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Congrats for riding the race just the way he should have. No antics today, just a lot of watts.
Ardennes are coming up. If he can keep the focus up he will be very difficult to beat there.
I hope not - 100 % favourite!He will probably skip La Flèche Wallonne, by his own admission.
I could understand Flèche, but LBL, too?
Does he really want to leave out the Ardennes? I mean, I can understand he's tired and wants the feeling to sink in, but isn't his season almost over, anyway? I could understand Flèche, but LBL, too?
Well, if he does not ride the next races, maybe he can lend the jersey to Pedersen during that time.
You would hope Lefevere would keep a lid on that.Also how much does he have to press junkets now. Even before wednesday. That could be exhausting and focusing a race so early after yesterday could have it's effects.
It's possible Ala will not be recovered after the worlds, competing in the Flèche. But the Flèche suits Ala better than L-B-L. The last slope in L-B-L, the Roche-aux-Faucons, is tough, but is not as hard than the finishing "Muur of Hoei" (up to 19 %) or the final steep 16 % slope in the worlds. I don't think Ala will be able to do better than some climbers and allrounders on that Roche-aux-faucons. So, I understand he doesn't want to compete in the Flèche, but it's not the best choice.
Does he really want to leave out the Ardennes?
Where are you getting this info from? It doesn't align with any of the articles I've read on CN, nor with PCS.
Not quite. Gallisterna - 11 % (16 %). LRA 9,5 % (14 %). After the "official" top of the LRA is situated a plateau and a second climb. That means that LRA is less suited for a grasshopper as Alaphilippe.RAF is about the same length, gradient, and distance from the finish as the final climb in the World Championship that Alaphilippe just won.