The first of the "real" classics kicks off Saturday with the Omloop. There are plenty of story lines, but I guess the most important is...that there will be a race.
The riders and teams have decided to call off the protest of the radio ban on account that the UCI officials will leave otherwise. I am in full support of whatever the riders need to do to get rid of this rediculous radio ban, but this was a good call to cancel the protest. Jon Vaughters put it best in a tweet saying that there was a point to be made but it's not worth ruining the monuments of the sport. So, I repeat, the race will go off as scheduled.
And Flecha will be defending.
Defending champion from Team Sky Juan Antonio Flecha will be back in the peloton and ready to defend his title at the Omloop. These small climbs and cobbled roads are exactly his element, and I would expect him to ride very aggressively like he did last year.
And his teammate?
Flecha is not Team Sky's only chance for victory. They will also be bringing young superman Edvald Boasson-Hagen to contend for the win if the race comes down to a sprint. I think, however, that if Flecha ever gets into a spot of bother during the race that they will turn him loose because he could do just about anything. Looked like he was on solid form in Oman.
Thunder Roar
Thor Hushovd, the God of Thunder, will also be making his classics debut with Garmin-Cervelo team. He's a solid option on the early cobbles, and shouldn't have much trouble in the flats, and I'm sure he would be one of the best remaining sprinters at the finish. The only thing that worries me is a few of the mini-climbs. He will make it over them but I don't know if he could match some of the attacks.
Mr Classics
Philippe Gilbert will also be kicking off his classics season after riding several early races to build up his form. Gilbert really isn't a master of cobbles and terrain, but he should be in his element at the end of the race. If he is still with the leaders, I'd look for one of his signature late attacks.
Rabobank Cycling
Watch out for the Rabo boys too. They are one of the strongest classics teams going, even without Breschel in the lineup. They will look to Lars Boom as their classics leader, but if he struggles they have guys like Langeveld and Tjallingii to step in.
Boonen
If he makes it to the finish in contention, he is my prediction to win the sprint. But I'm not sure he will.
There are plenty of Belgian riders as well as others that will be attacking essentially all day. I predict that this one will finish in pieces.
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