105 th Giro di Lombardia. La classica delle foglie morte.

[jens_attacks]

But no matter where the Worlds would be held this decision will definitely do wrong to the other Italian races. Actually it used to be one of my favourite weeks of cycling and Lombardia used to crown this week, but since 2012 we'll have:

29.09.2012 Il Lombardia ITA

29.09.2012 Memorial Marco Pantani ITA 1.1
04.10.2012 Coppa Sabatini ITA 1.1
06.10.2012 Giro dell'Emilia ITA 1.HC
07.10.2012 Gran Premio Bruno Beghelli ITA 1.1
11.10.2012 Giro del Piemonte ITA 1.HC

If something will be ruined it's this 5 races especially Piemonte and Emilia which used to gather quite strong field. Thank you UCI

i wasn't thinking about that ...but tour of beijing will disappear soon it must

 

[Zoncolan]

i've followed everyone closely in the autumn semiclassics.their lack of form is incredible.

Bummer.
Hopefully, someone else will make it hard.

 

[Andre.J]

Is this the same Vinokourov who won LBL after returning from a ban?

Exactly the one.

 

[Matthijs]

Valverde is pretty explosive on these short steep stuff, so I really think he would be a favorite at the Ronde van Vlaanderen. He doesn't have experience in races like that though, so that might work against him.

What is strange is that the Amstel Gold Race doesn't suit him. Still trying to figure that one out(he even made it to the final group at the Cauberg once, but Cunego won then I think).

As for Castilla y Leon, I know he hasn't won it, but sometimes I think he'd rather win that race than the Ronde van Vlaanderen or something.

Bolded: Pais Vasco eludes him as well, but I guess you don't see it as a Spanish stage race.

Actually, the way he won ZLM and RvBelgium is simple. Gilbert focusses on one thing He just destroyed the rest of the field in 1 (ZLM) or 2 (Belgium) hilly stages, mostly with a uphill sprint as finish. Why focus on this crappy ZLM-toer-win? I was surprised by the fact he competed and won the Belgium TT much more!

btw: the ronde van Belgium was more exciting to watch, but more prestige then Eneco? Come on... You think winning against a Stijn Devolder who didn't train for weeks, bjorn leukemans and Greg in a small stage race is higher regarded then competing against Boasson Hagen, Martin etc in a week race? The fields are much different.

But, AGR is for some riders on too narrow roads. A lot of twists. It is a little bit like some parts in Vlaanderen. That's why everybody says you should ride AGR a few years before you can really compete.
The cobbles may just appear foolish to Valvelde. I think he don't wanna risk his talented corps here in the north

 

[Matthijs]

Valverde didn't win Romandie though. His won got taken away. If you want to count his win his ban should last till after Romandie next year. He should be glad his ban is so much shorter now.

Paris-Nice is a good enough preparation race for the hilly classics. Ronde van Vlaanderen and San Remo aren't the best prep out there for the Ardennes classics. Otherwise everyone would do it, but it's pretty much only the Belgian cyclists that prepare that way. Yes, I think it's easier to peak for the Ardennes classics if you just ride the usual stage race affair instead of the Ronde, G-W and San Remo. If Phil would just focus on the Ardennes classics and ride Pais Vasco like everyone else I believe he would be even stronger at these races. But I'm glad he isn't like that, a guy who only focuses on one thing

So you're right to say their peaks start at the same time, but it's still very much different. Phil has to face a Super Cancellara at the Ronde. Valverde faces a good Contador at races like Paris-Nice, but Contador only hits his freak peak at the Tour(or Giro this year). Canc hits his freak peak at the Ronde(Cancellara in the cobbled classics this year was very comparable to Contador in the Giro ).

Contador is like Valverde in week-races and Phil in one-day races: all 3 of them compete everywhere they enter a race. I think those 3 (and this year Evans too!) are the best cyclists because they really love to race and try to win every race they enter.

They all chose a different path. Maybe Pais Vasco is the best preperation, but it's probably best to just pick 2 stages and just ride along the other ones. Like losers as the schlecks and some years our great american friend used to do. I'm happy Valverde, Gilbert and Contador are different.
Btw I think Gilbert does not have peaks like some other riders have. He can hold on to his form quite long. If he seriously thought he could do better at LBL by riding Pais Vasco, why didn't he do that? Everyone has heard him: he loves 2 times LBL more then LBL and RvV so he really goes for that one...

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Also, maybe as a Spaniard, and with País Vasco the most important short Spanish stage race, that's why he does it?

Not to mention that it's his team's local race, since they're from Egüés, Navarra...

 

[Cycling the Alps]

Exploring all the climbs

All the climbs can be found here.
http://sites.cyclingthealps.com/worldtour/lombardia-2011

 

[ultimobici]

i wasn't thinking about that ...but tour of beijing will disappear soon it must

My hope too. Why in the hell the UCI think it's a good idea to move GdL to September is beyond me, unless I allow the cynic in me full rein.

Plus all those races that naturally led up to Lombardia will suffer massively. Lombardia has always been the curtain call for the season.

Besides, isn't a Monument something that is fixed? MSR has always been the last weekend or so of March, Flanders & Roubaix always around early April and a week apart, Liège the following week completed the 4. Lombardia has always been in October and derives its name, Corsa della Folgie Morte from this.

Yet again the UCI is fiddling while Rome burns. The calendar is not and never has been an issue for the sport's popularity. Other more insidious issues have and the UCI has been lacking in backbone on that front.
I look forward to Beijing dying a death.

 

[hatcher]

Looks like Gerrans won't be riding; no idea why. Cioni comes in.

 

[Moondance]

TGBM aiming for a podium... Link (Dutch)

Good for him

 

[The Hitch]

Wasnt Contador supposed to ride one more race after the Tour?

A lot of people speculated it was Lombardy. Looks like it isnt. But the question is, did he ride any races after the Tour?

 

[Swabian Lass]

If he did, I missed them. But that's been known.

Must admit, I assumed that he'd ride Lombardy, interesting to know if he did ride after the Tour.

 

[just some guy]

Wasnt Contador supposed to ride one more race after the Tour?

A lot of people speculated it was Lombardy. Looks like it isnt. But the question is, did he ride any races after the Tour?

Changed his mind 2-3 weeks after the Tour - a presser in Denmark at the headquarters of Saxo bank if I remember correctly

 

[trevim]

Wasnt Contador supposed to ride one more race after the Tour?

A lot of people speculated it was Lombardy. Looks like it isnt. But the question is, did he ride any races after the Tour?

He rode a small flat race in Denmark. Just to please the sponsors. I hope he rides next year after the Vuelta. It would be a shame if he ended his career without focus on the monuments and classics that suit like Liege, Lombardia, Fleche and Emillia.

 

[greenedge]

Sad that next year Tour of Beijing will be the last race.


I think the fact Cunego, Scarponi and Cancellara are resting from Piemonte could give them a better chance than they might have had. If Cancellara rediscovers his 09 mountain form expect him to go out with a bang.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Sad that next year Tour of Beijing will be the last race.


I think the fact Cunego, Scarponi and Cancellara are resting from Piemonte could give them a better chance than they might have had. If Cancellara rediscovers his 09 mountain form expect him to go out with a bang.

Cancellara said his season is already over.

 

[Duartista]

Sad that next year Tour of Beijing will be the last race.


I think the fact Cunego, Scarponi and Cancellara are resting from Piemonte could give them a better chance than they might have had. If Cancellara rediscovers his 09 mountain form expect him to go out with a bang.

Lampre's preparation has been really odd imo. There's the fact that Cunego went to Beijing when they don't seem to be in any need of points; then Scarponi only racing the Memorial Pantani as warm up.

 

[Angliru]

Not really, but he could win the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Milan-San Remo if he ever entered them. But he rather wins small stage races like Vuelta a Castilla y Leon I guess.

He's a Spaniard riding for a Spanish team and you find it odd that he tries to win Spanish stage races???/

 

[Angliru]

Forget Valverde. Valverde without the drugs= Vinokurov without the drugs...not a very big threat at all.

Ummm....LBL win in his first full season back. Not a threat in the Tour for the gc but still capable of contending in the hilly classics and weeklong stage races. Plus you can't use one rider's results to judge what another will do upon his return. If that was the case & it was accurate Vino would be in DiLuca's shoes with little to no results at all upon his return.

 

[Angliru]

Valverde is pretty explosive on these short steep stuff, so I really think he would be a favorite at the Ronde van Vlaanderen. He doesn't have experience in races like that though, so that might work against him.

What is strange is that the Amstel Gold Race doesn't suit him. Still trying to figure that one out(he even made it to the final group at the Cauberg once, but Cunego won then I think).

As for Castilla y Leon, I know he hasn't won it, but sometimes I think he'd rather win that race than the Ronde van Vlaanderen or something.

Bolded: Pais Vasco eludes him as well, but I guess you don't see it as a Spanish stage race.

Valverde had issues with his focus for entire events especially stage races and grand tours. In Amstel you have so much road furniture one has stay focused on staying near the front, constantly battling for position all day. Maybe Valverde values FW and LBL more and finds the effort to make the selection in Amstel to taxing and may effect his performances later in the week. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Shardi]

Sorry to interrupt the Valverde-discussion

Hows the weather gonna be? Any rain/wind for the race?

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Sorry to interrupt the Valverde-discussion

Hows the weather gonna be? Any rain/wind for the race?

i think its cloudy and overcast.

 

[MartinGT]

Am I reading this correctly, Ive just checked Eurosport and there is NO live coverage of this?

 

[canyonball]

I have it on Portuguese Eurosport, although with Tennis being the previous programme, I might as well start looking for a stream.

 

[MartinGT]

Aye its the Tennis on UK Eurosport.

SPITTING FEATHERS!