Ardennes Classics Discussion thread

[boomcie]

Amstel: F. Schleck.
Fleche: Rodriguez.
Liege: Evans.

God, how much cooler are these races than this cobbled crap we've been watching the last few weeks.

Baiting much?

Edit: This was my 500th post, what a waste

 

[theyoungest]

That, I find hard to believe. I've seen him struggle to keep up on the steep climbs this year. He also needs to be at the front when the climb starts, something he rarely achieves. Top 10: very likely, winning: no.

He has the physical ability but he seems to be slightly off mentally (perhaps understandably) causing him to constantly lose his position in front of the peloton. I don't see him doing much in the classics either.

 

[craig1985]

Amstel: F. Schleck.
Fleche: Rodriguez.
Liege: Evans.

God, how much cooler are these races than this cobbled crap we've been watching the last few weeks.

You're dead to me

Anyway, I think Gilbert will take Liège and be the first Belgian winner since Frank Vandenbroucke in 1999.

It would be great if Bertie could win Flèche Wallonne, and then do the Giro-Tour double, something Eddy Merckx did in 1970 (thanks, wiki).

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

LBL is my favourite. Just always have enjoyed this race more than any other classic.

If cadel won it...i would be so happy!

Me = shocked

That, I find hard to believe. I've seen him struggle to keep up on the steep climbs this year. He also needs to be at the front when the climb starts, something he rarely achieves. Top 10: very likely, winning: no.

in his first 2 years he was great there. I wouldn't totally discount him.
But yeah, from what I have seen this week, I am doubting the form that he will do much in the next few weeks.

Gilbert for all 3

 

[Christian]

There is a decent chance that we'll get the first Bertie-Andy showdown on the Mur de Huy. They both know the climb, Bertie is always in form and Andy looks pretty good ... it would be pretty cool if that happened

 

[taiwan]

AGR - Gilbert
Fleche - Rodriguez
LBL - Gilbert

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

That, I find hard to believe. I've seen him struggle to keep up on the steep climbs this year. He also needs to be at the front when the climb starts, something he rarely achieves. Top 10: very likely, winning: no.

Uhm, have you seen the editions when he was very young?

Besides he peaks for these races... it's very much possible.

 

[boomcie]

Uhm, have you seen the editions when he was very young?

Besides he peaks for these races... it's very much possible.

I have seen them. Still I don't see him winning Fleche. Top 3 would already surprise me big time. He is really good, but on this type of finish some are simply better.

 

[beer_thirty]

LBL: Gilbert (sprint with Evans and Andy Schleck)

Now THAT would be awesome; have to imagine that finale would a good one..Cadel and Andy are two guys who aren't going to just sit around and let Phil dust 'em in the sprint. Vino looks scary again though; no way I can see him missing the final. Not picking the winner just yet; sounds like Contador not riding this year? Too bad. I really enjoy watching Kolobnev but it always seems like he's in over his head just a hair against the best guys; don't see him winning unfortunately.

 

[The Hitch]

Tbh I always had the feeling that Contador isn't very astute tactically. He seems to race and attack on instinct (which I prefer) and has his strength carry him through.

Correct. Look at the how the race was won from Mende.

http://cyclocosm.com/2010/07/if-all-you-have-is-a-hammer/

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I have seen them. Still I don't see him winning Fleche. Top 3 would already surprise me big time. He is really good, but on this type of finish some are simply better.

I doubt it, in top form. No coincedance he won Emilia 2 times in a row (even harder finish than Fleche W.)

question is, will he be in top form.

Also, as to the comment "he never starts a climb in front", well that's simply not true. When Gesink is in top form and really wants something, he always starts a climb within the first 3 and stays there until he attacks...
In fact, Gesink almost always races in front, the very few times he doesn't you can tell he doesn't have a good day....

 

[roundabout]

Emilia is a much harder race than the Fleche with a longer finishing climb and has a weaker field. It's an easier race for Gesink to win.

 

[theyoungest]

Emilia is a much harder race than the Fleche with a longer finishing climb and has a weaker field. It's an easier race for Gesink to win.

Scarponi, Nibali, Kolobnev, Tondo... some strong riders there last year. But the race is certainly harder, which is in Gesink's advantage.

Anyway, on to the real contenders for the Ardennes classics.

 

[boomcie]

Emilia is a much harder race than the Fleche with a longer finishing climb and has a weaker field. It's an easier race for Gesink to win.

+uno......

 

[Moncoutie]

AGR - Gilbert
FW - Rodriguez
LBL - Vino

 

[Squire]

AGR: Freire or Gilbert
FW: Contador
LBL: One of the Schlecks, preferably Fränk

 

[TeoSheva]

AGR: Freire or Gilbert
FW: Contador
LBL: One of the Schlecks, preferably Fränk

 

[Squire]

I know the course has changed since Zabel won it, so it's mostly out of sentimentality. But if Freire is there at the bottom of the Cauberg, why not?

 

[Cobblestoned]

lets hear Frank's thoughts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsU5uhLlJ5w&feature=player_detailpage

 

[Ferminal]

I know the course has changed since Zabel won it, so it's mostly out of sentimentality. But if Freire is there at the bottom of the Cauberg, why not?

Because he's not in the top20 in the world over 1km @ 6% (or whatever the Cauberg is).

 

[Lanark]

True. Speed itself is not that important on the Cauberg. Guys like Bettini and Valverde were fast, but never great on the Cauberg sprint (of course you have guys like Di Luca and Gilbert who are fast and can doe really well on the Cauberg).

 

[Ferminal]

I forgot to mention Di Luca... if anyone can beat Gilbert this year I think it's the Killer.

 

[TeoSheva]

Because he's not in the top20 in the world over 1km @ 6% (or whatever the Cauberg is).

this is the answer

 

[Jamsque]

I forgot to mention Di Luca... if anyone can beat Gilbert this year I think it's the Killer.

He looked in poor form at Pais Vasco and then dropped out after a few stages. I don't think he has it.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I know the course has changed since Zabel won it, so it's mostly out of sentimentality. But if Freire is there at the bottom of the Cauberg, why not?

Freire HAS been there at the bottom of the cauberg, TWICE even... and TWICE...he failed miserably.

He simply can't win on that climb.