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EPIC - Season 1 Part 2
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| Selwink |
Posted on 14-03-2014 12:36
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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It's almost time for the last Ardenne classic. The last, but surely not the least. Liège-Bastogne-Liège, also called La Doyenne, is one of the most prestigious races in the world of cycling.
History
The race is the oldest classic of the calendar, having had its first edition in 1892. Back then, Léon Houa became the first winner of what later became a big classic.
The first professional edition was held in 1908. The winner back then was André Trousselier, the only non-Belgian to win before 1930 and brother of 1905 Tour de France winner Léon Trousselier.
Since 1945 La Doyenne has been held annually. Other legendary editions were held in 1957, with 2 winners: Germain Derycke and Frans Schoubben. In 1971 and 1980 the weather was horrible, with snow and all. Eddy Merckx, record winner with 5 victories, and Bernard Hinault survived these circumstances best, to make it some of the most heroic victories in cycling ever seen.
Last year's edition had an open race, with several favourites. With 10 kilometers to go Vincenzo Nibali had a gap of 30 seconds. He got caught by Maxim Iglinskiy with 2 kilometers to go. A kilometer later the Kazakh dropped Nibali, to go for a solo victory. Enrico Gasparotto eventually completed the podium.
Route
In comparison with last year the route hasn't changed very much.
The route leads to the following profile:
The route has several climbs in it, like the Mur de Saint Roch. It may be just a kilometer long, the ascent has an average of no less than 11%. Later on, the Côte de Stockeu, also a kilometer, but with 12.2% ascent and a max of 22% might cause another split. Later on, the Côte de la Redoute should cause even more trouble to the riders. 2 kilometers, 9.5% and maxes of over 22% should cause another split.
As if it isn't enough the Côte de Saint Nicholas has its top 5 kilometers from the line. 1.2kms and 8.6% average should cause the definitive split for the riders, before we finish in Ans.
Favourites
Of the 192-men startlist a few favourites have to be picked. JoaquÃm RodrÃguez is one of the first names that comes to mind. After winning the Amstel Gold Race in an impressive way he is here to conquer the greatest of the 3 classics as well. Alejandro Valverde was not strong enough in the Gold Race, but will go for redemption now and beat RodrÃguez here. Philippe Gilbert won this race in 2011. After a very disappointing 2012 with just one major victory. He is after redemption. After a decent 3rd in the Gold Race he surely wants to improve in his home region. Peter Sagan experienced his breakthrough in 2011 already. At the age of 23, the time seems ripe for him to win a classic. Daniel Martin is another one to look for. Not the best result in the Gold Race, but redemption seems there. Astana hasn't brought the numbers 1 and 2 of last year. That makes space for number 3, Enrico Gasparotto. Thabo Sithembile, Simon Gerrans, Michal Kwiatkowski, Carlos Betancur, Roman Kreuziger and Bauke Mollema seem other outsiders.
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 14-03-2014 12:38
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Looking forward to L-B-L, come on Lampre make me proud for once  |
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| knockout |
Posted on 14-03-2014 12:45
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 400.00
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Now go Alejandro. Prove that you deserve that #1 shirt.
Very nice preview 
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 14-03-2014 12:51
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
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Great preview again
Let's hope it inspires the other reporters as well 
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| kubys |
Posted on 14-03-2014 12:56
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Domestique
Posts: 704
Joined: 07-05-2013
PCM$: 300.00
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No. 41 is the guy! 
Die hard fan of Tom Boonen and Quickstep since 2004.
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| Selwink |
Posted on 14-03-2014 12:57
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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@sutty: Why didn't you bring Ulissi?
@Ollfardh: Yeah. Still awaiting Flèche
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 14-03-2014 13:09
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Selwink wrote:
@sutty: Why didn't you bring Ulissi?
@Ollfardh: Yeah. Still awaiting Flèche
He was elsewhere unfortunately  |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 14-03-2014 13:56
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
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Great preview there once more. Hope we can to read at least one of the Ardennes races on the weekend.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 18:01
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Bot Agent
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| welker3257 |
Posted on 14-03-2014 16:15
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2336
Joined: 29-05-2013
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I should get Flèche up tonight, if not today then it will be up on Sunday.
Gig 'em Aggies
Fast N' Loud Cycling Project - ICL
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| The Rider |
Posted on 14-03-2014 16:33
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4543
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kubys wrote:
No. 41 is the guy!
I think you mean age 41, meaning Horner! C'mon Chris, go get 'em!!
Thanks for the history lesson Selwink. |
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| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 14-03-2014 17:18
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World Champion
Posts: 11971
Joined: 21-07-2012
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I think the public favorite is Gilbert
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 14-03-2014 17:21
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Team Leader
Posts: 6795
Joined: 21-07-2010
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Nice preview!
A bit surprised to see the game assigning Ion Izagirre leadership over Antón, but he has been in great shape lately and Igor hardly impressed in Amstel 
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| nacho63 |
Posted on 14-03-2014 17:28
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Sprinter
Posts: 1944
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I think Barguil should of been leader for us... |
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| The Hobbit |
Posted on 14-03-2014 18:19
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2730
Joined: 18-08-2013
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kubys wrote:
No. 41 is the guy!
You sure it's not 61
Glad to see Cervero isn't a favourite, he can strike from behind and win this, if by win you mean top 200. |
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| Stromeon |
Posted on 14-03-2014 18:25
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3507
Joined: 06-10-2012
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C'mon Kreuziger
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| welker3257 |
Posted on 15-03-2014 08:13
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2336
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Flèche Wallonne has been raced, just need to post it now
Gig 'em Aggies
Fast N' Loud Cycling Project - ICL
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| Selwink |
Posted on 15-03-2014 08:14
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Yay 
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 15-03-2014 08:38
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
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Sorry guys but I'll need to restart Tour of Turkey. I was stupid and all my riders abandoned. 
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| Selwink |
Posted on 15-03-2014 08:42
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
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https://pcmdaily.c...p?tipid=67
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 15-03-2014 08:50
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
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Thanks, but for some reason I can't get editors to work. Although, I feel it's kind of unfair to people who are doing well, so I could just Quick Sim the remaining (all flat) stages.
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