2013 Liège-Bastogne-Liège, 21/04/13 257km

[Shardi]

Liege can be won in many different ways, attracts an immense array of talent and strength. A liege win comes moreso from an insane effort and spot on tactics, than the other two races. Amstel and fleche success comes mostly from riding the bunch protected, then utilizing ur superior uphill punch in a 1min25-30s ~7%, or a 2min45-50s 9.3% effort respectively.

 

[Ferminal]

I didn't realise AGR has already reached the 5km to go mark.

 

[pedromartins]

Valverde was clearly stronger than all others today.

Looks like he is the favorite now. Sagan should take a rest... He raced a lot already.

 

[SafeBet]

Valverde was clearly stronger than all others today.

Kreuziger was stronger than all others. He won.

 

[Afrank]

Kreuziger was stronger than all others. He won.

Correct, in terms of strength
1. Kreuziger
2. Gilbert
3. Gerrans=Valverde (will have to watch again to find who was stronger)

 

[Netserk]

Valverde the strongest.
Kreuziger the smartest.

 

[Lanark]

These calculations of who was the strongest matter very little, nobody in their right mind would have predicted that Iglisky and Nibali would be the strongest in Liège based on the Gold Race.

 

[xrayvision]

Nicki Sørensen is in peak form, Kreuziger seems to be up there as well, AC probably rides LBL too, so from a Saxo point of view it looks it could become an interesting race.

 

[xrayvision]

Valverde the strongest.
Kreuziger the smartest.

Valverde the strongest?

Kreuziger was both the strongest and the smartest.

 

[Panda Claws]

I doubt Valverde was stronger, he and Gerrans simply realised that Kreuziger was gone and Phil did not.

Or he probably didn't as he naturally rides for 2nd place.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Voeckler crashed out of AGR with a shoulder and collarbone injury.
Out for several weeks. Story on Velonation.

Only one green monster available at LBL : Rolland.

 

[Miburo]

Valverde the strongest.
Kreuziger the smartest.

Kreuziger was really strong though, he barely lost 20 seconds orso on the cauberg.

That's pretty impressive after the things he has done prior to it. And in pais basque he was very meh.

Gives the Contador-fan in me hope for next week

 

[jens_attacks]

Voeckler crashed out of AGR with a shoulder and collarbone injury.
Out for several weeks. Story on Velonation.

Only one green monster available at LBL : Rolland.

when i heard first about femur. it almost made this collarbone break looking silly.
he will have enough time for le tour i hope

yes now in LBL only rolland...maybe we'll see a revival of kern though

 

[jaylew]

I doubt Valverde was stronger, he and Gerrans simply realised that Kreuziger was gone and Phil did not.

Or he probably didn't as he naturally rides for 2nd place.

He's probably won more races than any rider in the peloton who isn't a sprinter over the last decade. But of course he races for 2nd

On the contrary, he always races for the win which, of course, also ****es people off. I'd argue that Valverde races smarter that most and knows his limitations. He didn't have the legs to get 1st today but used his brains and legs to get 2nd when there were probably a couple of other guys who might have been a bit better.

I don't understand why people can't be more rational when discussing a rider they don't like.

 

[pedromartins]

He's probably won more races than any rider in the peloton who isn't a sprinter over the last decade. But of course he races for 2nd

On the contrary, he always races for the win which, of course, also ****es people off. I'd argue that Valverde races smarter that most and knows his limitations. He didn't have the legs to get 1st today but used his brains and legs to get 2nd when there were probably a couple of other guys who might have been a bit better.

I don't understand why people can't be more rational when discussing a rider they don't like.

I can't forgive the fact that he doesn't give a sh*t for most races besides the only one he can't win.

He could be the best ever, he was so good: out-kicking Bettini, out sprinting Freire and others, out-climbing Lance at the tour.

I can't forgive him.

 

[afpm90]

when i heard first about femur. it almost made this collarbone break looking silly.
he will have enough time for le tour i hope

yes now in LBL only rolland...maybe we'll see a revival of kern though

What about Arashiro? 24th today, in the second group.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

What about Arashiro? 24th today, in the second group.

we need somebody who can rip it apart. Arashiro will get no reaction from anybody I think.

 

[Netserk]

I can't forgive the fact that he doesn't give a sh*t for most races besides the only one he can't win.

He could be the best ever, he was so good: out-kicking Bettini, out sprinting Freire and others, out-climbing Lance at the tour.

I can't forgive him.

???

He cares about a lot of small Spanish stage races amongst others. He's the opposite of Andy, who only cares about the Ardennes and the Tour.

 

[jens_attacks]

valverde will most likely easily win the world tour
his best form will start in le tour-vuelta-worlds. and he already scored big time

 

[Jancouver]

Valverde the strongest.
Kreuziger the smartest.

Roman was very strong today. The smartest? Well, who knows, not sure if the winning strategy came out of his head. Perhaps it was Bjarne Riis or whoever was the DS today, who told him what to do and when to go etc.

Still an awesome win and I hope he will add some more good results this week.

 

[Ferminal]

valverde will most likely easily win the world tour
his best form will start in le tour-vuelta-worlds. and he already scored big time

What if Froome does the Vuelta...

 

[42x16ss]

What about Arashiro? 24th today, in the second group.

Arashiro is a good helper in the hills and can't be given too much slack if he gets in the break but he's hardly someone to rip it apart.

Based on Amstel performances I like Pieter Weening, he could be a real dark horse. OGE could really tear this up if they play it smart with Gerrans, Weening, Impey, Clarke and Albasini.

 

[jaylew]

What if Froome does the Vuelta...

Like last year?

 

[JRanton]

Like last year?

He finished 4th which gets you 90 UCI points compared to 170 for winning, 130 for placing 2nd and 100 for 3rd.

If he wins Romandie, Dauphine, the Tour AND finishes 4th at the Vuelta then he's not going to be far off winning it.

 

[sucotash]

Kwiatkowski said that he is really looking forward to sunday, and L-B-L suits him very well