2016 La Flèche Wallonne - April 20th - 196k

[pink_jersey]

F***. So sad for Sergio. They way Huy was raced I'm pretty sure he would've give Valverde a run for his money. Purito attack was so lime...He went backwards...

 

[Akuryo]

Re:

Valverde has figured this climb out. If nothing changes next year he'll win it in identical ways a few more times.

Maybe one more time. By then Alaphilippe should take over. He was already second twice in a row and is only 23

 

[Forever The Best]

Samu 6th, nice.
Purito

 

[rehy90]

It must be so much fun to race when you are Valverde...

 

[pink_jersey]

Also, Valverde can't be beaten if you attack with 300m to go. You need to anticipate like Betancur and Kloden tried.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Albasini how many times top 10 now?

 

[Red Rick]

Purito tried to do a Contador Purito style

 

[jaylew]

Yes!!!! Bala gets the record and 3 in a row! That was close - got a messed up popup at 900m and had to open another browser. Great work from Etixx, though perhaps one of them should have gone earlier, ala Betancur to put more pressure on Bala. Still I don't know if it would have made much difference as he was just too strong. Etixx as a team has to be the favorite for LBL. Nice performance from Samu and Ulissi finally gets an Ardennes top 10.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

Also, Valverde can't be beaten if you attack with 300m to go. You need to anticipate like Betancur and Kloden tried.

As long as he is in the top 15-20 going into the foot of the climb, I don't think any tactics would really work against him in this kind of form.

He's the best climber in the field (certainly best 3 min power/weight) so you can't try to attack early, he'll just reel you in. And you can't go late and try to out kick him, because he's also so explosive.

 

[SafeBet]

He could win ten in a row if they keep racing this way. Even not at 100% he was untouchable.

 

[jaylew]

Re:

It must be so much fun to race when you are Valverde...

I often have this exact thought.

 

[Laplaz]

Alaphilippe should have anticipated Valverde...

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Nice selfie

 

[happytramp]

Re:

Alaphilippe should have anticipated Valverde...

What do you mean? He sat on his wheel after Martin attacked but couldn't keep up when Valverde accelerated?

 

[DFA123]

Re:

Alaphilippe should have anticipated Valverde...

And done what? Valverde was in control throughout. He led the climb from the front, immediately got on Purito's wheel when he attack, then immediately jumped on Martin's when he attacked.

Alaphilippe's best chance was to stay on Valverde's wheel and try to come round him in the last 100m, but he just didn't have the power to do it - he lost the wheel when Valverde jumped. If he would have gone first, then Valverde would have just had a slightly easier ride for 200m before sprinting around him to take the victory.

 

[Akuryo]

Re:

Alaphilippe should have anticipated Valverde...

He had his hands full just following him. Atm Valverde is just the best Ardennes-rider bar none. After a HUGE gap maybe there is Alaphilippe. But as soon as Valverde calls it quits he will take over the reigns.

 

[ILovecycling]

Ala didnt have it, gratz to Piti, good effort

 

[jaylew]

Alaphilippe going to start throwing darts at a Bala poster pretty soon...

 

[Laplaz]

Alaphilippe knew Valverde would attack at 150 to go... maybe if he would have anticipated him he would have had better chances. But Valverde was the strongest and he would have won anyway.

 

[dicanio_michael]

This Alaphilippe just couldn't beat Valverde at this moment, but he will be stronger by days. He's just 23.
I think in LBL, Etixx will change to Alaphilippe and Martin to follow Valverde's wheels.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Re:

I will follow Pierre Latour here. Hope he can grab a top-15.

19th.

 

[rainman]

Re:

Alaphilippe knew Valverde would attack at 150 to go... maybe if he would have anticipated him he would have had better chances. But Valverde was the strongest and he would have won anyway.

But if he's already totally maxed out he can anticipate all he wants. Its not a chess game.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Re: Re:

Alaphilippe knew Valverde would attack at 150 to go... maybe if he would have anticipated him he would have had better chances. But Valverde was the strongest and he would have won anyway.

But if he's already totally maxed out he can anticipate all he wants. Its not a chess game.

Thank you for taking the words out of my mouth.

You cannot anticipate if you already going max to follow. It's so easy for some sitting behind a screen. Valverde is probably the only rider in the top 10 who was something 'extra' in the final 200m and can follow with still 1% to spare. The rest is already going max.

 

[trucido]

Re:

Alaphilippe knew Valverde would attack at 150 to go... maybe if he would have anticipated him he would have had better chances. But Valverde was the strongest and he would have won anyway.

Apart from asking Dan Martin to perform his customary swan dive in front of Valverde there was nothing he could have done.

 

[TMobile41]

I wont even bother to watch it on youtube...