2023 Classics

[eth-dog]

Starts with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Elite on Saturday night, followed by Strade Bianche a week later. It looks an interesting one with it seemingly being left to the specialists, with guys like Bernal, Yates, Pogaçar and Vingegaard focusing on Paris-Nice, with guys like Hindley, Landa and Almeida going to Tirreno-Adriatico as well.

Part of me wants GVA to win on Saturday but I think it'll be Tiesj Benoot.

 

[hairy biker]

Noticed that GCN has blocked Australia from its coverage for Saturday's race (but OK for KBK), doesn't seem to be on SBS, is it being broadcast in Oz or do I have to have a tizzy fit?

 

[eth-dog]

Noticed that GCN has blocked Australia from its coverage for Saturday's race (but OK for KBK), doesn't seem to be on SBS, is it being broadcast in Oz or do I have to have a tizzy fit?

Yeah, looks like we don't get it unfortunately

 

[Over The Post]

Much as I hate the idea of VPNs, its becoming a more valuable tool every year.

 

[Orange Agent]

Noticed that GCN has blocked Australia from its coverage for Saturday's race (but OK for KBK), doesn't seem to be on SBS, is it being broadcast in Oz or do I have to have a tizzy fit?

I found this unbelievable. Went to tune in Saturday night and ended up watching UAE instead. Seems Flo is trying to get into the Oz market, I'm not keen on their pricing, VPN express is a lot cheaper.

 

[Orange Agent]

Much as I hate the idea of VPNs, its becoming a more valuable tool every year.

Are you using a free one?

 

[Over The Post]

Not yet, but I think I'm going to have to at some point.

 

[eth-dog]

Strade Bianche looks like it's on SBS at least

 

[Vader]

Strade Bianche looks like it's on SBS at least

Women's Strade Bianche, yes. Men's, no.

OK... I know they're covering Paris-Nice, from 0100 Monday - but WTF is going on, that we don't get to see the Men's Strade?

 

[eth-dog]

Women's Strade Bianche, yes. Men's, no.

OK... I know they're covering Paris-Nice, from 0100 Monday - but WTF is going on, that we don't get to see the Men's Strade?

Right. We never get the men's Italian Classics. For some reason. It's weird.

 

[Vader]

Right. We never get the men's Italian Classics. For some reason. It's weird.

They obviously have the rights, given that they're showing the Women's event. They're just choosing not to broadcast it - probably because of the clash with Paris-Nice.

For a while the owner of the right to the Italian races refused to deal with FTA TV networks, and only wanted their product on Pay TV. This is no longer the case, which is why SBS now has the rights to Milan-San Remo, Lombardia, Strade Bianche, and the Giro. This is an SBS decision, nothing to do with the broadcast rights.

 

[eth-dog]

They obviously have the rights, given that they're showing the Women's event. They're just choosing not to broadcast it - probably because of the clash with Paris-Nice.

For a while the owner of the right to the Italian races refused to deal with FTA TV networks, and only wanted their product on Pay TV. This is no longer the case, which is why SBS now has the rights to Milan-San Remo, Lombardia, Strade Bianche, and the Giro. This is an SBS decision, nothing to do with the broadcast rights.

Nah the deal with the Italians is weird. They got the Giro and the women's classics but not Strade Bianche, MSR, Lombardia or Tirreno-Adriatico. Refer here:

How to watch cycling LIVE on SBS

Your guide to all the cycling coming up on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.

www.sbs.com.au

 

[eth-dog]

So I think SBS don't get Brugge De Panne or the E3 Saxo Classic along with MSR

Gent-Wevelgem, Dwars Door Vlaanderen*, Ronde van Vlaanderen, Paris Roubaix, Amstel Gold, La Fleche Wallone, Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Eschborn Frankfurt I think we do.

*Not 100% on this one.

Anyway, who do we think wins the first Monument? I'm backing Phillipson if he gets over the Poggio.

 

[eth-dog]

Startlists are coming through now. Strange team from Jayco AlUla. Mezgec I guess can sprint and could win if Philipsen, Viviani etc get dropped on the Poggio but this is one Taylor made for Bling.

 

[eth-dog]

Startlists are coming through now. Strange team from Jayco AlUla. Mezgec I guess can sprint and could win if Philipsen, Viviani etc get dropped on the Poggio but this is one Taylor made for Bling.

Ah, our with COVID. Never mind.

Good race by MvdP. Absolute star

 

[drd23]

4 superstars (all with different strengths/styles) battling it out on the Poggio

MvdP is obviously the main story, especially given his grandfather won MSR, but Ganna doing as well as he did was a bit of a surprise for me

 

[eth-dog]

4 superstars (all with different strengths/styles) battling it out on the Poggio

MvdP is obviously the main story, especially given his grandfather won MSR, but Ganna doing as well as he did was a bit of a surprise for me

Ganna outsprinting WVA was something I didn't expect. If given a go he could put the Cav/Merckx record under threat

 

[eth-dog]

Brugge De Panne tonight, or the sprinters classic. Philipsen and Jakobsen are in the best form, I reckon one of those two take it out. Caleb makes his debut in this race, surprised he's never ridden it honestly

 

[Orange Agent]

I think MSR will be the monument Pog can't win, can definitely get Flanders and I think his bike skills are good enough for Roubaix if he gives it a proper crack. Given the guys he needs to beat at MSR and the finale, it just doesn't have enough for him to get away.

Phillipsen last night was unbelievable and Kooij's manager needs to get a deal working, JV is not the team for him, he should be sprinting at the TDF. These 2 ability to be thereabouts at nearly every race they enter with minimal lead out is what sets them apart from the rest.

 

[eth-dog]

I think MSR will be the monument Pog can't win, can definitely get Flanders and I think his bike skills are good enough for Roubaix if he gives it a proper crack. Given the guys he needs to beat at MSR and the finale, it just doesn't have enough for him to get away.

Phillipsen last night was unbelievable and Kooij's manager needs to get a deal working, JV is not the team for him, he should be sprinting at the TDF. These 2 ability to be thereabouts at nearly every race they enter with minimal lead out is what sets them apart from the rest.

I think the issue for him is that teams know he needs to go solo with his sprinting skills basically non existent. And yeah, the Poggio is too small for him to get a big enough lead by himself.

Kooij needs to go to DSM. He's a better sprinter than Dainese and Degenkolb who's nearing the end anyway. Jasper is probably the best sprinter in the world this year.

 

[Reximilian]

I think the issue for him is that teams know he needs to go solo with his sprinting skills basically non existent. And yeah, the Poggio is too small for him to get a big enough lead by himself.

Kooij needs to go to DSM. He's a better sprinter than Dainese and Degenkolb who's nearing the end anyway. Jasper is probably the best sprinter in the world this year.

Pogacar is a very good sprinter for a GT contender, but at MSR there’ll always be stronger sprinters making it over the Poggio as well. La Manie should be added back into the course to change it up again.

 

[99 Problems]

Yeah Pog has a serious sprint for a GT winner. Problem at MSR as much as any is that he’s pretty limited in what he can do tactically, so everyone knows what’s coming. Even then he went away two of the best cyclists in the world and Ganna who was on form. It’s definitely not out of reach for him to win one.

 

[eth-dog]

Pogacar is a very good sprinter for a GT contender, but at MSR there’ll always be stronger sprinters making it over the Poggio as well. La Manie should be added back into the course to change it up again.

Yeah Pog has a serious sprint for a GT winner. Problem at MSR as much as any is that he’s pretty limited in what he can do tactically, so everyone knows what’s coming. Even then he went away two of the best cyclists in the world and Ganna who was on form. It’s definitely not out of reach for him to win one.

Really? I'd say he's pretty average, seen him lose races because he wasn't able to put sprint guys. He's a fantastic rider but don't feel like his sprinting is at the level in general.

Anyway tonight should give us an indication of his chances at Flanders this year. E3 is usually a good guide.

 

[99 Problems]

Really? I'd say he's pretty average, seen him lose races because he wasn't able to put sprint guys. He's a fantastic rider but don't feel like his sprinting is at the level in general.

Anyway tonight should give us an indication of his chances at Flanders this year. E3 is usually a good guide.

He’s knocked off WVA in sprint finishes before. I’d say if anything too often people have taken Pog to the line only to get surprised by his sprint.

 

[Reximilian]

Really? I'd say he's pretty average, seen him lose races because he wasn't able to put sprint guys. He's a fantastic rider but don't feel like his sprinting is at the level in general.

Anyway tonight should give us an indication of his chances at Flanders this year. E3 is usually a good guide.

Pogacar beat Matthews and Roglic in an uphill sprint at the Tour last year. He nowhere near winning a sprint on a flat stage but he’s stronger than the Schlecks, Froome or Quintana were for example.

For whatever reason I always seem to forget about E3 and GW. Once MSR is finished I’m usually just looking forward to de Ronde to think of anything else.