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

[Pricey_sky]

I just hope there's no reduced bunch sprint. The cold and snowy weather forecast hopefully will add some spice to the race and make an even bigger chance that there will be a selection. How good would it be for there to be some great attack on the Redoute that manages to stay away!

 

[rick james]

Froome racing it is a weird one

 

[Mr.White]

Re: Re:

Well you had that script today

Fleche is not LBL. On the Mur tactics and teamwork count for less than sheer strength relative to the balance in LBL. That's why Valverde could beat Martin into second on the Mur in 2014 and then both get done over by Martin in the finale of LBL and outsprinted by Gerrans after Martin fell off.

This. There's a reason why Valverde's won FW 4 times yet LBL only once

3 times

Yep, twice when he was a lot younger. Which is very important for his palmares. But in the last seven years he's won once, despite being the strongest pretty much every time he started. Whereas he's won FW three times in a row.

FW is usually won by the strongest. LBL is usually won by the smartest of the four or five strongest.

He was strongest only in 2014 and 2015. In 2013 he was clearly weaker than Martin and Purito as you must saw. In 2012 he was not in condition to be competitive due to his 2 year ban. In 2011 he didn't rode. In 2010 his result was stripped. In 2009 he prepared specially for stage races so he was not at top of his game. In 2006-2008 he was the strongest, twice won and came second once. That would be it.

 

[TomLPC]

Not sure what dawgs condition is like but hopefully we get at least one seated washing machine attack

 

[HelloDolly]

Re:

Froome racing it is a weird one

He wants to win it I believe ...guess its him & Kwait as leaders for SKY ?

But considering how SKY leaders have fared in the last 2 Ardennes races I wonder at the wisdom of him riding

 

[carolina]

gilbert will not start, because of his hand.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re: Re:

Well you had that script today

Fleche is not LBL. On the Mur tactics and teamwork count for less than sheer strength relative to the balance in LBL. That's why Valverde could beat Martin into second on the Mur in 2014 and then both get done over by Martin in the finale of LBL and outsprinted by Gerrans after Martin fell off.

This. There's a reason why Valverde's won FW 4 times yet LBL only once

3 times

Meant post-ban, but yeah, that typo of 4 instead of 3 for FW doesn't help

 

[yaco]

Froome can be very competitive if he has prepared himself for the race. I think Nibali has a strong chance because he will ride aggressivley and attack the finish.

 

[happytramp]

I'm not sure if Froome will stick it out if the weather is poor. He certainly has the ability to do well but I don't think he'll want to risk a crash or potential illness especially if it splits up early on and the racing is too frantic.

 

[Rollthedice]

Froome has no business whatsoever with one day races but he is the lead singer in a band called The Mothers of Transformation so, sometime in the future he might give it a go.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Re:

gilbert will not start, because of his hand.

And that, my friends, is why martial arts training should be mandatory for all cyclists. Too many drunks around.

 

[pink_jersey]

Froome is racing this only for miles.

 

[sir fly]

The good thing is - everybody will want to avoid a duel with Valverde.
So, I won't be surprised if Moreno wins with a late (solo) attack.

 

[Kwibus]

Re:

The good thing is - everybody will want to avoid a duel with Valverde.
So, I won't be surprised if Moreno wins with a late (solo) attack.

Hahahahahaha. We are saying stuff like this for the last years, but everytime pretty much all riders wait. Like lambs to the slaughter.
Ofcourse there are always a few teams/riders who try, but they are in such minority they are doomed.
Astana tried hard last year, but missed an in form leader.

 

[Red Rick]

I suddenly suspect I'm going to miss Andy Schleck coming sunday.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Snow? Wellens for victory!!

 

[sir fly]

Re: Re:

The good thing is - everybody will want to avoid a duel with Valverde.
So, I won't be surprised if Moreno wins with a late (solo) attack.

Hahahahahaha. We are saying stuff like this for the last years, but everytime pretty much all riders wait. Like lambs to the slaughter.
Ofcourse there are always a few teams/riders who try, but they are in such minority they are doomed.
Astana tried hard last year, but missed an in form leader.

Yes, it mostly is a wishful thinking, but every team with multiple options will try to put pressure on Movi by sending their men in front (sooner or later).
Moreno should be Movi's policeman, so who knows...

 

[shalgo]

Re:

Froome has no business whatsoever with one day races but he is the lead singer in a band called The Mothers of Transformation so, sometime in the future he might give it a go.

My favorite Froome one-day race moment was at the GP Quebec in 2013. Sky hammered at the front of the peloton to set up Froome's attack on the final climb, and the result was this:

https://youtu.be/NPHPkBLfYpw?t=4381

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Froome has no business whatsoever with one day races but he is the lead singer in a band called The Mothers of Transformation so, sometime in the future he might give it a go.

My favorite Froome one-day race moment was at the GP Quebec in 2013. Sky hammered at the front of the peloton to set up Froome's attack on the final climb, and the result was this:

https://youtu.be/NPHPkBLfYpw?t=4381

Well that's post Tour tbh.

Remember the hype when Contador beat Froome at those races

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Froome has no business whatsoever with one day races but he is the lead singer in a band called The Mothers of Transformation so, sometime in the future he might give it a go.

My favorite Froome one-day race moment was at the GP Quebec in 2013. Sky hammered at the front of the peloton to set up Froome's attack on the final climb, and the result was this:

https://youtu.be/NPHPkBLfYpw?t=4381

Well that's post Tour tbh.

Remember the hype when Contador beat Froome at those races

Just watched the finish of that race.

My mind completely exploded again watching Gesink win the *** group sprint.

Makes believe in Kittel voor the polka dots

 

[Kokoso]

Re: Re:

The good thing is - everybody will want to avoid a duel with Valverde.
So, I won't be surprised if Moreno wins with a late (solo) attack.

Hahahahahaha. We are saying stuff like this for the last years, but everytime pretty much all riders wait. Like lambs to the slaughter.
Ofcourse there are always a few teams/riders who try, but they are in such minority they are doomed.
Astana tried hard last year, but missed an in form leader.

Last year tried hard Kreuziger, Fuglsang joined him. Stybar reeled them in. The year before there were quite a lot in attack, again Kreuziger was most active of the big group, but rest refused to cooperate.

 

[SafeBet]

Still snow forecasted?

 

[Laplaz]

Re:

Still snow forecasted?

Probably just rain, but it's still cold...

 

[SafeBet]

They won't have any legit reason to postpone it or cancel it then. Bring it on.

 

[Brullnux]

Good news is Sheffer has said that Nibali will not go for a training ride as he is a 'champion', Whig means he is going for the win and will attack. Bad news is how he's racing atm. Unsure about a lot right now. Maybe it's all a master plan to win Liege: look crap at Trentino when you are actually just stretching your legs so that everyone thinks you're in bad form, then destroy everyone when they least expect it. Ngl, it's probably gonna come to nada.

Wellens ftw