Reactions to the new route change

So at this point, since the race is over for this year, I will be adding to the blog sporadically after this post and then pick it up again as the season starts next year. This has been a lot of fun and I have met some really cool folks through putting this thing together.

So my take on the race this year was a little surprising. I truly missed the Muur and Bosberg and like so many others felt I watched a good race but not the Tour of Flanders. I enjoyed rooting for Boonen on the final ascent of the Paterberg and seeing him just hang on was priceless. It was great to see him win his 3rd  but I feel this course just does not have the mystique of the old one. I hated the finishing straight. It was just too straight. The headwind and the jockeying for position in the last km's did not help either.

Below are others reactions. I hated Graham Watson's comment because it hints at what I fear the most. Once a tradition is broken the race finish can be bought and sold with little regard to tradition. That would be so sad. 

Here is a link to a great article by cyclesport on the course change and also Cervelo boss Gerard Vroomen weighed in 

(and this without Flanders Grammond? What do you think?)

(GOOD BUT NOT THE FINAL LEG ..)