85th/24th La Flèche Wallonne, April 21st, 2021

[TourOfSardinia]

 

[SafeBet]

Decent effort by Pidcock.

Based on his power to weight ratio, Huy should be the hill for him but maybe he actually prefer hills that are a bit less steep. Someone mentioned that on the forum.

That's what he said in an interview a few months ago.

 

[Sciatic]

Magnificent trio on that podium

 

[johnymax]

If Alaphilippe is on top form, there's nothing to do here. If he's not on absolute top but just a little below like he probably was today, he is beatable, but you need a harder race and a harder pace on the Mur.

I've also noticed while the majority of other contenders had their teammates helping them with positioning in the last 30km, Roglič was always alone and did a couple of sprints by himself to get in good position. Maybe that was the plan, but I don't think it was a good plan.

 

[davidsonduke]

To me it looked as simple as Roglic had everyone's measure and went "Only top Alaphillipe will stop this, and he's not here", he's almost right, so I can't blame him.

Agreed. The fact that Roglic lost doesn't mean his tactics were wrong.

 

[Velolover2]

Thumbs up for Liege victory?

 

[OldCranky]

Didn't look that easy to me. He was dead after the finish.

This is his hill.

Nah, it's Anna's hill. She just lets him ride on it

 

[kingjr]

I'm actually a little impressed that Roglic was still able to accelerate when Alaphilippe was next to him. Couldn't sustain it, but most riders have to just sit down in that situation.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Pidcock better than expected, i thought he might have finished behind Tulett. Then again, Tulett had already attacked once, still finished 12th at the age of 19... Good result for Brenner as well.

 

[RedheadDane]

So, only just got home from work, but I'm going to assume that Alaphilippe did not celebrate too early.

 

[johnymax]

Pidcock better than expected, i thought he might have finished behind Tulett. Then again, Tulett had already attacked once, still finished 12th at the age of 19... Good result for Brenner as well.

Pidcock was also involved in a crash. It might have affected him. I think he can definitely win this race in the future.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

So, only just got home from work, but I'm going to assume that Alaphilippe did not celebrate too early.

He did celebrate before crossing the line of course, but his victory wasn't in any danger.

 

[SafeBet]

So, only just got home from work, but I'm going to assume that Alaphilippe did not celebrate too early.

He didn't wait for the finish line but it wasn't too early this time.

 

[ice&fire]

So, only just got home from work, but I'm going to assume that Alaphilippe did not celebrate too early.

He let Roglic go early, which is equally daring

 

[gunara]

Magnificent trio on that podium

Couldn't look any better. Not often I was happy to see Ala won, no clue why Valverde also looked so happy about it after the race though

 

[BlueRoads]

I screwed up a bit predicting the race. Not only did I underestimate Alaphilippe, I also overestimated a few guys, especially Cosnefroy.

 

[Keram]

I underestimate Ala. He seemed out of shape. Congrats. Nice final 2 kms.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I screwed up a bit predicting the race. Not only did I underestimate Alaphilippe, I also overestimated a few guys, especially Cosnefroy.

You're not the only one being let down by Cosnefroy today.

 

[Luthor]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1384879998184706048

View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1384879998184706048


Ala was insanely strong today, best form this year. Roglic was strong as well, he would've won if peak Ala wouldn't been there.

 

[Skalman]

Awesome Victory Ala, perfectly executed. Please conserve your form for Liege !

 

[tobydawq]

Couldn't look any better. Not often I was happy to see Ala won, no clue why Valverde also looked so happy about it after the race though

Because he is a nice guy, and thinks that Alaphilippe is as well, I would think.

 

[BlueRoads]

What a clean and easy finish today. No photo finish discussions, no swerving, no early celebrations, no crashes.

 

[Luthor]

@Koronin

https://twitter.com/x/status/1384875825846173698

View: https://twitter.com/laflammerouge16/status/1384875825846173698

 

[Eyeballs Out]

I'm actually a little impressed that Roglic was still able to accelerate when Alaphilippe was next to him. Couldn't sustain it, but most riders have to just sit down in that situation.

It looked like he thought he was alone and was surprised when JA suddenly appeared

 

[Red Rick]

If Alaphilippe is on top form, there's nothing to do here. If he's not on absolute top but just a little below like he probably was today, he is beatable, but you need a harder race and a harder pace on the Mur.

I've also noticed while the majority of other contenders had their teammates helping them with positioning in the last 30km, Roglič was always alone and did a couple of sprints by himself to get in good position. Maybe that was the plan, but I don't think it was a good plan.

If the plan is to have your team leader do extra work before the Mur de Huy and you're a DS then you're one of about 4 people in this world more shite at his job than Carlton Kirby