97th Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2011

[The Hitch]

The leadout by vanavermaet and the attack by gilbert on the hill jsut gave me goosebumps

Yep. One of the best moments. The sun was out, the hill was coming to an end and you knew they would attack. then they did

The Schlecks made me lose my bet

Idiots

OMG is that Ruben with a Belgnai flag

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

ha!

 

[movingtarget]

Even though I think the Schlecks could not have done any more than they did today to win, I still think they would do better on different teams.

 

[Tuarts]

Wow Hitch, have you noticed all the Belgian fanboys coming out of the woodwork now? Glory hunters.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

It seems that not losing the podium was more important to them than winning. Which wouldn't be the first time.

They were not going to win so it was either a podium or nothing.

 

[luckyboy]

Even though I think the Schlecks could not have done any more than they did today to win, I still think they would do better on different teams.

Saxo Bank.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

What about all the other pre-race favourites who didn't attack at all? Are they all cowards as well?

no they are not. only the schlecks are now go cry some more

 

[roundabout]

Saxo Bank.

I remember Frank being content to sit behind Valverde and Rebellin in Liege in 2008 even though he was the slowest of the 3 and looked arguably the best in that group.

Ugh.

 

[Christian]

no they are not.

Why not? Care to elaborate?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

We all agree Fränk and Andy could have done more and not give up so easily, except Cristian.

As for the other favorites, they weren't strong enough to follow clearly.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I'd be interested to see how exactly you want to demonstrate that they did not do everything they possibly could. In order to do so, you would have to prove that they had a lot left in the tank. The evidence certainly suggests otherwise, as they were either dropped or hanging by a thread on the last climb

we don't have to demonstrate it is you as the only one left who is still defending their tactics despite the fact you had just said you wouldn't do that again. thank you for notifieing us for good that we don't have to take you serious anymore.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

 

[Echoes]

two interesting post-race interviews on rtbf:

Bernard hinault: "they [the brothers] could not attack. He was much too strong. They did try on st nicolas but the counter was even more violent." (or something like that).

Fränk schleck: "we wanted to make the race and be loyal. We've seen in flanders and roubaix that many riders wanted to make fabian [cancellara] lose and we didn't want that. We wanted to win liège but not to make another lose."


that's my conclusion. The schleck's may be proud of how they raced. And i'm not a particular fan. Had they raced like hushovd and chavanel/qs, we would have been entitled to criticize them but not the way they raced today.

I hope that those who criticize them, approved hushovd's shameless tactics on the way to roubaix.

In a way, it reminds me of gimondi in mendrisio 1971. He was also criticized for co-operating with merckx who was faster than him. His response was: "why shouldn't i? In order to make guimard win who didn't pull a single time? Nah, eddy made his jersey wet and deserved to win."

case closed.

__________________bump !!!

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Why not? Care to elaborate?

because clearly they didn't have the legs and tried in the back to bridge up to them but never came close. the 3 strongest were in front and 2 of them f'd up majorly. even if there was no other outcome I was flabbergasted when andy started pulling to ans and frank was supposed to sprint?? did you see behind gilbert andy and frnak still having to sprint for 2nd?? most pathetic sight of 2011 so far

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

We all agree Fränk and Andy could have done more and not give up so easily, except Cristian.

As for the other favorites, they weren't strong enough to follow clearly.

Surely the other favorites could have done more and not given up so easily?

 

[luckyboy]

Haha nice one D_T


Biggest losers of the Spring - Katusha, BMC, Leopard

Also, what is that flag?

 

[Eyeballs Out]

It was a strange race really

Gilbert obviously on a different level to everyone else, the Schlecks on a different level to anyone but Gilbert, and everyone in the race seemed resigned to pecking order before the finale. Everyone knew Andy would attack on the penultimate climb. When he did it was Frank who dragged Gilbert up to him (not that Gilbert would have had any trouble on that score but it looks odd). It looked like nobody else even tried to go with the three of them.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Surely the other favorites could have done more and not given up so easily?

They lost 30 seconds on 1 climb. They were never in contention.

 

[roundabout]

Katusha did well in the Ardennes

Leopard podiumed in all monuments

Have to wonder what exactly were the expectations?

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

They lost 30 seconds on 1 climb. They were never in contention.

And neither were the Schlecks on that last climb - which is my point. They needed to push to guarantee a podium finish but they were never going to beat Gilbert on that final sprint. I appreciate what people are saying about at least taking the race to Gilbert but I don't think they had anything left to give so settled for the podium.

 

[theswordsman]

I'm anti-Andy and anti-Leopard, but the team had two guys on the podium in a big race today, and have had other podium spots in other classics. Other than Gilbert as a one man show, which teams have had better placings across the classics?

 

[Benotti69]

hope that those who criticize them, approved hushovd's shameless tactics on the way to roubaix.

Hushvod rode a tactical race and his team mate won. Case closed.

Canc lost the race by stopping riding and complaining.

Gilbert dragged a group up to a break on his own and still won.

Get over it.

 

[roundabout]

Who dragged what up on his own now?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I'm anti-Andy and anti-Leopard, but the team had two guys on the podium in a big race today, and have had other podium spots in other classics. Other than Gilbert as a one man show, which teams have had better placings across the classics?

In dutch we have a word for that... results journalism... not looking at what was possible or even trying everything you can, but just look to the results..

meh

 

[Christian]

We all agree Fränk and Andy could have done more and not give up so easily, except Cristian.

There were actually quite a few others, you will probably find them when you go through the thread

we don't have to demonstrate it is you as the only one left who is still defending their tactics despite the fact you had just said you wouldn't do that again. thank you for notifieing us for good that we don't have to take you serious anymore.

I see. You don't have to demonstrate your theories anymore (even if they go against the evidence), we should just accept everything you say and never question your wisdom. Thanks for notifying.

Also: Where did I say that I wouldn't do what anymore?

Furthermore: I think people stopped taking you seriously after the 25th "(insert colombian rider's name) HAS NO WEAKNESSES!!" post

Biggest losers of the Spring - Katusha, BMC, Leopard

It is true LEOPARD TREK didn't get a win but I still consider 5 podiums out of 4 monuments a pretty good achievement

 

[Ryaguas]

Gilbert
Andy
Frank
Kreuziger <-------
Uran
Chris Anker
Van Avermaet
Nibali
Leukemans
Sanchez

Just in time for Il Giro!
Dude... Uran in 5th! and not even in form!

Looks like the only thing the Schlecks can drop are chains

AHAHAHAHAHAHA.... this is a WIN!

andy was even dropped like a baby after an abortion

Dude Jens! worst simil ever! hahaha

Cunego does not seem to be the classics rider he used to be. Would have been more interesting if Valverde and Evans were there but I have my doubts that they would beat Gilbert in this sort of form.

With this comment and your comments defending the Schlecks you prove that you know nothing about cycling...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA that smile is like a MASSIVE middle finger to the Schlecks!

Well done Phil! enjoy this year cuz next year this guy will have something to say... 8 months and counting...

I will not say anything about the Schlecks but just 1 thing..........
HA!