E3 Prijs Vlaanderen - Harelbeke 2012, Friday 23rd March

TheBlaaMan

This could be a real slug-fest tomorrow between some of the leading lights of the peleton. Cancallara, Boonen, Gilbert, Hushovd, Haussler, Pippo, Voeckler, Breschel. Flecha etc etc etc.

Remember Spartacus riding away from everyone last year ? And in the process, probably depth-charging his campaign for the Ronde and Paris-Roubaix as he gave his opposition a sample of what they would face a week later.

Tough looking course too, so its one to watch if you can. Notable too that the Muur van Geraardsbergen - removed from the Ronde now that the finale is changed this year - will feature in the E3. It is not being shown on telly, as far as I can see, but you may be able to catch it online if you search.

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sy

Thanks TheBlaaMan.
This has become a very popular race in the past few seasons and I love it. Change of name too. They have moved it back from Saturday as Gent Wevelgem is on Sunday. Probably so riders might attempt both but with Flanders just around the corner this is a great chance to ride the cobbles at speed. Anybody know if on Eurosport?
Can't wait to see who is shaping up to challenge the obvious favourite. Maybe he will keep his powder dry, unlike last year, and keep them guessing.(I don't think Cancellara is that type of rider) Pozzato seems to be coming back to some form and Breschel or DeVolder might be a good outside bet. Would love to see it live and no I'm not looking for any illegal links

Chips Lovell

Pozzato was fairly prominent yesterday at the Dwars Door Vlaanderen and looks like he might finally be coming back into a bit of form. Sep Vanmarcke was going very well again too, indicating he's kept that early season form that saw him take Het Nieuwsblad.

Jens Keukeleire is a young man to look out for. Was with Cofidis the past two years and now with Green Edge. He was up there yesterday. Still only 23 but won the Nokere-Koerse and Le Samyn in 2010.

Be interesting to see the first square off between Boonen and Cancellara of the year. Gilbert was looking good in San Remo too before he crashed.

buffalo

sy wrote: »

Anybody know if on Eurosport?

No, nothing but Catalunya. And an Olympic Course Guide.

sy

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Jens Keukeleire is a young man to look out for. Was with Cofidis the past two years and now with Green Edge. He was up there yesterday. Still only 23 but won the Nokere-Koerse and Le Samyn in 2010.

+1

Morrisseeee

Live

Gilbert retired, Cancellara just punctured, but Boonen & Sagan look strong

Morrisseeee

....and the winner is:

Boonen from Freire in a very close sprint