La Flèche Wallone (WT) / Wednesday 18-04-2012

[Duartista]

i know what you are trying to do but duarte didn't break his leg + got sick

He did crash during the race though, so he wasn't as bad as I thought on first seeing the results.

 

[maltiv]

Just caught up with the race. Great to see Rodriguez finally get that elusive Ardennes victory.

Also happy to see Nordhaug on the offensive. He looked really strong, and although he didn't get a result from it he still showed himself. Better to go for the victory than to safe in to a 10th place or so.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Just caught up with the race. Great to see Rodriguez finally get that elusive Ardennes victory.

Also happy to see Nordhaug on the offensive. He looked really strong, and although he didn't get a result from it he still showed himself. Better to go for the victory than to safe in to a 10th place or so.

+1
I'm catching up too. Good for JRod

 

[taiwan]

Happy Rodriguez got this.

Very impressed by Albasini, I thought he was a lock for the top 15 say, but not more.

Liquigas should have brought Sagan.

 

[Gloin22]

“Rigoberto is on his way back to the hotel now,” he confirmed. “He hit his knee in the crash and he’s had a few stitches. Nothing is broken so we’ll see tomorrow how he is. It’s not a good place to get an injury but we’ll look at it again. Despite that the team are in good spirits heading into Liege on Sunday.”

He's a doubtful for LBL.

 

[hfer07]

He's a doubtful for LBL.

I honestly don't quite understand why Uran was enlisted for this race in the first place- He's better suited for L-B-L & AGR

 

[Gloin22]

I honestly don't quite understand why Uran was enlisted for this race in the first place- He's better suited for L-B-L & AGR

He doesn't like Amstel nervousness in the peleton I think. He rode same schedule last year so it has to be his preference. He could have done really well in this year's Amstel though.

 

[Kwibus]

+1
I'm catching up too. Good for JRod

Same. Just watched the race.
Nice for Purito, he deserves a win like this.

Albasini wtf?? as well.

 

[The Hitch]

That was so beautiful.

One of the best minutes of cycling i have seen in my life.

Will never forget this.

I knew Rodriguez would be on top form, he had owned the steep gradients of the Vuelta, he had just come 2nd in a stage race with a tt, Gilbert wasnt on top form.

My 1 doubt was the rain, that Rodriguez would choke under it.

But once the climb started there were no doubts.

No one else ever really stood a chance.

 

[The Hitch]

how does Puritos climb compare to Gilbert last year?

 

[Fetisoff]

how does Puritos climb compare to Gilbert last year?

I think it was discussed here earlier, and it was about 10 seconds slower according to someone who clocked it. But yet again, even though it's a steep climb wind/road conditions still play some role

 

[The Hitch]

I think it was discussed here earlier, and it was about 10 seconds slower according to someone who clocked it. But yet again, even though it's a steep climb wind/road conditions still play some role

Cant remember what conditions gilbert climbed in cos i watched it on some dodgy stream, but Purito did not have good conditions this year.

And that means purito did it 6 seconds faster last year, when he was in worse form, so clearly conditions played a major role.

Still nothing can ever take this victory away from J Rod.

Dont think he can win Liege but with still the Giro, the Vuelta, Burgos, Lombardia and the Worlds to come, its gonna be a great season.

 

[jens_attacks]

how does Puritos climb compare to Gilbert last year?

2012:1 km@11,8%---3:00---average speed 20.00 km/h(Joaquim Rodriguez)
2011:1 km@11,8%---2:44---average speed 21.95 km/h(Philippe Gilbert)

the road was wet,plus cold day and the rain frozen a little bit the muscle of the riders today.

other rainy cold huy ascents:

2008:1 km@11,8%---3:02---average speed 19.78 km/h(Kim Kirchen)
2005:1 km@11,8%---3:01---average speed 19.89 km/h(Di Luca-Kirchen-Rebellin)

 

[ferryman]

how does Puritos climb compare to Gilbert last year?

I know you are meaning time wise but a wee quote on topic from your man anyway:

And, speaking of Gilbert, who finished third, did he reckon that his form was as good as Gilbert's was in 2011? "I don't know about that. Last year Phil was too strong to be beaten and this year for sure he isn't at the same level as he was last Spring when he really was untouchable. But he is coming back, you can see that from the Amstel Gold result and you could see that today in the race."

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Tougher parcours too, this year, leading up to the Mur.

All in all, I'm not a big fan of these sorts of comparisons - too many variables.

 

[The Hitch]

I know you are meaning time wise but a wee quote on topic from your man anyway:

And, speaking of Gilbert, who finished third, did he reckon that his form was as good as Gilbert's was in 2011? "I don't know about that. Last year Phil was too strong to be beaten and this year for sure he isn't at the same level as he was last Spring when he really was untouchable. But he is coming back, you can see that from the Amstel Gold result and you could see that today in the race."

Yeah Gilbert can have Liege. This win alone makes Purito's season, though hopefully there will be a lot more to it.

 

[goggalor]

There was also headwind, according to Nordhaug.

 

[Panda Claws]

I doubt this Rodriguez was as strong as last year's Gilbert, but when comparing times you have to keep in mind that last year's FW was much much less selective.

 

[ghostofjoy]

2012:1 km@11,8%---3:00---average speed 20.00 km/h(Joaquim Rodriguez)
2011:1 km@11,8%---2:44---average speed 21.95 km/h(Philippe Gilbert)

both riders also eased up well before the finish, which further muddies the comparison.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Do other people think he can win the race in the future?

Yes, of course. If you are good enough to finish in the top 10 in a one day race without luck, then you are good enough to win it if you get very lucky. Ask Nuyens or Vansummeren.

As for winning on merit, that depends on his development over the next while.

 

[hughmoore]

Cant remember what conditions gilbert climbed in cos i watched it on some dodgy stream, but Purito did not have good conditions this year.

And that means purito did it 6 seconds faster last year, when he was in worse form, so clearly conditions played a major role.

Still nothing can ever take this victory away from J Rod.

Dont think he can win Liege but with still the Giro, the Vuelta, Burgos, Lombardia and the Worlds to come, its gonna be a great season.

Great ride, excellent finish. I thought he went too early, but very strong finish.

Great ride by Phil and Albisini also.

Good cycling all around!!!



Hugh

 

[greenedge]

Great end. Congrats to JROD he fully deserved it/ his attack was devastating.
Albasini did great- espescially in a race where GE might have come into with a mindset just to attack. My only complaint is he started his drive a bit early ( before Puritos' )/ did not have a teammate in front of him a bit before he started. He is developing more and more as a rider, which is good.
Congrats to Gilbert, the course does not suit him and it shows he still can place even with not so great form.
I'm happy for Vanendert- he shall continue to progress. He just did not have the sprint to pip Albasini/ Gilbert and could not latch on to Rodriguezs' wheel when he attacked.

Nice rides by Nordhaug/ Hesjedal, Kiserlovski and Ulissi ( still young ). Lotto and Katusha rode well for their leaders.

Poels and Valverde disappointed.

I only just got to Melbourne that is why i am posting late.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I remember saying to Jonathan Vaughters in the Q and A he did on this forum that I think Dan Martin could FW in the future. I think Dan finishing 6th was a great result for him considering he was in a bad position at the bottom of the Mur. He also said on twitter he was feeling bad all day and was very surprised with his showing in the end.

Do other people think he can win the race in the future?

Dan Martin was already 2nd in Emilia 2010 so it's hardly a suprise he's doing well on a similar race as FW

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I remember saying to Jonathan Vaughters in the Q and A he did on this forum that I think Dan Martin could FW in the future. I think Dan finishing 6th was a great result for him considering he was in a bad position at the bottom of the Mur. He also said on twitter he was feeling bad all day and was very surprised with his showing in the end.

Do other people think he can win the race in the future?

for sure. but he always suffers with pollen right? we will never have a spring this bad again. that's also why we see nordhaug up front this time

 

[Parrulo]

i am honestly more amazed by ulissi's ride then by Marty-D's ride. that kid(ulissi) seems to be something special. isn't he only 22?