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Ardennes classics
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| markene2 |
Posted on 15-04-2010 12:33
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Domestique
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Liege: Alexandr Vinokourov
Venga Vino
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| Waghlon |
Posted on 15-04-2010 12:36
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Grand Tour Champion
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Markene: Get serious
THE THOMAS VOECKLER PROPHET OF PCM DAILY
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| BenBarnes |
Posted on 15-04-2010 15:48
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Neo-Pro
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issoisso wrote:
And a rider who's not explosive, like Schleck winning Amstel, isn't impossible, but it's unlikely.
While I like the hilly classics very much, I am still pretty new to learning about cycling. How would you classify the different Ardennes classics? As in--apparently Amstel is won by explosive type riders due to (I'm guessing) that nature of the Cauberg? How do the three classics differ and what type of riders are best suited for each of the three? |
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| issoisso |
Posted on 15-04-2010 16:05
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Tour de France Champion
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In terms of climbs, Amstel has 47 very short climbs while Liége and Flèche have longer more gradual climbs. And less of them.
This means a mountain climber will do better in the latter two. In fact, if you want to find out which youngsters are likely to become great mountain climbers in the next few years, the best place to do so is to look at their results at Flèche.
This is because Flèche, being 50-60kms shorter, almost always ends with a sprint up the murderous finishing climb, the Mur de Huy.
Liége is more of a race of attrition, wearing down the riders.
Amstel, the riders usually name it as the hardest of the three (although Liége is far more prestigious, being one of the five monuments), but it tends to be decided by "the right move" as opposed to strength.
It's whoever goes at the right time, which is a mix of tactical acuity and blind luck.
It also, about half the times,ends with a sprint up the Cauberg. But the pack is so much more reduced by then when compared to the 60 or 80 man sprints up the Mur de Huy at Flèche.
A punchy guy who can't really do much on longer climbs, like for instance Simon Gerrans or Phillipe Gilbert, is extremely well suited to Amstel.
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| ruben |
Posted on 15-04-2010 16:05
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Grand Tour Champion
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Ok, a little breakdown for you
Amstel Gold Race: Held in the only region of the Netherlands with serious hills, Limburg, because this region isn't very large, there are a lot of corners, twists and turns to reach as many hills as possible.
In total 31 official climbs (and 16 extra unofficial climbs) are in this race. Except for a few hills in the middle part of the race, most climbs are very short and very steep.
This makes the race suited for real explosive riders, the climbs are not long enough for stage-racers and climbers. Although they often feature in the race, but don't win
Fléche Wallone: This race is 50km shorter than AGR and LBL, which brings different riders to the front. Usually they wait until the final climb of the Muur de Huy. This climb is so incredible steep it doesn't only suit puncheurs but also allrounders and climbers. In the end, it is a punchy rider who usually wins, but some of those riders never like the Muur.
For example, Bettini hated it and was never good here. Philippe Gilbert also says the Muur is not his climb. So it's sometimes a bit too much for puncheurs..
Liege Bastogne Liege: If the Amstel Gold Race is mainly short and steep, LBL is the opposite. A lot of 3/4/5km climbs on the way, irregular climbs often, with steep parts and not so steep parts. Both all-rounders and puncheurs have won this race. Can go in any direction |
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| mb2612 |
Posted on 15-04-2010 16:06
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Team Leader
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Essentially because normally a group of riders reach the base of the Cauburg and the race/climb isn't really hard enough to grind riders off your wheel, so it will come down to an uphill sprint, which Schleck will struggle with.
EDIT: my response looks pretty useless now
Edited by mb2612 on 15-04-2010 16:08
 [url=www.pcmdaily.com/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=33182] Team Santander Media Thread[/url]
Please assume I am joking unless otherwise stated |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 17:38
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| BenBarnes |
Posted on 15-04-2010 16:19
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Awesome! Thanks isso and ruben. Very helpful. |
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| valverde300602 |
Posted on 15-04-2010 16:28
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Stagiare
Posts: 235
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Amstel: Gesink
Fleche: Purito
Liege: Valverde
Easy One  |
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| jph27 |
Posted on 15-04-2010 16:58
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Amstel: Karsten Kroon
Fleche: Michael Albasini
Liege: Simon Gerrans
Is there any doubt about it? |
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| hondo |
Posted on 15-04-2010 18:08
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Free Agent
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Amstel: Valverde
Fleche: Cunego
Liege: Valverde
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| Wilier |
Posted on 16-04-2010 12:44
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This may be a stupid question but: who's purito?
Amstel: Kolobnev
Flèche: Rodriguez
LBL: Gilbert |
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| viking90 |
Posted on 16-04-2010 12:49
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Wilier wrote:
This may be a stupid question but: who's purito?
I´m not shore but thinks it´s Joaquin(m) Rodriguez |
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| valverde300602 |
Posted on 16-04-2010 12:56
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Stagiare
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That's It.. Joaquim "Purito" Rodriguez |
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 16-04-2010 13:10
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Amstel: Rodriguez
Fleche: Evans
LBL: A Schleck
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| Roman |
Posted on 16-04-2010 18:21
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Some riders maybe can't make the start on Sunday, due to the problems with the transport with the planes. For example Sergei Ivanov is stuck in Madrid..
Edited by Roman on 16-04-2010 18:21
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| issoisso |
Posted on 16-04-2010 18:25
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 22918
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Roman wrote:
Some riders maybe can't make the start on Sunday, due to the problems with the transport with the planes. For example Sergei Ivanov is stuck in Madrid..
Valverde is likely to miss the race as well
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| felix_29 |
Posted on 16-04-2010 18:28
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Classics Specialist
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issoisso wrote:
Valverde is likely to miss the race as well
Great news
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| tgsgirl |
Posted on 16-04-2010 19:20
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Evans, Freire and Quinziato are underway, albeit by car. |
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| Bosskardo |
Posted on 16-04-2010 19:25
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Sprinter
Posts: 1559
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Amstel: Rodriguez
Fleche: Cunego (but would really like to say Andy)
LBL: F Schleck
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| Stijn_vranken |
Posted on 16-04-2010 19:34
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Sprinter
Posts: 1638
Joined: 28-03-2008
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Amstel: Gilbert
Fleche: Evans
LBL: A. Schleck
prevent hangovers --> stay drunk
pozzato, basically the most stupid cyclist around
RIP WW. Gone but not forgotten
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