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Liege - Bastogne - Liege Discussion
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 05-08-2015 20:21
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11819
Joined: 19-07-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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 Liege - Bastogne - Liege
Next Monument on the menu: LBL! 249.5km in total, this world famous Ardennes classic definitely won't see Sam Bewley taking another Monument victory this season. It's time for the puncheurs to battle for one of the most prestigious wins of the year. And with Ponzi enjoying a huge week so far, we may see another outstanding triple this season!
Except of Alejandro Valverde (2007, 2008) we will see all previous race winners at the start this year again: defending champion Jan Bakelants, Yuri Trofimov (2013), LBL-legend Frank Schleck (2010-2012) and Riccardo Ricco (2009) should be all amongst the contenders at least.
But of course there will be more names to watch out for..
The Startlist
The Favorites | Rider | HI | ACC | | Rider | HI | ACC |  Hagen | 85 | 79 | |  McCarthy | 81 | 74 |  Bakelants | 84 | 78 | |  Flügel | 81 | 74 |  Trofimov | 83 | 76 | |  Schreurs | 81 | 74 |  Ginanni | 83 | 74 | |  Schumacher | 81 | 72 | | Claeys | 83 | 73 | |  Bobridge | 80 | 79 |  Ponzi | 82 | 80 | |  Gautier | 80 | 77 |  Van Garderen | 82 | 79 | |  Ulissi | 80 | 75 |  Skujins | 82 | 76 | |  Ricco | 80 | 73 |  Gastauer | 82 | 76 | | Schleck | 80 | 73 |  Froome | 82 | 75 | | Roche | 80 | 72 | | Spilak | 82 | 74 | |  Zaini | 80 | 70 | | | | |  Klemme | 80 | 66 | | | | |  Gilbert | 79 | 74 |
Ponzi has to be considered the top-favorite now. Given his current shape and his chance to complete the Ardennes triple, he's obviously the man to beat here.
Boasson Hagen has podium'd this race three times (3rd last year and 2nd in both 2013 and 2010) - he surely wants to see his name on the honour roll soon. Even more since he failed pretty hard at FW most recently. Bakelants and Trofimov as the next top-favorites, both aiming to repeat their victories in the past two years. Ginanni and Claeys make it five 83+ puncheurs then. Both didn't exactly deliver here in the last years though.
Opposing to Van Garderen (6th), who should reach for the podium at least. And then we have Skujins, Gastauer, Froome and Spilak to complete the list of the most serious contenders for the big win here. Spilak and Skujins looking good this week, while Froome needs to prove he was worth the money in Quickstep's off-season.
Several more 80+ puncheurs with wild card entry McCarthy, Flügel, Schreurs, Schumacher or strong kicking outsiders like Bobridge, Gautier or Ulissi.. the two former race winners Ricco (Spilak) and Schleck (Gastauer) may probably work for their captains on first hand, but may be given a free role, if the race unfolds in their advantage.
And then we have Sagan, fo course.
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| viking90 |
Posted on 05-08-2015 20:26
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4032
Joined: 24-01-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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I´m cheering for EBH here!  |
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 05-08-2015 20:34
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World Champion
Posts: 12986
Joined: 20-05-2009
PCM$: 530.00
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Zaini a favourite over Kinoshita! He must actually do something here because Kinoshita has outperformed him everywhere else.
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| beagle |
Posted on 05-08-2015 20:53
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4200
Joined: 06-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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And then we have Sagan, fo course.
This.
Expectations? Great report with typical PCM14 results.
Manager of Polar in Man-Game
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| rjc_43 |
Posted on 05-08-2015 20:57
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Team Leader
Posts: 6716
Joined: 13-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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A triple for Good Energy? That would be above all expectations - just like the two wins for Ponzi have been so far. Eager to read the report, but at the same time, not.
Fingers crossed!
[url=cleavercycling.co.uk]  [/url] |
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| ember |
Posted on 05-08-2015 21:08
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Team Leader
Posts: 6849
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 700.00
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Definitely a highlight of the season as it feels like Boasson Hagen's best chance this year (considering profiles) to take his first ever monument win, which would be amazing.
Luckily there is no thing as form based on previous races in the MG, but it is kind of hard to forget AGR and especially Flèche thinking of his performances 
But a new race and a new daily form give hope! Really looking forward to the report, tsmoha |
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| Forever the Best |
Posted on 05-08-2015 21:10
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3803
Joined: 27-06-2014
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Go Ponzi,Boasson Hagen and Spilak!
On the other hand Trofimov or Bakelandts to win |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 15:15
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| Smowz |
Posted on 05-08-2015 21:18
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Team Leader
Posts: 6479
Joined: 09-04-2009
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What about skidpants for the win? Nah top 10 would be nice. This one being the monument matters most to points suckers like me of course
Just get above Gasman and I will be delighted!
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 05-08-2015 21:23
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7681
Joined: 19-02-2008
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Hitting the top 20 would be an achievement at this rate.
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| Kami |
Posted on 05-08-2015 21:35
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3485
Joined: 19-06-2009
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Well, i've got a top 10 goal here, but i guess that isn't happening in PCM14 for Ulissi. At this point there is no reason to even hope for a decent result though. Just hope you get the best RNG rolls.
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| Roman |
Posted on 05-08-2015 21:48
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4386
Joined: 29-05-2007
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Lovely preview. Especially this.
And then we have Sagan, fo course.
Another top 10 result would be absolutely amazingly shockingly superb, but well, who knows what is going to happen. I will be happy again if Sagan at least tries to attack from the peloton.
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| Scorchio |
Posted on 05-08-2015 22:49
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2073
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Second outing of the week for Nutresa in the finale of the Ardennes classics. With the extra distance have drafted in Del Nero and Stijn VDB in the hope that one of them might make the BoTD. Was beneficial to catch up with our loaned ot riders Rodriguez Galindo and Tatarinov at Fleche, that made 10 Nutresa contracted riders on the start line mid-week. Only 9 for this monument, assume still most represented .
Expecting Eddy BH and Bakelandts to fight this out to put a shine on one of their seasons at any rate by making up for some recent disappointments.
Manager of ISA - Hexacta in the MG |
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| Heine |
Posted on 06-08-2015 05:10
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4116
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I'm close to guessing Ponzi here, he's in the form of his life.
I hope that Claeys and Flügel will do better here, they dissapointed in Fleche-Wallone, so time to prove they deserve their wage
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 06-08-2015 06:55
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World Champion
Posts: 14236
Joined: 20-06-2011
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Nice preview, wwe are again coming with no expectations and this time even without Mikhail Ignatiev to lead us. Top 50 would be a surprise already.
I hope we can get into break without any kind of favourite for top50, because we missed breaks in first two ardennes classics, which sucks.
Good luck to all and fingers crossed for Ponzi pulling a triple! However my bet is Spilak or Trofimov.
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| OlegTinkov |
Posted on 06-08-2015 09:25
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2666
Joined: 31-12-2007
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This is our win goal, so let's do this Trofimov!!!
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 06-08-2015 13:31
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Sprinter
Posts: 1907
Joined: 07-02-2009
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I'm rooting for Ponzi. Although this is Schumacher's last time racing LBL or any Ardennes classic with at least an outside chance, so I hope he does something special.
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 06-08-2015 14:28
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Team Manager
Posts: 33046
Joined: 08-03-2007
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Well Ponzi has now won 3 races in a row with the final Giro stage too, making it 4 would be pretty spectacular. Don't expect Gastauer to win, so have got to therefore cheer for Ponzi!
Top 10 is the target again for Gastauer, and if he can beat Skujins like he did in Amstel that make it all the sweeter - though I'd love to see Skujins go big as well.
It's a good race for Schleck usually so hopefully Gastauer will attack early enough for him to then decide to follow a later wave of attacks.
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| viking90 |
Posted on 06-08-2015 19:43
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4032
Joined: 24-01-2009
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Wow impressive Ponzi! Congrats rjc!  |
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 06-08-2015 19:43
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World Champion
Posts: 13915
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Another one for Ponzi. Wow. Sagan with a disappointing 17th place
Also, anyone looking for a Vanendert?
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| roturn |
Posted on 06-08-2015 19:44
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
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Wow wow wow
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