Ardennes 2015

[SafeBet]

Why would anyone start thinking about the most boring races of the year half a year in advance?

 

[Flamin]

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

Hopefully you keep your word this time, unlike with the Worlds road race.

 

[Jspear]

Why would anyone start thinking about the most boring races of the year half a year in advance?

It's better than talking about the Tour of Beijing.

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

It's better than talking about the Tour of Beijing.

Whilst I hate the Tour of Beijing and am glad it's been axed, it has been more exciting than all the Ardennes classics put together this year (not that that is saying much).

 

[Coat-O]

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

That was what I was thinking. Valverde was easily the strongest in Liege, but somehow he still managed to lose the race. He closed gaps in the valley and took two hard pulls on the final climb. It looked like he had anything under control but he still lost.

 

[OlavEH]

I hope Gilbert wins LBL next year. A great rider like Gilbert deserves more than just one win in the greatest of all the hilly classics.

Would also like to see Kwia win one, perhaps Amstel.

And for god's sake; no victories for Valverde and especially Gerrans, the price and king of wheelsucking.

 

[jens_attacks]

can't think. i just hope they are not boring as hell again.

 

[Coat-O]

If Samu leaves BMC and find a team where I can be captain in the hilly classics, he think he could well. Your punch is the last thing a rider lose.

He has been good this fall.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

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.

Well, Kwiatkowski had never performed well in a +250km long race before AGR last year

 

[Amsterdam]

Why would anyone start thinking about the most boring races of the year half a year in advance?

Because it was so boring I hope some other riders/teams change their tactics so the races become interesting again.
Now the season is almost over I like to speculate about next season.

 

[DFA123]

It would be nice to see Sagan in top form in the Ardennes - he could shake things up a bit. It might force the uphill sprinters to reconsider their tactics. Gerrans probably can't do anything else, but Valverde and Martin might try to make it a really hard race if Sagan is hanging around.

 

[Tournesol]

New guys to shine definitely Wellens/Arredondo,those two jump out from this season's performances and Kwiatek obviously.

 

[Angliru]

That was what I was thinking. Valverde was easily the strongest in Liege, but somehow he still managed to lose the race. He closed gaps in the valley and took two hard pulls on the final climb. It looked like he had anything under control but he still lost.

Could it be he lost because of all the work he put in previous to the finish? When he doesn't chase down attacks and take hard pulls, or even does it minimally and wins he gets criticized. When he does these things and loses he is criticized for being the strongest but still not winning. As he's stated he gets ragged on either way. I hope he sweeps the Ardennes.

This is your queue Netserk.

 

[Coat-O]

Could it be he lost because of all the work he put in previous to the finish? When he doesn't chase down attacks and take hard pulls, or even does it minimally and wins he gets criticized. When he does these things and loses he is criticized for being the strongest but still not winning. As he's stated he gets ragged on either way. I hope he sweeps the Ardennes.

This is your queue Netserk.

Yeah, l really don't get the Valverde-hate from some of the forum members. He is more active than people give him credit for. I even think that he is more active than the average favorite. The stage to La Zubia was one of the most well-deserved wins this year.

 

[theyoungest]

Well, Kwiatkowski had never performed well in a +250km long race before AGR last year

That is, if you ignore Flanders, just a few weeks earlier...

 

[Hugo Koblet]

That is, if you ignore Flanders, just a few weeks earlier...

Oh yeah that's right, he was quite impressive there as well.