75th La Fleche Wallonne 201km Wednesday April20nd 2011

[Armchair Cyclist]

Is that an insane method of acupuncture?

A technique tried out a couple of months ago by the Malaysian track sprinter whose name escapes me.

Last seen leaving Manchester with a percentage of the velodrome's pine laminate either side of his calf muscle.

 

[Parrulo]

i have to agree with every1 on purito. it looks like he is in good shape.

 

[beer_thirty]

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.

hehe... I most certainly will be checking out the last three minutes! I agree, it's exciting.. something to do while waiting for LBL at least.

I just really prefer the whole 'sit back for a couple of hours and watch the race unfold' experience that is the hallmark of a really satisfying race. This one just seems to lack that in spades, for sure in recent editions.

 

[El Pistolero]

I'm going for Joaquim Rodriguez

I'm a Contador fan, but Joaquim needs a big win imo. Contador already has the second Giro in his bag anyway

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

I don't want to see an end to the Belgian wins, but I don't really believe in it

 

[greatking88]

I'm hoping Dan Martin can do something for all us Irish fans.. Maybe a good showing from Deignan as well!

But I think Purito will take the win..

 

[El Pistolero]

I don't want to see an end to the Belgian wins, but I don't really believe in it

Just on sundays

 

[Digger]

Hard to look beyond AC I'm afraid - won't make the same mistake he made last year, coupled with the fact that he looks stronger than he did this time last year.

 

[El Pistolero]

Hard to look beyond AC I'm afraid - won't make the same mistake he made last year, coupled with the fact that he looks stronger than he did this time last year.

He has a cold on is on antibiotics.

 

[c&cfan]

He has a cold on is on antibiotics.

we are talking about ac. for some, it means drugs.

for the true lovers of the sport, it means history is about to be made.

 

[roundabout]

He has a cold on is on antibiotics.

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

Seriously, when was the last time the guy was properly prepared for a race.

 

[El Pistolero]

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

Seriously, when was the last time the guy was properly prepared for a race.

If you don't count small races I think Tour of 2009

 

[c&cfan]

If you don't count small races I think Tour of 2009

funny thing is:

he still wins them all (almost).

 

[El Pistolero]

That's why he's the greatest cyclist of his generation with all things taken into account. His biggest strength is that his base form is so incredibly strong and he can hold a good form for a long time. Unlike Andy who can only seem to peak at the Ardennes and the Tour(If Andy was born in Belgian Luxembourg I'd be his fan, but now I can diss him all I want ).

My prediction:

Joaquim Rodriguez
Andy Schleck
Alberto Contador
Igor Anton
Samuel Sanchez

If it wasn't for the cold and his antibiotics I would put Contador as numero uno.

 

[c&cfan]

That's why he's the greatest cyclist of his generation with all things taken into account. His biggest strength is that his base form is so incredibly strong and he can hold a good form for a long time. Unlike Andy who can only seem to peak at the Ardennes and the Tour(If Andy was born in Belgian Luxembourg I'd be his fan, but now I can diss him all I want ).

My prediction:

Joaquim Rodriguez
Andy Schleck
Alberto Contador
Igor Anton
Samuel Sanchez

If it wasn't for the cold and his antibiotics I would put Contador as numero uno.

for me this is the perfect race for rodriguez. he is so explosive in those climbs!

but in the tour, we saw that a weakened conti still has the kick to go with him and kill andy in a explosive climb.

thats why that for me its conti vs purito

 

[El Pistolero]

for me this is the perfect race for rodriguez. he is so explosive in those climbs!

but in the tour, we saw that a weakened conti still has the kick to go with him and kill andy in a explosive climb.

thats why that for me its conti vs purito

Andy got second here in 2009 I think. So, in top shape he should be able to beat a sick Contador. He seems to have finally achieved his top shape again when looking at AGR.

 

[ferryman]

we are talking about ac. for some, it means drugs.

for the true lovers of the sport, it means history is about to be made.

In peace, why is history about to be made?

 

[c&cfan]

In peace, why is history about to be made?

we know contador's talent. we know that his potencial is the biggest ever for stage races. but he is more than that.

he will make history has the most talented cyclist ever (with the palmares and exibitions to back this opinion of mine).

pistolero, you are right.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I'm hoping Dan Martin can do something for all us Irish fans.. Maybe a good showing from Deignan as well!

But I think Purito will take the win..

Here's Martin on his chances:

http://www.irishprocycling.com/news/martin/martin-poised-fleche-wallonne-result

It can be summarised as: He's put on a few pounds of muscle to help with the explosive climbs. The nose operations have helped, so if it's a relatively low pollen day he should be near his best. But if the pollen count is high he's still screwed.

 

[La Pandera]

hehe... I most certainly will be checking out the last three minutes! I agree, it's exciting.. something to do while waiting for LBL at least.

I just really prefer the whole 'sit back for a couple of hours and watch the race unfold' experience that is the hallmark of a really satisfying race. This one just seems to lack that in spades, for sure in recent editions.

It kind of reminds me of a typical TdF mountain stage where the contenders watch each other till the final climb and then the action begins.

 

[La Pandera]

A technique tried out a couple of months ago by the Malaysian track sprinter whose name escapes me.

Last seen leaving Manchester with a percentage of the velodrome's pine laminate either side of his calf muscle.

I remember seeing that photo. Made me wince!

 

[jobiwan]

I guess it's time for picks.

1. Purito
2. Anton
3. A. Schleck
4. Contador
EDIT: Horner isn't racing so..
5. Hermans

 

[greatking88]

Here's Martin on his chances:

http://www.irishprocycling.com/news/martin/martin-poised-fleche-wallonne-result

It can be summarised as: He's put on a few pounds of muscle to help with the explosive climbs. The nose operations have helped, so if it's a relatively low pollen day he should be near his best. But if the pollen count is high he's still screwed.

Yeah I read that piece earlier, thanks

I think he can do a top 10!!!

 

[greatking88]

My guess..

1.Purito
2.Contador
3. Andy Schleck
4. Igor Anton
5.Dan Martin

Followed by, Cunego, Gilbert, Samu, Gerrans, Tondo and Frank Schleck..

 

[auscyclefan94]

Purito ftw.