97th Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2011

[Scansorial]

2 against 1 and they didn't even try. I can see why these guys drove Riis insane.

 

[hfer07]

They say you dont know how important something is untill its gone.

Alejandro Valverde.

Coming. January 1st 2012

..And we'll know for certain if Gilbert is that good

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Okay, are the Schlecks *** or just embarrassingly conservative?

I knew they were dumb and naïve tactically but I never suspected they were THIS dumb and naïve tactically.

 

[thirteen]

lol! gilbert's baby is getting comfy in front of the cameras and is now thinking that mics are big fuzzy teething rings

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

i don't say this lighty.

FUCCCKKK YEAH

 

[auscyclefan94]

imagine how good baby phil gil will be!

 

[Category 6]

Amazing result again for Gilbert!

I heard the Schlecks were nice boys - so great to let him win!

 

[jaylew]

That was surreal. Like a football team 1-0 down with 5 minutes to go trying to waste time...

Are those two brain dead? Or were they running on empty?

Exactly, except I was thinking it was like a basketball game where you're down 2 with seconds ticking off, the other team has the ball and you don't foul. Foul!!...I mean Attack!!!

At the very least don't leadout for chrissakes!!

 

[pedaling squares]

Gilbert to play the role of Valverde??

(Time for a hog self-quote)
I guess so. That must have been awfully hard for Valverde to watch.

 

[iZnoGouD]

Gilbert pedaling style is so weird

 

[beer_thirty]

Andy had nothing but at least Frank could have attacked on the final hill.

Sorry, but I don't get people here. If he COULD have attacked, he would have. Andy was dropped on St Nicolas, obviously he was cooked. Frank was hanging on for dear life as well; everyone saying they 'should' have attacked?? It's the end of 256k, you're the only ones who took the race to the favorite, and you're just out of legs. They kicked the asses of every other one of the 'challengers'; simple as that.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

YES! Focking awesome! and where das Tony Martin bavarianrider? not in THE top 10 no

 

[goggalor]

Helmets off for Gilbert. Just unbelievable what he's done. Such a classy rider and person.

 

[Ferminal]

should have attacked full stop.

Say what you will about Don Alejandro, he wouldn't have sat still for 20km to let Gilbert win.

He would at least have contested the sprint if he did insist on sitting still for 20km.

If last year was any indication, he would have sat on for 20km... but probably win the sprint.

Not sure why this race was relatively tame. Bring back Cuddles.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Yea, riding for second and third was pretty weak. Leopard are certainly the biggest disappointment this year. I guess getting 2nd a lot in the spring is success to them???

Weak

im not sure they did ride for 2nd and 3rd, I just think they are tactically inept. seriously 2 vs 1, to get owned so easily.

 

[The Hitch]

So... does Gilbert do anything for the next 4 months, or do we wait until the end of season classics for him to win again?

Could win a couple of the early TdF stages...

I think he will win a few TDF stages no doubt.

Then 2 canadian races. then Lombardy for a 3rd time in a row as well as those 2 Lombardy warmup races.

Cant see him doing worlds though. And I dont think he can win MSR or RVV.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Der Panzerwagen ist total kaputt!

 

[mr. tibbs]

..And we'll know for certain if Gilbert is that good

Woulda loved a Gil v Val this year.

As for the Schlecks, they did what they could. I think Gilbert's attack showed that they were cooked, all they could do was hold on. They could have thrown themselves off the front again and again, but they knew nothing could come of it.

Anywho, I'm heading out into the Austin wind. Later and ride safely!

Gilbert, rider of the year:

2011
1st Liège–Bastogne–Liège
1st Amstel Gold Race
1st La Flèche Wallonne
1st Montepaschi Strade Bianche
1st Stage 5 Tirreno-Adriatico
1st Brabantse Pijl
1st Stage 1 Volta ao Algarve
3rd Milan – San Remo
9th Ronde van Vlaanderen

 

[hrotha]

They didn't want to charge in against a superior foe

But seriously, St. Nicolas showed who the strongest in the group was.

Haha, but that's exactly what they did! Armed with sticks and everything, they charged against a guy in full plate armour, somehow hoping it'd be alright. Yes, Gilbert was stronger than them, but come on. In a breakaway, when a guy is dropped and comes back later because the front group has stopped, he attacks, not because he's stronger but precisely because he's weaker. The Schlecks are morons.

 

[Tuarts]

Why is it a Schleck fail?? They were the only ones who made it a race for Gilbert; if you don't have the legs you don't have the legs. 2-3 in La Doyenne; it's Purito/Vino/etc who failed. Andy and Frank did all they could. For sure Van Avermaet ride of the day though.

Did you read past the word "fail"?

 

[roundabout]

YES! Focking awesome! and where das Tony Martin bavarianrider? not in THE top 10 no

There was a THR rider in the top-20. Maybe Tony?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

(Time for a hog self-quote)
I guess so. That must have been awfully hard for Valverde to watch.

I thought he would probably have been wetting himself laughing.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

But why not try?

Perhaps they just had nothing left. Andy had already been droped and had to work pretty hard to get back. It's one thing to know what the tactics should be but if you don't have the legs it makes no difference.

 

[mherm79]

I would like to congratulate on Andy & Frank for their horrific tactics today. Trusting in Frank Schleck's sprint can never end well.

especially when Andy didn't even lead him out...Congratulations to Gilbert. Last year he seemed the strongest in most races he entered but just seemed to attack too early. now it seems he has the patience of a sniper

 

[Moondance]

imagine how good baby phil gil will be!

Judging by his attempts to devour the mike, I think 'The Baby Cannibal' will be his nickname.