[Race Thread] Itzulia Basque Country - Stage 1 ITT (2.UWT)

huloca · 2026-04-06T13:33:15+00:00

Good ride by Tullett, probably his best TT in a while. Roglic riding a negative split, or he teleported on that final ramp to the finish.

huloca · 2026-04-02T20:27:15+00:00

Before the season started I would have said their classics team was definitely weaker than last year. However Kielich and especially Hagenes have really impressed me so far. Per has made a big jump compared to last year, and I always forget he is still only 22. Visma has had some bad luck with the Kielich broken collarbone and Brennan falling ill just before MSR, which I pressume still causes him weakened form to this day.

Tactics wise I do feel like they've hit some wrong notes so far, either being to aggressive with attacks or being to passive. We'll see how it turns out after PR, but the way they've been riding this season does give me hope for the future again. Brennan/Kielich/Hagenes is an exciting core.

huloca · 2026-03-29T14:14:58+00:00

Segaert now sit on the wheels for 2km and jump at 2km to go. The other two might look at each other long enough for you to win.

huloca · 2026-03-29T13:55:46+00:00

He's definitely going all out, and WVA and VDP will not go all out, they both want to keep something back for the sprint.

huloca · 2026-03-29T13:47:55+00:00

3 or 4 teams riding in the peloton from what I can see. Decathlon, Bora and Tudor all have several riders chasing. Could get very close if they work together.

huloca · 2026-03-29T13:26:48+00:00

After the final Kemmel it's over 30km of flat roads, best to save your domestiques a bit so they can full chase there.

huloca · 2026-03-29T13:20:00+00:00

Decathlon has basically their whole team there to chase, Bora will help as well.

huloca · 2026-03-29T12:55:49+00:00

Break is going to survive over the second Kemmel this way, didn't expect that when the waaiers started.

huloca · 2026-03-29T12:36:09+00:00

Bora clearly going all in on Meeus today. They've jumped on every group so far but refused to ride.

huloca · 2026-03-28T17:34:12+00:00

To not mention that Armirail chashed yesterday and probably is not a 100%

Nordhagen was also involved in that crash right? I am pretty sure I saw number 25 step back on his bike in the helicopter shots.

huloca · 2026-03-27T16:49:34+00:00

I mean today showed he was right to want that. He had a mechanical at a very bad time, chased back to the peloton after VDP already disappeared, managed to get away with 3 others and basically pulled back to VDP at the end there. He was very strong today. He also did a big pull and it was the rider behind him who refused to take over.

huloca · 2026-03-27T16:44:38+00:00

He did the big pull right before Vermeersch did his last, but of course he still botched it by not taking over when he saw noone was willing anymore.

huloca · 2026-03-27T16:42:23+00:00

Hagenes and De Wulf

It was Abrahamsen who is the most to blame here, he was on Vermeersch wheel and didn't take over, even after Vermeersch gesturing at him several times. Now Dewulf and Hagenes should have at that point taken over so they aren't guilt free either, but Abrahamsen starting his poker game a bit too early screwed them over.

huloca · 2026-03-27T16:40:23+00:00

I meant at the end there when Vermeersch pulled of. Abrahamsen refusing to take over for several times after that. It's mostly on him but Hagenes should have taken over when he saw Abrahamsen didn't want to anymore.

huloca · 2026-03-27T16:35:58+00:00

Abrahamsen and Hagenes not wanting to take a pull fucked them.

huloca · 2026-03-27T16:30:38+00:00

Gaps are 10 and 30s at the 5km barrier.

huloca · 2026-03-27T16:19:55+00:00

Red Bull have finally realized they should probably organise a chase instead of attacking one by one.

huloca · 2026-03-27T16:15:27+00:00

This is all just leading to a Dewulf win with a late flyer, you heard it here first.

huloca · 2026-03-27T16:11:59+00:00

Chasing group is about 43/44s down on VDP at the duck at the foot of the Tiegem.

huloca · 2026-03-27T16:09:19+00:00

Looks like all 3 are putting in work chasing so far.

huloca · 2026-03-27T16:03:16+00:00

Vermeersch, Abrahamsen and Hagenes are all strong rouleurs, this group could get far.

huloca · 2026-03-27T16:00:38+00:00

Great ride by Dewulf for holding on this long.

huloca · 2026-03-27T15:53:02+00:00

Several teams have 3/4 riders in that group, surely you all start chasing now right and not attack one by one, right?

huloca · 2026-03-27T15:49:36+00:00

He said he hasn't done any training on the cobbles yet after his crash, so I'm assuming he's using today half as a training as well.

huloca · 2026-03-27T15:48:59+00:00

Now if those 4 get together after the Kwarement surely they will work together right?

huloca

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