La Fleche Wallonne

[Dedelou]

thanks for the video..not only was it a pleasure to watch it, but listening to jalabert , a twice winner, gets all excited is part of the thrill.

 

[brettok]

A lot of good opinions here...

Why not make em count, join Velominati's SuperPrestige tipping comp.

Pick your top 5 for major races throughout the year, each race winner gets an Obey The Rules bumper sticker, and the overall winner gets a sweet Velomintai shop apron.

We're only 2 races in, so it's not too late to put your knowledge to work and clean up!

http://www.velominati.com/blog/velo.../velominati-super-prestige-la-fleche-wallone/

 

[auscyclefan94]

Alberto working for Iglinsky?

Are you serious?

The guy arrived in Belgium in a personalized "Alberto Contador" FingerBangCar.
Doubt he is going to be a worker bee for Iglinsky.

Maybe you are confusing Alberto with some other rider?

Anyway, here are the current ods from UNIBET.COM

10:30 Fleche Wallonne 2010

Gilbert, Philippe 6.00
Contador Velasco, A 7.00
Rodriguez, J 7.50
Valverde, A 8.00
Cunego, D 8.50
Schleck, Andy 9.00
Evans, C 11.00
Schleck, Frank 15.00
Gesink, R 18.00
Hesjedal, R 18.00
Anton, I 22.00
Kolobnev, A 25.00
Ivanov, S 35.00
Gerrans, S 35.00
De Waele, B 35.00
Freire, O 35.00
Horner, C 35.00
Nibali, V 35.00
Sanchez Gil, L L 35.00
Van den Broeck, J 40.00
Gasparotto, E 40.00
Kroon, K 40.00
Kreuziger, R 50.00
Martens, P 55.00
Albasini, M 65.00
Peraud, J-C 65.00
Barredo, C 100.0
Monfort, M 125.0
Devenyns, D 175.0
Moreno, D 175.0

Some of the odds which I think are wrong are in bold

 

[cyclopeon]

Probably because he has never done well at the Ardennes Classics. Doesn't mean that he can't, but at this point, his competition has far more experience in these types of races, so odds are he won't do well.

Without disagreeing here, remember that when he last rode here was before his breakout Tour; he would have been riding in a domestique role, semi-protected perhaps, but still a support rider.

I wonder how far north the grass pollen line is now? Might be he's hedging his comments until the day, if he feels that may affect him depending on the weather.

But I really haven't a clue how the race might unfold or end, which will make it just that much more fun. Can't wait (hope I can find a feed).

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Some of the odds which I think are wrong are in bold

other then AC and Friere I agree with the 'bolded' odds.

 

[Publicus]

other then AC and Friere I agree with the 'bolded' odds.

They should be reversed. EDIT: Well not exactly reversed, but AC doesn't really stand much of a chance here IMO.

 

[Ferminal]

Some of the odds which I think are wrong are in bold

Gesink is $26 on Betfair.

If he let's me down again, our affair may be over

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Gesink is $26 on Betfair.

If he let's me down again, our affair may be over

I'd expect gesink to do better here, the race is much more suited to him, but if he has the same legs as sunday then no.

 

[Anonymous]

Anyone know what time live video will be available?

1400cet......

 

[theswordsman]

When Contador first changed his schedule, he said he would enter La Fleche Wallone and Liege Bastogne Liege to "honor the events" and "gain experience". I was disappointed at the time because I wanted to watch him race Catalunya and Pais Vasco. I didn't know a lot about these races, and figured he was maybe going for a top twenty.

But he took four rest days the week before Castilla and Leon with these two days of racing in mind. I don't think he would have done that if he was just going to be a helper. He did a 1900 kilometer road trip, ate lunch while his bike was put together, and headed straight out for 30 kilometers of course recon. Today he saw 60 kilometers with the team.

I don't know if this course suits him or not. I like his chances way more for Liege Bastogne Liege, where he'll hold nothing back on his last race day before the Dauphine Libere. But he'll be out there with Valverde, Luisle, Schleck bookends, Cunego, Anton (need quick revenge on him), Cadel, Kreuziger - he won't hold back against these guys if he's feeling good. I have no idea where he'll place, but I expect him to race.

 

[theswordsman]

Velonews is scheduled to have live text coverage early, 11:00 CEDT.
http://velonews.competitor.com/live
They've also got a mobile version.

The official site also has the regular race updates that can be run through your favorite translator.
http://www.letour.fr/fr/homepage_courseFWH.html

Fromsport.com has a link for a video feed starting at 14:00, but it's a place holder, not a sure thing for now. If I find any video feeds on my own, I'll post them here, and steephill.tv or cyclingfans.com will be on the case as usual.

I've just been watching the finishes of some older races and I'm really excited for this one.

Edit: Actually, Dimspace is way ahead of the game for live feeds.
http://www.teamskyfans.com/racetv.html

 

[auscyclefan94]

other then AC and Friere I agree with the 'bolded' odds.

No way freire should even be on that list. I would make gesink a lot shorter odds and gilbert further out. He has little to no hope on the muur. Schleck and AC should swap odds imo. I don't think Damiano Cunego should be up that high.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I just thought I would repost the profile and the map

•Km 67.0 - Mur de Huy (1er passage) - 1.3 km climb to 9.3 %
•Km 106.0 - Côte de Peu d'Eau - 2.7 km climb to 3.9 %
•Km 112.0 - Côte de Haut-Bois - 1.6 km climb to 4.8 %
•Km 137.0 - Côte de Groynne - 2.0 km climb to 3.5 %
•Km 143.0 - Côte de Bohisseau - 1.3 km climb to 7.6 %
•Km 146.0 - Côte de Bousalle - 1.7 km climb to 4.9 %
•Km 157.0 - Côte d'Ahin - 2.3 km climb to 6.5 %
•Km 168.0 - Mur de Huy (2ème passage) - 1.3 km climb to 9.3 %
•Km 187.0 - Côte d'Ereffe - 2.1 km climb to 5.9 %
•Km 198.0 - HUY (Mur de Huy) - 1.3 km climb to 9.3 %

 

[trompe le monde]

Andy Schleck sports the 001 as Rebellin is suspended due to his torrid affair with CERA at the Olympics having caught up to him. Weather is not the same as Amstel, much cooler at 10 degrees or so with cloudy/partly cloudy skies. Thankfully it isn't scheduled to rain.

Will be interesting to see if any teams try and push the pace to fragment the peloton somewhat on the way to the final climb up Chemin des Chappelles. I wonder how Contador will place as he has the kick but the climbs may be too short to give him a noticeable advantage. Anyway, to an exciting race, hopefully.

 

[joy118118]

I wonder how Contador will place as he has the kick but the climbs may be too short to give him a noticeable advantage. Anyway, to an exciting race, hopefully.

Compared to the climbs, maybe the temperature is his rival.

 

[Runitout]

I would make gesink a lot shorter odds and gilbert further out. He has little to no hope on the muur. [sic]

I seem to recall Gilbert doing pretty well at Mendrisio on a similar average gradient and length hill*, at the tail end of a long block of form. He even launched an attack IIRC, after Cunego's counter was chased down.

I think the Mur is too steep for him if the others play to their best, but he certainly has a decent chance. I think he's just as good at the really steep stuff as Grim Kim was when he overran Cuddles.

Gesink is certainly worth a shout - I agree with that.

*Although the Mur de Huy is punishing when it really ramps.

 

[theswordsman]

The race has started. 45 degrees Fahrenheit with a 5 MPH wind to make a chill factor of 42. It's almost the expected high for the day. I've been looking through previews from around Europe, and one said that Contador would prefer cool weather.

The official race ticker is live.
http://www.letour.fr/2010/FWH/LIVE/fr/100/depeches.html

Edit: Rabobank and Saxo had a rough start to the day, with UCI knocking on their doors at 6:45. Saxo had to sit and wait for an hour while Rabo went first.

 

[Ferminal]

Edit: Rabobank and Saxo had a rough start to the day, with UCI knocking on their doors at 6:45. Saxo had to sit and wait for an hour while Rabo went first.

Bit early for a cuppa isn't it?

 

[theswordsman]

Bit early for a cuppa isn't it?

Yep. I tried to be careful with my wording. But for an athlete on one of his favorite race days of the year, it's not the best way to start the morning.

Velonews live text has also started.

http://velonews.competitor.com/live

 

[search]

surely not a good start, but don't you think they were awake anyway with the race starting at ~11 and having to get breakfast, prepare for the race, getting to the start etc.

don't think it affects them much

 

[theswordsman]

surely not a good start, but don't you think they were awake anyway with the race starting at ~11 and having to get breakfast, prepare for the race, getting to the start etc.

don't think it affects them much

It ticked Andy off. It sound to me (and the Biciclismo story) that the UCI woke them up, then wasted an hour of their morning when they could have showered, eaten, etc. because Rabobank was first.

Oh nice wake up @ 6:45controll and then we have to sit and wait here for 1h because the is a team in front of us!ridiculous

Edit: I imagine that win or lose, Andy will be asked about it after the race, so we'll see what he says.

 

[theyoungest]

surely not a good start, but don't you think they were awake anyway with the race starting at ~11 and having to get breakfast, prepare for the race, getting to the start etc.

don't think it affects them much

Letting professional athletes wait for an hour while they should be preparing for an important race is ridiculous amateurism.

 

[theswordsman]

This feed is showing snooker right now, but it's listed to have the race in 54 minutes

http://www.fromsport.com/video-234050.html

 

[auscyclefan94]

I took the day off work to watch. Hope it's good

I hope it is good for your sake isso!

Feeds should start in 8mins

 

[theswordsman]

SA feed with English commentary

http://www.justin.tv/lusi3#r=Y7vsdBE~