Ardennes Classics (Discussion & Spoilers)

[MattTuck]

I didn't see any thread on the topic yet, and it is pretty much the wrap up to the classics season.

I know that after Roubaix, some folks consider the classics season to be over. And certainly, in terms of riders that I appreciate more, that is true. Climbing specialists are pretty much as far away from me on the spectrum of cyclists as you can get, but they still put on a good race.

Good job to Kwiatkowski at yesterday's Amstel Gold Race. We have Fleche Wallone on Wednesday and then Liege-Bastogne-Liege on Sunday.

I have to say that I wouldn't be picking against Kwiatkowski in LBL.

The fact that Greg Van Avermaet finished Amstel ahead of Philippe Gilbert is pretty amazing to me. He is a one man classics machine.

[guido]

The fact that Greg Van Avermaet ... He is a one man classics machine.

Alas one with a Doping suspension hanging over his head...

Definitely a great finish on sunday.

[FlashUNC]

I know Flanders and PR have their reputations -- God knows PR is my favorite race on the calendar -- but there is no harder one-day race than LBL. 250k and nearly 10k of climbing isn't exactly a walk in the park, cobbles or no.

[Lovetoclimb]

Wilco Kelderman's power data, or what limited bits were reported by VN was incredible. 291W weighted avg and approx 5700 kJ over 6.5 hrs with 11k feet of elevation gain!!!

The final 5 minutes of power for Kwiatkowski would have been incredible to see.

[FlashUNC]

Wilco Kelderman's power data, or what limited bits were reported by VN was incredible. 291W weighted avg and approx 5700 kJ over 6.5 hrs with 11k feet of elevation gain!!!

The final 5 minutes of power for Kwiatkowski would have been incredible to see.

I'm not sure if they posted those details, but Kwiatkowski is on Strava too...

[MattTuck]

La Fleche Wallonne is live now. 50km left.

[sandyrs]

La Fleche Wallonne is live now. 50km left.

Following along with the cyclingnews text feed because I'm at work. Always good to see De Gendt shredding legs in the breakaway. I'm really glad he's still around and doing work for his team. There was a while when I thought he might be a candidate for early retirement.

[MattTuck]

gilbert looks done for today. crash.

[MattTuck]

How many riders can fit in the ditch?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDM2ET7WgAE3rC6.png

[nooneline]

One of the things I like about the Ardennes Classics is that they're not suited to pure climbers - you need incredible endurance, and you need the power to get up shorter climbs, and if you're right there on the edge of those abililities then you also need a strong team and a very savvy ability to avoid wasting energy.

To whit, Liege has been won in recent years by Simon Gerrans, Dan Martin, Philippe Gilbert, Maxim Iglinsky, Andy Schleck, and Alexandre Vinokourov. That's quite a spread of rider types! I think that adds to the subtle appeal of the Ardennes classics.

By comparison, for the cobbled classics, we see the cobbled classic season develop in a somewhat more predictable way. We see some hints of the future at Het Nieuwsblad, Kuurne, and Strade Bianchi; E3 is basically a mini Ronde. You have a really good idea of who the contenders are.

but the Ardennes have a bit less of a pattern. I took a look at the race schedules of recent Liege winners and there aren't a whole lot of patterns other than getting off to a steady start to the season, not winning stages at Paris-Nice or Tirreno-Adriatico, racing through April (usually not on cobbles). Again - not a whole lot of patterns. A lot of Pais Vasco, but a lot of other options in there too... and then, winners place well in Brabantse Pijl, Amstel Gold, or Fleche Wallonne before winning Liege. There's no hiding form - but unlike the cobbled classics, Ardennes-winning form shows up later, a bit more acutely.

It makes them hard to predict and, as you can see in the spread of rider types, the races can go a number of ways. Maybe that makes them a bit harder to really get, and understand, and maybe that makes them harder to love - but i think they're quite lovely all the same.

[tiretrax]

i think they're quite lovely all the same.

I feel that way about the whole late winter/early spring season. As much as I love following a grand tour or stage race, this part of the race year is my favorite - unpredictable, challenging courses, and lots of challenging parcours. I wish there was better tv coverage.

[LouDeeter]

Television coverage has been the best ever this year, for not only the spring classics, but the stage races of Spain, France and Italy as well. So nice to actually see the races instead of just reading about them.

[MattTuck]

Valverde so strong on the Mur de Huy... so strong.


Also, so many crashes.

[guido]

Valverde just owns this race. Great performance.

[ptourkin]

I feel that way about the whole late winter/early spring season. As much as I love following a grand tour or stage race, this part of the race year is my favorite - unpredictable, challenging courses, and lots of challenging parcours. I wish there was better tv coverage.

Subscribe to Eurosport Player via a VPN.

[tiretrax]

Subscribe to Eurosport Player via a VPN.

I watch many races on Eurosport on my computer's 14" screen. Not nearly as good as the television. I do prefer Sean Kelley to Phil and Paul. When at home, I suppose I could tie in the computer to the television, but not at work! :no:

[alessandro]

Where are the predictions for Sunday's Liege-Bastogne-Liege?

BSUdude, who are you thinking about?

My carefully considered lineup:
1 Nibali
2 Kwiatkowski
3 panda

[MattTuck]

Where are the predictions for Sunday's Liege-Bastogne-Liege?

BSUdude, who are you thinking about?

My carefully considered lineup:
1 Nibali
2 Kwiatkowski
3 panda

http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/13/13207377128fd71cd6cf7d4b43f27c91b83672698e0c1ab5df 16c71d2f60cde4.jpg
http://cdn.coresites.factorymedia.com/rcuk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2-PIC361096603.jpg

At first, I was like, "there's a rider with the nickname of Panda? which seems plausible, as there is a 3rd baseman with that nickname, too.

1. Kwiatkowski
2. Valverde
3. Purito

[MattTuck]

Astana seems to be saying, "We're still here."

[Gummee]

Man! Was that a crash or what?!

M

[MattTuck]

Ended the day for a few of the team leaders... ouch.

[MattTuck]

Valverde so powerful in the end, well played.

Alaphilippe looking like a rider to watch for the future.

[ceolwulf]

Alaphilippe with the correct headwear on the podium, good man.

[alessandro]

Valverde so powerful in the end, well played.

That was a piti. ;)

[BSUdude]

Where are the predictions for Sunday's Liege-Bastogne-Liege?

BSUdude, who are you thinking about?

My carefully considered lineup:
1 Nibali
2 Kwiatkowski
3 panda

Damn I missed this so I guess I keep my reputation intact for a little longer. Would've been hard to pick against a podium that included valverde and purito though. And picking valverde for the W would've been easy considering his W on the huy on Wednesday. Probably would've taken Kwiat or Gerrans for the other spot. 2nd place was definitely a surprise.

[ultraman6970]

Valverde is looking good, purito eventhought his season has been really calm, he is up there with the top guys. My only question is Contador... gonna have to wait for the giro to know how he is doing.

Big tours are going to be good this year, a lot of guys are at the same level.