2013 Fleche Wallonne (17 April)

[burning]

no, i dont expect anyone to do 1994 type performances for pretty obvious reasons.

The point of my post is just me laughing at is your belief that you know who is talented and who isnt.

Like how you come out and say Vino and Pantani were the most talented riders in the world and their wins were 100% talent and effort, while at the same time chiding others for being fakos with 0% talent. What formula do you have to decide who was real and who wasn't?

Really missed you over the last month btw. Especially was looking to see your take on whats going on with Rujano.

Actually I'm more curious about the greatest team of all time

Colombia.

 

[Orbit501]

Mollema surely deserves a place on that poll.

 

[serfla]

No one's mentioning Lotto.
I'm sure they want to be noticed. They have a couple of options.

 

[Orbit501]

No one's mentioning Lotto.
I'm sure they want to be noticed. They have a couple of options.

Exactly.

In fact, scrub my last post...there's at least two or three riders that should be on that poll, but I suppose that's what 'others' is for.

 

[luckyboy]

Who else has Lotto got apart from Jelle?

Gilbert wins, hope the Colombian guys can put on a good show (the team and Nairo, Henao, Betancur etc).

Gonna be a fun 1.3kms guys!

 

[Jancouver]

I think Kreuziger (and Hesjedal last year ... almost) just showed how to beat Purito, Phil etc. We can expect some fireworks and it should be a great race. I dont think the whole/big pack will start the Mur de Huy together.

 

[RHRH19861986]

I dont think the whole/big pack will start the Mur de Huy together.

I fear that exactly will be the case, and a big group, even a really big one, will reach the foot of the Mur alltogether. The race is too short and there are too many strong teams with a captain relying on the Mur itself to avoid this.

Sunday, however, showed that surprises can happen, even though Amstel is 50k longer.

Certainly good chances for Gilbert to be the next winner in WC jersey after Evans 2010.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I fear that exactly will be the case, and a big group, even a really big one, will reach the foot of the Mur alltogether. The race is too short and there are too many strong teams with a captain relying on the Mur itself to avoid this.

Sunday, however, showed that surprises can happen, even though Amstel is 50k longer.

Certainly good chances for Gilbert to be the next winner in WC jersey after Evans 2010.

if riders wanted, they could open up FW big times, there are enough tough climbs along the way to do that. Add pace from the start and the vast majority of riders would be gone before the last hill.

But I don't see it happening. The DSs will inform their riders to save the energy all the way to the end, thereby aiming for a good placement in the uphill sprint against J-Rod, Gilbert and Valverde.

25 teams takes part, many will be disappointed without even showing the jersey once in the race.

And then we have hope, just a tiny little bit.

 

[manafana]

im just some of the bigger names might try something before the end and light up the race.

 

[RHRH19861986]

if riders wanted, they could open up FW big times, there are enough tough climbs along the way to do that. Add pace from the start and the vast majority of riders would be gone before the last hill.

But I don't see it happening. The DSs will inform their riders to save the energy all the way to the end, thereby aiming for a good placement in the uphill sprint against J-Rod, Gilbert and Valverde.

25 teams takes part, many will be disappointed without even showing the jersey once in the race.

And then we have hope, just a tiny little bit.

Maybe there´s something in the air this week, and riders agree to give a seven minute winning gap to the early escapees, inspired by Trentino yesterday.

Well, unlikely, but would be the next big story after M-SR and Trentino 1a.

 

[Ferminal]

And then we have hope, just a tiny little bit.

Same stupid hope ever year...

Although it wasn't completely misguided at AGR, not saying it was a great race or anything, just a bit better than a sprint.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Maybe there´s something in the air this week, and riders agree to give a seven minute winning gap to the early escapees, inspired by Trentino yesterday.

Well, unlikely, but would be the next big story after M-SR and Trentino 1a.

lol, dunno whats worse? A break nobody gives a sh!t about or a hilly stage where everybody waits for the uphill sprint.

I am almost calling for Sky to dominate and destroy the peloton.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

no, i dont expect anyone to do 1994 type performances for pretty obvious reasons.

The point of my post is just me laughing at is your belief that you know who is talented and who isnt.

Like how you come out and say Vino and Pantani were the most talented riders in the world and their wins were 100% talent and effort, while at the same time chiding others for being fakos with 0% talent. What formula do you have to decide who was real and who wasn't?

Really missed you over the last month btw. Especially was looking to see your take on whats going on with Rujano.

rujano what is wrong with him?

I've never said vino was the most talented rider. pls show me any evidence I did. pantani was and that is a fact.

 

[greenedge]

I am almost calling for Sky to dominate and destroy the peloton.

They probably could at this course- they have Porte, Henao and Uran... If any of the 3 i listed go in a break (most likely Porte) other teams will have to chase.

 

[Pantani_lives]

1. Gilbert
2. Quintana
3. Rodríguez
4. Contador
5. Henao
6. Hesjedal
7. Valverde
8. Porte
9. Cunego
10. Anton

 

[ILovecycling]

Saxo can do something in this race before the final sprint.I dont think they will wait for the final.They have good cards to at least try something!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

lol, after 30km we have a break of two:

Devilliers (CRE)
Lang (IAM)

Gap 1 minute or so.

 

[Parrulo]

lol, after 30km we have a break of two:

Devilliers (CRE)
Lang (IAM)

Gap 1 minute or so.

ouch, not even a proper break This race really has become a glorified sprint stage.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

ouch, not even a proper break This race really has become a glorified sprint stage.

reinforcement.

add van Goolen to the break. Rode up solo. No problem.

160km to finish, gap 4:50.

We are done for a couple of hours.

 

[RHRH19861986]

Except for angry man van Goolen (Paris-Tours), rather weak break, not only by numbers, but also by names.

That could be good for an open race with counter attacks towards the end.

Great for someone like Lang, being in the break of a race like FW is s.th. you never forget, also good for IAM, who will be 100% satiesfied after this spring.

 

[ebandit]

see

ouch, not even a proper break This race really has become a glorified sprint stage.

we will see..........................so far to go..................i'm still hoping race

will be an epic

Mark L

 

[Ferminal]

If the break gets 15mins the chase may drop a few more than expected.

 

[Christian]

ouch, not even a proper break This race really has become a glorified sprint stage.

I love the finish though.... one of the best finishes all year IMO

 

[Roderick]

FW is really nothing more than the Scheldeprijs of hilly classics

 

[Better Call Saul]

When will the break be caught? Still 8mins at the moment.
15-20km to go?