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

[Shardi]

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

This is a good dark horse. He definitively did above expectation today and has done well in Liège before.

 

[Afrank]

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.

Some outside bets (from what we have of the uncompleted startlist): Bakelants, Betancur, Nordhaug, Samu, Kolobnev, Cunego, Vanendert, Froome, Iglinskiy.

 

[hfer07]

Kwiatkowski to take the biggest win of his career.
Valverde 2nd
Nibbs 3rd

 

[Panda Claws]

15% Valverde
5% Rodriguez
15% D. Martin
10% Nibali
15% Gilbert
35% Someone else
5% Gilbert being absolutely brutal

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Preben Van Hecke for the win!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Preben Van Hecke for the win!

From a 220km solo effort...
I'm seeing Topsport everywhere.

 

[Kwibus]

Rooting for Purito, because I really wish him a big win like this. Or he wins a GT this year, but I find that less likely to happen.

Anyone that wins by attacking before the final climb will get all my love. Someone with big balls (Nibali probably)

Or if Mollema wins than I don't care how he did

 

[SafeBet]

Are you all expecting Nibbles to try from far out? He's been doing it a lot lately and I fear this is becoming predictable.

Astana will have a monster team here: Scarponi, Kangert, Gasparotto, Westra, Fuglsang (?), Maxim (?). They can make the race very hard without forcing Nibali to attack from 30km out.

Favorites: Valverde, Martin, Kwia.
I'm liking Barguil as a joker. Curious to see how Cannondale will approach this.

 

[Gloin22]

I'd call it a very good team most of time. But with what they are presenting so far this season.. dunno.

Kangert, Westra and Iglisnky has done almost nothing. Maxim has 13 points in CQ ranking :lol:

Valverde, Martin, Kwia and Gilbert for the win. Purito maybe, if he recovers well.

 

[Pentacycle]

Kolobnev with a long range attack.

 

[Netserk]

Are you all expecting Nibbles to try from far out? He's been doing it a lot lately and I fear this is becoming predictable.

Astana will have a monster team here: Scarponi, Kangert, Gasparotto, Westra, Fuglsang (?), Maxim (?). They can make the race very hard without forcing Nibali to attack from 30km out.

Favorites: Valverde, Martin, Kwia.
I'm liking Barguil as a joker. Curious to see how Cannondale will approach this.

Send Fuglsang out on Redoute and go on/after Faucons. Scarponi to mark others/Nicolas and Gaspa for the sprint.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Iglinsky has kept his form in the dark so far this season, but now you'll se the monster getting released

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Iglinsky to do an Andy?

 

[BigMac]

Sky confirms Froome wil start the race - the article doesn't mention if he will finnish though.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Iglinsky to do an Andy?

Andy wishes that he was ever capable to do a Iglinsky

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Andy wishes that he was ever capable to do a Iglinsky

Nah, nobody can repeat this:

1. LUX SCHLECK Andy SAX 6h34'32" 275
2. ESP RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquim GCE 01'17" 180
3. ITA REBELLIN Davide SDA 01'24" 145
4. BEL GILBERT Philippe SIL 01'24" 132
5. RUS IVANOV Serguei KAT 01'24" 120
6. AUS GERRANS Simon CTT 01'24" 108
7. ITA CUNEGO Damiano LAM 01'24" 96
8. FRA VAUGRENARD Benoît FDJ 01'24" 85
9. RUS KOLOBNEV Alexandr SAX 01'24" 74
10. ESP SANCHEZ GONZALEZ Samuel EUS 01'24" 63

 

[podunavac]

Nah, nobody can repeat this:

1. LUX SCHLECK Andy SAX 6h34'32" 275
2. ESP RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquim GCE 01'17" 180
3. ITA REBELLIN Davide SDA 01'24" 145
4. BEL GILBERT Philippe SIL 01'24" 132
5. RUS IVANOV Serguei KAT 01'24" 120
6. AUS GERRANS Simon CTT 01'24" 108
7. ITA CUNEGO Damiano LAM 01'24" 96
8. FRA VAUGRENARD Benoît FDJ 01'24" 85
9. RUS KOLOBNEV Alexandr SAX 01'24" 74
10. ESP SANCHEZ GONZALEZ Samuel EUS 01'24" 63

The sole result is impressive enough (the biggest gap since 1994.), but the way it has been achieved gives it true value.

 

[coimbrawu]

I'm liking Barguil as a joker. Curious to see how Cannondale will approach this.

imo it's too hard for Barguil. he did so-so in Pais Vasco and FW.
Cannondale haven't delivered anything in AGR and FW, except sending Mohoric to breakaway in AGR...

 

[ralphbert]

I'm rooting for Sammy Sanchez.
1. He is the oldest in the race
2. I like the face he makes when on the rivet.
3. He is a gangster.
4. Watch out because I was one of the few who voted for Valverde in FW

 

[SKSemtex]

Anybody knows if Uran is riding? I expect him to be very strong and keen to show it to his new team. I know he will ride for Kwiatko anyway but anything can happen on the way to Liege.

 

[Afrank]

Anybody knows if Uran is riding? I expect him to be very strong and keen to show it to his new team. I know he will ride for Kwiatko anyway but anything can happen on the way to Liege.

Don't think so, think he might be training in Colombia ATM.

 

[VanBsr]

Schleck will attack again on Roche-aux-Faucons like he did in 2009-2011 but will fail to get it to the top.

2009
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MYkTT3eBM4
2010
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl4knwH34x8#t=80
2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qXHLGwEwsA

 

[SafeBet]

imo it's too hard for Barguil. he did so-so in Pais Vasco and FW.
Cannondale haven't delivered anything in AGR and FW, except sending Mohoric to breakaway in AGR...

But they'll add a key rider to their lineup.


Fanboy mode off

 

[Jspear]

I personally don't, but does anyone think Froome will do anything?

 

[Arredondo]

I personally don't, but does anyone think Froome will do anything?

Not really, last year he didn't impress. I can't see him doing it this year.