Augusto Campo
Cannondale
s.t.
177
Rudy Molard
Roubaix Lille Métropole
s.t.
178
Franco Pellizotti
Cannondale
s.t.
179
Thierry Hupond
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
180
Caleb Fairly
Garmin Sharp
+ 14'59
181
Jonathon McEvoy
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
182
Matthew Busche
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
183
Luis Ángel Maté
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
184
Romain Hardy
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
185
Philip Deignan
Team Sky
s.t.
186
Tom Danielson
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
187
Hubert Dupont
Team Europcar
+ 15'53
188
Romain Sicard
Team Europcar
s.t.
189
Tom Goovaerts
Veranclassic - Doltcini
s.t.
190
Calvin Watson
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
191
Blaz Jarc
Jack Wolfskin
s.t.
192
Martijn Keizer
Veranclassic - Doltcini
s.t.
193
Matteo Montaguti
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
194
Daniil Fominykh
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
195
Scott Zwizanski
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
s.t.
196
Frederik Backaert
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
197
Phillip Vercruysse
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
198
Axel Tison
FDJ.fr
s.t.
199
Franck Mayet
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 20'37
This was a good first test. But there are still work to do for me. My condition isn't bad, but it's not enough either. If I want to perform well at De Ronde, I'll need to shape up a bit better. There's still time, so let's hope for the best!
Last year we were in perfect position when half the bunch went down, including myself. This year, I wall make sure that doesn't happen, I'll be at the front all day!
Profile
This will most likely end in a mass sprint. We hope to make the race tough enough for the pure sprinters to blow their legs before the sprint begins. The weather will be on our side, with predicted rain and temperatures of 6°C.
There breakaway today was a big group of 12 riders. This was potentially dangerous, so we tried to contain their lead.
For us, the race really started on the Oude Kwaremont. We upped the tempo there and got a little help from nature!
Two teams were most keen on sustaining the pace: OPQS and us. I started feeling pressure on my shoulders. The team was working all day long, what if I didn't deliver?
And then Hayman came to the front and started riding like a madman, with Howard and me in the wheel.
After we took a corner perfectly, we had a small gap. Hayman emptied himself to keep the gap. We had about 10 seconds.
Howard took over. The gap was about 8 seconds. But the finish line was nearing now! I was flying and I started my sprint. I looked behind one more time, the gap was sufficient, we had this!!!
We surprised the audience by avoiding the mass sprint!
We surprised the other teams with our strong lead-out and broke free in the chaos.
But we mostly surprised ourself, today!
Result
1
Matthias Vleminckx
Orica GreenEdge
4h43'30
2
John Degenkolb
Team Sky
s.t.
3
Leigh Howard
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
4
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
5
Marcel Kittel
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
6
Sep Vanmarcke
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Zdenek Stybar
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
9
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Geraint Thomas
Team Sky
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ.fr
s.t.
12
Arnaud Demare
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
13
Bernhard Eisel
Team Sky
s.t.
14
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
15
Jasper Stuyven
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
16
Matthew Hayman
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
17
Greg Van Avermaet
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
18
Tony Gallopin
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
19
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
s.t.
20
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
21
Thomas Voeckler
Team Europcar
s.t.
22
Sébastien Minard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
23
Hayden Roulston
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
24
Nick Nuyens
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
25
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
26
Iljo Keisse
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
27
Maarten Tjallingii
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
28
Gianni Meersman
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
29
Daniele Bennati
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
30
Bert De Backer
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
31
Björn Thurau
Team Europcar
s.t.
32
Bert-Jan Lindeman
Rabobank Development Team
s.t.
33
Matthew Goss
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
34
Bradley Carroll
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
35
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
36
Tom Dumoulin
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
37
Dries Devenyns
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
38
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ.fr
s.t.
39
Jacopo Guarnieri
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'50
40
Steven Kruijswijk
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
41
Sébastien Chavanel
FDJ.fr
+ 3'54
42
Danilo Hondo
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
43
Matteo Tosatto
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
44
Christian Knees
Team Sky
s.t.
45
Emiel Dolfsma
Rabobank Development Team
s.t.
46
Julien Fouchard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
47
Tim De Troyer
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
48
Ramunas Navardauskas
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
49
Jens Debusschere
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 5'06
50
Paul Voss
Team Giant - Shimano
+ 6'21
51
Robert Kiserlovski
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
52
Mark McNally
An Post - Chain Reaction
s.t.
53
Dominique Cornu
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
54
Mikhail Ignatiev
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
55
Tom Dernies
Wallonie - Bruxelles
s.t.
56
Sjoerd Kouwenhoven
Cyclingteam De Rijke
s.t.
57
Andy Schleck
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
58
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
+ 7'47
59
Klaas Lodewyck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
60
Maarten Wynants
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
61
Sebastian Langeveld
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
62
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
63
Yohan Offredo
FDJ.fr
s.t.
64
Maxim Debusschere
An Post - Chain Reaction
s.t.
65
Steven Caethoven
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
66
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
67
Christopher Sutton
Team Sky
s.t.
68
Pieter Serry
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
69
Paul Martens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
70
Jan Bakelants
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
71
Gabriel Rasch
Team Sky
s.t.
72
Joshua Edmondson
Team Sky
s.t.
73
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke
Team Sky
s.t.
74
Chad Haga
Team Giant - Shimano
s.t.
75
Joseph Dombrowski
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
76
Tom Danielson
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
77
Rick Flens
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
78
Markel Irizar
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
79
Gianluca Brambilla
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
80
Ben King
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
81
Emiel Vermeulen
Team 3M
s.t.
82
Johan Vansummeren
Garmin Sharp
+ 9'17
83
Kenneth Vanbilsen
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
84
Gert Steegmans
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
85
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
86
Egoitz García
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
87
Yves Lampaert
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
88
Pieter Jacobs
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
89
Sébastien Rosseler
Veranclassic - Doltcini
s.t.
90
Tim Declercq
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
91
Joren Segers
Team 3M
s.t.
92
Benjamin Verraes
Veranclassic - Doltcini
+ 10'01
93
Laurens De Vreese
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
94
Frederik Willems
An Post - Chain Reaction
s.t.
95
William Bonnet
Team Europcar
s.t.
96
Jimmy Engoulvent
Team Europcar
s.t.
97
Kris Boeckmans
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
98
Louis Verhelst
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 10'40
99
Dennis Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
100
Sven Nys
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
101
Stig Broeckx
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
102
Kevin Claeys
An Post - Chain Reaction
s.t.
103
Jonas Vangenechten
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
104
Ben Hermans
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
105
Danny Van Poppel
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
106
Olivier Pardini
Veranclassic - Doltcini
s.t.
107
Arthur Vichot
FDJ.fr
s.t.
108
Dylan van Baarle
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
109
Davy Commeyne
An Post - Chain Reaction
s.t.
110
Koldo Fernández
Cyclingteam De Rijke
s.t.
111
Maxime Anciaux
Wallonie - Bruxelles
s.t.
112
Thomas Degand
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
113
Ronan Van Zandbeek
Cyclingteam De Rijke
s.t.
114
Jérôme Cousin
Team Europcar
s.t.
115
Bart De Clercq
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
116
Kenny Elissonde
FDJ.fr
s.t.
117
Olivier Kaisen
An Post - Chain Reaction
s.t.
118
Staf Scheirlinckx
Veranclassic - Doltcini
s.t.
119
Hubert Dupont
Team Europcar
s.t.
120
Jacob Martinez
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
121
Nico Sijmens
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
+ 12'49
122
Wouter Mol
Rabobank Development Team
s.t.
123
Peter Velits
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
124
Michael Valgren
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
125
Natnael Berhane
Team Europcar
s.t.
126
Jérôme Baugnies
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
s.t.
127
Oliver Zaugg
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
128
Christophe Premont
Wallonie - Bruxelles
s.t.
129
Laurent Didier
Team Differdange - Losch
s.t.
130
Preben Van Hecke
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
131
Ruslan Tleubayev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
132
Gaetan Bille
An Post - Chain Reaction
s.t.
133
Thomas Sprengers
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
134
Stan Godrie
Rabobank Development Team
s.t.
135
Tom Slagter
Garmin Sharp
s.t.
136
Dennis Coenen
Leopard Development Team
s.t.
137
Kevin Peeters
Team 3M
s.t.
138
Gorik Gardeyn
Veranclassic - Doltcini
s.t.
139
Ivan Rovny
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
140
Murilo Fischer
FDJ.fr
s.t.
141
Janier Acevedo
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
142
Tim Ariesen
Cyclingteam Jo Piels
s.t.
143
Axel Domont
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
144
Evgeni Petrov
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
145
Christoph Pfingsten
Cyclingteam De Rijke
s.t.
146
Alexsandr Dyachenko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
147
Laurent Evrard
Wallonie - Bruxelles
s.t.
148
Daniel Navarro
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
149
David Boucher
FDJ.fr
s.t.
150
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
151
Steve Bekaert
Veranclassic - Doltcini
s.t.
152
Gediminas Kaupas
Team Differdange - Losch
s.t.
153
Etienne van Empel
Rabobank Development Team
s.t.
154
Twan Brusselman
Cyclingteam Jo Piels
s.t.
155
Dion Beukeboom
Cyclingteam De Rijke
s.t.
156
Kevin Feiereisen
Leopard Development Team
s.t.
157
Matthew Busche
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
158
Sébastien Delfosse
Wallonie - Bruxelles
s.t.
159
Yoann Bagot
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
160
Joel Zangerle
Leopard Development Team
s.t.
161
Patrick Van Leeuwen
Cyclingteam Jo Piels
s.t.
162
Gerry Druyts
Team 3M
s.t.
163
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
164
Johan Coenen
Team Differdange - Losch
s.t.
165
Sven Renders
An Post - Chain Reaction
s.t.
166
César Bihel
Team Differdange - Losch
s.t.
167
Gilles Devillers
Veranclassic - Doltcini
s.t.
168
Kevin Van Hoovels
Team 3M
s.t.
169
Daniil Fominykh
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
170
Berden De Vries
Cyclingteam Jo Piels
s.t.
171
Stef Van Zummeren
Team 3M
s.t.
172
Jasper Hamelink
Cyclingteam Jo Piels
s.t.
173
Cees Bol
Rabobank Development Team
s.t.
174
Miguel Bryon
Cyclingteam Jo Piels
s.t.
175
Christophe Sleurs
Team 3M
s.t.
176
Aidis Kruopis
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
177
Kevin Suarez
Team Differdange - Losch
s.t.
178
Marco König
Leopard Development Team
s.t.
179
Pieter Weening
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
180
Jens Mouris
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
181
Gregory Franckaert
Team 3M
s.t.
182
Patrick Konrad
Leopard Development Team
+ 17'50
183
Patrick Olesen
Leopard Development Team
s.t.
184
Loïc Pestiaux
Wallonie - Bruxelles
s.t.
185
Kenny De Ketele
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
s.t.
186
Christian Helmig
Team Differdange - Losch
s.t.
187
Koen Bouwman
Cyclingteam Jo Piels
s.t.
188
Corrado Lampa
Team Differdange - Losch
s.t.
189
Martijn Tusveld
Rabobank Development Team
s.t.
190
Martijn Keizer
Veranclassic - Doltcini
s.t.
191
Damian Slotten
Rabobank Development Team
s.t.
192
Sven Fritsch
Team Differdange - Losch
+ 23'42
Yes! I've got it, amazing! It feels so great. Kuurne is a great race and winning here like this, it's undescribable! I couldn't have done it without the team here, though. Sprinting against Kittel, Greipel and Degenkolb would've been one hell of a task!
I need to go now, we've got a bit of a celebration planned.
I'll catch you later!
Matt
(Scuzzi for not commenting so much recently but since I take care of the EPIC Giro 2013 right now and due to your incredible speed I miss the opportunity here and there, know that I sure follow )
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
admirschleck - Well, Matthias was still 10 meters from the finish line and Degenkolb was coming fast, while Matthias' red and yellow bar were completely depleted
Shonak - That's understandably, I know you're following thanks! Kuurne is a nice race to win!
FonsDeSpons - Absolutely. They completely emptied themselves for him and he rewarded them with the win!
Ollfardh - That's a bold statement It'll be his first participation at La Primavera, and he's never won a WT classic before, let alone a monument, but you never know.
The Tirreno is the perfect race to build up the final shape for de cobbled classics and Milan - Sanremo. I would love to get a stage win here, but I realize that won't come easy.
After winning Kuurne, I realized even more that I have a big opportunity to achieve some great things. I want to use every bit of talent I have and work hard to achieve the best I can. Let's start today!
Profile
A tough first stage. No time to settle in here in Italy.
I stayed at the front the entire day, not taking any risks.
But when real punchers started attacking, I had to pass. Van Avermaet was keen on showing his new team colors!
The victory was for an extremely sly Paolini, who snuck away with 50 kilometers left to go. This is one way of putting a new PCT team on the map!
I settled the sprint for place 8, beating Gilbert and Degenkolb, which proves my current shape!
Result - Stage 1
1
Luca Paolini
Jack Wolfskin
4h19'49
2
Patrick Facchini
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1'03
3
Greg Van Avermaet
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Damien Gaudin
Team Katusha
s.t.
5
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
6
Rigoberto Urán
Movistar Team
+ 2'20
7
Fränk Schleck
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
8
Matthias Vleminckx
Orica GreenEdge
+ 3'04
9
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
10
John Degenkolb
Team Sky
s.t.
Tirreno - Adriatico :: Stage 2
Profile
A stage for the sprinters. I have fast legs when my form is right, but I can't see myself winning against Kittel, Degenkolb and Greipel here.
As expected, things ended up on a sprint. I gave it my all!
But I was no match for the impressive German sprinters. I finished 4th, feeling content nonetheless. After all, I'm still growing in placing my sprints. Maybe I can become a top sprinter in a few years' time?
Result - Stage 2
1
Marcel Kittel
Team Giant - Shimano
4h09'15
2
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
3
John Degenkolb
Team Sky
s.t.
4
Matthias Vleminckx
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
5
Matthew Goss
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
6
Peter Sagan
Cannondale
s.t.
7
Daniele Bennati
Tinkoff - Saxo
s.t.
8
Heinrich Haussler
IAM Cycling
s.t.
9
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
10
Daryl Impey
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
Tirreno - Adriatico :: Stage 3
Profile
It'll be hard for me to survive this stage. Instead, I had my eyes set on the points classification. Maybe I could snatch away some points today.
Impey made his move and allowed me to pick up 2 remaining points at the intermediate sprint, which puts me right up there with the leader in the points classification. Too bad there were two riders up ahead!
I tried hanging on but I gave up quickly on the final ascend. My race was finished here today. Roche took the stage with an impressive coup d'état!
Result - Stage 3
1
Nicolas Roche
Tinkoff - Saxo
5h03'36
2
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 18
3
Wilco Kelderman
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Simon Gerrans
Orica GreenEdge
s.t.
6
Daniel Moreno
Team Katusha
s.t.
7
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
8
Robert Kiserlovski
Trek Factory Racing
s.t.
9
Peter Sagan
Cannondale
s.t.
10
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
General Classification after stage 3
1
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - Merida
13h34'01
2
Nicolas Roche
Tinkoff - Saxo
+ 1'33
3
Rigoberto Urán
Movistar Team
+ 1'51
4
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'55
5
Wilco Kelderman
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'57
6
Peter Sagan
Cannondale
+ 2'01
7
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
9
Daniel Moreno
Team Katusha
s.t.
10
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
Points Classification
1
Luca Paolini
Jack Wolfskin
12
2
Marcel Kittel
Team Giant - Shimano
12
3
Matthias Vleminckx
Orica GreenEdge
12
4
Nicolas Roche
Tinkoff - Saxo
12
5
Patrick Facchini
Androni Giocattoli
10
6
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
10
7
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
10
8
John Degenkolb
Team Sky
9
9
Greg Van Avermaet
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
8
10
Wilco Kelderman
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
8
With one more flat stage, two more hilly stages and a time trial remaining, I'm putting everything on the points classification. Let's see if I can take it home!
Matthias certainly hopes to get to the WC this year! I think he belongs there, after what he's shown already.
I'll be cheering for him since he is no competitor for Matthias in this story 
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2015 
)
Tirreno - Adriatico :: Stage 1 
