La Flèche Wallonne, April 23rd, 199K

[jaylew]

La Flèche Wallonne, April 23rd, 199K

Previous Winners:
2013 Daniel Moreno
2012 Joaquim Rodriguez
2011 Philippe Gilbert
2010 Cadel Evans
2009 Davide Rebellin
2008 Kim Kirchen
2007 Davide Rebellin
2006 Alejandro Valverde
2005 Danilo Di Luca
2004 Davide Rebellin

Startlist

I always look forward to this one. I know it all comes down to the final trip up the Mur but this finish is one of my favorites of the year.

 

[Gloin22]

Rodriguez vs Martin

( if both okay after their abandonings today )

 

[Afrank]

That was quick.

Philippe for the second in his treble.

 

[Arredondo]

I think Purito will not win, but will make some k's just to shine in his beloved LBL.

So i'm going again for Moreno.

 

[SafeBet]

Meh after such a disappointing AGR I can't imagine how boring la fleche will be.

 

[roundabout]

What's the difference between a boring Fleche Wallonne and an exciting one anyway?

 

[Red Rick]

Please change the thread title to "The official worst race of the year with hills in it", so everyone knows which race we're talking about

 

[Afrank]

Meh after such a disappointing AGR I can't imagine how boring la fleche will be.

At least with Fleche we know what to expect. Pretty much always the same uphill sprint. So we don't have to get our hopes up that something really exciting will happen earlier.

 

[dlwssonic]

Depends if the climb is raced hard from the start it will probably be between the pure climbers.
But if they climb it slowly Gilbert all the way for his treble!!!

 

[trevim]

It's the Ardennes version of Scheldprijs, yay!!!

 

[Afrank]

Anyone know how Betancur's been doing? He had some illness earlier that seemed to put his Ardennes in doubt. Saw him at the back of the peloton early in AGR, but don't know where he finished.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Jelle FTW.

 

[Arredondo]

Anyone know how Betancur's been doing? He had some illness earlier that seemed to put his Ardennes in doubt. Saw him at the back of the peloton early in AGR, but don't know where he finished.

Something like 5 minutes back. He's got serious knee problems, so i doubt if he can do something the next two races.

 

[Marco Pantani]

Purito if racing, if not Gilbert.

 

[Afrank]

Something like 5 minutes back. He's got serious knee problems, so i doubt if he can do something the next two races.

Too bad, would have been happy to see him do a couple places better then last year.

 

[podunavac]

Hard to bet against Gilbert after today's performance.
He's got the form, experience, team... and, equally important, it looks like he doesn't have a rival.

 

[Arredondo]

Purito if racing, if not Gilbert.

Purito will be racing. He's got no serious injuries (no fractures). He's got Haematomes/contusions at breast level (ribs).

So i think he will be good, but something like last year. Not 100% yet at FW

 

[Kwibus]

The shorter AGR with a steeper finish. Yay... Well the last 2km are interesting that's for sure.

Gilbert for the win. He just beat his old fastest time up the Cauberg so we all know what will happen this week.

 

[Popchu]

Mur de Huy too heavy for Gilbert. Top five maybe.

I don't know if Daniel Martin is OK, but he knows perfect how to ride the Mur.

 

[Fight.The.Power]

Hard to bet against Gilbert after today's performance.
He's got the form, experience, team... and, equally important, it looks like he doesn't have a rival.

Agreed, although Purito is a rival if he is OK

 

[BigMac]

Mur de Huy too heavy for Gilbert. Top five maybe.

I don't know if Daniel Martin is OK, but he knows perfect how to ride the Mur.

And Gilbert doesn't? Why is it to heavy for Gilbert considering how he is doing and his results here in a not-so-distant past?





Alberto Rui Costa for the win.

 

[ebandit]

mur

What's the difference between a boring Fleche Wallonne and an exciting one anyway?

how far up the mur the break gets before being swamped

Mark L

 

[VanBsr]

Arredondo FTW

 

[Popchu]

And Gilbert doesn't? Why is it to heavy for Gilbert considering how he is doing and his results here in a not-so-distant past?

Alberto Rui Costa for the win.

It's just too steep for Gilbert. Yes, he won in 2011, but he won literally everything that year. Of course he will be there Wednesday, but normally there is always someone better than Gilbert on Mur de Huy.

 

[Panda Claws]

Suddenly no-one rates Valverde highly anymore.