2014 Liege-Bastogne-Liege, 1.UWT (262 Km's)

[Afrank]

Climbs
Km 70.0 - Côte de La Roche-en-Ardenne, 2.8 kilometre-long climb at 6.2%
Km 123.0 - Côte de Saint-Roch, 1 kilometre-long climb at 11.1%
Km 167.0 - Côte de Wanne, 2.8 kilometre-long climb at 7.2%
Km 173.5 - Côte de Stockeu, 1 kilometre-long climb at 12.4%
Km 179.0 - Côte de la Haute-Levée, 3.6 kilometre-long climb at 5.6%
Km 201.0 - Côte de la Vecquée, 3.1 kilometre-long climb at 6.4%
Km 218.5 - Côte de La Redoute, 2 kilometre-long climb at 8.9%
Km 231.5 - Côte des Forges, 1.9 kilometre-long climb at 5.9%
Km 243.5 - Côte de La Roche-aux-Faucons, 1.5 kilometre-long climb at 9.3%
Km 257.5 - Côte de Saint-Nicolas, 1.2 kilometre-long climb at 8.6%

profiles- http://www.letour.com/liege-bastogne-liege/2014/us/race.html

Previous Winners
2013 | MARTIN Daniel
2012 | IGLINSKIY Maxim
2011 | GILBERT Philippe
2010 | VINOKOUROV Alexandre
2009 | SCHLECK Andy
2008 | VALVERDE Alejandro
2007 | DI LUCA Danilo
2006 | VALVERDE Alejandro
2005 | VINOKOUROV Alexandre
2004 | REBELLIN Davide

Top-10 Previous Edition
1.Daniel Martin (IRL) GRS6:38:07
2.Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP) KAT0:03
3.Alejandro Valverde (ESP) MOV0:09
4.Carlos Betancur (COL) ALM,,
5.Michele Scarponi (ITA) LAM,,
6.Enrico Gasparotto (ITA) AST0:18
7.Philippe Gilbert (BEL) BMC,,
8.Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) GRS,,
9.Rui Costa (POR) MOV,,
10.Simon Gerrans (AUS) OGE,,

Startlist: http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Liege_Bastogne_Liege_2014-Startlist

Coverage
Start time: Sun Apr 27 10:00 CET (1:00:00 AM PDT)
Earliest live video: 14:00 CET (5:00:00 AM PDT)
Approximate finish: 16:49 CET (7:49:00 AM PDT)

 

[Arredondo]

Let the talk begin! I'm going for Martin again, just because i can't see Valverde actually keep his head cool in such a big race

Also curious to see Arredondo and Purito of course.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Looking forward to what Mollema can do.

But Valverde, Martin, Kwiatkowski are the big favorites. Gilbert won't be far off either

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

The Vino race will be won by one of his disciples

 

[Fzotrlool]

I want Nibali and Purito to do well, but most likely another one for Valverde.

 

[saneguy]

Expect Valverde to take LBL as well. He is looking in real good shape.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Kwia is on a streak of single digit placements this year (no? Well, you get my point anyway) and it will continue on Sunday.

Still I think Gilbert will be brutal. Forget his training ride in FW, its business time in this race.

Oh and Bala Verde on the podium naturally.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

liege is 292 km??? since wshen??

 

[Afrank]

liege is 292 km??? since wshen??

My mistake, read it wrong. Fixed now though.

 

[Jspear]

I'd really like to see Nibali win. I don't know how realistic that it, but he has promised to attack! Expecting all the same guys from today to up there as well as Jrod. Hope he is feeling well and can do a good ride.

 

[BigMac]

Costa is a bet. He is tailor made for these climbs and finale almost like Gilbert is for the Cauberg. He was looking good today until Cunego ruined his chances. Certain is we'll see Costa, Ulissi and Cunego all riding for themselves.

You should have made a poll Afrank.

 

[Netserk]

Costa is a bet. He is tailor made for these climbs and finale almost like Gilbert is for the Cauberg. He was looking good today until Cunego ruined his chances. Certain is we'll see Costa, Ulissi and Cunego all riding for themselves.

You should have made a poll Afrank.

BTW thank god for no poll in the race thread.

 

[BigMac]

BTW thank god for no poll in the race thread.

Avatar bet Costa will win sunday?

 

[Netserk]

Avatar bet Costa will win sunday?

You can make that podium, and yes.

 

[BigMac]

You can make that podium, and yes.

Ok then, oh this is going to be so much fun.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I think in terms of results over the last three seasons, there's now a class of four automatic favourites for hilly classics: Purito, Gilbert, Valverde, Martin. These guys all have at least one big win and at least two podiums. Then there are a few bidding for that status like Kwiatkowski and Betancur.

Is anyone going to predict a winner from outside the obvious few? So far we've had Costa and Nibali, both of whom arguably could be grouped with the likes of Betancur.

 

[BigMac]

I think in terms of results over the last three seasons, there's now a class of four automatic favourites for hilly classics: Purito, Gilbert, Valverde, Martin. These guys all have at least one big win and at least two podiums. Then there are a few bidding for that status like Kwiatkowski and Betancur.

Is anyone going to predict a winner from outside the obvious few?

Already did. Alberto Rui Costa.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Already did. Alberto Rui Costa.

Aargh, I should have finished reading before posting. I edited above to include Costa and Nibali references.

Costa is good and he's smart and the latter matters more at LBL than FW. I don't think it's impossible. There are stronger riders he is capable of outsmarting if he ends up with the right group . Valverde most obviously. And bigger favourites could underestimate him yet again. But it's an outside shot because some of the stronger riders don't strike me as fools.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

And I'd say Mollema

 

[theyoungest]

And I'd say Mollema

He'll get anything from 4th to 10th. It's his rightful place in races like this.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

And I'd say Mollema

Your actual prediction? Or adding him to the list of not quite favourites who could do it?

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

He'll get anything from 4th to 10th. It's his rightful place in races like this.

It would also be a hark back to tradition if he finished one place behind Martin as he seemed to do for much of his earlier career.

 

[Sprite0309]

My bet is on Kreuziger. His today´s performance was very good considering Muur is not his favourite climb at all.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

He'll get anything from 4th to 10th. It's his rightful place in races like this.

Pff if Iglinsky can win LBL in his career. Mollema can too. He'd just need a brilliant day and guys like Valverde need a lesser day

 

[Afrank]

For the win, I'm thinking one of these guys (in order of most likely of course ).

Plenty other guys I would be happy with winning as well.

Costa is a bet. He is tailor made for these climbs and finale almost like Gilbert is for the Cauberg. He was looking good today until Cunego ruined his chances. Certain is we'll see Costa, Ulissi and Cunego all riding for themselves.

You should have made a poll Afrank.

I actually wanted to include a poll, but forgot to tick the include poll box. And you have to be an admin to add polls to threads.