2013 Fleche Wallonne (17 April)

[Swarley]

Here is the profile:

And the map:

And here are the 12 climbs of the race:

Km 76.5 - Côte de Naninne - 2.6 km de montée à 3.7 %
Km 90.0 - Côte de Groynne - 2.0 km de montée à 3.5 %
Km 108.5 - Mur de Huy - 1.3 km de montée à 9.3 %
Km 127.5 - Côte d'Ereffe - 2.1 km de montée à 5.9 %
Km 146.0 - Côte de Peu d'Eau - 2.7 km de montée à 3.9 %
Km 151.0 - Côte de Bellaire - 1.0 km de montée à 6.8 %
Km 158.5 - Côte de Bohisseau - 1.3 km de montée à 7.6 %
Km 161.5 - Côte de Bousalle - 1.7 km de montée à 4.9 %
Km 173.5 - Mur de Huy - 1.3 km de montée à 9.3 %
Km 190.0 - Côte d'Amay - 1.5 km de montée à 6.7 %
Km 196.5 - Côte de Villers-le-Bouillet - 1.2 km de montée à 7.5 %
Km 205.0 - Mur de Huy - 1.3 km de montée à 9.3 %

Top 10 from 2012:

1. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, Katusha in 4:45:41
2. Michael ALBASINI, GreenEdge +4
3. Philippe GILBERT, BMC Racing +4
4. Jelle VANENDERT, Lotto-Belisol +4
5. Robert KISERLOVSKI, Astana +7
6. Daniel MARTIN, Garmin-Barracuda +9
7. Bauke MOLLEMA, Rabobank +9
8. Vincenzo NIBALI, Liquigas-Cannondale +9
9. Diego ULISSI, Lampre-ISD +9
10. Jurgen VAN DEN BROECK, Lotto-Belisol +11

 

[The Hitch]

2 Colombians and Gilbert on the podium.

 

[Netserk]

1st: Valverde
2nd: Gilbert
3rd: Contador

 

[Afrank]

My main man Quintana to start his sprint from the very bottom of the Huy and win with a nice big gap.
Gilbert to make the podium. Contador to be top 10.

 

[trevim]

Contador is racing then Contador for the win

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

 

[Swarley]

Good one

 

[Lanark]

Hard to say. The Colombians didn't look great today, Contador doesn't have the shape (and isn't that great in one day races), the route doesn't really suit Gilbert that great, Purito crashed....well, that leaves Valverde, although he hasn't done great in ages.

 

[Netserk]

Hard to say. The Colombians didn't look great today, Contador doesn't have the shape (and isn't that great in one day races), the route doesn't really suit Gilbert that great, Purito crashed....well, that leaves Valverde, although he hasn't done great in ages.

How about today???

 

[Swarley]

Hard to say. The Colombians didn't look great today, Contador doesn't have the shape (and isn't that great in one day races), the route doesn't really suit Gilbert that great, Purito crashed....well, that leaves Valverde, although he hasn't done great in ages.

Henao came in 6th today. For me it's a pretty good result, especially if you think that there were better sprinters there.

 

[Lanark]

How about today???

In this race of course.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Bardet from long range attack.
Otherwise it will be a Spanish showdown.

 

[The Hitch]

Contador is racing then Contador for the win

That hasnt been true in a while.

 

[infeXio]

Hoping for Quintana or Contador, but think it's going to be Henao, Valverde or Gilbert

 

[del1962]

Other - Richie Porte

 

[serfla]

Although Gilbert and Valverde showed rising form in AGR, I don't see a clear favorite who would shape up the race like in previous years. An unexpected winner wouldn't surprise me. On the other hand, Sky could transfer their dominance, demonstrated in past stage races, into this one.

 

[pastronef]

Nordhaug or Mollema for the sake of Blanco!

seriously Valverde (I dearly hope not) Gilbert or some ColOmbian Skyborg
I'd love to see Dan Martin or Ryder on the podium, but it's a long shot I guess

 

[pdluz7]

Contador. Hope he has not been achieved within 5 m end.

 

[pdluz7]

Hoping for Quintana or Contador, but think it's going to be Henao, Valverde or Gilbert

Henao
rigoberto uran ‏@UranRigoberto 7 h
Asi termino mi compañero Sergio Henao , con 2 caídas , pero top 10 ... @ Van der Valk Hotel Maastricht http://instagram.com/p/YF0JgVQvrp/

 

[del1962]

Henao
rigoberto uran ‏@UranRigoberto 7 h
Asi termino mi compañero Sergio Henao , con 2 caídas , pero top 10 ... @ Van der Valk Hotel Maastricht http://instagram.com/p/YF0JgVQvrp/

Bumps and Bruises Henao should be Ok

 

[xrayvision]

Bumps and Bruises Henao should be Ok

Cortisone will fix it...

 

[Miburo]

Contador must be in a shape to win otherwise he would never participate in this knowing the circumstances.

He'll say that he's not a favorite like always but i think he can win it.

 

[jens_attacks]

contador, henao or richie porte

 

[Shardi]

This spring is ideal for Contador in terms of allergies. He hasn't looked super good tho. I think he needs to look super good to contend such a punchy finish.

Bright horses
Valverde, Gilbert, Henao, Quintana, Gerrans

Dark horses
Igor Anton, he streched his legs yesterday and has done okay here in ,, 2010 and 2011.
Damiano Cunego might try something, decent results here in the past, streched his legs in AGR.

Long range attacks well thats gotta be Weening.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Fuglsang will suprise us all with a top 5 finish