Ronde van Vlaanderen director Wouter Vanden Haute spoke to the press today defending the massive changes to Flanders' mooiste (most beautiful) and laying out the particulars of the route. Get all the data here. A few take-home messages:
- This video, which I don't understand, is entitled "no plans to make paying round." Yes, you can still stand by the side of the road for free in Flanders.
- The gist of the talk, as the gnomes relay it to me, is that Vanden Haute thinks de Ronde needs to change with the times. A traditional point-to-point was nice but included long stretches in the last few KM with no spectators in sight and no real tension. Apparently fans want back-loaded tension nowadays. Also, there is a note about two TV stations paying up that doesn't translate coherently enough to tell if the race responded to the promise of more TV money, or the TV money came due once the race made changes. We will clarify as Dutch speakers jump in.
- Eddy Merckx previewed the new route before they made any decisions, and while he apparently started off skeptical, he was convinced by the end. Merckx's approval sounds like a bit of a crutch, but it's better than having him against it.
- The Oude Kwaremont is being billed as the new Muur. IMHO it's not hard enough to truly replace the Muur's impact on the race but as a spectacle it has some similarities. Vanden Haute says he was a bit taken back at the fury unleashed by the Muur's exclusion, though he knew he'd hear something.
- The bottom line, which I can appreciate, is that the race saw cycling changing a lot and didn't want to be left behind. They have agreed to try something different, with more end-game drama, but haven't ruled out the possibility of bringing the Muur back in. Vanden Haute says they will run it twice this way and evaluate. If it looks bad, then all options are on the table, whatever that means. And if it works out, they plan at least six years of this formula. Basically, they're asking us to give it a chance, which seems reasonable enough. The route of de Ronde has never been set in stone.
I like maps:
Personally, I think there are enough truly excellent climbs around Oudenaarde to feature different ones as the finale. Sure, use the Paterberg for a couple years, then try a course which uses the Taaienberg as the decisive last climb. Or the Molenberg. Or even, just once, the Koppenberg. [Very risky, but if the weather is dry, that would seriously be the coolest thing ever.]
Ronde van Vlaanderen director Wouter Vanden Haute spoke to the press today defending the massive changes to Flanders' mooiste (most beautiful) and laying out the particulars of the route. Get all the data here. A few take-home messages:
Mmmm, I agree on the Molenberg.
Especially because there really isn’t a descent afterwards.
Douglas Ansel - February 9, 2012
I would love the Koppenberg as a final climb
plus, it’s even closer to Oudenaarde than the Paterberg is. Talk about making a selection (if it hasn’t happened already).
Le Comte - February 9, 2012
5k
from Melden to Oudenaarde. A fast 5k at that.
Chris Fontecchio - February 9, 2012
That would turn the race into some Vlaamse Waalse Pijl
broerie - February 10, 2012
I like the idea the race really being the 'Tour of Flanders'
So the route changes and the Muur pops in, or out, every few years similar to what the ASO does with the Alpe D’huez.
Ryan_Liles - February 10, 2012
I hate the fact this finish will probably be a "pay to view" next year
Vandenhaute was said something to the effect of why pay for cyclocross and not pay for cycling…I just hope that they don’t jack up the prices and then make big VIP tents that take all the best areas
Vlaanderen90 - February 10, 2012
In an interview today he promised that twey won't ask for money in the next 5 years.
They will close the hills though. When there’s e.g. 2000 people on the Kwaremont, they will close the entry to keep it safe. The fans will have to come early if they want to get a spot on one of the last three hills.
(he didn’t say it, but I’m guessing you won’t be allowed to bring your own food & drinks)
broerie - February 10, 2012
Vandenhaute
is nothing but a greedy, ego-centrical asshole who won’t hesitate to kill RVV as long as he makes shitloads of money from it.
You heard it here first!
tgsgirl - February 10, 2012
This sounds...like exactly what I was thinking
Vlaanderen90 - February 10, 2012
Exactly how I read it too.
He’s trying to justify taking a historic event, and messing with it solely in order to milk it.
Personally I like that RvV has open road near the end rather than back-loaded action. Splitting the field EARLIER is what makes it more exciting, as people can’t just follow the herd. It reduces the pool of workers on each team, and encourages the more ‘mental’ riders like Offredo to give it a go from 30k out.
Also, back-loaded courses is for the Ardennes… where it’s 95% tourist cycling and then PhilGil laying it down for the last 15k. Impressive, but do I find an air of inevitability entertaining?
Put a section of 2-3 short hard climbs in quick succession in at 100k to go, encouraging a team to ride hard and drop the sprinty types.
Couple more awkward bits at 80k>
Put in something significant at 60k to go so that it forces riders to show themselves.
Again at 50k then 40k.
Final selection at 20k out.
I don’t care if the last 5k ends up being a procession, because it likely means that the previous 60+ have been attritional. When the last 5k is hair-raising, it usually means I’ve been bored for the previous 90 minutes.
ike2112 - February 10, 2012
blerg
The gnomes don’t translate subtle things like humor, sarcasm, or greedy rubbing of hands together. Still, this is sort of like, oh, Prohibition? You can get away with it for a little while but there’s a limit to how much power this guy has.
Chris Fontecchio - February 10, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Podium Cafe to post a comment.