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Liege-Bastogne-Liege Discussion
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| roturn |
Posted on 22-12-2011 21:14
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Coming to the last of the Ardennes Classic. This also means coming to the most prestigous one. Liege - Bastogne - Liege is one of the cycling monuments belonging to the biggest cycling events.
Different to the first two, some more stars will participate here. Except of Spilak all of them are here again and even better, more stars are joining the already awesome startlist like Cunego, Taaramae or wildcard rider LL Sanchez, who was already 3rd last season.
Biggest new participant definitely Damiano Cunego. Surely on of the most successful Man-Game rider, who still needs this Liege win for his Ardennes collection. He will share the favourite role with
Frank Schleck
and
Jan Bakelants
The Luxembourgian was pretty disappointed in the classics so far but his results in Liege are just awesome. In the last 5 years he was every time in the top10, 4 times even top5 with 2 wins and another 2nd.
This year he can make the Liege triple winning the race 3 times in a row.
Bakelants is still looking for an Ardennes win and maybe this one on home ground suits him the most of all three. So maybe this is his big breakthrough. His sprint skills might give him a small advantage.
And don`t forget Ricco
The Italian already won this race in 2009 and had solid results in the first two classics proving his strenght on the short climbs.
Schumacher
Another rider, who surely had higher ambitions so far, but you surely can`t mention the race favourites without his name on the list.
Boasson Hagen
He did so well in the classics so far and with his sprint kick in the end he is surely a favourite out of a smaller group in the end. He was so close to winning the Fleche Wallone, so he might take some extra motivation out of his anger.
So do Ponzi and Pozzato & Ulissi
All 3 of them probably had higher expecations when starting the Ardennes week and couldn`t prove their strength so far. But with their good sprint skills they can`t be forget today.
Trofimov
The Russion had a solid week so far without the big coup. Surely a big name to keep in mind when coming into the last kilometers.
Sinkewitz
Maybe one of the biggest disappointments so far. The German was expected to fight for the win. Actually he is even failing to enter the top10. Another chance for him to show his qualities in the most prestigeous one, where he already was 2nd last year.
Van Garderen
He was both times in a great position but lacked some sprinting skills to keep it. Still one of the positive "surprises" so far presenting the rainbow jersey pretty well.
Gesink
The Dutch surely had better days in the Ardennes. At least the sensational win by Chavanel already made the team happy. Still they surely hope for some improvement by their leader.
Not to forget all the other specialists like Amstel winner Gilbert, LL Sanchez, Taaramae, Efimkin, Rodriguez, Lopez Garcia or Kashechkin.
And not to forget all the other great puncheurs and excellent team mates, who can also challenge the favourites as the Fleche Wallone proved.
Startlist
Spoiler Vesuvio
1. F. Schleck
2. C. Betancourt
3. S. Einsle
4. B. Gastauer
5. J. Hoogerland
6. D. Mehr-Wenige
7. M. Paterski
8. J. Wallays
Pearl
11. J. Bakelants
12. W. De Vocht
13. T. Kangert
14. J. Mendes
15. P. Panayotov
16. B. Samoilev
17. J. Vastaranta
18. W. Walker
UBS
21. S. Schumacher
22. M. Albasini
23. S. Barrio
24. R. Bertogliati
25. D. Lelay
26. F. Stalder
27. J. Tschopp
28. S. Zahner
Colombia
31. D. Cunego
32. D. Abal
33. A. Ardila Cano
34. J. Baños Ballester
35. S. Ivars
36. S. Joly
37. H. Machado
38. E. Orozco
B&O
41. E. Hagen
42. A. Grivko
43. R. Guldhammer
44. M. Hacecký
45. D. Klemme
46. J. Sagan
47. K. Sobota
48. A. Steensen
Sony
51. Y. Trofimov
52. S. Anza
53. L. Fernández Oliveira
54. K. Fouquet
55. D. Muravjev
56. M. Reihs
57. A. Wetterhall
58. R. van der Hugenhaben
Festina
61. D. Ulissi
62. D. Drapac
63. J. Ljungblad
64. F. Pozzato
65. V. Reynès
66. R. RodrÃguez Segarra
67. G. Steurs
68. P. Voss
Pendleton's
71. P. Gilbert
72. R. Downing
73. S. Duret
74. R. Margaliot
75. J. McEvoy
76. P. Mertens
77. A. Moletta
78. D. Zabriskie
Bacardi
81. R. Ricco
82. S. Kondrotas
83. A. Kruopis
84. S. Mancuso
85. M. Mugerli
86. M. Perget
87. E. Sokolov
88. F. Terciado
Wiggle
91. S. Ponzi
92. L. Bertagnolli
93. D. Caruso
94. D. Cataldo
95. T. Diggle
96. R. Nocentini
97. M. Pavarin
98. T. Zaini
Jack Wolfskin
101. R. Gesink
102. S. Chavanel
103. X. Florencio
104. B. Giling
105. W. Jallays
106. P. Martens
107. K. Sys
108. L. Ten Dam
Spyker
111. P. Sinkewitz
112. N. Edet
113. J. Fuglsang
114. A. Geniez
115. V. Gusev
116. M. Schreurs
117. D. Teklehaimanot
118. E. Weiss
Wikipedia
121. T. Van Garderen
122. R. Cleaver
123. E. King
124. G. Lejman
125. T. Pinot
126. A. Semple
127. D. Summerhill
128. T. Vangheel
Cerne
131. L. Sanchez Gil
132. L. Afonso
133. A. Cardoso
134. M. Cunha
135. M. Cunha
136. B. Pires
137. J. Rodrigues Silva
138. A. Vital
Milka
141. A. Efimkin
142. T. De Gendt
143. L. König
144. A. Malori
145. Y. Nepomnyachsniy
146. R. Porte
147. T. Rohregger
148. Z. Stybar
Nestlé
151. J. Rodriguez Oliver
152. H. Broco
153. D. Di Luca
154. P. Fédrigo
155. D. Loosli
156. J. Maillet
157. N. Portal
158. D. Vitoria
Carmeuse
161. R. Taaramäe
162. B. Curfs
163. R. Di Gregorio
164. J. El Fares
165. T. Gallopin
166. G. Levarlet
167. J. Libert
168. S. Vandousselaere
Webeffect
171. A. Kashechkin
172. J. Baugnies
173. K. Boeckmans
174. R. Bourdouxhe
175. S. Ghisalberti
176. B. Khalilikhosroshani
177. S. Nooytens
178. R. Zingle
Santander
181. D. López Garcia
182. D. Allonca
183. A. Durán
184. A. Galdos
185. A. Hernández Gutierrez
186. D. Ortega
187. J. Rienda Segura
188. R. Serrano
Warner Bros
191. C. Barredo
192. G. De Winde
193. M. Facci
194. A. Giraldo
195. C. Le Mével
196. I. Mayo
197. J. Redondo
198. C. Rojas Villegas
Not totally sure, when the report will come. Definitely within the next 3 days as Christmas present.
Edited by roturn on 22-12-2011 21:16
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 22-12-2011 21:58
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World Champion

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Gesink really needs to do something great here to save his Ardennes season. So far he has been shadowed by Chavanel.
Robert's record: 11th, 9th;
Sylvain's record: 15th, 1st.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 07-12-2025 15:13
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 22-12-2011 21:59
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My money's on Ricco here. Don't know why, I just get that feeling.
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| Kami |
Posted on 22-12-2011 22:00
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Classics Specialist

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Pellizotti2 wrote:
My money's on Ricco here. Don't know why, I just get that feeling.
I like this guy.
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 22-12-2011 23:19
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Team Leader

Posts: 7366
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Aiming for a top 10 but who knows, these hilly classics are so random...
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| CrueTrue |
Posted on 23-12-2011 08:07
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Tour de France Champion

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Sinkewitz is one race from being fired. Time to deliver a top result. |
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 23-12-2011 11:57
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No doubt Schleck will fail again after an appalling first two Ardennes races for him!
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| p3druh |
Posted on 23-12-2011 20:25
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This is Pearl Adidas' win goal. 'Nuff said.
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 23-12-2011 20:29
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Grand Tour Specialist

Posts: 4726
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roturn wrote:Not totally sure, when the report will come. Definitely within the next 3 days as Christmas present. 
I will only accept it as a present if Cunego wins....  |
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| SotD |
Posted on 23-12-2011 21:50
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World Champion

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Expectations? None!
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| roturn |
Posted on 24-12-2011 11:02
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Team Manager

Posts: 22043
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I hope at least some of you got a nice present.
Hard to make everyone happy 
For the others still a Merry Christmas.  |
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| CrueTrue |
Posted on 24-12-2011 11:15
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Tour de France Champion

Posts: 27880
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Thanks, roturn 
Although I again would have appreciated a better result, especially considering Sinkewitz' past performances in this race. |
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| Kami |
Posted on 24-12-2011 11:18
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Classics Specialist

Posts: 3386
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Ricco got destroyed in that sprint, probably a bad day i guess.
Great reports, roturn, and a merry Christmas to you to.
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 24-12-2011 11:44
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World Champion

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One thing is certain after this Ardennes classics: next year Gesink will have 82 in hills.
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| Kami |
Posted on 24-12-2011 12:16
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Classics Specialist

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alexkr00 wrote:
One thing is certain after this Ardennes classics: next year Gesink will have 82 in hills.
Imo, hill stat is more or less random, look at Schleck. Failed completely in 2, and won the other.
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| roturn |
Posted on 24-12-2011 12:46
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Team Manager

Posts: 22043
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CrueTrue wrote:
Thanks, roturn
Although I again would have appreciated a better result, especially considering Sinkewitz' past performances in this race.
I don`t care about his performance. I`d like to take him next season. 
His salary also should be better then. |
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| cio93 |
Posted on 24-12-2011 12:49
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roturn wrote:
CrueTrue wrote:
Thanks, roturn
Although I again would have appreciated a better result, especially considering Sinkewitz' past performances in this race.
I don`t care about his performance. I`d like to take him next season. 
His salary also should be better then.
I would have taken him this season already
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 24-12-2011 12:59
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World Champion

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Kami wrote:
alexkr00 wrote:
One thing is certain after this Ardennes classics: next year Gesink will have 82 in hills.
Imo, hill stat is more or less random, look at Schleck. Failed completely in 2, and won the other.
Well, I don't think it would hurt having one stat extra
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 24-12-2011 13:39
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Grand Tour Specialist

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Completely anonymous that from Cunego, so suppose should be happy with 4th.
Anyway, Happy Christmas, all!  |
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| Roman |
Posted on 24-12-2011 14:16
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Grand Tour Specialist

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Solid results from Efimkin in all three Ardennes classics, I am quite happy with him in this season so far. 
Anyway, merry Christmas to everyone!
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