start list here here
Expect a small lead group out of the swim lead by Varga (SVK) and including Luis (FRA), Le Corre (FRA) and perhaps Salvisberg (SUI).
Onto the flat bike this group will likely not have the fire power required to stay away from the large motivated (30+) group chasing from 45''ish behind. Rouault's (FRA) position out of the swim will directly affect this main packs motivation at the early bike stages. Once the group catches the leaders, expect some attacks before T2 with perhaps a break including some native belgians wanting to please the crowd.
If Rouault(FRA) can make the group, this should be his or Luis (FRA) race to win. Strong results from Unger and Loeschke (GER), McNamee (GBR), and a dark horses in Aernouts (BEL) Diemunsch (FRA) could also play out on the podium steps.
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ReplyDeleteI raced this last year, here's how it played out;
ReplyDeleteVarga gunns swim, but there's a group of us with him, and there was I think maybe 12 in the front gorup with Frenchies, Swiss and Aussies.
Dead flat ride, poor riders in front group and motivated Belgians going for home town glory pushed the pace and caught us within 20km.
A few breaks got away which I missed, and I was already racing for only about 5th place by the time the run came along. Super-fast running, especially from a few of the chasers behind our pack, Dienmunsch and Murray (RSA) in particular.
I see this race maybe going the same way, and don't think there's enough strong riders to outpace the local Belgians who are rather weak swimmers and will be a little way back.
I would expect fast runs from some of the Frenchmen, Spaniards like Vincente and Fidalgo, maybe Geerts (BEL), and wouldn't write off Huggett, Leoshke or Unger. Van Thiel (NED) can run well, but he will need to have a career best swim to be up there.
This site is cool, just make sure you keep it going :)