Minor quibble re tactics/etiquette - at Tabor it looked impossible to pass anywhere except the paved sections. If the front rider attacked and the person behind couldn't close the gap, the attacker escaped from the whole group.
Vanthourenhout used that well to build his lead. Iserbyt also used that well - fair move to attack and bridge to his teammate without bringing anyone else along. That ensured a Pauwels 1-2.
Agree about the internicine feuding though. If only Sweeck, MV and Iserbyt could work together.
That’s a good point. I went back and watched the race after I wrote that and agree with your assessment after a second viewing. I guess it looked worse live and fit into the narrative of Eli being a jerk.
Minor quibble re tactics/etiquette - at Tabor it looked impossible to pass anywhere except the paved sections. If the front rider attacked and the person behind couldn't close the gap, the attacker escaped from the whole group.
Vanthourenhout used that well to build his lead. Iserbyt also used that well - fair move to attack and bridge to his teammate without bringing anyone else along. That ensured a Pauwels 1-2.
Agree about the internicine feuding though. If only Sweeck, MV and Iserbyt could work together.
That’s a good point. I went back and watched the race after I wrote that and agree with your assessment after a second viewing. I guess it looked worse live and fit into the narrative of Eli being a jerk.
Thanks for all the fine work BTW.