2016 Liège Bastogne Liège, April 24th, WT 253 km

[BigMac]

Re:

Stream anywhere?

Think coverage only starts in an hour or so.

 

[ice&fire]

Re:

Stream anywhere?

Most broadcasters listed on steephill.tv start live in one hour (14:00 CET)

 

[Laplaz]

Do you think the break could made it?

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re: Re:

Stream anywhere?

Think coverage only starts in an hour or so.

Oh ok, thanks!

 

[Samamba]

It's sunny in Bastogne right now.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

“I think experience counts and I’ve improved year by year, bit by bit,” he said. “I’ve stopped making useless efforts so I’ve got more force for the final and the battle on the Côte de Ans. It’s a race that requires patience, and I’ve adapted to that and I’ll wait for the finale.”

Bardet thinking of playing it right to finish 8th. Lovely.

Is there a reason why so many riders somehow think they have a chance on the final climb to Ans? A rider like Bardet would never get the idea that he could win AGR by an attack on the Cauberg but in LBL where the final ascent is even easier he somehow thinks he can win that way

Well. They should make the 80-30km part from the finish a lot harder, then have only a few climbs in the last 30k, and a flat finish.

Also, substantially decrease points, prize money, attention, that minor placings get.

Increase rewards at particular points in the race, first up Redoute, whatever. Nice for minor teams, make it a better result than a 15th place.

Decrease team size

How hard can it be for the organisers to understand?

Or do they want the Ardennes classic to just die off.

 

[laurensde+]

Re:

Do you think the break could made it?

Stronger riders than the average break, but no. Etixx doing the work on the front for now.

 

[HelloDolly]

Love if De Gendt made it

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

The break could be significant. I don't have a clue what shape these guys in are nowadays, but De Gendt, Tiralongo and De Marchi are riders who could go quite far potentially. The likes of Brutt, Edet and Roy should be able to contribute a fair bit as well. Laengen and Bennedetti I don't know what they're capable of. Maybe Laengen is good in bad weather by merit of being Norwegian?

Ok, it's not a super dangerous break, but they're being given quite some time, if this goes on for a while, De Gendt, Tiralongo or De Marchi could go quite far if they have a good day. Wellens and Nibali with a capable guy up front FWIW. Probably just wishful thinking.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

8'10" right now.

 

[meat puppet]

Agree with red Rick on most of the points.

However, the organisers know that too. Sporting wise it makes Sense. Thing is the organisers and sponsors also know that only a tiny market of hardcore fans will want two hours of action as a norm, which, moreover, will generate unpredictable outcomes and surprise winners. Not good business wise, which is all about having the star gladiators battle for a climb or two.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Gap stabilising but, if anything, it's falling a little.

 

[Eshnar]

Re:

Agree with red Rick on most of the points.

However, the organisers know that too. Sporting wise it makes Sense. Thing is the organisers and sponsors also know that only a tiny market of hardcore fans will want two hours of action as a norm, which, moreover, will generate unpredictable outcomes and surprise winners. Not good business wise, which is all about having the star gladiators battle for a climb or two.

If I were an organiser, I would be delighted at the idea to hook spectators for hours on the TV. And sell advertising space, you know.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Re:

Agree with red Rick on most of the points.

However, the organisers know that too. Sporting wise it makes Sense. Thing is the organisers and sponsors also know that only a tiny market of hardcore fans will want two hours of action as a norm, which, moreover, will generate unpredictable outcomes and surprise winners. Not good business wise, which is all about having the star gladiators battle for a climb or two.

Commercialism kills everything unfortunately.

 

[Laplaz]

Gap coming down... 6:45 now

 

[Hugo Koblet]

And we have pictures.. Sort of.. Pictures of something.

 

[LaFlorecita]

BMC Racing Team
‏@BMCProTeam
#LBL We're hearing reports that around 100 riders have abandoned the race. At this stage all of our riders are still racing

 

[Billie]

How stupid is it that Unzue refuses to make a full kit national champ jersey cause it hides the sponsors but wears all black rain jackets instead of rain jackets in the team colours

 

[Billie]

BMC Racing Team
‏@BMCProTeam
#LBL We're hearing reports that around 100 riders have abandoned the race. At this stage all of our riders are still racing

peloton still looks usual size. Don't think that's true.

 

[HelloDolly]

There is Froome hanging off the back

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

There is Froome hanging off the back

It was Golas and Poels

 

[meat puppet]

Re: Re:

Agree with red Rick on most of the points.

However, the organisers know that too. Sporting wise it makes Sense. Thing is the organisers and sponsors also know that only a tiny market of hardcore fans will want two hours of action as a norm, which, moreover, will generate unpredictable outcomes and surprise winners. Not good business wise, which is all about having the star gladiators battle for a climb or two.

If I were an organiser, I would be delighted at the idea to hook spectators for hours on the TV. And sell advertising space, you know.

Ideally, of course, and this I agree with. My point is that this has not been the road taken. The question I guess is why the opposite has been the trend.

 

[saganftw]

the sun is shining,its just beatiful february day

 

[HelloDolly]

Re: Re:

There is Froome hanging off the back

It was Golas and Poels

Froome was just ahead of Golas..

 

[Rollthedice]

Re:

the sun is shining,its just beatiful february day

Those who abandoned already feeling sorry.