2017 Liège-Bastogne-Liège - April 23rd - 258k

[May0maniac]

Yes, Dumoulin is an interesting dark horse. I expect big things from Barguil, he seems to be in great shape and this race suits him really well.
Sky should ride really aggressive, send Moscon or even Rosa on the attack to pressure Valverde and let Kwaitkowski and Henao play the numbers game. Orica should also go on the attack with the Yates twins and Kreuziger, but durning the last few years I've seen sooo much negative racing from then in the Ardennes classics that I don't know if they'll actually go for it.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

I think Kwito will win, I obiviously hope Valverde wins and not only that, but in dominating fashion to the obnoxious poster (who apparently isn't banned yet) that everyone know who is can shut the **** up for a moment. Dark horse, Tom Doumolin.

Well, Valverde victories haven't exactly been shutting him up recently...

And given the fact that Gilbert and Alaphilippe will not be present, you know what will happen if Valverde wins.

Imagine Valverde smashing up Redoute and distancing everybody easily and riding into Ans alone. Then I'll log onto CN expecting that Pistolero will be applauding Valverde, but he will argue Gilbert rode solo for 55 km in a much better race and the 2 best riders were absent, that GVA is tired from Roubaix, that Ardennes are *** races anyways, that he won't stand a chance in Flanders, that Froome dropped him on Mur de Huy (despite zero relevance, obviously), that Nibali is the much superior one day racer but unfortunately doesnt focus on Liege, that the competition is thrash, that Dan Martin is pathetic etc. etc. etc.

 

[tobydawq]

Well, to be fair, we also both know that Valverde will not go solo anywhere and that his conservatism in big races is probably the main reason for some users' dislike towards him.

But if he did, I would actually believe - assuming that there is just a tiny bit of coherence in the mind of Pisti - that he wouldn't be criticised in the way you say, even though that's funnier to believe. Or maybe I have just not been around here long enough to get my naivety regarding Pisti completely removed.

 

[tobydawq]

A bully? That is REALLY not my impression - clinic issues aside, I have heard nothing suggesting he shouldn't be a class act.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

But if he did, I would actually believe - assuming that there is just a tiny bit of coherence in the mind of Pisti - that he wouldn't be criticised in the way you say, even though that's funnier to believe. Or maybe I have just not been around here long enough to get my naivety regarding Pisti completely removed.

No. Just no. He will recycle his stupid arguments no matter what happens, I'll guarantee you that.

 

[hrotha]

Re:

A bully? That is REALLY not my impression - clinic issues aside, I have heard nothing suggesting he shouldn't be a class act.

You're replying to Pisti.

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

Well, to be fair, we also both know that Valverde will not go solo anywhere and that his conservatism in big races is probably the main reason for some users' dislike towards him.

But if he did, I would actually believe - assuming that there is just a tiny bit of coherence in the mind of Pisti - that he wouldn't be criticised in the way you say, even though that's funnier to believe. Or maybe I have just not been around here long enough to get my naivety regarding Pisti completely removed.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gilbert-row-casts-new-doubt-over-pereiro/

Does it really surprise you that I can't like or cheer for someone that behaves like that?

I'm surprised he has any fans to be honest.

 

[El Pistolero]

Re: Re:

A bully? That is REALLY not my impression - clinic issues aside, I have heard nothing suggesting he shouldn't be a class act.

You're replying to Pisti.

Verbally abusing a rider after a race because his team manager made some anti-doping remarks.

What do you call that?

A bully. That's classic Armstrong behavior.

 

[tobydawq]

It was 11 years ago... My god. Then I could show you the video with Valverde and Szmyd in Dauphiné four years later. But I guess that that will just be dismissed as a piece of image polishing, so I won't bother.

 

[jens_attacks]

Diego rosa will win this bike race.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

It was 11 years ago... My god. Then I could show you the video with Valverde and Szmyd in Dauphiné four years later. But I guess that that will just be dismissed as a piece of image polishing, so I won't bother.

No, Valverde humiliated Szmyd back then when he sped up and dropped him just to prove he was superior. Anyways, Szmyd didn't even want to win, he is a very shy character so he likes to live in the shadows of his leaders, but Valverde forced him to. Bully.

 

[tobydawq]

True. He was puking from fear, yet forced into the slaughterhouse.

It was so important for Valverde to bully him that he almost gambled his GC win just to assert his dominance.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

Liege is the only Ardennes race where a little more diesel climbers can have a big impact by racing agressively. LBL isn't a walk in the park like FW. Valverde is the big favorite, but he's very far from a lock.

If it's a bunch sprint he's pretty much a lock. Gerrans and Matthews probably won't be there probably at the finish, Martin won't outsprint Valverde. But it is less predictable than Amstel and Fleche. I can't really see anyone who would challenge him on this course in his current form. Valverde will be forced to work more in this race as there are always late attacks but it still may not be enough to beat him or take the edge off his sprint.

 

[Velolover2]

Dumoulin should be one of the favorites (especially for a long-range attack in TT mood) but I think he is superdom for an in-form Barguil.

Like in FW, Matthews is a workhorse for Barguil too.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Main person I want to win is Valverde followed by Kreuziger then GVA then Flower Power.

 

[jaylew]

I feel like Kwia has to be almost as big a favorite as Bala. In any case, Sky has a really strong team and needs to try something between he, Henao, and Rosa.

I'll be curious to see what Orica does. They have an interesting lineup with Albasini, Yates x 2, Kreuziger, and Gerrans. Ok, Gerrans is probably past it but if they don't try any serious attacks it'll be pathetic.

A shame about the QS injuries. Their lineup would have been lethal.

 

[The Hegelian]

It's one of the real disappointments of modern cycling that a race with the pedigree of LBL doesn't attract a better field. The start list looks surprisingly weak. I suppose increased specialisation is the problem, because to be interesting it really needs to be a battle between top GC talent, pure climbers and the classiest one day puncheurs.

Agree with Jaylew about Kwia. I reckon he's equal fave with Valverde.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Kwiatkowski was much better than Valverde last Sunday (there was no reason not to follow his jump). Why the assumption this has changed by now?

 

[Popchu]

Expecting a lot from Ion Izagirre. 7th in Amstel, 12th in Flèche, and this race should suit him better.

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

Expecting a lot from Ion Izagirre. 7th in Amstel, 12th in Flèche, and this race should suit him better.

Not explosive enough to win, but a top 5 would be nice. He can do well in any races.. even on the cobbles.

 

[rghysens]

Re:

Liege is the only Ardennes race where a little more diesel climbers can have a big impact by racing agressively. LBL isn't a walk in the park like FW. Valverde is the big favorite, but he's very far from a lock.

Normally yes, but with the changed course there's only one longer climb left (Rosier), while the new climbs are alle rather short and steep, which doesn't really favour diesel climbers

 

[Laplaz]

Apparently Jungels is not riding this... i am sure he would be a good addition for Quick-Step, especially to cover attacks from far out from Rosa, Yates, Van Avermaet etc.

 

[Oliver]

Hope to see some attacks of the Yates and Rosa (but doubt Rosa has to work )

 

[Velolover2]

The Yates bros have to attack on La Redoute (together!).. Albasini if it comes down to a sprint or a late attack. Gerrans seems cooked and I think Kreuziger will be a workhorse.

 

[DBotero]

Poels finished 4th in La Fleche than proceeded to win LBL.Henao to beat the Great Alejandro.