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Fleche Wallone Discussion
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 22-04-2013 11:09
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The next Ardennes classics and we are now in the Ardennes.
The Fleche Wallone is a great race with beautiful history. The route is a bit shorter as both the Amstel and Liege with the finish positioned after about 200 km of racing. The amount of hills is also lower but many say the hills here are harder then around Valkenburg. Especially the Mur de Huy. Tackled 3 times it is only 1 km long but incredibly steep at above 9%. The finish is situated on top so riders dreaming of winning will have to be very strong there.
As proven by Chavanel last year, waiting for the Mur isn't always the best option. Certainly not for riders from the 2nd and 3rd row. He attacked about halfway together with Albasini and Paterski gaining enough advantage that the favourites were too much behind to make up on the Mur.
 Boasson Hagen definatly has to be considered top favourite after his solo performance in the Gold race. He was first from the favourites here last year in a weaker year for him. He also has Spilak on his side, a guy who could challenge for the podium here himself.
During the offseason, many predicted that nobody would be able to beat  Bakelandts over the hills. His season has been a bit of a letdown though with 'only' stage wins in Tirreno and Pais Vasco. 7th in Amstel isn't great either but he is back on his home ground in Belgium.
Age started to take his toll on  Frank Schleck but he is still one of the best punchers in the peloton. He hasn't won the Fleche since 2007, already 6 years ago now but has a strong team around him and has enough experience.
After storming through Paris-Nice,  Trofimov seemed invincible but stronger opponents made it harder for him in Pais Vasco and Amstel. Still he finished 2nd and 3rd respectively and with Van der Hugenhaben, he has an incredibly good domestique aswell.
With a strong attack on the Cauberg,  Schumacher left all his companions behind to claim second in the Amstel. Seeing how he raced the last kilometres, some wondered what would have been possible if he had followed Hagen. He can prove that here.
 Ponzi,  Van Garderen,  Gesink and wild card invitee  Roche are probably a step lower as the above mentioned but could surpise and sneek in there if they have a good day and play their cards right.
Proud Belgians  Gilbert,  Claeys and Monfort will be really motivated in their home country. Finishing around 5th place is probably the highest they can reach though.
Italian specialists like  Ulissi,  Pozzato and  Di Maggio are all decent punchers aswell but the critics say that these hills could be just a bit too long for any of them to play a role. But Pozzato has surprised before.
Also worth mentioning are  Pluchkin and  Rujano. Two top climbers who are mostly seen in longer stage races, they come here to try their luck in a one day classic.
Edited by Spilak23 on 22-04-2013 11:17
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| Rin |
Posted on 22-04-2013 13:24
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Go Claeys!
I guess Bakelandts might win, I hope that the winner will be as good as Hagen at Amstel with a brave attack
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| rycadinho |
Posted on 22-04-2013 13:29
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Nice preview Spilak23, I'm really looking forward to this race! We haven't been racing a lot in the CT lately, instead has focus been turned to Fletche and of course Liege where I hope that Roche can deliver two good performances.
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Posted on 08-12-2025 01:54
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| Smowz |
Posted on 22-04-2013 18:10
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Nice to see you take on a Protour race Spilak, I always think it is great fun reporting on the cream of the crop.
If it goes the way of the hill climbs I have seen in stage races, it'll be Schleck vs Bakelandts. Daily form seems to be important here.
Red Bull hopes rest on a ludicrous mid to late race break, it worked last year who knows?
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 22-04-2013 18:15
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It's going to be a fun race. Hope for a great fight up the Mur. Great to see you report Spilak. |
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| ember |
Posted on 22-04-2013 18:56
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Hopefully Boasson Hagen can continue his riding from Amstel Gold Race. Though, I suspect it will be tough, as Bakelants in his home country is my favourite for the win.
Having both Spilak and Boasson Hagen here hopefully makes us mark the dangerous move in the decisive part of the race. Both of them should be capable to make a podium in a select group.
Good luck on the report, Spilak! Seeing your preview I think it will be a good one, just hoping the biggest guns makes it a race to remember as well.
The Amstel race was really a great one, in terms of racing. Fingers crossed the action will start earlier than last time climbing the Mur. |
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| niconico |
Posted on 22-04-2013 20:42
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I'm going with Trofimov for the win and Pluchkin for being there.... maybe doing something 
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 22-04-2013 21:25
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If Gesink is actually going to do something in the Ardennes, this is where he'll do it.
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| SotD |
Posted on 23-04-2013 17:04
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No expectations. Ulissi doesn't seem strong enough, and the pack is so very strong in these races.
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| CountArach |
Posted on 24-04-2013 14:09
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Cheering for either Gesink or Gilbert but I am tipping Schleck. Should be a cracker of a race.
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| rycadinho |
Posted on 25-04-2013 13:36
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Great report and a good result for us - Roche did everything possible to end on the podium and to finish 9th before superstars like Schleck is more than I could had hoped for!
Hagen is really on a roll, great win for him 
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 25-04-2013 13:37
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Is Boasson Hagen going for the Ardennes Triple? |
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| ember |
Posted on 25-04-2013 14:24
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Wow! That was a nice surprise
It was a bit worrying that both Boasson Hagen and Spilak were completely anonymous through the race, but luckily Boasson Hagen showed himself when it mattered the most.
Thanks for the report, Spilak23. |
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 25-04-2013 14:30
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That's a bit better Nice report man, thanks. |
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| Smowz |
Posted on 25-04-2013 14:46
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Hagen is nailing it, we expected a young rider to dominate in the Ardennes but not Hagen. Aker are on a roll, as was said before an Ardennes triple would massive for them.
The inevitable blocking on the Huy is irritating as it is ineviatable, guess that s the way it has got to be. Schleck looks the biggest loser in ths case.
Horrible race for SRB and why not our team is weak for te hilly stuff.
Enjoyed the detail of the report by the way, naming climbs and referring to previous races is great.
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| CountArach |
Posted on 25-04-2013 15:16
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Great report but a pretty dull race really. EBH is looking hugely impressive.
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| dave92 |
Posted on 25-04-2013 17:11
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Great result for Van Garderen, he's done all I could hope for in the Ardennes so far.
I guess it shouldn't be all that surprising with the large pack coming to the bottom together, but so many of the big favorites really disappointed here.
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| Rin |
Posted on 25-04-2013 18:37
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Can't believe that Claeys managed to grab a 3rd place
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| mattiasgt |
Posted on 25-04-2013 19:01
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da f*ck?
(Previously) Manager of Koenigsegg
Koenigsegg: ( Media)
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 25-04-2013 19:04
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Good to see that Boasson Hagen is finally living up to his stats, after last season's big disappointment. Van Garderen and Claeys with a surprisingly strong finish as well.
Shame some of the favourites were hindered on the Mur, but I guess there is little to do about that.
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