La Flèche Wallonne, April 23rd, 199K

[BigMac]

Suddenly no-one rates Valverde highly anymore.

Changed my mind, Valverde for the win.

 

[Panda Claws]

Changed my mind, Valverde for the win.

Not voting for him though?

 

[roundabout]

Suddenly no-one rates Valverde highly anymore.

He will figure out a way to lose

 

[eagleofditchling]

Suddenly no-one rates Valverde highly anymore.

Cycling Quotient do - hes no 1 in CQ rankings

 

[Jspear]

Suddenly no-one rates Valverde highly anymore.

Valverde will beat himself with poor tactics. Gilbert for the win.

 

[SafeBet]

I can't figure out what happened to Valverde during Roma Maxima.
It's like they rebooted his system just before the race.

 

[Panda Claws]

Cycling Quotient do - hes no 1 in CQ rankings

Yeah, I mean to win these races. He was the winner of the 'who will win AGR?' poll and no votes here.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Another race where I can just tune into the last few k's?

 

[rghysens]

Another race where I can just tune into the last few k's?

yes.

This is one of those races that would benefit from cancelling a climb.

 

[sTTevie]

Jelle FTW.

I'm going for Jelle as well ... he'll be close

 

[Angliru]

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.

Oscarito almost tore up the script recently (2012?) with his surprise attack. I was out of chair cheering him on!

 

[Panda Claws]

Oscarito almost tore up the script recently (2012?) with his surprise attack. I was out of chair cheering him on!

That was in the Amstel Gold Race.

 

[BigMac]

Not voting for him though?

Unfortunately I had already chosen Other.

 

[Gabriel Gray]

I can't figure out what happened to Valverde during Roma Maxima.
It's like they rebooted his system just before the race.

he was on the run with a guy who was dumb enough to help him and had not the slightest chance to beat him in a sprint for the win

 

[The Hitch]

Suddenly no-one rates Valverde highly anymore.

Rule with Valverde for years now is :

Big race: podium.

See: Liege 2010, Worlds 2012, Amstel 2013, Liege 2013, San Sebastian 2013, Lombardia 2013, Worlds 2013, Strade Bianchi 2014

Even stage races - Vuelta 2012, Vuelta 2013, Paris Nice 2010, Pais Vasco 2010.

All podiums but no wins.

Little - medium race : win.
See Vuelta a Murcia, Gp Mig, Roma Maxima, Trofeo Tramuntana

Even stage races:
Tour of Romandie 2010 and all those Vuelta whogivesaflying**** stages and wins.

He hasn't even won a wt race stage since 2012.

 

[the sceptic]

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.

Didnt he set the record that year? I dont know.. I think he will win again.

 

[trevim]

Michael Albasini for the win.
Matthews was great today in Amstel, I guess we've found a new Oscarito type of rider only a few steps below

 

[greenedge]

I'll go for Moreno.
Gilbert 2nd, Vanendert 3rd.

Gerrans isn't riding (don't know if already mentioned).

 

[jaylew]

Morito or Pureno.

 

[Fzotrlool]

Any updates on Rodriguez? He'd have been my favorite if he didn't crash.

 

[Afrank]

Any updates on Rodriguez? He'd have been my favorite if he didn't crash.

No fractures. Haematomes/contusions at breast level (ribs). He will be able to ride.

Doubt he'll do that much here however (similar ride as last year perhaps), but look out for him in LBL.

 

[Ferminal]

The second time through Huy at only 24km out is the closest ever to the finish? Frank Schleck and Voeckler to attack there and fight it out at the finish

Ok, Tommy not riding, he's going to be atomic next Sunday then...

 

[Shardi]

1. Moreno
2. Vanendert
3. Valverde
4. Gilbert

Heart says Gilbert will claim the quadruple. Head says he lacks that little extra from 2011, and that he had perfect positioning on the climb that time.

Moreno excels on this steep slope, he was not far off the usual Cauberg flyers, second grp on the road a few sec down on valverde & co. Think he has it like last year. Assuming Purito is not in top shape here due to his crash.

 

[Angliru]

That was in the Amstel Gold Race.

My bad. Must have been the old uphill finish that had me confused.

 

[metaCYCLE]

I feel adventurous. I voted for Gerrans.