2015 Ardennes Classics: 50th Amstel Gold Race - 4.19 - 258km

[Velolover2]

Re: Re:

Funny Poels, has never done well in the ardennes classics and was sick last week. Why does he think he deserves a free role

Besloten om toch te starten a.s zondag! Natuurlijk wel met andere verwachtingen maar ben blij dat kan rijden

now he says he's glad to ride (maybe that was a previous interview)
anyway he won't be there full 100% form after his bad last week back from Tenerife

For many of the Sky riders, Amstel Gold Race is just a warm-up race (at least for Deignan, Kennaugh and Poels). Many of their riders are coming back from an injury or sickness. I think they will all work for an in-form Henao who might be in the shape of his life. But expect to see a flying Nordhaug on the penultimate climb.

 

[Flamin]

Quickly checking the start list, I see no Bardet. Did I miss something? Sickness, injury? He was pretty good in Ruta, but never really noticed him anymore since.

 

[pastronef]

Re: Re:

Funny Poels, has never done well in the ardennes classics and was sick last week. Why does he think he deserves a free role

Besloten om toch te starten a.s zondag! Natuurlijk wel met andere verwachtingen maar ben blij dat kan rijden

now he says he's glad to ride (maybe that was a previous interview)
anyway he won't be there full 100% form after his bad last week back from Tenerife

For many of the Sky riders, Amstel Gold Race is just a warm-up race (at least for Deignan, Kennaugh and Poels). Many of their riders are coming back from an injury or sickness. I think they will all work for an in-form Henao who might be in the shape of his life. But expect to see a flying Nordhaug on the penultimate climb.

yes, when I saw him on the start lists I hoped he's on form. Henao captain, LPN attacker

 

[manafana]

Re: 2015 Ardennes Classics: 50th Amstel Gold Race - 4.19 - 2

I think Sky need to truely build around Henao here as it is clear he is capable of a win here with the right support.

 

[Jagartrott]

Guy comes back without any competition for a long time - nearly wins the first stage race he participates in, now has a chance of winning Amstel? Please, God, no.

 

[Escarabajo]

Re:

Guy comes back without any competition for a long time - nearly wins the first stage race he participates in, now has a chance of winning Amstel? Please, God, no.

He does not have much chance in Amstel. But in FW he has big chance of winning.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Re:

Guy comes back without any competition for a long time - nearly wins the first stage race he participates in, now has a chance of winning Amstel? Please, God, no.

As Escarabajo says, Henao doesnt have a chance at AGR. The Cauberg is not steep enough for him. Even if it was, he dont thinks he has a big enough jump to leave them behind without being caught on the flat after to the finish.

 

[Sasquatch]

Re: 2015 Ardennes Classics: 50th Amstel Gold Race - 4.19 - 2

Henao's best chance is FW. No chance in Amstel. If anyone can beat Rodriguez/Valverde in FW, it's Henao.

 

[Velolover2]

Re: 2015 Ardennes Classics: 50th Amstel Gold Race - 4.19 - 2

Henao's best chance is FW. No chance in Amstel. If anyone can beat Rodriguez/Valverde in FW, it's Henao.

The Mur is almost tailor-made for Henao, but don't except him to be bad on the Cauberg. I'd be very surprised if he doesn't finish in top 10.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re: 2015 Ardennes Classics: 50th Amstel Gold Race - 4.19 - 2

Henao's best chance is FW. No chance in Amstel. If anyone can beat Rodriguez/Valverde in FW, it's Henao.

Wouldn't say no chance, he finished 6th here 2 years ago in the same group as Gilbert/Valverde/Gerrans ect. I agree though his best chance is FW on Wednesday.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

My 5-star rating:

***** Gilbert
**** Kwiatkowski, Valverde, Matthews
*** Rodriguez, Henao, Dumoulin, Martin
** Gerrans, Gallopin, Felline, Vanendert, Gasparotto
* Costa, Van Avermaet, Mollema, Wellens, Moreno

My personal outsiders are Valgren and Paterski. I could see a late attack with the likes of Wellens, Valgren, Paterski etc. making it to the finish line.

 

[vladimir]

Re: 2015 Ardennes Classics: 50th Amstel Gold Race - 4.19 - 2

Gasparotto has had a very quiet year so far, but hopefully he has been able to prepare 100 % for the Ardennes. At least he sounds positive and upbeat in his last Tweet: "Bag ready,head ready,body ready...it's time to take off to Belgium and Limburg!!It's time to start my Ardenne week/10 days!! Let's go Gaspa!"

 

[Alexandre B.]

Re:

Quickly checking the start list, I see no Bardet. Did I miss something? Sickness, injury? He was pretty good in Ruta, but never really noticed him anymore since.

Bardet is scheduled to race Giro del Trentino, instead of AGR/F-W.

 

[SafeBet]

Re:

***** Gilbert
****
*** Kwiatkowski, Valverde
** Matthews, Rodriguez, Henao, Felline, Martin
* Dumoulin, Gallopin, Felline, GVA, Rui Costa, Mollema, Wellens, Rebellin

 

[Ruudz0r]

***** Gilbert
**** Valverde, Kwiatkowski
*** Matthews, Felline, Martin, Gallopin
** Rodriguez, Henao, Dumoulin, Gerrans, Costa
* Vanendert, Slagter, Wellens, Gasparotto, Valgren, Ulissi

 

[Sasquatch]

Re: 2015 Ardennes Classics: 50th Amstel Gold Race - 4.19 - 2

***** Gilbert
**** Kwiatkowski, Valverde,
*** Matthews, Rodriguez, Gallopin, Dumoulin
** Martin, Gerrans, Henao, Felline, Vanendert,
* Costa, Gasparotto, Mollema, Wellens, Moreno, Valgren, Ulissi

 

[Sasquatch]

What sort of form is Ulissi in? Maybe his best chance is Liege.

 

[Flamin]

Re: Re:

Quickly checking the start list, I see no Bardet. Did I miss something? Sickness, injury? He was pretty good in Ruta, but never really noticed him anymore since.

Bardet is scheduled to race Giro del Trentino, instead of AGR/F-W.

Odd choice, but as long as he's okay I was wondering cuz he was pretty underwhelming in Paris-Nice and then had a DNF in Catalunya.

 

[SafeBet]

Ulissi's best result in AGR is a 25th place. He's not a good bike handler and will always have trouble being close to the front at the bottom of the Cauberg. If there's one Ardenne race where he could excel is Fleche.

 

[pink_jersey]

***** Gilbert
**** Kwiatkowski, Valverde
*** Matthews,Henao,Martin,Vanendert
** Slagter,Gallopin,Purito,Rui Costa,Gasparotto
*Gerrans,Wellens,Kreuziger,Dumoulin,Mollema,Felline,Mollema

 

[Brullnux]

Re:

What sort of form is Ulissi in? Maybe his best chance is Liege.

He actually was OK at Pais Vasco. He improved rapidly with every stage, and he knew he needed to get race days under his belt. I agree with safe bet, his best chance is Flèche, but a Liege like last year then he could be in with a shout.

 

[HelloDolly]

Re: 2015 Ardennes Classics: 50th Amstel Gold Race - 4.19 - 2

Henao's best chance is FW. No chance in Amstel. If anyone can beat Rodriguez/Valverde in FW, it's Henao.

Have you watched this race in last 2 years ....Bar mishap FW is tailor made for Dan Martin

 

[TurboButton]

Rebellin and Schumacher will go as well! Quite surprising. Rebellin may make top 10.

 

[DFA123]

Re: 2015 Ardennes Classics: 50th Amstel Gold Race - 4.19 - 2

Henao's best chance is FW. No chance in Amstel. If anyone can beat Rodriguez/Valverde in FW, it's Henao.

Have you watched this race in last 2 years ....Bar mishap FW is tailor made for Dan Martin

That's a bit of a strange comment. Two years ago Henao beat Martin, and he was injured last year.

 

[Anderis]

Re: 2015 Ardennes Classics: 50th Amstel Gold Race - 4.19 - 2

That's a bit of a strange comment. Two years ago Henao beat Martin, and he was injured last year.

Two years ago Martin had mechanical close to the finish, so he started Mur de Huy badly positioned. 250 meters to go he was not even in the top15. I think he rode final 300 meters far quicker, than anyone else in that race. And would have likely won it if he was positioned better.