The 6th greatest classics.

[Velolover2]

Let's get this problem solved once and for all. What do you think is the 6th most prestigious classics and why? Take anything into consideration: Age, hardness, history, uniqueness, length, strength of the peloton, list of winners, list of iconic roads and climbs..

 

[DFA123]

I'd go for Fleche, just ahead of Strade Bianche and Amstel Gold. Fleche is basically the Milano-Sanremo for puncheurs; it's the definitive race to crown the best uphill sprinter in the world. The other races listed are either overshadowed by bigger races with similar features or don't have enough top riders peaking for them. Strade perhaps would be number 1 for me, if the Ardennes specialists were there in close to peak form. But they're not, so it isn't.

 

[tobydawq]

The poll doesn't work. Why is this always the case?

For me, there can be no doubt that it is Strade Bianche.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

It's between Flèche Wallonne and Gent-Wevelgem for me, but I'm gonna go with Flèche Wallonne.

 

[barmaher]

Personally, I would go for Gent Wevelgem or Strade Bianche. I am not a hilly classics guy. Love cobbled races and the Italian white roads.

 

[WheelofGear]

Fléche Wallone by a mile. Amstel is not anywhere near FW. Mur de Huy is a more iconic finish than Cauberg and the race is a lot older. As DFA123 have said, it's the ultimate test for the uphill sprinters.

Strade is the most unique of them all but still in it's toddler phrase. It will gain prestige with age.

Gent-Wevelgem used to be a race everybody would love win but it has lost some prestige in the recent years because every cobbled classics is considered a warm-up to De Ronde and Roubaix.

But in terms of racing.. Omloop, Dwars, E3 and GW are always better than Amstel Gold Race and co.

 

[Alexandre B.]

I can't vote for a race that is shorter than 200k and that don't attract some Paris-Nice contenders.

Gent-Wevelgem or Flèche Wallonne. Today it's more the former.

 

[loge1884]

I don't think there is a 6th lost monument around (5 are more than enough ....)

I would rate the races:

Tier One: E3 (borderline), Gent-Wevelgem, Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne, San Sebastian (missing in the poll, perhaps borderline like E3)

Tier Two: Het Volk, Strade Bianche (somewhat overrated here *, too early in the season and too little history)

Tier Three: Tre Valle Varesine, Milano - Torino (was long time ago perhaps Tier One), Paris - Tours (same as Milano - Torino)

* I agree though it's the race which is moving up fastest and still some potential in future

 

[togo95]

Definitely Strade Bianche in my opinion. Followed by Amstel, GW and FW (in that order).

 

[Akuryo]

Strade all the way!

 

[Netserk]

Gent-Wevelgem with Amstel 7th.

 

[WheelofGear]

Re:

Fléche Wallone by a mile. Amstel is not anywhere near FW. Mur de Huy is a more iconic finish than Cauberg and the race is a lot older. As DFA123 have said, it's the ultimate test for the uphill sprinters.

Strade is the most unique of them all but still in it's toddler phrase. It will gain prestige with age.

Gent-Wevelgem used to be a race everybody would love win but it has lost some prestige in the recent years because every cobbled classics is considered a warm-up to De Ronde and Roubaix.

But in terms of racing.. Omloop, Dwars, E3 and GW are always better than Amstel Gold Race and co.

Many riders have Amstel or Flèche Wallone as their main targets of the season. You never hear someone who is saying "wow, E3 Harelbeke.. it's the race of my dreams. One of my main objectives for the season for sure"

 

[Hugo Koblet]

According to El Pistolero, only Gent-Wevelgem and Amstel Gold Race can qualify as classics, so take your pick between those two.

 

[King Boonen]

PBP. Or Scheldeprijs...

 

[loge1884]

Re:

According to El Pistolero, only Gent-Wevelgem and Amstel Gold Race can qualify as classics, so take your pick between those two.

Cudos to El Pistolero then ... add Flèche (altough apart of the Mur de Huy not much attraction there) and he's about right ....

 

[loge1884]

Re:

PBP. Or Scheldeprijs...

The Marcel-Kittel-Train-Classic should not go underrated

 

[King Boonen]

Re: Re:

PBP. Or Scheldeprijs...

The Marcel-Kittel-Train-Classic should not go underrated

It's just so gripping...

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re: Re:

According to El Pistolero, only Gent-Wevelgem and Amstel Gold Race can qualify as classics, so take your pick between those two.

Cudos to El Pistolero then ... add Flèche (altough apart of the Mur de Huy not much attraction there) and he's about right ....

Flèche Wallone doesn't meet the criteria for what constitutes a classic according to El Pistolero.

 

[dlwssonic]

GW Amstel E3.

Who the *** watches Lombardy anyway

 

[GraftPunk]

Strade for me. Early enough and odd enough to not be a potential borefest.

 

[Laplaz]

6th Strade, 7th Fleche, 8th Gent-Wevelgem

 

[therhodeo]

More big riders tend to show up to Strade too.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Re:

More big riders tend to show up to Strade too.

But it's still too short. Add 50k.

 

[Gigs_98]

I think it's between AGR, FW and GW. Strade Bianche is an absolutely great race and might be up there one day, but right now I really can't rate a 10 year old race as high as big races with a lot of tradition.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Not a fan of the "Ardennes" races these days. Just too dull.

Its between Omloop, GW and SB for me.