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

[the asian]

Re: Re:

The weather could really make this race interesting, Valverde doesnt perform super well in the cold. I say an outsider wins it, preferably Wellens who is in monster shape.

Are they bringing Betancur as a back-up?

Definitely

Cold weather is bad for those skinny anorexic top level Pros !

It's time for the food loving part timers to shine!

On a serious note, This should suit Nibali, though perhaps riding Trentino instead of Fleche isn't the ideal preparation.

 

[fauniera]

Re: Re:

On a serious note, This should suit Nibali, though perhaps riding Trentino instead of Fleche isn't the ideal preparation.

Worked for Vino.

 

[Akuryo]

Re: Re:

On a serious note, This should suit Nibali, though perhaps riding Trentino instead of Fleche isn't the ideal preparation.

Worked for Vino.

Not possible, Kolobnev is not on the startlist this year for LBL ...

 

[Valv.Piti]

Obviously never ridden Trentino, but if you want to be at 100% for L-B-L, I think its as good as Pais Vasco, maybe even better in terms of avoiding Amstel and bad weather occasionally. Bardet seems to prefer it.

 

[jens_attacks]

astana will win this bike race

nibali or with god's help, lutsenko.

 

[Kwibus]

Re:

With low temperatures and rain it should be a good race

Low temperatures can kill a race. Just rain is good enough, but it's a lot better than dry and sunny!

 

[Kwibus]

Re: Re:

You guys can dismiss Wellens all you want, but the thing is, back in the day people who attacked when he does wouldn't actually have to go at it alone.

Indeed, his only classics win came after a breakaway with another rider.

Thus the other riders are fools for not attacking with him. Better odds at winning then waiting for a sprinter to beat you.

 

[Laplaz]

I fear the can't ride on Sunday... snow predicted in Bastogne and icy roads.

 

[Kwibus]

Re:

I fear the can't ride on Sunday... snow predicted in Bastogne and icy roads.

Isn't it amazing huh? We finally get rain during a monument in spring, but then it's so horrible with snow that it might actually get cancelled or a 100km race or something.

Sigh

 

[King Boonen]

I doubt he'll win, but Barguil will hopefully put in a good performance.

New winner please, Alaphillipe would be fine by me.

 

[OlavEH]

Re:

Tim Wellens.

No, I'm not spamming his name in every race thread of every race he enters just 'cos.

If Wellens wins, then we can be sure it was a good race. At least with a good finale.

Hoping for this guy. The best chance for some action before the last 10 kms. An attack already on Redoute would be great!

 

[Laplaz]

Re: Re:

I fear the can't ride on Sunday... snow predicted in Bastogne and icy roads.

Isn't it amazing huh? We finally get rain during a monument in spring, but then it's so horrible with snow that it might actually get cancelled or a 100km race or something.

Sigh

Yes, that's really bad

 

[SafeBet]

Would it be possible to postpone it ot it'd be cancelled?

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Re:

Would it be possible to postpone it ot it'd be cancelled?

They'll decide the winner by making team directors play the race on PCM.

 

[King Boonen]

Re:

I fear the can't ride on Sunday... snow predicted in Bastogne and icy roads.

 

[GP Blanco]

Re: Re:

I fear the can't ride on Sunday... snow predicted in Bastogne and icy roads.

Nowadays the peloton consists largely of whining pussies.

 

[King Boonen]

Re: Re:

I fear the can't ride on Sunday... snow predicted in Bastogne and icy roads.

Nowadays the peloton consists largely of whining pussies.

At times I would vehemently disagree with you... and at times I would say that's exactly right.

 

[Kokoso]

Re: Liège Bastogne Liège, April 24th, WT 253 km

Dont underestimate Wellens, he was extremely strong in AGR (just compare his attack to Kreuziger's) and I think its very likely he would have won the race if he hadn't attack earlier. In a harder race like LBL he surely is one of the favorites.

When comparing Wellens and Kreuziger's attack, few thing comes in mind. Firstly, that Kreuziger kind of prepared attack for Wellens thus he had it easier. Second, Wellens probably chose better place. Third, Kreuziger maybe didn't try hard lately when he saw it's pointless. Fourth, if Wellens joined Kreuziger when he attacked, there could be chance.

 

[Kokoso]

Re: Re:

You guys can dismiss Wellens all you want, but the thing is, back in the day people who attacked when he does wouldn't actually have to go at it alone.

Indeed, his only classics win came after a breakaway with another rider.

Thus the other riders are fools for not attacking with him. Better odds at winning then waiting for a sprinter to beat you.

Is a fool not attacking with Kreuziger? Wellens needs to be teached this lesson at first place.

 

[GP Blanco]

Re: Re:

I fear the can't ride on Sunday... snow predicted in Bastogne and icy roads.

Nowadays the peloton consists largely of whining pussies.

At times I would vehemently disagree with you... and at times I would say that's exactly right.

Of course it is exaggerated but sometimes the bad weather argument is used to protect the position of the riders in the race and that is what irritates me. If you want to have constant conditions switch to track cycling.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

The bad weather argument is used for preparation races. Riders don't want to get sick or crash in a race that nobody cares about. But LBL is a monument, take your CX bike and stop whining

 

[King Boonen]

Re: Re:

I fear the can't ride on Sunday... snow predicted in Bastogne and icy roads.

Nowadays the peloton consists largely of whining pussies.

At times I would vehemently disagree with you... and at times I would say that's exactly right.

Of course it is exaggerated but sometimes the bad weather argument is used to protect the position of the riders in the race and that is what irritates me. If you want to have constant conditions switch to track cycling.

Completely agree. Rider safety is paramount, but the point of cycling is to deal with the conditions, otherwise they can just all race on Zwift.

 

[Valv.Piti]

L-B-L will be rather easy when you have the best team and is the best rider in the race. Cant watch the show, unfortunately.

 

[King Boonen]

9th at FW for Warren Barguil, kid's making his come-back.

 

[pink_jersey]

Valverde to make the double. Again. Probably in front of Alaphilippe as well.