Guys to watch in the Ardennes Classics

[Zam_Olyas]

Amstel Gold Startlist

Final list or provisional?

 

[Pentacycle]

I don't quite get why Sagan is not racing LBL (seemingly). He could have a chance there, more than in F-W, whis is the one he was reportedly considering apart from AGR.

Sagan will most likely only ride LBL if he still has the form to win the AGR.

 

[del1962]

Final list or provisional?

Presume it must be provisional

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Presume it must be provisional

Yea, probably.

 

[TeoSheva]

AGR: Sagan
FW: J-Rod, 2nd Henao
LBL: Valverde or Nibali

 

[movingtarget]

Sagan will most likely only ride LBL if he still has the form to win the AGR.

LBL is a much harder race. I think the team is trying to look after his interests which is why he missed Roubaix. He has plenty of time yet. Fleche is a much shorter and easier race than LBL so if does well in AGR he will probably ride Fleche and watch Rodriguez ride past him on the final climb.

 

[theyoungest]

http://www.amstel.nl/evenementen/amstelgoldrace/wedstrijd/route

Try this you may have to put your age in

EDIT : Sorry had Amstel Gold on my mind

Mark Cavendish is now the favourite for Amstel. Terrible course.

 

[El Pistolero]

Mark Cavendish is now the favourite for Amstel. Terrible course.

Hardly, it's the exact same finish as the WC, isn't it?

Phil won that one very dominantly.

Maybe riders like EBH and Boonen(well, he has to do something this or next season ).

 

[theyoungest]

Gilbert isn't in that kind of form. And not only the finish is the same as the Worlds, the final lap is (almost) the same as the Worlds course, meaning that the last difficult hill (Keutenberg) is at about 30 k from the finish line.

No one is stupid enough to attack at that point. This will be a race of waiting, waiting, waiting, even more than it used to be.

 

[Parrulo]

Gilbert isn't in that kind of form. And not only the finish is the same as the Worlds, the final lap is (almost) the same as the Worlds course, meaning that the last difficult hill (Keutenberg) is at about 30 k from the finish line.

No one is stupid enough to attack at that point. This will be a race of waiting, waiting, waiting, even more than it used to be.

wow that's really terrible, i guess i will only have to tune in for the last 3k.

also people seem to be forgetting it but Nibali will ride trentino and will only ride LBL.

 

[Netserk]

Watch out for Velasco to create some carnage at L-B-L.

 

[El Pistolero]

Gilbert isn't in that kind of form. And not only the finish is the same as the Worlds, the final lap is (almost) the same as the Worlds course, meaning that the last difficult hill (Keutenberg) is at about 30 k from the finish line.

No one is stupid enough to attack at that point. This will be a race of waiting, waiting, waiting, even more than it used to be.

Meh, he nearly won AGR last year(just imagine if he started his attack a little later) and third in FW.

Judge is still out on Phil. In 2009 he also looked like crap before the Ronde van Vlaanderen where he all of a sudden podiumed(from the bunch sprint though, but still).

 

[del1962]

Mark Cavendish is now the favourite for Amstel. Terrible course.

Hardly, it's the exact same finish as the WC, isn't it?

Phil won that one very dominantly.

Maybe riders like EBH and Boonen(well, he has to do something this or next season ).

Can't see Cav or Boonen doing anything in AGR as they won't be even starting, EBH may not start either (he is down as a reserve) on a course that suits him more than the cobbles

 

[tomorrow]

I don't quite get why Sagan is not racing LBL (seemingly). He could have a chance there, more than in F-W, whis is the one he was reportedly considering apart from AGR.

Well, honestly, i think it's because cannondale will surely want sagan to perform at ToC, so they want him to be rested there a little bit. Unless he wins the AGR, or is very very close, he will not ride the F-W either. If he has some results in F-W, I am not sure it's possible though, they cannondale will certainly think of milking the cow also in LBL.
On one hand, it would be nice to see Sagan in all of the Ardennes classic just to see, what the potential(apart from the AGR) is there for him and if he has the chance to win here in the future. On the other hand, I am afraid if he rides all of them and then ToC rightaway, he could be cooked for the rest of the season.

 

[Bavarianrider]

A merchandising gimmick race founded in 1966 is considered a classic these days

 

[Dazed and Confused]

A merchandising gimmick race founded in 1966 is considered a classic these days

hell, I consider SB a classic.

 

[Panda Claws]

A merchandising gimmick race founded in 1966 is considered a classic these days

I can't always remain a merchandising gimmick.

 

[Bavarianrider]

I can't always remain a merchandising gimmick.

As long as it has that name it will always be one.

 

[Panda Claws]

As long as it has that name it will always be one.

Seeing how often other races (Lombardia, Omloop,...) changed their name, one seems to be of little value.

 

[woodenswan]

Sagan to do the double!
the Brabantse Pijl AGR double

 

[Lanark]

A merchandising gimmick race founded in 1966 is considered a classic these days

Professional cycling started as a merchandising gimmick to sell more newspapers.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Sagan to do the double!
the Brabantse Pijl AGR double

Brabantse Pijl

Sagan needs to be prepared for a green assault:

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Brabantse Pijl: Leukemans will surprise and finally win something!

 

[theyoungest]

As long as it has that name it will always be one.

Probably currently the Ronde van Vlaanderen is more of a commercial gimmick. I guess you'd want to have the classic status removed from that race?

Of course the Amstel Gold Race is a stupid name, but I guess in the current climate in Holland we should be happy there's at least one sponsor interested in cycling

 

[TomasC]

Well, honestly, i think it's because cannondale will surely want sagan to perform at ToC, so they want him to be rested there a little bit. Unless he wins the AGR, or is very very close, he will not ride the F-W either. If he has some results in F-W, I am not sure it's possible though, they cannondale will certainly think of milking the cow also in LBL.
On one hand, it would be nice to see Sagan in all of the Ardennes classic just to see, what the potential(apart from the AGR) is there for him and if he has the chance to win here in the future. On the other hand, I am afraid if he rides all of them and then ToC rightaway, he could be cooked for the rest of the season.

What a shame to give preference to ToC over classics races in Europe, although I can understand that from Cdale's point of view.
On the other hand I think Sagan can take ToC as a cool-down excercise and still grab some wins there.