@lobinho: FDJ, contray to Giant are not making such a classificatin of riders so my last "stats" are the one Giant gave me just before the last Tour de France:
Spoiler
@sutty68: Thanks
@the_hoyle: I'm more surprised about Oman than Omloop but Thanks
The race will be for a strong sprinter for sure. There are not many cobbles section so only the wind could play a real part in today's race. I'm designate as the Leader today with Arnaud as sprinter.
I hope I will make another top 10 in that race and why not more?
Race Report:
As it was predicted, the wind was blowing really hard and most of the time it was coming from our side. Many teams imposed a very high pace during all the race and with 46 kilometers to go a group of 29 riders was leading the race. We had a lead of 58" on a second group of 23 riders where Matthieu was with Zdenek Stybar (TEL) and Sep Vanmarcke (BEL).
The entente in our group was good but the closer we were getting to the finish, the smaller the group was. We were quickly reduce to 15 riders including Arnaud, Yoann and I representing FDJ.fr. Niki Terpstra (TEL) eventualy tried a solo break but BMC riders reacted on the moment and they did not give him more than 50 meters.
With 9 kilometers left, the group was even smaller but Arnaud and I managed to stay in it.
When Lars Boom (BEL) and Tom Boonen attacked, Yoann tried to jump in their wheels without success. We were forced to chase but once again the work of BMC Taylor Phinney was really impressive.
The week end here in Belgium is now over and I came back with two top 10 so I can only be happy of my performances.
My next race is the Tirreno - Adriatico, as it will be important to build a good shape for the next classics.
I was taking part in that race and I was the leader of the team for the GC. The competition was hard and my best result was a seventh position in the 4th stage. Carlos Betancur (ALM) was the strongest of us all and he took a deserved victory.
I was not able to fight for the top 10 but I fell good concerning my shape, I'm not early on my plans and I'm not late either. I took a good 12th position and the final young ranking.
Race Ranking
1
Carlos Alberto Betancur Gomez
Ag2r - La Mondiale
26h48'22
2
Mikel Landa Meana
Astana Pro Cycling
+ 26
3
Gianni Meersman
Telenet Pro Cycling Team
+ 39
4
Enrico Battaglin
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
+ 48
5
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'10
6
Andrew Talansky
Garmin-Sharp
s.t.
7
Jurgen Van Den Broeck
Lotto - Belisol
s.t.
8
Peter Sagan
Fly Emirates
+ 1'28
9
Diego Ulissi
Lampre - Colombia
s.t.
10
Daniel Moreno Fernandez
Katusha Team
+ 1'36
---
12
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
+ 2'08
I'm now waiting for the start of Milano - Sanremo which should suit me quite well.
@sutty68: That race was not one of my big objectives but coming home with youth jersey is still great
GP Nobili Rubinetterie
I was at the start of this race but as Milano - Sanremo was close, I decided not to finish it. Anyway the victory still went to Arnaud with a dominance by FDJ.fr.
This year, there were so many riders with the abilities of winning the race in our team that the manager could not decide which one of us should be the leader. According to his result in Paris - Nice, Arthur was the best rider of our team. Arnaud was designated as the team's sprinter, Yoann and I were given free role. This means that I could take my chance if I see it coming.
Race Report:
The race started at very fast pace, as every team wanted a guy in the breakaway. The wind was blowing hard and it could be a decisive factor in the final.
A group of four riders composed of Alexis Vuillermoz (ALM), Bauke Mollema (BEL), Angelo Pagani (BAR) and Andrea Dal Col (VIN) finally managed to get off the pack. They had a maximun lead of 9'54.
When we get to the sea, after La Manie, Matthieu took the lead of the pack to impose a hard pace. The wind, as I said could have played an important role during the stage but instead of coming from the sea, it was coming from the earth so far less important than we thought.
44 kilometers go, two riders decided to attack. Edvald Boasson Hagen (SKY) and Tom Boonen (TEL) were quickly at the front. The second one did not managed to follow Boasson Hagen and was quickly brought back in the pack.
AT the foot step of the Cipressa, Jurgen Van Den Broeck (LTB) was imposing a very hard pace. Everyone was back in the main bunch and no one could have left it as we were already going full gas.
In the Cipressa, the pace slow down a bit and it allowed Arthur to accelerate. The pack kept him at 25" but no more so we knew this was a fail attempt. Fly Emirates were doing the biggest part of the job during the climb as Peter Sagan (EMI) was feeling really good.
In the flat part between the Cipressa and the Poggio, we assisted to an attack from Fabian Cancellara (IAM). He still have his power on the flat despite is advanced age. At this time, it was Matthieu again that was leading the pack.
As soon as we had Cancellara back, I went behind Matthieu, asking him to set a very fast pace. He did so and when we get to the foot step of the Poggio, half of the pack was left behind.
After his work, I decided to put a little acceleration on the Poggio, firstly to show my jersey and secondly to see if their was something to do. Cancellara did not let me go so I went back in the main bunch as I did not want to burn all my energy in a vain acceleration.
With three kilometers to go, we were starting to prepare the sprint for Arnaud. Yoann was riding very fast at the front to avoid any last minute attack and I was leading Arnaud toward the sprint.
Unfortunately, we saw a bullet passing through us, there were nothing we could do against the Great Peter Sagan, The hulk show us all his power in that finish and he did not let his opponents a chance to fight.
Our results were still not bad as Arnaud managed to grab the second position and I took the third one.
The first monument is now over, there are still four to do. that third position is a good sign for the future but as long as there will be Sagan, it will be hard to impose my self in that very difficult race.
Two riders in the top three is a great performance for the team even though we were expecting the win. We are no going to the Flemish classics with very high expectations.
Finally, the cobbled classic will start, this is an important time of the season for the team and also for me. Last year I was taking the third position after a big sacrifice to give Degenkolb the victory. This time it will be different as I will be leader of the team alongside Matthieu.
The Race:
At the briefing this morning, Fred Guesdon asked Mika or Marvin to get into the morning breakaway so they could anticipate the big moves of the favorites. Marvin reminds me a bit of David Boucher and this was without surprise that he managed to get in the breakaway of the day.
There was movements at any time of the race and when Romain Zingle (COF) attacked, there were already 5 riders who had joined the breakaway. There were 99 kilometers to go and the breakaway was composed of 9 riders.
The two Belgian teams, Telenet and Lotto took the lead of the pack and they closed the gap by every turn f the pedal. Terpstra (TEL) and Gallopin (LTB) might have great sensation to make their team ride like that.
Not able to be part of the breakaway, Mika Delage crashed on a wet part of the road, he felt alone but without any troubles he get back on his bike and he ended the race.
With 65 kilometers to go, a group of 4 riders was at the front. Marvin due to a puncture in cobbles section was not part of it and it was quite annoying for him.
The riders of the group were Romain Zingle (COF), Matti Breschel (TCS), Ian Stannard (SKY) and Nick Van Der Lijke (BEL).
54 kilometers, on a cobbled section, Zdenek Stybar accelerated. He was really strong and only two of his team mates and 4 of us managed to follow him. As his leader was not part of the group he slow down immediately and we did not insisted as there were still many kilometers to do.
But then I decided to test my legs and the legs of my opponents. With the help of Arnaud Courteille, I got of the pack without many difficulties. Of course they did not let me go but after my acceleration, many riders had lost team mates.
The last one to attack was Peter Sagan (EMI) with 25 kilometers to go. The recent winner of Milano - Sanremo was really powerful and nobody managed to get his wheel. He was gone for a long solo efforts. But he may had gone to early.
He indeed went too early as under the impulsion of Heinrich Haussler (OGE) and Marcus Burghardt (BMC) he was brought pack in the pack few kilometers before the finish.
It was time for us to prepare for the finish. I wrote us as Yoann, Matthieu and I were still in the main bunch.
I was supposed to be the fastest so they decided to bring me to the sprint. Yoann did an amazing work to get me at the front and to keep me well positioned.
And then, Matthieu launched my sprint. I had to fight with Heinrich Haussler (OGE) to avoid being blocked in the fences but it was alright, my sprint was well launched.
Unfortunately, I may have keep my position, but Haussler (OGE) was way stronger than me today. He easily took the victory and while I was going for the second position, Filippo Pozzato (LAM) passed me right on the line. That was another third position for me.
Results
Heinrich Haussler | Orica - GreenEDGE Filippo Pozzato | Lampre - Colombia Anthony Louveille | Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
I was supposed to start this race but I agreed with my manager to skip it. The profile was not made for my abilities and I really want to redo my performance of last year in the Ronde van Vlaanderen so instead of burning my cards in a race I knew I would not won I started in the VDK - Driedaagse De Panne - Koksijde.
Anyway, the team did great in Gent - Wevelgem as Arnaud took the second position behind an unbeatable Peter Sagan and Matthieu and William both made it into the top 10.
I did that race without any ambition but just to keep my shape fit for the incoming events. I watched Sagan win the 3 first stages without any difficulties, and Lars Boom won the last time trial. Overall I ended at an obscure 17th position while Matthieu took the 4th one.
To my own surprised, I still had to took part in the protocole as I ended leader of the youth ranking.
Race Ranking
1
Peter Sagan
Fly Emirates
11h49'09
2
Heinrich Haussler
Orica - GreenEDGE
+ 2'14
3
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling
+ 3'14
4
Matthieu Ladagnous
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
+ 3'21
5
Tony Gallopin
Lotto - Belisol
+ 3'27
6
Johan Le Bon
Team Giant - Allianz
+ 3'45
7
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
+ 3'50
8
Alexander Kristoff
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'21
9
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'43
10
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'56
---
17
Anthony Louveille
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
+ 5'40
I'm now waiting for the start of the Ronde van Vlaanderen where I shale at list enter a top 10 (I really hope so) even if only the victory would count to my eyes.
At the briefing this morning, the things were clear I was the leader for the race. The plan was to bring me in the best condition in the 30 last kilometers or less and then letting me handling the race to my own count.
With Yoann and Matthieu as main lieutenant, I knew I shall not worry about that plan working. But again Sagan looked like he was in very great shape I would not be surprised to see him at the front in the last kilometers.
The Race:
Once again, as we were on his lands, Marvin Legraive get off the pack to anticipate the fight of the favorites. It was a good thing for us as we shall not worry about the chase.
He was riding with 7 other riders, none of them were clearly a threat for the final outcome.
The race started very quickly and attack from outsiders started earlier than I thought. Tony Gallopin (LTB) went off the pack with more than 130 kilometers to go. He quickly went back on the breakaway which was then made of 9 riders.
Many other riders attacked in the next kilometers like Louis Verhelst (COF) or Jasper Stuyven (TFR). The first one managed to get in the breakaway but the second did not.
Since their relegation to Conti Pro, Trek had lost many of their leaders but this guy could really be a future talent in this kind of races.
In the pack, the chase was organized by Lampre - Colombia and BMC Racing Team. They both had possibility of victory with Filippo Pozzato for Lampre and Greg Van Avermaet for BMC.
We (FDJ.fr riders) were never far from the front of the pack to avoid any risk of breaks or crash.
On our first passage on the Oude Kwaremont, William accelerated the pace. He was gone as a scout so we could have an extra help in the following kilometers if the pace was meant to be faster.
With 62 kilometers, there was a main group of 12 riders going toward the finish, the breakaway was still at the front but their lead was constantly decreasing.
I was still surrounded by William, Yoann and Matthieu while most of the other team had only 1 or 2 riders to represent them.
The main riders of the group were Sagan (EMI), Haussler (OGE), Boom (BEL), Van Avermaet (BMC), Pozzato (LAM) and Langeveld (GRS).
Boom (BEL) eventually attacked few kilometers after but it was a failed attempt of breaking away. All he managed to do ws to bring back the breakaway in our group.
Well, we quickly went to a small number of us after the acceleration of Sagan and once again I had my two main lieutenants at my side, they really are great riders. But Sagan did not want to stop yet and he did all the job at the front of the group.
Sagan was clearly the best here as when he attacked in a small uphill section, he quickly took an advantage of 100 meters. I tried to follow him but my legs were burning already. Yoann and Matthieu had done their work and it was now my turn to do the job.
Even with the help of the other riders, I never managed to match the speed of Sagan and with five kilometers to go he had a lead of 2'30.
I knew the victory was not accessible so I shall concentrate on the second position. I started to do smaller relay and the entente in our chasing group quickly deteriorated.
Sagan without any surprises took a great victory and for the first time in his career the an won the Ronde van Vlaanderen.
I was not making it two years in a row.
Even if the victory was gone, the second position was still an option for me as I managed to get rid off many of my opponents.
I only had to sprint against two riders to get that position but of course after all these effort a sprint is not really a sprint.
I used Van Avermaet's split stream to launched my sprint and I passed Boom on the line, I still had the second position.
Results
Peter Sagan | Fly Emirates Anthony Louveille | Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr Lars Boom | Belkin Pro Cycling
Today there was one man above the rest, Peter Sagan show his strength in the final of the race and no one was matching his power. I'm still happy with my second position even if second is not first. I demonstrated that last year was not luck but work and a bit of "talent".
I would like to thank my team mates who did an amazing job during the whole race and a congratulation to Matthieu, who even if worked a lot for me, managed to enter the top 10.
@sutty68: thanks, but once again Sagan was there to spoil the party
One sure thing is that he won't took part in Paris - Roubaix as he already took the plane to Pais Vasco.
@Ian Butler: you are in 2018, I am in 2017 you took me one year
Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco
Race Ranking
1
Carlos Alberto Betancur Gomez
Ag2r - La Mondiale
21h25'01
2
Vincenzo Nibali
Fly Emirates
+ 49
3
Bauke Mollema
Belkin Pro Cycling
+ 2'38
4
Javier Moreno Bazan
Movistar Team
+ 2'54
5
Peter Sagan
Fly Emirates
+ 3'59
6
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling
+ 4'15
7
Thomas De Gendt
Telenet Pro Cycling Team
+ 5'24
8
Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas
Movistar Team
+ 6'14
9
Jurgen Van Den Broeck
Lotto - Belisol
+ 6'51
10
Arthur Vichot
Équipe Cycliste FDJ.fr
+ 6'52
Scheldeprijs
The last race before Paris - Roubaix, and we used it to make our final adjustments concerning our equipment for the race.
We were clearly the favorites her with Arnaud and it was without any surprises that we saw him took the victory.
Some other news also are meant to be announced after Paris - Roubaix by the team. Marc Madiot shall reveal his 14 riders pre selected for the Tour de France. Tom Boonen (TEL) announced that it was his last year in the Team of Patrick Levèvre and that next year he shall continue in a Belgian Conti Pro Team for at list one year.
Last but not least, I have renewed my contract with FDJ for two more years. They offered me great things for the future and I was not meant to refuse such a proposition.
Kuurne - Brussel - Kuurne 
William BONNET
Dominique ROLLIN
Heinrich Haussler | Orica - GreenEDGE
