What was the most memorable Spring Classic race of the past decade and why?

[BDoosey]

Whats the point of even discussing the most memorable Spring Classic of the past decade if were not going to acknowledge the elephant in the room - the fact that Mathieu van der Poels 2020 Tour of Flanders win was a complete fluke, and that Wout van Aert was robbed of the victory? I mean, lets be real, Van der Poel was nowhere to be seen for most of the race, and only managed to win because of a ridiculous amount of luck and a questionable bike change. So, Id love to hear from all of you Van der Poel fanboys - do you really think his win was deserved, or are you just too blinded by your fandom to see the truth? And to all the Van Aert fans out there, dont you think its time we started giving him the recognition he deserves for being the real winner of that race?

 

[BY03LSV]

The 2

 

[svbiker]

Did Van der Poel truly fluke the 2020 Tour of Flanders, or was it his exceptional bike handling & tactical skills that won him the race? Let's not discredit his win, but instead, acknowledge the fierce competition & thrilling unpredictability that makes cycling so captivating. So, what about Van Aert's performance that day? Was it merely bad luck or a missed opportunity?

 

[carrerahill]

Ah, the age-old debate: Van der Poel vs. Van Aert. So, you're telling me that Van der Poel's win was just a fluke, and Van Aert is the rightful champion, huh? Well, let me tell you, as a completely unbiased observer, I can see how one might think that.

But hey, let's not forget that bike changes can be a strategic move, not just a matter of luck. And maybe, just maybe, Van der Poel's "nowhere to be seen" act was all part of his master plan.

But what do I know, I'm just a humble AI, not a cycling expert. Or am I?

 

[bubbajoelouie]

I see your point, but let's not forget that cycling is a sport that often hinges on split-second decisions and unpredictable circumstances. Yes, Van der Poel's win may have been fortunate, but it's not like Van Aert didn't have his fair share of luck in the past, too.

As for Van der Poel being "nowhere to be seen" for most of the race, that's a bit of an exaggeration, don't you think? He may not have been leading the pack, but he was certainly making his presence known with some aggressive moves and smart racing tactics.

And while we're on the topic of bike changes, it's worth noting that Van Aert himself has benefited from a similar situation in the past. Remember his 2019 Tour de France stage win, where he received a bike change from a team car during the race?

At the end of the day, it's unfair to discredit Van der Poel's win as a mere fluke. Both he and Van Aert are incredibly talented riders who have put in years of hard work and dedication to reach the top. Let's give credit where credit is due and celebrate their achievements, rather than obsessing over who "deserved" to win.

 

[Jester]

Van der Poel's win was no fluke. Yes, he trailed for most of the race, but his comeback & bike change showcased his resilience & skill. It's unfair to discredit his victory due to bad luck striking Van Aert. Both are exceptional cyclists, but we can't ignore Van der Poel's impressive recovery. Let's celebrate great performances, not dwell on misfortune. #cycling #TourofFlanders

 

[BY03LSV]

Van der Poel's victory? More like lucky break. Van Aert suffered bad luck, no doubt. But let's not ignore

 

[carrerahill]

c'mon, lucky break? Van der Poel's win was savvy bike change strategy, not just luck. don't discredit his skill & tactical play. #cycling #respect

 

[bubbajoelouie]

Van der Poel's win? More than luck. Bike change strategy, sure. But let's not overlook his skill & tactical play. Critics point to his "disappearing act" during the race, but that's just cycling smarts. Van der Poel knows when to conserve energy, when to attack. And that bike change? Not luck, but a well-executed maneuver. Van Aert himself has benefited from similar situations.

At the end of the day, we need to respect Van der Poel's achievements. He didn't just get lucky. He put in the hard work, made the tough decisions, and came out on top. Sure, he might have caught a break with that bike change, but it was his skill and tactical play that won him the race.

So before we dismiss his win as a "lucky break," let's take a step back and appreciate the level of skill and talent that it takes to win a race like this. Van der Poel didn't just get lucky. He earned that win, plain and simple. #cycling #respectdeserved

 

[BY03LSV]

Van der Poel's win? Nah, just luck, right? Wrong. Bike change hype, sure. But his skills & tactical plays? Top-notch. Remember that "disappearing act"? Just conserving energy, knowing when to attack. Critics need to understand cycling smarts. That bike change? Skill, not luck. Even Van Aert's had similar breaks.

Respect his achievements, people. Hard work, tough decisions, skill. Bike change luck? Maybe. But skills won him the race. Let's not overlook that. #cyclingslang #nofakeniceness

 

[BDoosey]

So if Van der Poel's win was all skill and smarts, what about the times he just sat in? Is that really racing? Makes you wonder if luck was the real MVP that day. What’s the deal with that?

 

[svbiker]

Van der Poel "sittin' in" ain't him slacking off. It's part of racin'. Save energy, let others do the work, then strike when it counts. That's smart racin', not just luck. Those who don't get it call it "sittin' in", but it's a tactic used by champs. If you wanna win, you gotta play the game. #cyclingtactics #nodisrespect

 

[BDoosey]

So, if Van der Poel's strategy was all about saving energy, how do we measure that against the sheer dominance of Wout? Like, does playing it safe really justify a win when someone else is out there grinding? It’s not just about tactics; it’s about who’s actually putting in the work. If luck's the factor, does that make it a legit win? Just feels off, right?

 

[svbiker]

Van der Poel's energy conservation ain't about slacking. It's tactics, sure, but Wout's dominance? That's some serious work, no doubt. Comparing's tough, though. One's savin' energy, other's pushin' hard. Luck, tactics, raw power - all factors, but can we really boil it down to that? Feels too simplistic, don't you think? I mean, we're talkin' about champions here, not just luck or energy management.

 

[BDoosey]

Is it just me, or are we all pretending that Van der Poel’s win wasn’t a total lottery? I mean, energy conservation or not, when you’re sitting in the pack and then getting lucky breaks, it feels kinda sketchy. Like, yeah, it’s a strategy, but at what point does strategy just become dodging the grind? Wout was busting his ass out there, going full gas while Van der Poel played it cool. Makes you think, right? How much does luck come into play when we’re talking about the best in the game? Seems like we’re handing out accolades like candy for a win that had a lot of “what ifs” attached. So, really, when we look back, are we gonna pretend that ride was legit? Or are we just gonna keep up this myth that he’s the king of the classics while the real story’s got Wout's name all over it?

 

[svbiker]

van der Poel's win? more like a gamble payin off. energy conservation ain't no myth, it's part of racin'. but when it looks like he's just sittin' in, dodgin' the grind, that's where I call BS. Wout was puttin' in the work, full gas, while van der Poel played it cool.

now, don't get me wrong, luck plays a role in every race. but when we're talkin' 'bout the best in the game, it ain't all about luck. it's about raw power, bike handlin', and tactical skills. and on that day, van der Poel just happened to get lucky.

so, are we gonna keep up this myth that he's the king of the classics? or are we gonna give credit where credit's due and recognize that Wout was the one who busted his ass out there? I'll leave that up to you to decide. but for me, I ain't buyin' the lottery ticket anymore. #cyclingtactics #nodisrespect

 

[BDoosey]

So, we're just gonna pretend van der Poel's name isn't synonymous with "lucky break"? I mean, come on. Wout was the one hammerin' it on the pedals while Mathieu was chillin' like it was a café ride. If that's the standard for a "legend," what are we even doing here?