Guys to watch in the Ardennes Classics

[wiggos sideburn]

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

Well I reckon more races will have sponsors before the name as cycling becomes more commercialised. So even if Classics have a major name sponsor they will still remain Classics

 

[The Hitch]

Quinn the Eskimo? When has Tom Danielson looked like winning an Ardennes Classic?

Type in Eskimo into Google

Any cyclists it reminds you of?

 

[theyoungest]

Type in Eskimo into Google

Any cyclists it reminds you of?

Why not call him Quindian? Probably closer to the truth.

 

[l.Harm]

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.

What?

Keutenberg 31,1 km to the finish
Cauberg 21,2 km
Geulhemmerberg 16,5 km http://klimmeninlimburg.info/CMS/images/stories/food/geulhemmerberg_graph.jpg

En then Bemelerberg @7,8 and Cauberg again with 1,8 km to go.

 

[theyoungest]

What?

Keutenberg 31,1 km to the finish
Cauberg 21,2 km
Geulhemmerberg 16,5 km http://klimmeninlimburg.info/CMS/images/stories/food/geulhemmerberg_graph.jpg

En then Bemelerberg @7,8 and Cauberg again with 1,8 km to go.

Have you watched the Worlds? Those climbs are nothing to the modern day peloton. Except for the Cauberg obv.

An extra loop with Eijserbosweg-Keutenberg would have been great, this is just crap.

 

[l.Harm]

Bemelerberg is. But still the last difficult hill is then the Cauberg at 20 km, not 30 And I think Geulhemmerberg is more difficult than Bemelerberg, should give an opportunity to attack.

 

[jens_attacks]

this time i can't see sagan losing it.

 

[Escarabajo]

Amstel Gold Startlist

So Quintana is not riding the Amstel Gold?

Maybe he is tired or maybe these were the preliminary lists before all teams checked the final availability of riders.

 

[theyoungest]

Bemelerberg is. But still the last difficult hill is then the Cauberg at 20 km, not 30 And I think Geulhemmerberg is more difficult than Bemelerberg, should give an opportunity to attack.

16 kms from the finish line. It's proven difficult to stay away from the (much harder) Keutenberg, at 10 k from the line.

This will be another harmonica race. The only interesting thing is, will someone be able to stay away on the Cauberg or will we have a bunch sprint.

 

[Miburo]

Contador!!!

Wiggins outsprinting purito on the muur and destroy everyone on the saint-nicolas.

I hope it'll happen, can't blame a man to want some priceless entertainment in the clinic-section

 

[l.Harm]

16 kms from the finish line. It's proven difficult to stay away from the (much harder) Keutenberg, at 10 k from the line.

This will be another harmonica race. The only interesting thing is, will someone be able to stay away on the Cauberg or will we have a bunch sprint.

It was difficult, it will be still difficult. Don't think that will change a lot. But I'm curious which influence Geulhemmerberg has. And Keutenberg is only difficult at the beginning, after that it's nothing.

 

[Ruudz0r]

It was difficult, it will be still difficult. Don't think that will change a lot. But I'm curious which influence Geulhemmerberg has. And Keutenberg is only difficult at the beginning, after that it's nothing.

I did Geulhemerberg 2 days ago and its not hard, it wont influence the race a lot. Keutenberg is indeed only hard at the beginning but the beginning of that "climb" can cause big differences which Geulhemmerberg cant.

 

[Lanark]

Keuterberg also has a plateau at the top, which makes it harder for guys that were dropped to get back.

This new final looks like a downgrade. There's a small chance that people will start to ride earlier because of that, but it seems more likely we'll just get a more closed race till the end.

 

[theyoungest]

Keuterberg also has a plateau at the top, which makes it harder for guys that were dropped to get back.

This new final looks like a downgrade. There's a small chance that people will start to ride earlier because of that, but it seems more likely we'll just get a more closed race till the end.

The plateau is also exposed to crosswinds. It's an inviting place for an attack, maybe the only point where you can attack and make it stick. It needed to be closer to the finish. Not further away.

 

[Gloin22]

Definitely Henao is the guy to me that can challenge the best here.

 

[Pentacycle]

I did Geulhemerberg 2 days ago and its not hard, it wont influence the race a lot. Keutenberg is indeed only hard at the beginning but the beginning of that "climb" can cause big differences which Geulhemmerberg cant.

Geulhem has very smooth asphalt making it fairly easy, and Bemelerberg is a joke of a climb. The Keutenberg has always been a race decider because of the difficult run-in, narrow roads, and the windy plateau. Now a bunch sprint on the Cauberg is definitely the most likely scenario. Any attacks should take place on or before the penultimate Cauberg ascent.

 

[Netserk]

Tried to map this year's Amstel Gold Race course

Map:

Profile:

Last two loop and a little more:

The final 40km:

 

[SafeBet]

I just hope Moser will show me something in at least one of the three races.

 

[eagleofditchling]

Things you won't hear - "wiggins attacks!"

Seriously, what's Valverdes form at the mo?

 

[thehook]

If Purito is riding? He is dangerous!

 

[Afrank]

If Purito is riding? He is dangerous!

Of course Purito will ride, the Ardennes are one of his main goals. Look out for him in FW especially.

 

[The Hitch]

Why not call him Quindian? Probably closer to the truth.

Nope. Nairo is from the other side of Colombia.

 

[RHRH19861986]

Maybe Wegmann does a top result in at least one of the Ardennes. He´s always good for a Top20 in any race here, and did that for many years, also had Top10s, but never managed to podium. There are many opponents, and his Pais Vasco was not better than he usual does there, but a rider like Albasini also tried for many years, had results like Wegmann, and finally did second in Fleche.

 

[Ruudz0r]

If Purito is riding? He is dangerous!

No if Farrar is riding, He is dangerous!!

 

[theyoungest]

Nope. Nairo is from the other side of Colombia.

The side that borders on the North Pole?