La Fleche Wallonne

[sublimit]

i started this one so hopefully somebody else can do an L-B-L thread at some stage.

i enjoyed the race, but i underestimated the last climb somewhat. Evans did well but i'd love to know Kolobnev was on.

 

[BroDeal]

In the post-race interview, Evans said the same thing. He mentioned that he's done the same thing in previous years at the FW, but now he's learned and gauged his effort much better.

Of course this did look like the typical Evans climbing performance where the better climbers sprint away and he is forced to diesel his way back up to them. Maybe he just got lucky that AC unusually died before the line.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

What a cracking race!

Excellent win by CE - always good to see the WC jersey at the front in races.
He rode a smart race on the Mur - he looked out of it when Anton went but he timed his effort perfectly.

Good to see A Schleck coming back in to form too after a difficult start to the season.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Old diesels never quit. Superchargers blow up, from time to time.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Kloden looked like he ran into a wall when he hit that steep part. Well, since it's called the Muur de Huy, I guess he did. Nice effort though.

Props to Horner for another Top 10.

 

[Polish]

Did Alberto fake the amount of effort he was under?

What was with all the "turning his head around" to see how far ahead
he was getting when he was in the lead on the final climb?

Sure seemed like he was making sure he was not getting TOO far ahead....extraterrestial-like.

And his wobbling his bike back and forth like he was at 110% puhleeze.

This finish really reminds me of last year's TdF stage when Alberto gifted
the stage win to Schleck and then faked a lunge for the line.

Something really stinks here

I honestly, truly believe Alberto could have won by 5 or more seconds.
What the heck is going on? Has Alberto tweeted yet?

All that said, GREAT win by Cadel and BMC.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Contador was completely at his limit and blowing up. You could see that clearly. No math needed here

 

[theyoungest]

Rabo DS Frans Maassen says Gesink is suffering from coughing fits. Well, in that case, 15th is not bad.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Did Alberto fake the amount of effort he was under?

What was with all the "turning his head around" to see how far ahead
he was getting when he was in the lead on the final climb?

Sure seemed like he was making sure he was not getting TOO far ahead....extraterrestial-like.

And his wobbling his bike back and forth like he was at 110% puhleeze.

This finish really reminds me of last year's TdF stage when Alberto gifted
the stage win to Schleck and then faked a lunge for the line.

Something really stinks here

I honestly, truly believe Alberto could have won by 5 or more seconds.
What the heck is going on? Has Alberto tweeted yet?

All that said, GREAT win by Cadel and BMC.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Rabo DS Frans Maassen says Gesink is suffering from coughing fits. Well, in that case, 15th is not bad.

Yup, read that as well. But then we can most certainly write him off for sunday. Too bad. He'll have to anticipate

 

[alberto.legstrong]

Contador was completely at his limit and blowing up. You could see that clearly. No math needed here

He has a lot to learn.... - Sir Lance

 

[theyoungest]

Yup, read that as well. But then we can most certainly write him off for sunday. Too bad. He'll have to anticipate

... or hope for a quick recovery (not gonna happen). It's kind of a relief, actually. There's a clear explanation for his sub par racing.

 

[Polish]

"Take me to your leader"

Why did Alberto CONTINUALLY look over his shoulder at the end?

The Race is in Front of you, Alberto!
Why all the looking backwards?
Rookie mistake? I do not think so

All the dramactic music in the world can't disquise this "fall", this "dive".
This diversion from looking too extraterrestial.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ76GLwBvPY

Cadel DESERVED the win, however, that is for SURE

 

[theswordsman]

First quote Google Translated from French (probably from Spanish)

Contador: "I'm satisfied"

Alberto Contador (3rd in the Fleche Wallonne): "I had a good climbing wall. I'm happy although I would obviously prefer to win. But I'm better in the ribs longer that best fit my qualities. I am in good condition when addressing Liege-Bastogne-Liege (Sunday) but to win this race, it is necessary to know well.
This is not my case. La Fleche (Walloon) is easier: we spend three times the final climb. We have time to analyze the final. Liege is a race that requires a lot more experience. If I participate this year, is also preparing for the future. Getting to know her. Winning the Dean, would obviously be fantastic. It would for me almost the same value as winning a Grand Tour, because I'm not a classics specialist.

http://www.leparisien.fr/sports/cyclisme/contador-je-suis-satisfait-21-04-2010-894512.php

 

[Publicus]

Why did Alberto CONTINUALLY look over his shoulder at the end?

The Race is in Front of you, Alberto!
Why all the looking backwards?
Rookie mistake? I do not think so

All the dramactic music in the world can't disquise this "fall", this "dive".
This diversion from looking too extraterrestial.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ76GLwBvPY

Cadel DESERVED the win, however, that is for SURE

You are being a bit pathetic and silly with this. And that's saying a lot giving your usual over the top commentary.

 

[jaylew]

Did Alberto fake the amount of effort he was under?

What was with all the "turning his head around" to see how far ahead
he was getting when he was in the lead on the final climb?

Sure seemed like he was making sure he was not getting TOO far ahead....extraterrestial-like.

And his wobbling his bike back and forth like he was at 110% puhleeze.

This finish really reminds me of last year's TdF stage when Alberto gifted
the stage win to Schleck and then faked a lunge for the line.

Something really stinks here

I honestly, truly believe Alberto could have won by 5 or more seconds.
What the heck is going on? Has Alberto tweeted yet?

All that said, GREAT win by Cadel and BMC.

Please, tell me you're kidding.

 

[Christian]

Congrats to Cadel, BMC, and all his fans here in the forum - I'm happy for you guys.

Why didn't he do a victory salute? Does he think they're lame, is he very humble? I kinda like that though, most victory salutes are over the top I'd say!

 

[Bicicleta]

Human translation

Alberto Contador (3rd in the Fleche Wallonne): I had a good climb up the mur. I'm happy although I would obviously prefer to win. But I'm better in the longer stages that better fit my qualities. I am in good condition for Liege-Bastogne-Liege (Sunday) but to win this race, it is necessary to know it well.
That is not the case. La Fleche (Walloon) is very easy: we go by the final climb 3 times. We have time to analyze the final. Liege is a race that requires a lot more experience. If I participate this year, is will also be for preparing for the future. Getting to know the course. Winning the Doyenne, would obviously be fantastic. For me it would have almost the same value as winning a Grand Tour, because I'm not a classics specialist.

Je deteste le programme de traduire de google.

 

[Polish]

Please, tell me you're kidding.

No jaylew....completely serious.

Watch the video.

Cadel is awesome - does not look over his shoulder ONCE.
Well, maybe a quick peek as he approaches the finish - smart.

Now watch Alberto.
He must look behind 20 or more times? WHY?
Reminds me saunier-duval climbers in the 2008 Giro
Trying not to look extraterrestial. Albert is a bad actor bangbang.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ76GLwBvPY

 

[red_flanders]

Why did Alberto CONTINUALLY look over his shoulder at the end?

The Race is in Front of you, Alberto!
Why all the looking backwards?
Rookie mistake? I do not think so

All the dramactic music in the world can't disquise this "fall", this "dive".
This diversion from looking too extraterrestial.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ76GLwBvPY

Cadel DESERVED the win, however, that is for SURE

Interesting theory, but I'm not buying it. Why put your nose out of the front of that race and suffer that much on the Muur just to take a dive? He could have rolled in 30 seconds back if he didn't want to give it his all.

He wasn't even that far out front. Nothing extra-terrestrial looking about that climb--I hesitate to call it an attack.

EDIT: Oh. I should have looked at who the author was before responding as if this was a rational person with a slightly sketchy theory.

 

[jaylew]

So you seriously think he was trying to lose? C'mon!

I've been away for awhile, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess you're a big LA fan? Not that it really matters or that there's anything wrong with it, but it would explain your stance.

Your screen name is ringing a bell for something, just can't quite remember...

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

That looked bad

 

[luckyboy]

Good race today. AC could've won if he stayed behind Antone today. Also echo the sentiments about GT riders at the classics. Disappointing for Saxo Bank today. I reckon Andy will defend L-B-L..

Horner continues his remarkable Spring I see..

If Cadel goes all-out for the Giro I I wonder if he'll be able to recover and peak quickly enough to contend for the podium at the Tour.

Are you serious?

 

[Jamsque]

Are you serious?

... yes? Is it that unreasonable of a thing to say? Look at Denis Menchov last year (who is the same age as Evans). He peaked for the Giro, worked hard to win it, and then had no form for the Tour. I'm not saying it's impossible that Cadel will manage it, but being competitive in two GTs in a row is always tough.

 

[luckyboy]

... yes? Is it that unreasonable of a thing to say? Look at Denis Menchov last year (who is the same age as Evans). He peaked for the Giro, worked hard to win it, and then had no form for the Tour. I'm not saying it's impossible that Cadel will manage it, but being competitive in two GTs in a row is always tough.

If he's clean as all his fans say he is, then there is no chance. I'm still amazed at how a clean rider can podium a GT. And if Menchov can't do it, I don't think many others would be able to. AC for sure, maybe Andy if he was lucky.

Anyway, let's wait and see what happens..