75th La Fleche Wallonne 201km Wednesday April20nd 2011

[search]

Out of all the Frenchman on the scene at the moment, Geniez is their best chance for a GT.

that may be possible, but do you really think he can achieve a good result tomorrow? He never did a race like this - not even not a classic but neither a race with a steep, short finish (possibly Mount Faron comes closest and that's still far away). It's not just the climbing ability that counts, it's experience in positioning etc. I doubt he'll do Top 20.

 

[auscyclefan94]

When was/Has there been a solo move before the Mur that has stayed away?

 

[Lanark]

In 2003 Astarloa won in a small group, most years before that there was either a small group or a solo that won, it wasn't untill 2004 that we got the yearly bunch sprint.

 

[search]

When was/Has there been a solo move before the Mur that has stayed away?

no solo move, but 2003 Astarloa and Osa were 1-2 from a breakaway

 

[mortand]

When was/Has there been a solo move before the Mur that has stayed away?

Not quite a solo move either, but in 1999 Michele Bartoli, Maarten den Bakker and Oscar Camenzind attacked on the second climb of the Mur, which was about 90 km from the finish. It was horrible weather, cold and snowy, and as far as I remember Camenzind was dropped because he couldn't zip his jacket!

Anyway, Bartoli and den Bakker co-operated perfectly until the last few hundred meters, where Bartoli - obviously - sprinted away on the steepest incline. Mario Aerts was 3rd - at 3 minutes. The rest of the peloton was all over the place. That was one crazy race!

 

[El Pistolero]

Another thing Tintin ruined.

 

[theyoungest]

Not quite a solo move either, but in 1999 Michele Bartoli, Maarten den Bakker and Oscar Camenzind attacked on the second climb of the Mur, which was about 90 km from the finish. It was horrible weather, cold and snowy, and as far as I remember Camenzind was dropped because he couldn't zip his jacket!

Anyway, Bartoli and den Bakker co-operated perfectly until the last few hundred meters, where Bartoli - obviously - sprinted away on the steepest incline. Mario Aerts was 3rd - at 3 minutes. The rest of the peloton was all over the place. That was one crazy race!

When Armstrong won, I think it was also solo (-ish).

 

[El Pistolero]

Not solo, but soloish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-O2_KwWMUg

 

[dlwssonic]

If you watch la fleche wallone 2009 you must agree that andy has a good chance of getting a podium or even winning it

 

[El Pistolero]

If you watch la fleche wallone 2009 you must agree that andy has a good chance of getting a podium or even winning it

He was second...

 

[LabMonkey]

Any thoughts on outsiders/neo pros for a top 20 finish?

How about Lopez Garcia, Mollema, Uran, Zubeldia, Poels?

Ben Hermans to 'suprise' again with a strong ride?

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Any thoughts on outsiders/neo pros for a top 20 finish?

How about Lopez Garcia, Mollema, Uran, Zubeldia, Poels?

Ben Hermans to 'suprise' again with a strong ride?

How about Vanendert?
Was 13th as neo pro, and seems to be in good shape again.

 

[wirral]

How about Vanendert?
Was 13th as neo pro, and seems to be in good shape again.

Working for Gilbert or maybe not?

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

It will all depend on how the race evolves of course...

 

[mulletCobra]

Working for Gilbert or maybe not?

He was working for Gilbert Sunday and still had a decent placing. 13th isn't bad for a workhorse.

 

[LabMonkey]

Vanendert - yep, strong at AGR, and, this is the race of the Ardennes at which Gilbert probably has the least chance of winning - so he (Vanendert) may be given a ticket to ride.

 

[boomcie]

It will all depend on how the race evolves of course...

Vanendert - yep, strong at AGR, and, this is the race of the Ardennes at which Gilbert probably has the least chance of winning - so he (Vanendert) may be given a ticket to ride.

Gilbert will have a go. He can use the World Tour points.

 

[El Pistolero]

And Gilbert got sixth last year, top 5 is certainly possible.

 

[Sasquatch]

JVB was the best climber on Lotto on Sunday. If Gilbert isn't going to have a crack and decides to save his legs for Sunday, then Van Den Broeck is their leader.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

If Gilbert isn't going to have a crack and decides to save his legs for Sunday

And I believe there is a big chance he will. Gilbert even insisted on sitting down for a 5 minutes interview, couple of hours after AGR this year, just to spear his legs.

He really really wants to win LBL...

 

[boomcie]

And I believe there is a big chance he will. Gilbert even insisted on sitting down for a 5 minutes interview, couple of hours after AGR this year, just to spear his legs.

He really really wants to win LBL...

Is that an insane method of acupuncture?

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

wow, might be the wrong translation

 

[jaylew]

Would it be ignorant of me to remain hopeful of it not being a bunch sprint?

This is the only race of the year where I actually want a sprint finish.

Outside of Scheldprijs, this is for me the least anticipated race of the season. Seems like the same thing every year... not that the final drag isn't fun, but it just lacks the drama of the way the finale builds in other really great races.

I know most of the race isn't that exciting, but I honestly look forward to this race more than most, certainly more than AGR. In fact, it's my favorite 3 minutes of racing of the year.

Horner isn't riding.

First AGR, now Flèche. Anyone know why Horner is out? He was originally set for all three. Has he been sick or is he planning an all-out assault on Liège?

Quotes like this make it hard for me to pick AC over Purito:

“I am going to try to recovery as fast as possible from my cold, even though I doubt there will be time before Flèche,” he said. “I will still go, at least I will be able to help my teammates.”

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011...-downplays-chances-for-fleche-wallonne_169249

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

This is the only race of the year where I actually want a sprint finish.

I don't, I want a tough race and an elite group sprint.

 

[will10]

And I believe there is a big chance he will. Gilbert even insisted on sitting down for a 5 minutes interview, couple of hours after AGR this year, just to spear his legs.

That's not unusual for any pro cyclist!