Ardennes 2015

[Amsterdam]

This year the same riders ended in the top3/5 of the hilly classics. Gilbert, Gerrans, Valverde and Kwiatkowski dominated AGR, LBL AND Worlds. If the other riders use the same tactics and wait for the last km's then we will see the same outcome in 2015.

To be honest I'm done with Gilbert, Valverde and Gerrans everytime on the podium. I would like to see a different scenario next year.

What do you think? Which riders can break the hegemony of these riders? I can only think of Dan Martin. Other riders should use different tactics and I hope they will see that next year.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

In before Nibali shout. Madrazo in top 3 in the ardennes would be super cool.

 

[grizzlee]

This year the same riders ended in the top3/5 of the hilly classics. Gilbert, Gerrans, Valverde and Kwiatkowski dominated AGR, LBL AND Worlds. If the other riders use the same tactics and wait for the last km's then we will see the same outcome in 2015.

To be honest I'm done with Gilbert, Valverde and Gerrans everytime on the podium. I would like to see a different scenario next year.

What do you think? Which riders can break the hegemony of these riders? I can only think of Dan Martin. Other riders should use different tactics and I hope they will see that next year.

Actually you would have to put Dan Martin in the first list.
2nd in Fleche
would prob have won LBL but for crash
1st Lombardy
crashed at worlds

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I think there are a lot of riders with chances in the Ardennes. I'm looking forward to seeing Wellens the most.

 

[BeagRigh]

Adding to those already mentioned:

Betancur, Sagan and EBH if their teams can get them back to the form.

Don't forget Kreuziger won Amstel in 2013 with a long(ish) range attack - okay, he might not be racing next year but it should what is possible. My hope is this year serves as a bit of a lesson for some teams and rides and when Nibali makes one of inevitable long range attacks someone goes with him!

 

[BVB6BVB]

Vanendert - Gesink - Mollema

 

[Wallenquist]

Arredondo, Barguil, Gallopin

 

[Pentacycle]

Bardet, Chaves, Rebellin

 

[Cance > TheRest]

This year the same riders ended in the top3/5 of the hilly classics. Gilbert, Gerrans, Valverde and Kwiatkowski dominated AGR, LBL AND Worlds. If the other riders use the same tactics and wait for the last km's then we will see the same outcome in 2015.

To be honest I'm done with Gilbert, Valverde and Gerrans everytime on the podium. I would like to see a different scenario next year.

What do you think? Which riders can break the hegemony of these riders? I can only think of Dan Martin. Other riders should use different tactics and I hope they will see that next year.

Can't see Martin winning from a long range attack. Atleast he hasn't shown that yet. It requires a team effort to keep the races from being decided in the last 100 meters, IMO.
I think Katusha is the only realistic factor able to break the dominance of Valverde/Gerrans. With Caruso, JRod and Moreno, they have several weapons in the finales of the classics.
PhilGil/Van Avermaet is another combo, that could succeed.

 

[fauniera]

Pozzovivo

...

 

[Ruudz0r]

Pozzovivo

...

He can do well in LBL but not in the others, he has no explosiveness so he also only has a chance with a long distance attack in LBL.

Im hopingn for SL Henao but it is very uncertain as we do not know yet if he will fully recover from his current injuries.

An other not named rider yet who could do well is Slagter and a healthy Nordhaug (but he is almost never healthy)

 

[pink_jersey]

If Henao will be back to his pre-injury level I think he can win Fleche and LBL.Also, Betancur can win one of them if he doesn't put 20+ kilos in extra-season.

 

[markene2]

Rebellin to win the Amstel. Only race he will get invited to. Nordhaug to win LBL

 

[Dazed and Confused]

The way climbers are racing these days, Gerro should be able to bag two of these.

Martin or Valverde will snatch one as well.

 

[Coat-O]

G. Caruso, older Henao, Vanendert, Arredondo. I'd still like to see Valverde win Amstel, he is for me the ultimative hill rider.

 

[staubsauger]

What about Sonny Cobrelli? If he's still able to improve with Sky I wouldn't underate him!

Poels also has a good finish.

Ulissi if he's free to ride based on his Giro showings.

Wellens may be a great prospect as well!

Nobody mentions Betancur? With a decent BMI he's on eye level with the likes of Gilbert!

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Bob Jungels is also a rider that might go well. He is strong in the hills but gets dropped on long mountains.

 

[Arredondo]

Purito will win a classic if he doesn't focus on the Giro.

Besides him, the other regular names, and Arredondo who will make the step.

 

[pink_jersey]

For me is like this:
Amstel - sprint with Gilbert,Gerrans,Valverde as winner.Maybe also Kwiatkowski.A scenary like in 2013 will not happen in the next decade.I'm pretty sure.
Fleche - Purito,Valverde,Martin,Henao,Betancur,Ulissi....Too step for Gerrans and Gilbert.
Liege - I hope for a race with many attacks with the likes of Wellens,Kreuziger,Rui Costa and Nibali in action.In this way the logical bet should be Valverde but I think he will screw again and someone like Martin can win with an attack in the last km(like Lombardia this year.Liege could be the same this year as well).

 

[pink_jersey]

Purito will win a classic if he doesn't focus on the Giro.

Besides him, the other regular names, and Arredondo who will make the step.

In Ardennes,besides Fleche I don't think he can win one.Cauberg is to easy for him and in Liege he can't drop Valverde or Kwiatkowski who will beat him in sprint easily.His best chance in Liege was in 2013 but that Martin was incredibile.

 

[May0maniac]

What about Sonny Cobrelli? If he's still able to improve with Sky I wouldn't underate him!

Poels also has a good finish.

Ulissi if he's free to ride based on his Giro showings.

Wellens may be a great prospect as well!

Nobody mentions Betancur? With a decent BMI he's on eye level with the likes of Gilbert!

Ulissi has never performed well in a +250km long race maybe he could do well in La Flèche. Betancur in 2013 shape would be a legit contender.

 

[Amsterdam]

Gallopin could play a role but he is focussing more on the cobbled classics. Slagter could also be dangerous if he improves again next season.

 

[Jspear]

I'd like to see Kwiatkowski win one in his new jersey. Also would like to see Nibali win a monument....I guess he would have attack from a little farther out to succeed. Hopefully he sets his eyes on at least one monument next year....

 

[LosBrolin]

Tim Wellens maybe? Plenty of strong riding this season and if he continues to develop i think he have a chance to score big time!

 

[Red Rick]

I'm only gonna watch the last 3km of each race and that's even wasting my time. Valverde will find a wasy to get third in al three. They should do this race with 5 man teams, cause they ****ing suck *** *** they are now