51st Amstel Gold Race, 249km - 17/04/16

[Orbit501]

Seriously Kwiat? I thought he would be in way better shape than last year but he can't even follow such a huge group. And if he feels so bad why did Sky work so hard?

It's Sky, not working hard at the front all day just doesn't compute.


In all seriousness, Henao is in exceptional form, although I expected him to take it a bit easier and take Fleche Wallone.

 

[GuyIncognito]

Seriously Kwiat? I thought he would be in way better shape than last year but he can't even follow such a huge group. And if he feels so bad why did Sky work so hard?

Remember the last time we had a hilly 250+km one day race on a rainy day?
Sky-GB put everyone on the front for ages and with 100km to day every single rider had DNFed

Hasn't exactly been that rainy today. Or as hard. Or as exciting.

The second the race was over, half the forum was pronouncing it dull as dirt.
Granted, that happens every race, but still...

 

[Brullnux]

Man, if it was the Keutenberg instead of Bemelberg I would be really excited. But it's 1km of false flat instead

 

[TourOfSardinia]

compatto

 

[Brullnux]

Seriously Kwiat? I thought he would be in way better shape than last year but he can't even follow such a huge group. And if he feels so bad why did Sky work so hard?

Remember the last time we had a hilly 250+km one day race on a rainy day?
Sky-GB put everyone on the front for ages and with 100km to day every single rider had DNFed

Hasn't exactly been that rainy today. Or as hard. Or as exciting.

The second the race was over, half the forum was pronouncing it dull as dirt.
Granted, that happens every race, but still...

I found the Spanish team imploding quite exciting really. anyway, still most exciting this decade

 

[infeXio]

Hayman still there DDD

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Orica killing the race

 

[luckyboy]

What's the situation? Peloton together and just Gilbert, Tom + Kwia (of the favourites) dropped?

 

[Gigs_98]

Just to remind you, ten years ago a rider like Schleck was able to win this race. A "can't do anything but climbing" rider like Schleck. And today the commentators for Eurosport Germany are discussing why riders like Degenkolb and Kristoff aren't riding this race.

 

[More Strides than Rides]

Boasson Hagen's back in the group.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

LuLu still in there for Astana
Aru & Rosa out of it now

 

[ILovecycling]

I see I turn it on so early lol

 

[Orbit501]

EBH back in the group. Was that Gilbert then just getting back on with his number hanging off his jersey?

 

[Brullnux]

Lampre actually look like... A team

 

[SeriousSam]

Wish I had an amstel to pour down as they go up the Cauberg for the last time

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Re:

LuLu still in there for Astana
Aru & Rosa out of it now

Go, Lulu!

 

[GuyIncognito]

Just to remind you, ten years ago a rider like Schleck was able to win this race. A "can't do anything but climbing" rider like Schleck. And today the commentators for Eurosport Germany are discussing why riders like Degenkolb and Kristoff aren't riding this race.

I saw that race. The strongest guy by a long long way was a pavé specialist a week removed from a top 10 in Roubaix.

Schleck won because Wesemann was so strong everyone else was scared of pulling, and he gambled on not pulling. By the time Wesemann started working (and dropped everyone by himself) Schleck was too far up the road to be caught.

 

[infeXio]

Go go Ulissi!

 

[Brullnux]

Who do Lotto have that can win an uphill sprint then stay away?

 

[GuyIncognito]

Just to remind you, ten years ago a rider like Schleck was able to win this race. A "can't do anything but climbing" rider like Schleck. And today the commentators for Eurosport Germany are discussing why riders like Degenkolb and Kristoff aren't riding this race.

I saw that race. The strongest guy by a long long way was a pavé specialist a week removed from a top 10 in Roubaix.

Schleck won because Wesemann was so strong everyone else was scared of pulling, and he gambled on not pulling. By the time Wesemann started working (and dropped everyone by himself) Schleck was too far up the road to be caught.

And let me add, until the early-mid 2000s this race had a flat finish and often ended in a bunch sprint
Raas is the record winner in this race, and he's quite similar to Degenkolb

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Just to remind you, ten years ago a rider like Schleck was able to win this race. A "can't do anything but climbing" rider like Schleck. And today the commentators for Eurosport Germany are discussing why riders like Degenkolb and Kristoff aren't riding this race.

I saw that race. The strongest guy by a long long way was a pavé specialist a week removed from a top 10 in Roubaix.

Schleck won because Wesemann was so strong everyone else was scared of pulling, and he gambled on not pulling. By the time Wesemann started working (and dropped everyone by himself) Schleck was too far up the road to be caught.

Wesemann flaunted his strength way too much.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Orica completely killing any excitement

 

[ILovecycling]

Looks like this race is too long and hard for Vakoc!


Ohhh Roman this is suicide

 

[Gigs_98]

C'mon Wellens.

 

[GuyIncognito]

Just to remind you, ten years ago a rider like Schleck was able to win this race. A "can't do anything but climbing" rider like Schleck. And today the commentators for Eurosport Germany are discussing why riders like Degenkolb and Kristoff aren't riding this race.

I saw that race. The strongest guy by a long long way was a pavé specialist a week removed from a top 10 in Roubaix.

Schleck won because Wesemann was so strong everyone else was scared of pulling, and he gambled on not pulling. By the time Wesemann started working (and dropped everyone by himself) Schleck was too far up the road to be caught.

Wesemann flaunted his strength way too much.

Absolutely. It was a Merckxian display, he was ludicrously strong. I've rarely seen someone so much stronger than everyone else be that stupid. Cancellara in Mendrisio is the only one that comes to mind.

If he had even one neuron he would've won that race with one leg.