Reason 31: The people of Belgium have spoken

In a recent poll run by Het Nieuwsblad, 82% out of 3060 respondents feel that the finish in Oudenaarde is the wrong move.

Reason 19: Fabian Cancellara gets it

"The traditions of the sport are counting for less and now on they have changed something crucial."

 

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/cancellara-riders-are-scared-of-new-tour-of-flanders-route/207863 

Reason 18: Heinrich Haussler gets it

"Why did they have to change it? The prestige of the race has changed. It’s just really hard. I don’t like it. Why do they have to change a race like Flanders? It’s like not having Roubaix finish in the velodrome — it’s just stupid."

 

Source: http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/03/news/qa-heinrich-haussler-the-legs-are-back_209363

Reason 17: Riis will be upset

http://cyclismas.com/2012/02/tour-of-flanders-2012-riis-is-briefed-on-muur-and-bosberg/

Reason 11: Tom Boonen gets it

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/5314134/Tom-Boonen-barred-from-Tour-de-France-after-second-positive-drug-test.html

"Not finishing in Meerbeke would be like removing the track from Paris-Roubaix"

Read more: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/7773/Tom-Boonen-Not-finishing-in-Meerbeke-would-be-like-removing-the-track-from-Paris-Roubaix.aspx#ixzz1oXyu3ioV

Reason 6: This sign

What cycling fan does not see this sign and realize that the end of the

race is near and if decisions have not already been made they are about to be.
Losing this piece of history from the race sucks.

Source: http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=2971

Reason 4: Edwig Van Hooydonck (Eddy Bosberg)

No Bosberg, makes Edwig's nickname not so cool any more.

Note the finishing straight.

Photo: © Sirotti

Reason 3: The finish line

The finishing staight in Meerbeke was PERFECT.

Long enough for sprints to be very contentious.

Straight enough for the lone escapee to take it all in.