On the heels of Sunday's 'Ardennes Week' opener at the Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallonne brings the peloton into the Ardennes region proper on Wednesday, with everything kicking off in Binche, Belgium.
The first ascent – the Côte d'Amay – crested at 131.5 kilometres. Once the climbing begins, though, it doesn't much let up until the finish line.
The Côte de Villers le-Bouillet is next on the menu before the first passage of the finish line atop the Mur de Huy, officially 1.3km in length with a 9.6% gradient but with a significant stretch in the double digits before a flatter section at the top. Once across the line for the first time at 146.5 kilometres, the riders will make two trips around a finishing circuit that includes the Côte d'Ereffe (2.1km at 5%), the Côte de Cherave (1.3km 8.1%) and the Mur.
La Flèche Wallonne will reach its climax as the peloton completes the second lap on the circuit to crest the Mur for the third and final time.
Experts:
Alejandro Valverde is the odds-on favourite at the moment, and for good reason, considering his skill set and track record on the lumpy Walloon parcours. He also happens to be in blazing form this spring. What's more, he has a strong team around him, with former Flèche Wallonne winner Daniel Moreno making a great lieutenant and alternative option for Movistar. Aswell as the Columbian Nairo Quintana.
Daniel Martin, twice a podium finisher at Flèche Wallonne, will give Quick-Step a legitimate challenger, even in the absence of Julian Alaphilippe. Martin is climbing well this year and tends to make this race – which favours his punchy style – a major priority.
Sky will bring a powerful one-two punch in Sergio Henao and Michal Kwiatkowski. Both are in great form. Kwiatkowski may have the more impressive track record in the Ardennes recently, but Henao is probably the purer climbing talent, and he claimed runner-up honors atop the Mur back in 2013. He's more explosive than many realise.
"The second of a total of three Adrenne Classics is here, La Fleche Wallone. After a good effort in Amstel Gold Race a couple of days ago, we wanted to keep the same tactic and mindset. The riders to lookout for was almost the same as a couple of days ago. So the guys knew what was expected.
The race started hard and fast, and a break formed rather quickly. And the group buildt a sizeable gap without much problems.
As the race hit Côte D'Amay the gap was at 3'28 down to the peleton, being led by Quickstep and Team Sky.
The pace was increasing, and as the race went up Mur de Huy the race was coming into it's own. As several groups started to form. The pace continued over the top, as a rather small peleton could now smell both the breakaway and the finishline.
As the race hit Côte de Cherave it was starting to form an idea of who would be in contension for the win. The break folded like a deck of cards, as a hungry peleton came and ate them right up. As soon as the break was caught Mollema attacked. And quickly got a gap up and over Côte de Cherave.
The peleton led by Sky would however not let Mollema get much, and up Mur de Huy he got the hammer, and was passed by Valverde and Martin - who was in a mexican duel. Martin drew the longest straw, and a second Quickstep win in this years Ardennes was a fact. Mollema rolled over the line in 6th place, but he had a go at it and can't be blamed. We still have one last chance for an upset, as Liege - Bastogne - Liege is next.
It may defy logic that a rider on the cusp of his 37th birthday has been the outstanding performer of the campaign to date, and yet Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) is the logical favourite for victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday.
The formula behind Valverde’s success on this sort of terrain has remained more or less incontrovertible over the course of his career. As a general rule, he climbs better than the other fast finishers, and he sprints better than the other climbers. Those seeking to deny Valverde victory on Sunday will need to try to shake him off before the drag to the finish at Ans or, at the very latest, before the road swings left and flattens out with 300 metres to go.
Over the past decade or so, the difficulty of the Liège-Bastogne-Liège parcours – and its tough closing kilometres, in particular – has served to temper aggression rather than encourage it. Long-range attacks from pre-race favourites seem a relic of the past, with most preferring to spare themselves for the brutal finale over the Côte de Saint-Nicolas and the haul to the line at Ans.
As a consequence, ASO have made various tweaks to the finale of La Doyenne in the hope of creating the conditions for a more attacking race. Although last year’s innovation, the cobbled Côte de la Rue Naniot served as the springboard for the winning move, the race was a conservative one to that point, and the cobbled climb has been excised from the finale this time around.
Experts:
At Flèche Wallonne, a shoot-out on the Mur de Huy was perhaps inevitable, but at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, there will surely be fewer teams happy to simply help Movistar in towing Valverde to the finish. 2013 winner Dan Martin (Quick-Step), first at Flèche, seems the most likely challenger, even if the absence of the injured Julian Alaphillippe wich robs him of a very useful foil.
Last year’s winner Wout Poels is an absentee, but Sky have favourites in their ranks in Michal Kwiatkowski, Diego Rosa and Sergio Henao. And so impressive at Amstel Gold Race, the trio has all the attributes to win La Doyenne, even though, their impressive riding so far in the Ardennes, their performances have never quite added to the sum of their potential in this classic season. Sergio Henao and Diego Rosa provide Sky with alternative options as we think Kwiatkowski is the leader and, at least in theory, they ought to be one of the principal aggressors.
Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates) has placed third and fourth in Liège in the past two editions, though after a fine start to 2017, he has been rather quieter in recent weeks. His teammate Diego Ulissi has the punch for the Ardennes, but questions linger over whether he has can cope with the distance.
"The last of the three Ardennes classics, Liege Bastogne Liege, is here. The last surge of effort for the punchier riders not riding the Giro, and just the begining for thoose who are. Having been in the front in both Amstel and Wallone without getting first to the line. This was our last chance. With everybody except Quickstep still looking for the win, this had all the ingredienses for an explosive race.
The first part of the race started like we all predicted, high pace and a bunch of breakaway attempts. In the end, a rather large group got away from the peleton, with Reijnen in the mix aswell.
In the first part of the race, it was dull, even in the breakaway. As a second loss of attention had a harsh impact on 4 of the breakaway riders, as they hit the tarmac.
As the race hit Côte de Pont, the peleton had started the chase. With a hard last part to the race, being in the front was now key to your chances of being first to the line.
As the peleton was moving up Côte de la Roche aux Faucons, Mollema went with only 20 km left. It all came back together before the top, but it was not for nothing, as all the riders was now isolated without any help at the front.
Then it was time for the last proper test before the finish,Côte de Saint-Nicolas, Mollema went again creating separation. As the race now was between five riders, with only five kilometers left. Mollema, Martin, Valverde, Henao and Chaves. The gaps down to the chasers behind was getting big enough that we could say that with confidence.
As the leading group of Valverde had 1 KM left, the games was on. Nobody wanted to take the front, as Valverde led the group up the last hil to Ans.
As the group made the left turn to the finish, Valverde made his move, with only Mollema being able to challange him. They both threw their bikes over the line, but it was no dought. Valverde was the man of the day!
Good campaign for Mollema, strong strong showings!
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
Froome, a two time winner of the race, will start as favourite. Froome has not won a race in 2017 and will be eager to get off the mark having been inconsistent throughout the year. The longer time trial on stage 5 certainly suits him, and the mountain stages are his bread and butter. Few of his typical Tour de France squad are at the race, though Michał Kwiatkowski, Sebastian Henao, and Sérgio Luis Henao will offer support.
Also in the race are Froome's contenders from last year's Tour de France and most likely the 2017 edition later this year aswell. Amongst them are Romain Bardet, Vincenzo Nibali and Rigoberto Uran.
Tour de Romandie, a great chance for us to test our Giro d'Italia plans. We brought both Bernard and Nizzolo, as there was chances for both to try something.
The first proper stage of the tour, and straight into a battle between the GC contenders. As you wouldn't win the tour today, but you sure could loose it.
The breakaway went early, we managed to get Bernard into it, as we had high hopes of capturing the King of the Mountain jersey.
The peleton had control the entire day, and as the final climb of the day came - it was all back together. It ended in a bunch sprint, won by Izagirre.
The stage to Bulle, a great chance to test Nizzolo in a bunch sprint and get Bernard into the break to defend his KOM jersey.
We got Bernard into the break, and it looked like Lukas Pöstlberger would be the main contender for the jersey. The break got caught, and it ended in a bunch sprint. Nizzolo got a great lead-out by Jasper Stuyven, and had no problem claiming the stage.
Second chance for Nizzolo with the stage in Payerne, but with yesterday's glory in Bulle, we didn't have the same motivation to tire out the team by chasing down a potential breakaway.
We got Bernard into the breakaway today aswell. Defending his King of Mountain jersey, and the group managed to get a large lead. And with nobody wanting to chase behind, the break went all the way.
Jelle Wallays went from the group with 10 KM left, and just managed to hold off. Bernard didn't have any juice left, and rolled over the line with the rest of the break. Cavendish took the sprint in the peleton.
The penultimate stage of the 2017 edition of Tour de Romandie, and the queen stage to Leysin was on the agenda. For us, the plan was to get Bernard into the breakaway, and Nizzolo safely to the finish.
First objective we completed quickly, as Bernard attacked by the flag drop. He collected a nice amount of points, and by that. He won the KOM competition.
As the last climb came around, the breakaway had been caught by the chasing peleton. As the break got caught, Chaves went of the front. Nibali tried to follow, but quickly got the hammer, and started going backwards. Froome started pacing the group behind.
The last day, and an important day for the riders with hopes of winning the race or getting a podium. Chaves would be under attack, but he himself controlled his own destiny.
For us, nothing special, everybody got the order to just ride trough and stay on the bike.
At the first time check things was still very close. Izagirre was leading, but Chaves had only lost 6' seconds to him, and 2' seconds to Froome. The hope was very much alive.
At the finish, it was clear, Chaves had managed to hold everybody off. He was the winner of the Tour de Romandie 2017.
More suprisingly Froome got pushed off the podium by Roglic and Izagirre, and ended up in 4th. For us however, a great tour, a stage win and the King of the Mountain jersey. Things are looking great for the Giro d'Italia.
Good campaign for Mollema, strong strong showings!
Indeed, i might need to uppen the difficulty, seeing as i've been crushing it so far this season.
What y'all think?
Yeah I agree really, just see how it goes as whilst it's been awesome to see pistolero and the cobbles guys doing so well it's a bit OTT, even with our expert decision making
Also, Chaves <3
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
Good campaign for Mollema, strong strong showings!
Indeed, i might need to uppen the difficulty, seeing as i've been crushing it so far this season.
What y'all think?
Yeah I agree really, just see how it goes as whilst it's been awesome to see pistolero and the cobbles guys doing so well it's a bit OTT, even with our expert decision making
Also, Chaves <3
Hahah, very true. Will be turning up the difficulty to Hard when the Giro roles around
The 100th edition of the Corsa Rosa celebrates a hundred years of the Giro d'Italia and so is also a celebration of Italian cycling and Grand Tour racing that will last three weeks, 21 stages, and this year, a total of 3612km.
The Giro d'Italia has often had a weaker cast of protagonists than the Tour de France. Chris Froome, Richie Porte and Alberto Contador are absent but virtually every other Grand Tour rider has signed up for the 100th Giro d'Italia and will travel to Sardinia on Tuesday.
The limited number of real overall contenders has often simplified the plot for the pink jersey but this year's race, with riders of different ability, different experience and even with rivals within their own teams, promises more sub plots, more twists and turns and more intrigue than a Hitchcock movie.
Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) is focused on a third pink jersey in Milan. This former winners seem like the outstanding favourite on paper, and have a strong team to back his tilt to victory. It should be a clash of the titans come the final week.
There is no first Italian duel between Nibali and Aru, but that can wait another year. Instead, it will be fascinating to see how Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) gets on his Giro d'Italia debut. Can his love of Italy help him overcome his Grand Tour weaknesses and so become the first French winner since Laurent Fignon in 1989? Bien sûr!
The relationship and rivalry between Tejay van Garderen and Rohan Dennis will also be worth watching carefully. Van Garderen is the experienced Grand Tour leader with Dennis his rapidly learning understudy. Both have form and a point to prove even if they have weaknesses that could be exposed on the unpredictable roads of the Giro d'Italia. An American has not won the Giro d'Italia since Andy Hampsten in 1988, while an Australian has yet to add the green and gold flag to the Giro d'Italia's roll of honour.
Simon Yates (Orica-Scott), Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) and Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) will all want to have their say. They may only end up fighting for a place on the final podium in Milan but are all genuine overall contenders.
Time for some interactive activity again, please post questions that should be asked to the Trek - Segafredo squad and managers.
Example
To Nizzolo: Do you prefer to not ride with Alberto Contador?
I will pick the top 5 and use them in the pre-race press conference and we will have another interactive opportunity before the race starts. I will also add pro/cons effects to the answers to the questions.
Seeing the activity in here is low, this might not go as i planned, but let's try
To Stuyven:
Jasper, do you think you should be allowed some free license on certain tougher stages after your successful classics campaign?
To Giacomo:
What is the effect of riding without a GC leader in stage racers?
To Julien:
What are your aims with your free role and what will your tactics be in the first week - conserve energy or help Giacomo?
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
To Nizzolo, What means more to you, Stage wins, winning the Classificazione Punti or asserting yourself as top Italian Sprinter in the Giro?
To Gregory Daniel, How do you feel about getting to ride the Giro? Does it being a Grand Tour make up for missing out on riding America's biggest stage race the Tour of California?
To Nizzolo 2, Are you planning on going to the World's and do you think being the top Italian Sprinter here will guarantee you leadership there?
sammyt93 wrote:
To Nizzolo, What means more to you, Stage wins, winning the Classificazione Punti or asserting yourself as top Italian Sprinter in the Giro?
To Gregory Daniel, How do you feel about getting to ride the Giro? Does it being a Grand Tour make up for missing out on riding America's biggest stage race the Tour of California?
To Nizzolo 2, Are you planning on going to the World's and do you think being the top Italian Sprinter here will guarantee you leadership there?
"Welcome to 2017 edition of the Giro d'Italia. Next up, Trek - Segafredo!"
Giovanni Ellena:"Hey everybody and welcome. Let's get right into the questions. You sir, right there."
jandal7: "I'll start. Jasper, do you think you should be allowed some free license on certain tougher stages after your successful classics campaign?"
Jasper Stuyven: [1]"Yes i do. I have shown troughout the season that i can deliver when asked to. At this point in my carrer im not a lead-out kind of a guy. Im a leader kind of a guy."
[+1 RES +1 STA +1 HILL][-1 FL -2 REC -1 SPRINT]
[2]"Im here to make sure we win, and hopefully the points classification aswell. I will do what im told."
[+1 FL +2 ACC +2 REC][-1 HILL -1 STA -3 Fighter]
jandal7: "And this one is to Giacomo, What is the effect of riding without a GC leader in stage racers?"
Giacomo Nizzolo: [1]"It puts more pressure on me to deliver. It's an honor to have that kind of trust by the team and a team here to help me win. I love it"
[+1 FL Team][-1 FL Jasper Stuyven]
[2]"Well, it opens up the team to more chances of doing things we normaly couldn't do if we wanted to do well in the GC. We have riders like Jasper and Bernard with us. So i guess it makes it easier for them to get their own chances."
[+1 FL Jasper Stuyven +2 HILL Julien Bernard][-1 FL Team]
Giovanni Ellena:"Thank you sir. Next please. You sir, right there, go ahead."
sammyt93: "This one is for Gregory Daniel, How do you feel about getting to ride the Giro? Does it being a Grand Tour make up for missing out on riding America's biggest stage race the Tour of California?"
Gregory Daniel: [1]"It's an honour to be here, riding the 100th edition of the Giro, and help Nizzolo win. Yes, in many ways it does. Im very pleased with being here"
[+1 FL][-1 MO]
[2]"I told the team early in the season that riding the Tour of California was my one big goal for the season. So im very dissapointed and no, it does not make up for it."
[+1 MO +1 RES][-2 FL -2 REC]
sammyt93: "To Nizzolo, Are you planning on going to the World's and do you think being the top Italian Sprinter here will guarantee you leadership there?"
Giacomo Nizzolo: [1]"I'll decide later this season. In the end i don't make decisions like that, you would have to ask Davide Cassani."
[+1 FL +1 SPRINT +1 ACC][-2 MO -1 HILL -1 REC]
[2]"It should. Being named the leader of this team, and winning here should be a guarentee for sure. I won't race unless im the unanimous leader."
[+1 MO +1 REC][-1 FL -1 RES]
Giovanni Ellena:"Thank you sir. Last question. You sir, right there, go ahead."
jandal7: "Julien, what are your aims with your free role and what will your tactics be in the first week - conserve energy or help Giacomo?"
Julien Bernard: [1]"Im here with a free role yes, but as far as i know i will only get a chance with the stages where Nizzolo can't win. Seeing he can climb the shorter hills fairly ok, im not to sure what my first week looks like yet."
[+1 FL +1 RES +1 SPRINT][-1 RES -1 STA -1 HILL]
[2]"I aim to win the King of the Mountain classification and hopefully a stage or two. I aim to get into the break early in the week, and go from there."
[+1 HILL +2 ACC +2 REC][-1 TT -1 STA -1 SPRINT]
Giovanni Ellena:"This concludes our press conference. Thank you all for showing up and we will see you at the first rest day."
Time to make some choiches again. Please do it like this:
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
1. [1] (could be changed to two if those stat boosts could be sued for attacking anyway )
2. [2]
3. [2]
4. [1] (hard choice but those sprint stat boosts are too good)
5. [2] (obviously
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
Alejandro Valverde
Daniel Martin
Sérgio Luis Henao
Diego Ulissi
Simon Gerrans
Michał Kwiatkowski
Bauke Mollema
Trek - Segafredo:
Julien Bernard
Mads Pedersen
André Cardoso
Michael Albasini
Primož Roglič
Rein Taaramäe
Michael Gogl
Kiel Reijnen
Simon Spilak
Louis Meintjes
Chris Froome
Ilnur Zakarin
Simon Spilak
Silvio Herklotz
Tom Scully
Daniel Martin
