The Real Ronde

The route (or, parcours) of the 2003 Ronde van Vlaanderen (April 6th) has been announced. Largest
map available at this time: http://www.rvv.be/kaarten/overzicht.jpg (87 KB). Compare to last year's
route: http://www.rvv.be/iconen/kaart_groot.jpg (125 KB).

Number of bergs up 3 to 19. Imposing newcomer: the Foreest in Sint-Maria-Horebeke (no relation).
Check out http://www.rvv.be/nl/hellingen/ More bergs, and also more cobblestones, but slightly
smaller distance because of UCI guide lines: 255 km (last year 264 km).

7.5 weeks to go! Amai.

 

"Ewoud Dronkert" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The route (or, parcours) of the 2003 Ronde van Vlaanderen (April 6th) has been announced. Largest
> map available at this time: http://www.rvv.be/kaarten/overzicht.jpg (87 KB). Compare to last
> year's route: http://www.rvv.be/iconen/kaart_groot.jpg (125 KB).
>
> Number of bergs up 3 to 19. Imposing newcomer: the Foreest in Sint-Maria-Horebeke (no relation).
> Check out http://www.rvv.be/nl/hellingen/ More bergs, and also more cobblestones, but slightly
> smaller distance because of UCI guide lines: 255 km (last year 264 km).
>
> 7.5 weeks to go! Amai.

That is interesting that they wait until 7 weeks before the race to announce the course.

More bergs/more cobblestones = harder race

even if the distance is 9k shorter.

thanks for the maps, Ewoud.

K. Gringioni

 

Thumbs up for this.

The Ronde should end with a tactical final between the true specialists and with Zabel far away,
kinda like last year. With these changes chances for such scenario are slightly higher.

Eikenberg had its time, it's asphalted on one side of the road. I think that of the new ones I've
only done Nokere and Ladeuze. Don't know for sure... sometimes you come across roads which are
harder than half of the known Ronde bergen

 

> Number of bergs up 3 to 19. Imposing newcomer: the Foreest in Sint-Maria-Horebeke (no relation).
> Check out http://www.rvv.be/nl/hellingen/ More bergs, and also more cobblestones, but slightly
> smaller distance because of UCI guide lines: 255 km (last year 264 km).
>
> 7.5 weeks to go! Amai.

Yep! It's gonna be great! Even beter for Museeuw! Hopefully the weather will be windy and a little
rain also can't hurt. It only brings the best riders in front. Looking foorward to it.

greetz

 

"Kenny" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> > Number of bergs up 3 to 19. Imposing newcomer: the Foreest in Sint-Maria-Horebeke (no relation).
> > Check out http://www.rvv.be/nl/hellingen/ More bergs, and also more cobblestones, but slightly
> > smaller
distance
> > because of UCI guide lines: 255 km (last year 264 km).
> >
> > 7.5 weeks to go! Amai.
>
> Yep! It's gonna be great! Even beter for Museeuw! Hopefully the weather will be windy and a little
> rain also can't hurt. It only brings the best riders in front. Looking foorward to it.

And some Italian will probably kick all of the Belgian butts.

 

"Tom Kunich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> "Kenny" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > > Number of bergs up 3 to 19. Imposing newcomer: the Foreest in Sint-Maria-Horebeke (no
> > > relation). Check out http://www.rvv.be/nl/hellingen/ More bergs, and also more cobblestones,
> > > but slightly smaller
> distance
> > > because of UCI guide lines: 255 km (last year 264 km).
> > >
> > > 7.5 weeks to go! Amai.
> >
> > Yep! It's gonna be great! Even beter for Museeuw! Hopefully the weather will be windy and a
> > little rain also can't hurt. It only brings the best riders in front. Looking foorward to it.
>
> And some Italian will probably kick all of the Belgian butts.

I don't think so buddy. The only italian i would like to win is Paolo Bettini. Museeuw, Van Petegem,
VDB and Boonen are the names.