LA fleche wallone thread

[roundabout]

When is the last time it wasn’t settled in a large group sprint?

Depends on the definition of a large group, but the last win from a break was in 2003.

 

[Samamba]

So easier circuit but pretty cold and rainy could make it a somewhat hard day anyways.

 

[Netserk]

Have they ever finished atop of the final climb before?

Yes, ever since 1984.

When is the last time it wasn’t settled in a large group sprint?

2003. Rebellin in 2004 was the first bunch sprint, and then it has never been any different since.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

The start list (at least at PCS) is filling out now - apparently Magnus Cort is out and Odd Christian Eiking is in for Uno-X? No matter, Eiking will work just as well on my winning combination of fave riders list for the Fleche, and I'll add Jungels also just to make sure my picks completely suck! 🤣

 

[Scarponi]

Yes?

Was
Just a joke….

 

[Jumbo Visma Fan :)]

Wednesday Pidcock trained 234km at hard pace with 3 times the Mur de Huy and 4h30 on Thursday.
Maybe an indicator he’s doing Flèche?

He’s likely going to do it, but actually be in the race is another conversation.

 

[Nick2413]

I’m going with Teuns again, seems to be coming out of the shadows at the right time

 

[hayneplane]

I see Skjelmose as the favourite but not by any significant margin and any of about 20 riders are good enough to win if they get the positioning right on the final climb.

 

[Gigs_98]

2003. Rebellin in 2004 was the first bunch sprint, and then it has never been any different since.

It honestly feels weird to me that the time when this race didn't end in sprints isn't that far in the past. I think the first edition I ever watched was in 2011 and the way everyone talked about it at the time it already felt like the sprint up the Mur was an ancient ritual. Now I'm looking back at it and realize the vast majority of the Mur de Huy sprints have actuallly happened since I started watching.

 

[Salvarani]

Good thread thanks to all contributers.

You should do more!

 

[Red Rick]

It honestly feels weird to me that the time when this race didn't end in sprints isn't that far in the past. I think the first edition I ever watched was in 2011 and the way everyone talked about it at the time it already felt like the sprint up the Mur was an ancient ritual. Now I'm looking back at it and realize the vast majority of the Mur de Huy sprints have actuallly happened since I started watching.

Feel its part of the same trend that happened in Liege with the Ans finish, except its much easier to see why

 

[Rob5091]

So it's 4 times up the Wall, huh? These poor guys are going to get dizzy going up and down and around and around so, who's going to think they've won on the 3rd attempt?
I see Jordan Jegat who finished second to Gaudu the other day is down for TEnergies so one to keep an eye on, and Gaudu is here too, which seems odd, but maybe he needs some race time. Skujins had some good form earlier this year, so my outsider pick.

 

[tobydawq]

So it's 4 times up the Wall, huh? These poor guys are going to get dizzy going up and down and around and around so, who's going to think they've won on the 3rd attempt?
I see Jordan Jegat who finished second to Gaudu the other day is down for TEnergies so one to keep an eye on, and Gaudu is here too, which seems odd, but maybe he needs some race time. Skujins had some good form earlier this year, so my outsider pick.

Why wouldn't Gaudu be there? He has top tenned before.

 

[Rob5091]

As I wrote, I think Gaudu is just doing the race for training and does not have high hopes for top 10.

 

[Squire]

As I wrote, I think Gaudu is just doing the race for training and does not have high hopes for top 10.

But he did beat Jegat the other day, who you said was someone to keep an eye on. Why wouldn't Gaudu also be one to keep an eye on then?

 

[Red Rick]

So it's 4 times up the Wall, huh? These poor guys are going to get dizzy going up and down and around and around so, who's going to think they've won on the 3rd attempt?
I see Jordan Jegat who finished second to Gaudu the other day is down for TEnergies so one to keep an eye on, and Gaudu is here too, which seems odd, but maybe he needs some race time. Skujins had some good form earlier this year, so my outsider pick.

Without Cherave its easier than normal

 

[tobydawq]

As I wrote, I think Gaudu is just doing the race for training and does not have high hopes for top 10.

This makes no sense.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Healy, Madouas, Benoot and Vansevenant will attack with 20-30 km to go. For the first time in over two decades a group will stay away.

Wishful thinking?

 

[Rob5091]

But he did beat Jegat the other day, who you said was someone to keep an eye on. Why wouldn't Gaudu also be one to keep an eye on then?

Because we know Gaudu's capabilities and Jegat is possibly increasing his own.

 

[Didinho]

Hope Bagioli can show him again here. But with Skjelmose as leader it will be difficult to do something himself.

 

[proffate]

Healy, Madouas, Benoot and Vansevenant will attack with 20-30 km to go. For the first time in over two decades a group will stay away.

Vansevenant makes every hill look like the Mur de Huy. Will he even be able to keep the rubber side down on the actual Mur?

 

[Sciatic]

I see Skjelmose as the favourite but not by any significant margin and any of about 20 riders are good enough to win if they get the positioning right on the final climb.

Healy, Madouas, Benoot and Vansevenant will attack with 20-30 km to go. For the first time in over two decades a group will stay away.

Wishful thinking?

It’s tradition for someone to predict that outcome every year

 

[Red Rick]

Between Cipressa attack and pre Mur de Huy attack, I'm not sure what speculation is more boring.

The right long range attack in Fleche is 500m. The everyone waiting for 200m is the stupid part

 

[Didinho]

Vansevenant makes every hill look like the Mur de Huy. Will he even be able to keep the rubber side down on the actual Mur?

The steeper the road, easier to slalom uphill! He’s a master, easy win.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Ulissi to work for Hirschi and Ayuso only for them to drop off, making us wonder if he would have been the man to ride for.