97th Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2011

[auscyclefan94]

i did

I think gesink is an outside chance, but it really depends on his mental state, motivation and how his training works out. He can be a great climber, and his position change on a tt bike has done wonders for him (produces a lot of power, so by all rights he should be able to do a good tt)

I hope he has a bit of a break now. Glad that the early part of the season is over for his sake.

I never include my favourites in my tips for le tour just to let you all know!

 

[The Hitch]

Is Gilbert a lock to win the World Tour this year?

It'll be between him and whoever can podium 2GTs.

I hate the World Tour rankings - they should be rolling and Cq is way way way better, but I suppose a good performance from Purito in the Giro and hes back in it.

Had they counted other races Scarponi would be up there too, but again, a good performance in the Giro (as I expect) and if he uses his head and goes for Vuelta after that, it could be him.

 

[Thomsena]

Oh, if you're going to try to defend the tactics of the Schlecks, I'll go grab some popcorn. It's going to be fun.

Ok, I'm ready. Go ahead.

Yeah, after 250+ km. and they can't even attack...

So, how are you behind the pc screen of yours?...

 

[masking_agent]

i am embarrassed for the schlecks, a great display of how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory

I agree and more embarrassment for the entire Leopard Trek team. That's just pathetic in my books. I could understand if they attempted to attack and counter attack. But there was none of that. I thought 2 teammates to one would have ended in attack after attack to at least TRY to wear him down. Similar to what happened to Hincapie in the 2001 Paris Roubaix.
Boo Leopard Trek.

 

[auscyclefan94]

LOL, Imagine this conversation

Leopard Trek financial backer Flavio Becca talks to directeur sportif Kim Andersen

Andersen is ****ed

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

@ acf you used too I assume our hassling you changed that fact

I hate the World Tour rankings - they should be rolling and Cq is way way way better, but I suppose a good performance from Purito in the Giro and hes back in it.

Had they counted other races Scarponi would be up there too, but again, a good performance in the Giro (as I expect) and if he uses his head and goes for Vuelta after that, it could be him.

Oh i disregarded jrod and his 2 2nd places. certainly a good chance to win the wt if he rides giro and vuelta (has he stated if he is doing vuelta?)

and yeah the wt is poo.

 

[hrotha]

Yeah, after 250+ km. and they can't even attack...

So, how are you behind the pc screen of yours?...

Fine, thanks for asking.
If they were so spent, how come they weren't dropped with Van Avermaet? And anyway, I repeat the standard breakaway analogy: the weaker rider attacks.
edit: not to mention, if they were so tired why were they pulling?

 

[dlwssonic]

dont blame the schlecks like people say if you dont have the legs you just dont.

 

[Roland Rat]

Let's see what Gilbert thought of the Schleck's tactics:

 

[roundabout]

Freire 15th..... In a 6 man group. Nice effort.

Yes, and somewhat related, where's that "let's worry about Gesink" thread again?

With Martens Rabo have a good replacement for Freire for hilly races.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Let's see what Gilbert thought of the Schleck's tactics:

i loved his cocky finish.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Yes, and somewhat related, where's that "let's worry about Gesink" thread again?

With Martens Rabo have a good replacement for Freire for hilly races.

Martens is pretty good. Hasn't had a great spring, due to injury I suspect.

Not as quick as friere, but better on the hills.

 

[Sciatic]

Go ahead and slay me...but, what did you really think Andy could do there? He was way in the red on the Nicholas climb, and just manages to get back on. If he attacked with what he had left, Gilbert would have laughed.

I don't know what Frank's excuse is though

 

[movingtarget]

Fine, thanks for asking.
If they were so spent, how come they weren't dropped with Van Avermaet? And anyway, I repeat the standard breakaway analogy: the weaker rider attacks.
edit: not to mention, if they were so tired why were they pulling?

Maybe because Greg VA had been in the lead group for so long, working hard ?

 

[Roland Rat]

dont blame the schlecks like people say if you dont have the legs you just dont.

It's the last two kms of a classic. You have a big enough gap to the next group. You have to try something. Even if you fail, you've not lost anything by trying. At least you gave e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g instead of meekly surrendering.

Thank god the Schlecks weren't in charge at Rourke's Drift.

 

[mulletCobra]

let's see what gilbert thought of the schleck's tactics:

love it !

 

[hrotha]

Maybe because Greg VA had been in the lead group for so long, working hard ?

Wayyyyyy to miss the point.

 

[Christian]

this is for you dear:

Sorry, forgot immature

Oh, if you're going to try to defend the tactics of the Schlecks, I'll go grab some popcorn. It's going to be fun.

Ok, I'm ready. Go ahead.

I am 100% convinced that, had they stayed behind Gilbert the whole time, they would have been accused of being "wheelsucking pu$$ies" by the esprits distingués that frequent this forum. The outcome wouldn't have been differently though. Gilbert is out of this world and he would have gladly pulled them to the finish, just like he pulled the final peloton in AGR to the finish.

The Schlecks are, as I am sure you are aware, not very versatile riders. As climbers, their only chance to win was to attack on the climb, and they did exactly that. They dropped everyone except Gilbert who was the strongest and deserved to win, so they did everything they could.

The only others who are excused are Evans and Vinokourov. The rest never stood a chance.

 

[Thomsena]

Fine, thanks for asking.
If they were so spent, how come they weren't dropped with Van Avermaet? And anyway, I repeat the standard breakaway analogy: the weaker rider attacks.
edit: not to mention, if they were so tired why were they pulling?

My point is: It's so freaking easy to sit down behind the screen laughing. There could be 100 of reasons why they did like they did. Andy did not look great in Fleche and was cooked on the second last climb today. Perhaps the brothers were already a bit tired when they started the attack - which they should have credit for in the first place - though it seems unlikely. I mean, maybe they díd make a fool of themselves with bad tactics but it just SO easy to sit home in front of the computer demanding them to do that or that..

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Fine, thanks for asking.
If they were so spent, how come they weren't dropped with Van Avermaet? And anyway, I repeat the standard breakaway analogy: the weaker rider attacks.
edit: not to mention, if they were so tired why were they pulling?

Ok, so say Andy attacks then what? Gilbert just follows him. Frank attacks? No problem, Gilbert follow him or just drops them. The Schlecks were done and tactics were not going to change the result. Saying they should have used different tactics is akin to saying they should ride faster.

 

[Tuarts]

I am sickened by some people on this forum. Just sickened. I have mentioned Schopenhauer's definition of Schadenfreude a couple of times recently, so I am not going to do it again. Either these are terrible people, or else the anonimity of the internet brings out the worst in them.

Exhibit A:



Suggestion: Start by learning how to spell "bumbf*ck".

Get over your fanboyism, your just as bad as the person you quoted. The Schleck did great in the fact they went away from the peloton. The problem is they brought Gilbert with them and then didn't attempt to attack him. If you have 2 riders in a winning break, you always send one up the rode on an attack or at least attempt too. It's cycling 101 and not doing so is a complete fail.

 

[dlwssonic]

Sorry, forgot immature



I am 100% convinced that, had they stayed behind Gilbert the whole time, they would have been accused of being "wheelsucking pu$$ies" by the esprits distingués that frequent this forum. The outcome wouldn't have been differently though. Gilbert is out of this world and he would have gladly pulled them to the finish, just like he pulled the final peloton in AGR to the finish.

The Schlecks are, as I am sure you are aware, not very versatile riders. As climbers, their only chance to win was to attack on the climb, and they did exactly that. They dropped everyone except Gilbert who was the strongest and deserved to win, so they did everything they could.

The only others who are excused are Evans and Vinokourov. The rest never stood a chance.

sorry for interrupting but evans didnt race

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Sorry, forgot immature




The Schlecks are, as I am sure you are aware, not very versatile riders. As climbers, their only chance to win was to attack on the climb, and they did exactly that. They dropped everyone except Gilbert who was the strongest and deserved to win, so they did everything they could.

Did you miss the climbs after that initial attack? Catch them on the replay.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Sorry, forgot immature



I am 100% convinced that, had they stayed behind Gilbert the whole time, they would have been accused of being "wheelsucking pu$$ies" by the esprits distingués that frequent this forum. The outcome wouldn't have been differently though. Gilbert is out of this world and he would have gladly pulled them to the finish, just like he pulled the final peloton in AGR to the finish.

The Schlecks are, as I am sure you are aware, not very versatile riders. As climbers, their only chance to win was to attack on the climb, and they did exactly that. They dropped everyone except Gilbert who was the strongest and deserved to win, so they did everything they could.

The only others who are excused are Evans and Vinokourov. The rest never stood a chance.

and yet andy attacked on the descent agr.

 

[roundabout]

Did you miss the climbs after that initial attack? Catch them on the replay.

Gilbert was the strongest on every on of them.

They should have done more (I don't know if they had it in them to do more) but I really doubt that it would have changed the result..