Liege - Bastogne - Liege

[Rocksteady]

Liège - Bastogne - Liège

I thought we should have a thread for the next big race of the year. If someone has start lists or profiles that would be sweet.


My picks

Going to Win: Gilbert
I'll be cheering for: Hesjedal

 

[Christian]

Hey, it's not really a big deal, but it's spelled Liège, so maybe someone could change that

/edit: someone already did!

 

[Publicus]

Route Map:

and Profile:

And start list (still provisional):

http://www.letour.fr/2010/LBL/RIDERS/us/engages.html

Might as well throw in the list of climbs:

# Km 69.0 - Côte de la Roche-en-Ardenne - 2.8 km climb to 4.9 %
# Km 116.0 - Côte de Saint Roch - 0.8 km climb to 12 %
# Km 159.0 - Côte de Wanne - 2.7 km climb to 7 %
# Km 166.0 - Côte de Stockeu (Stèle Eddy Merckx) - 1.1 km climb to 10.5 %
# Km 186.0 - Col du Rosier - 6.4 km climb to 4 %
# Km 198.0 - Col du Maquisard - 2.8 km climb to 4.5 %
# Km 209.0 - Mont-Theux - 2.7 km climb to 5.2 %
# Km 223.0 - Côte de la Redoute - 2.1 km climb to 8.4 %
# Km 238.0 - Côte de la Roche aux Faucons - 1.5 km climb to 9.9 %
# Km 252.0 - Côte de Saint-Nicolas - 1.0 km climb to 11.1 %

 

[kurtinsc]

I'm thinking a Schleck will take it.

 

[Publicus]

I like Contador for this one.

EDIT: Scratch that. I don't think he has enough experience with the race to win here.

 

[Polish]

La Doyenne

1) Contador Duh
2) A Schleck
3) Chris "La Doyenne" Horner

 

[Swingtop]

Last year was a great show with the Schlecks. The Falconrock will be deciding again. Piti to win in the sprint with Andy/Cadel/Rodriguez.

 

[Publicus]

The final kilometer:

 

[markene2]

Just a reminder for everyone, Vino is the captain for this race not Contador

 

[Tornadin]

I expect a good showing from:

Gilbert
Contador
Hesjedal
Horner
Rodriguez
and I even think De Waele will prove his great form a third time.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

New course this year.

List of favs (based on current form), for me:

Gilbert
Evans
A. Schleck
F. Schleck
Vinokourov
Rodriguez
Cunego

And even though he doesn't look great
Valverde

possible outsiders Horner, Hesjedal, Gesink (even though sick), etc etc

 

[Jamsque]

I'm gonna guess sprint from a small group, Gilbert over Cuddles, Cunego aaaaaaaaand Ryder 'The Hes-J' Hesjedal thrown in for variety.

 

[blaxland]

Small group finish;
1st=Rodriguez
2nd=Cadel
3rd=Schleck.A
4th=Valverde
I think Rodriguez will solo to victory in this one...

 

[BroDeal]

Vino4ever!!!!!!!!!

I am pulling for Cunego, though.

 

[Captain Kirk]

Route Map:

and Profile:

And start list (still provisional):

http://www.letour.fr/2010/LBL/RIDERS/us/engages.html

Might as well throw in the list of climbs:

I've never followed the LBL closely before, how does climb differ in nature to Huy?
Its seems a lot of comments refering to climbers sprint. ie the selection wont be as tough as the Huy?

 

[Ferminal]

I've never followed the LBL closely before, how does climb differ in nature to Huy?
Its seems a lot of comments refering to climbers sprint. ie the selection wont be as tough as the Huy?

Not as tough as the Mur de Huy, but there are more hard climbs in succession in the last 50km or so. Plus it's a much longer race. There should be a lot of people trying to get off the front of a small group in the last 50km - like we saw at AGR. Andy Schleck won last year after breaking from the group at 30-40km or so.

 

[luckyboy]

Not as tough as the Mur de Huy, but there are more hard climbs in succession in the last 50km or so. Plus it's a much longer race.

+ more exciting

 

[Captain Kirk]

Not as tough as the Mur de Huy, but there are more hard climbs in succession in the last 50km or so. Plus it's a much longer race. There should be a lot of people trying to get off the front of a small group in the last 50km - like we saw at AGR. Andy Schleck won last year after breaking from the group at 30-40km or so.

Thanks,
So more likely the small group or break, rather than the sizable peleton of yesterday.

 

[theswordsman]

Just a reminder for everyone, Vino is the captain for this race not Contador

After the Time Trial win at Giro del Trentino, Vino told people that race is just preparation for Liege Bastogne Liege and the Giro d'Italia, so he obviously has something in mind for Sunday. But he's also the leader at Trentino right now, with 164 kilometer stage on Thursday, 172 kilometer stage with a mountain finish on Friday.

I don't know what the flight back log is like right now, but after Friday's stage he needs to get from Italy to Belgium, and just have Saturday to recover and do recon. Most of the other races are already in Liege, doing recon rides, and in control of their efforts for the next three days. It's a lot to ask of Vino to be stronger than everyone else.

Contador is still stinging from seeing the finish line a couple of hundred meters ahead, and being passed. Twice.

"When you're so close is no consolation to be third"

Sunday is his last day of racing for six weeks. Next up is recon on the cobbles, and a mini vacation. There's not a reason in the world for him not to give the race his best shot. There's time to do recon of the course in a car, and ride the most important climbs. Astana will have a really strong team.

People here were saying that it was crazy to pick him for La Fleche Wallone, but he finished on the podium with the same time as the winner. I'll go ahead and pick him for Sunday, and let people on my ignore list say what they will.

The reason that Armstrong's verbal attacks didn't work on Contador was that number one, he wasn't listening, and for the most part had no idea what was being said, and number two, he placed no importance on it. So if a few people post behind me, saying insulting things behind my back, and I never see it, then what's their motivation? Except for making the world a more negative place by their presence.

Edit: I just read Stephen Farrand's article here, where he made this observation:

Contador's third place has made him a favourite for Sunday's Liège-Bastogne-Liège but he played down his chances, perhaps in a tactical move so that his Astana team would not have to take control of the race.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contador-frustrated-but-satisfied-with-third-at-fleche-wallonne

 

[Alex III]

I have to miss it this weekend, too bad, but can't catch them all.

Could go any way as many have pointed out, I see maybe Cunego getting it done although I'd be happy to see Gilbert again!

Personal favourite: Hesjedal, BC boy for the win!!!

 

[theyoungest]

Gilbert, Evans, and Vino fighting it out for the win. The dramatic spring for the Dutch will continue.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Gilbert, Evans, and Vino fighting it out for the win. The dramatic spring for the Dutch will continue.

Unless Gesink magically recovers his basque form, which is impossible.
Oh well. We can still hope for a Vino/Voigt scenario. Gesink escaping with Vinokourov at 60km before the finish to try and get 2nd

 

[Captain Kirk]

After the Time Trial win at Giro del Trentino, Vino told people that race is just preparation for Liege Bastogne Liege and the Giro d'Italia, so he obviously has something in mind for Sunday. But he's also the leader at Trentino right now, with 164 kilometer stage on Thursday, 172 kilometer stage with a mountain finish on Friday.

I don't know what the flight back log is like right now, but after Friday's stage he needs to get from Italy to Belgium, and just have Saturday to recover and do recon. Most of the other races are already in Liege, doing recon rides, and in control of their efforts for the next three days. It's a lot to ask of Vino to be stronger than everyone else.

Contador is still stinging from seeing the finish line a couple of hundred meters ahead, and being passed. Twice.



Sunday is his last day of racing for six weeks. Next up is recon on the cobbles, and a mini vacation. There's not a reason in the world for him not to give the race his best shot. There's time to do recon of the course in a car, and ride the most important climbs. Astana will have a really strong team.

People here were saying that it was crazy to pick him for La Fleche Wallone, but he finished on the podium with the same time as the winner. I'll go ahead and pick him for Sunday, and let people on my ignore list say what they will.

The reason that Armstrong's verbal attacks didn't work on Contador was that number one, he wasn't listening, and for the most part had no idea what was being said, and number two, he placed no importance on it. So if a few people post behind me, saying insulting things behind my back, and I never see it, then what's their motivation? Except for making the world a more negative place by their presence.

Edit: I just read Stephen Farrand's article here, where he made this observation:



http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contador-frustrated-but-satisfied-with-third-at-fleche-wallonne

Great insight.
Found AC's quote amusing in the article..."I'm not a Classics specialist, because my best quality is my recovery"
I mean there weren't any other GT riders competing, were there.....that was ill thought commment to the media if I ever heard one.

 

[Kellys Big Sprocket]

I expect a good showing from:

Gilbert
Contador
Hesjedal
Horner
Rodriguez
and I even think De Waele will prove his great form a third time.

Good shout. I'm glad you recognised Horner too. Horner's name is written all over this meet and he's gonna win it Kelly style !!!! This is going to be an awesome race to follow. I hope its like the 1989 L-B-L when Kelly bidded his time with Delgado, Anderson and Phillipot and waited for the Big Sprocket sprint. Magical.

 

[TRDean]

I think it is between Gilbert and Vino...however, my hope is that Cunego can take it!!