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Ardennes Classics
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| ruben |
Posted on 18-04-2012 17:58
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I do notice a lot of the past 'top' contenders for the Ardennes are crap this year or at least far from 100%.
It's gonna be a weird LBL. But like it is now I think Gilbert has a good shot, even if he's only at 95% of last year |
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| kumazan |
Posted on 18-04-2012 18:06
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Agreed, and the good thing is that it won't be a walk in the park like last year, when he controlled the Schlecks with one leg.
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 18-04-2012 18:39
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A bit impressed by Dan Martin, after looking at the finale again.
Look at the picture below to see his position at the foot of the Mur, from where he then moved his way up to a sixth place. I bet he gained more positions than anyone else.
Also, it's worth noting that he started to move up about at the same time as Rodriguez jumped off the front, with circa 300 meters to go.
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| Wilier |
Posted on 18-04-2012 19:00
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Mollema said in an interview he wasn't feeling well today. Still a good perfomance and it's promising for Liège. I hope he can pull off another top 10 there. |
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| ruben |
Posted on 18-04-2012 19:03
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kumazan wrote:
Agreed, and the good thing is that it won't be a walk in the park like last year, when he controlled the Schlecks with one leg.
definitely..just compare FW 2011/2012 pics of Gilbert 
in 2011, he's saluting far before the finish, and fresh as if he just started the race... after the finish he can immediately speak to reporters etc
in 2012...he comes over the line with a huge grimace. And 5m after the finish he had to hold the side to not fall over. Looks entirely destroyed.
The difference between 11/12 gilbert is still huge, but it says enough. If a 100% gilbert was here there would be no competition. We miss other pure hill specialists like Gilbert |
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| kumazan |
Posted on 18-04-2012 19:09
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ruben wrote:
kumazan wrote:
Agreed, and the good thing is that it won't be a walk in the park like last year, when he controlled the Schlecks with one leg.
definitely..just compare FW 2011/2012 pics of Gilbert
To show ruben isn't exaggerating at all:
2011:
2012:
So, basically, he was third being very, very far from top form, assuming he'll be able to ever reproduce his 2011 form. Scary.
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| CrueTrue |
Posted on 18-04-2012 19:22
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Missed most of the race, but since it was Fleche Wallone - the race where nothing usually happens before the last climb - it didn't bother me too much 
Rather predictable win by Rodriguez. Other than that, quite surprising top-10. Didn't expect to see Albasini in 2nd, that's for sure. |
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| Guido Mukk |
Posted on 18-04-2012 19:38
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Purito started so early and was so much faster.
Albasini..nice power climbing. He was never lifted he's ass off the saddle. I admire Greenage team..amazingly succesful combination |
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 18-04-2012 20:23
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SportingNonsense wrote:
Curses, checked online just after the finish - well its about time Rodriguez won this race
Exactly my thoughts after the finale. It makes you wonder what took him so long to win a race which is tailor-made for him.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 13:32
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 18-04-2012 20:45
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kumazan wrote:
wackojackohighcliffe wrote:
kumazan wrote:
Alakagom wrote:
canojuancho wrote:
Purito, Valverde or Anton. Vanendert and the Schlecks brothers maybe. Albasini will be the surprise, he made some top 10th in last years and it seems strong this year.
Really ? He showed nothing this year except the most flukiest WT race win in some time.
He actually worked his ass off in the stages to Manresa and Ascó. He was really lucky that the queen stage was cancelled obviously, but he did show good form there.
This said, can't see him doing more than a low top 10, if anything at all.
I think I've said several times that my predictions tend to fail.
Well, obvious Purito win is obvious. I don't understand how he managed not to win here yet, a 1km uphill race is just perfect for him.
If you predict things, generally you tend to fail...
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 19-04-2012 06:18
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ruben wrote:
I do notice a lot of the past 'top' contenders for the Ardennes are crap this year or at least far from 100%.
It's gonna be a weird LBL. But like it is now I think Gilbert has a good shot, even if he's only at 95% of last year
I think biggest contenders for L-B-L were not in F-W mostly, aside Nibali and Gilbert i think Cunego and Kreuziger will be the big favourites.
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| ruben |
Posted on 19-04-2012 16:04
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i don't believe in kreuziger, certainly not after seeing him get whooped in trentino today |
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| jph27 |
Posted on 19-04-2012 16:10
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Andy Schleck complaining that no one attacked 
https://www.cyclin...e-wallonne
Pot calling the kettle black anyone? |
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| Gulvplanke |
Posted on 19-04-2012 16:41
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To be fair, Schleck did actully attack.
How hard can it be?
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 19-04-2012 16:45
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Gulvplanke wrote:
To be fair, Schleck did actully attack.
Yeah, but just because his form sucks and he wouldn't be able to challenge the other favourites on the Mur. All the other favourites knows that it's just stupid to attack with 40 kilometers to go, on pan flat terrain.
FW is all about the Mur. You wont stand a chance there if you've wasted energy in earlier attacks.
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 19-04-2012 16:49
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Why does nobody attack?" said Andy Schleck. "Why does everyone ride for second place, eh?
Says the guy that every year builds his entire season around the Tour de France and always finishes second.
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 19-04-2012 16:51
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ruben wrote:
i don't believe in kreuziger, certainly not after seeing him get whooped in trentino today
But that is completly another type of race, see who have beaten him, mountain goats like Pozzovivo, Rujano,Szmyd. And it was only his 2nd day after month without a race. I dont think he will win but he is good bet for a top 5 again, Cunego, Nibali and Gilbert are my favourites for the win.
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 19-04-2012 16:53
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alexkr00 wrote:
Why does nobody attack?" said Andy Schleck. "Why does everyone ride for second place, eh?
Says the guy that every year builds his entire season around the Tour de France and always finishes second.
To be fair, when Schleck is racing, he is attacking often, but that is only 23-30 days per season, than it is easy to attack, he is a moron.
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| ruben |
Posted on 19-04-2012 17:22
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Avin Wargunnson wrote:
ruben wrote:
i don't believe in kreuziger, certainly not after seeing him get whooped in trentino today
But that is completly another type of race, see who have beaten him, mountain goats like Pozzovivo, Rujano,Szmyd. And it was only his 2nd day after month without a race. I dont think he will win but he is good bet for a top 5 again, Cunego, Nibali and Gilbert are my favourites for the win.
Meh, you have a point, not many other favorites in good shape anyway... |
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 22-04-2012 07:35
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So we discussed Kreuziger and he judged us by the decision, that he will not race today. 
He had some problems in the last stage of Trentino and wants to rest before Romandie.
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