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Ardennes classics
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 24-04-2011 20:30
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Directeur Sportif
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Shame I missed it, looked to be excting race. Very happy with Uran and Gerrans places, good Ardness from Sky, but they were actually dissapointed not to get podium here from what I read. Now hope Lofkvist will surprise me in Giro and Thomas in Romandie 
Edited by Alakagom on 24-04-2011 20:30
HTC Nieuwsblad
Vacansoleil's contracts catch more dopers than drug testing. |
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| sam1196 |
Posted on 24-04-2011 20:42
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am i mistaking or is Romandie not so demanding in climbing this year?
VINO VINO VINO VINO VINO VINO VINO VINO VINO |
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 24-04-2011 20:48
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Directeur Sportif
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You are right, 1 stage is prologue, second is a mountain stage, it will casue some spilts but its not that hard, but then there is TT with 25km, which means that Thomas can easily do Top 15 if he has the form he had at RvV or PN. Then 3 flat/ hilly stages.
Tony Martin for overall would be my pick, or Wiggins.
You can find the profiles here : http://www.tourde...
Edited by Alakagom on 24-04-2011 20:48
HTC Nieuwsblad
Vacansoleil's contracts catch more dopers than drug testing. |
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 24-04-2011 21:50
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Grand Tour Specialist
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A strange one, that.
Andy attacks and instead of letting Gilbert close the gap, Frank does. They then ride into the sunset together and Andy gets dropped. Frank manages to stay with Gilbert and then Andy gets back on because Frank won't help Gilbert. When it's all back together, Andy helps Gilbert and paces up the final drag. Frank doesn't contribute anything at all in the closing 5 or 6 kilometers. Seems like he's told Andy he's the man and is feeling good. Gilbert launches for the line at the top, Andy responds fairly well, but Frank can't even get past him until he flicks the elbow to let him through.
Crazy tactics from the Schleck-ettes. 
Quite funny reading some of the comments after the race. Gilbert praising them and the brothers saying they didn't race to make him lose. Well, guys, you sure as hell didn't race to win. 
Still, I'm pleased for Gilbert. A far better winner than either of the Schlecks would have been.
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| litllemagnum |
Posted on 24-04-2011 22:00
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Domestique
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Maybe they were dead and could attack anymore. Ever thought of that?
Pozzato sucks! |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-05-2013 11:19
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| rjc_43 |
Posted on 24-04-2011 22:03
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I thought, personally, a far better usage of Andy would have been to get back on, and then attack. Forcing Gilbert to actually have to chase and waste energy rather than soft tapping on the front to keep the gap reasonable. Then Frank would have at least maybe attempted to attack up the final climb. Still, that's how I'd have played it if I was the weaker team mate. |
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 24-04-2011 22:13
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I think the fact there was a chasing group only 30 seconds behind forced the Schlecks to ride with Gilbert. The Belgian would have remained the favourite if they came to the final straight line in a group of six or seven, whereas the Schleck would most likely have lost their double podium position in that case. So they secured the 2nd and 3rd position, as Gilbert was stronger anyway.
Even though it's a bit dull, it's still better than "Cancellara, we don't mind losing, but you will not win either". Anyway, there's only Pozzato who would do that to Gilbert. |
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 24-04-2011 22:15
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Grand Tour Specialist
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litllemagnum wrote:
Maybe they were dead and could attack anymore. Ever thought of that?
You think so? At the end of LBL? Never thought of that at all. 
My point is, what the hell is Andy doing pacing if Frank is so dead? |
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| litllemagnum |
Posted on 24-04-2011 22:18
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Domestique
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fenian_1234 wrote:
litllemagnum wrote:
Maybe they were dead and could attack anymore. Ever thought of that?
You think so? At the end of LBL? Never thought of that at all.
My point is, what the hell is Andy doing pacing if Frank is so dead?
Hoping Gilbert would fuck up his sprint or they knew they couldn't win and just rode for the podium.
Pozzato sucks! |
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 24-04-2011 22:25
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It smacks of such negativity and that's just not what cycling should be for me. I know there's tactics but my feeling is that the sole aim of tactics should be a win. |
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| kumazan |
Posted on 24-04-2011 23:44
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They rode for the win. When Gilbert made clear that there was no chance to beat him other than to hope that Phil himself made a mistake, they fought to secure the podium.
You can argue that they didn't try enough. Fair enough. But all this fuss is excessive, in my opinion. I don't remember such a reaction after last year's P-R, when Cancellara rode for 478548754 kms alone, with a chase group composed by around 10 riders, and only Boonen tried to get the win. Now that was sad. |
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 25-04-2011 00:54
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There was plenty of criticism last year after Paris-Roubaix.
It's all personal opinion, but riders of the standard of Frank and Andy (Andy especially as a former winner) I don't think should be riding for 2nd and 3rd place, even in a race with the history and standing of LBL.
I'd never say they didn't try, but I don't buy into the spin that what they did was somehow 'honourable'.
EDIT - By the way, way to go Oscar Freire.
11 Alexandr Kolobnev (Rus) Katusha Team 0:00:43
12 Simon Gerrans (Aus) Sky Procycling
13 Paul Martens (Ger) Rabobank Cycling Team
14 Igor Anton Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
15 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank Cycling Team
16 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - ISD
Edited by fenian_1234 on 25-04-2011 00:57 |
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| Guido Mukk |
Posted on 25-04-2011 09:39
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World Champion
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Aquarius wrote:
I think the fact there was a chasing group only 30 seconds behind forced the Schlecks to ride with Gilbert. The Belgian would have remained the favourite if they came to the final straight line in a group of six or seven, whereas the Schleck would most likely have lost their double podium position in that case. So they secured the 2nd and 3rd position, as Gilbert was stronger anyway.
Even though it's a bit dull, it's still better than "Cancellara, we don't mind losing, but you will not win either". Anyway, there's only Pozzato who would do that to Gilbert.
x2..
Group was chasing 30sec. behind. Thank you..we take Nice podium places and prize money.
isso: Froomebot has been reset and a new BIOS installed
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| felix_29 |
Posted on 25-04-2011 11:53
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Classics Specialist
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Guido Mukk wrote:
Aquarius wrote:
I think the fact there was a chasing group only 30 seconds behind forced the Schlecks to ride with Gilbert. The Belgian would have remained the favourite if they came to the final straight line in a group of six or seven, whereas the Schleck would most likely have lost their double podium position in that case. So they secured the 2nd and 3rd position, as Gilbert was stronger anyway.
Even though it's a bit dull, it's still better than "Cancellara, we don't mind losing, but you will not win either". Anyway, there's only Pozzato who would do that to Gilbert.
x2..
Group was chasing 30sec. behind. Thank you..we take Nice podium places and prize money.
Price money has got nothing to do with their tacics...maybe the just have fun being pro cyclists and do not have the primary aim to get price money. And they don´t need the price money as they have pretty nice contracts
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| Dan_Grr |
Posted on 25-04-2011 12:56
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Domestique
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[Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2011] Final kilometers - Côte de Saint Nicolas climb
http://www.youtub...izjxLt0Q2c |
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