Liège–Bastogne–Liège **Spoilers**

No_Ta_Doctor
No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,538
edited May 2014 in Pro race
No love for La Doyenne?

Two days to a monument and no discussion thread? What gives?

Inner ring's preview http://inrng.com/2013/04/preview-liege-bastogne-liege/


Anyone think Sky could finally rustle something up here? If this is really their startlist then it looks absurdly strong
31 FROOME Christopher United Kingdom
32 HENAO MONTOYA Sergio Colombia
33 KIRYIENKA Vasil Belarus
34 LOPEZ GARCIA David Spain
35 PORTE Richie Australia
36 SIUTSOU Kanstantsin Belarus
37 TIERNAN-LOCKE Jonathan United Kingdom
38 URAN Rigoberto Colombia
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Comments

  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,661
    Won't see it so I'm (still) sulking...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,241
    Some odds for you:

    lblodds.png
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,163
    No tA Doctor wrote:
    Anyone think Sky could finally rustle something up here?

    Nope. I think Flèche was always going to be their best bet. I think the final climb won't shift the likes of Gilbert and Valverde who have better sprints than Henao, Froome or Uran. Hopefully Kiry can get in a late break though.
  • inkyfingers
    inkyfingers Posts: 4,400
    I think Uran is the most likely Sky rider to get a result here, though we haven't really seen him do much yet this season.

    It really is wide open, think we might get another surprising winner on sunday, or maybe Valverde just coming off somebody's wheel in the last 100M.
    "I have a lovely photo of a Camargue horse but will not post it now" (Frenchfighter - July 2013)
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    Think is shaping up for a good race, few more riders coming into form. Not a betting man but really would like to see Gilbert do something, but who knows.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • RonB
    RonB Posts: 3,984
    Couple of things which might be worth looking out for...

    1. Diversion due to roadworks will take riders up the Côte de Colonster – 2.4km at 6%

    2. Railway bridge 2kms before said hill - important in terms of positioning and could be dodgy if its wet

    BGcg_djCEAAX9MT.jpg
  • knedlicky
    knedlicky Posts: 3,097
    The Liege state prosecutor has said that on Sunday certain participants are to be fined 500 Euro for, during last year’s race, having contravened local environmental laws when discarding bottles and other items into the countryside. Apparently one of the 20 guilty includes Gilbert.
    Refusing to pay the fine won’t mean being prevented from participating this year, rather those supposed guilty may find the fines are increased if they don't pay the fine within the alloted time frame.
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,538
    Pross wrote:
    No tA Doctor wrote:
    Anyone think Sky could finally rustle something up here?

    Nope. I think Flèche was always going to be their best bet. I think the final climb won't shift the likes of Gilbert and Valverde who have better sprints than Henao, Froome or Uran. Hopefully Kiry can get in a late break though.

    Yeah I know, very solid team but no proven finisher. Was more wishful thinking and an attempt to kickstart discussion :-)

    Would be great to see a strong break from further out than the last climb, not seen a winner from one since Schleck.
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  • hopak
    hopak Posts: 193
    No tA Doctor wrote:
    Inner ring's preview http://inrng.com/2013/04/preview-liege-bastogne-liege/

    That really is a great link topped off by the clip of Hinault in 1980.
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    RonB wrote:
    Couple of things which might be worth looking out for...

    1. Diversion due to roadworks will take riders up the Côte de Colonster – 2.4km at 6%

    2. Railway bridge 2kms before said hill - important in terms of positioning and could be dodgy if its wet

    BGcg_djCEAAX9MT.jpg

    Is this the bridge we go over for the sportive? If so the climb following is pretty nasty.

    Is this additional to the usual last climb?
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,241
    calvjones wrote:

    Is this additional to the usual last climb?
    It seems it's instead of Roche aux Faucons which is out of action: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/new-cli ... -challenge
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • afx237vi
    afx237vi Posts: 12,630
    Three level crossings in the 2km before the bridge according to inrng... hope the organisers have got their timings right!
  • Cleat Eastwood
    Cleat Eastwood Posts: 7,508
    Has anyone tried the Sirop de Liège - in the inrng piece - whats our nearest equivalent - a molasses like syrup from apples ???
    The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns
    momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    Have to say bridge diversion could make it interesting, hard to tell but does look a bit tight.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,538
    Saddleblaze live text updates here http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/cycling/l ... 61199.html

    Break have around 14 mins, Katusha chasing.

    Break is
    Bart De Clercq (Lotto Belisol),
    Frederik Veucheulen (Vacansoleil)
    Sander Armee (Topsport)
    Jonathan Fumeaux
    Pirmin Lang (both IAM)
    Vincent Jérôme (Europcar)
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  • ilm_zero7
    ilm_zero7 Posts: 2,213
    weeks of picking Jerome in my fantasy team - sod all, now I've deselected him he pops up in the break !
    http://veloviewer.com/SigImage.php?a=3370a&r=3&c=5&u=M&g=p&f=abcdefghij&z=a.png
    Wiliers: Cento Uno/Superleggera R and Zero 7. Bianchi Infinito CV and Oltre XR2
  • thomthom
    thomthom Posts: 3,574
    No tA Doctor wrote:
    Saddleblaze live text updates here http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/cycling/l ... 61199.html

    Break have around 14 mins, Katusha chasing.

    Break is
    Bart De Clercq (Lotto Belisol),
    Frederik Veucheulen (Vacansoleil)
    Sander Armee (Topsport)
    Jonathan Fumeaux
    Pirmin Lang (both IAM)
    Vincent Jérôme (Europcar)

    That's the difference from the cobbled classics. Minutes after the start and the break is formed..
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,538
    100km or so gone, break are at about 11mins. All the real climbing still to come.
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  • ilm_zero7
    ilm_zero7 Posts: 2,213
    pasted from Twitter: "@dnlbenson I am pulling for vanendert. That would be great for him and the team. Also hoping Schelck can finish".................... did'nt know there was a L-B-L jokes page!
    http://veloviewer.com/SigImage.php?a=3370a&r=3&c=5&u=M&g=p&f=abcdefghij&z=a.png
    Wiliers: Cento Uno/Superleggera R and Zero 7. Bianchi Infinito CV and Oltre XR2
  • deejay
    deejay Posts: 3,138
    No tA Doctor wrote:
    100km or so gone, break are at about 11mins. All the real climbing still to come.
    I stood in Houffalaze some years ago and the gap was 17 mins.
    There is always a break that gets pulled back somewhere between the Eddy Merckx Plaque and La Redoute.
    Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 1972
  • deejay
    deejay Posts: 3,138
    edited April 2013
    The metal bridge shown above is where. ?? Tilff.
    Two bridges side by side then ??

    Why don't they go up the (so called) Start Tilman (like they always did) and are having to go the easier long way to get up to virtually the same place at Boncelles.
    Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 1972
  • deejay
    deejay Posts: 3,138
    afx237vi wrote:
    Three level crossings in the 2km before the bridge according to inrng... hope the organisers have got their timings right!
    15:03 +1 IC 912 IC 912 Liege-Palais [NMBS/SNCB]
    Flemalle-Haute [NMBS/SNCB] 15:03 - Liege-Guillemins [NMBS/SNCB] 15:11 - Liege-Jonfosse [NMBS/SNCB] 15:17 - Liege-Palais [NMBS/SNCB] 15:19
    15:40 L 5685 L 5685 Liege-Guillemins [NMBS/SNCB]
    Flemalle-Haute [NMBS/SNCB] 15:40 - Flemalle-Grande [NMBS/SNCB] 15:43 - Jemeppe-Sur-Meuse [NMBS/SNCB] 15:46 - Pont-De-Seraing [NMBS/SNCB] 15:48 - Liege-Guillemins [NMBS/SNCB] 15:53 4

    15:58 IC 938 IC 938 Lille Flandres(f)
    Flemalle-Haute [NMBS/SNCB] 15:58 - Huy [NMBS/SNCB] 16:09 - Statte [NMBS/SNCB] 16:13 - Andenne [NMBS/SNCB] 16:21 • Namur [NMBS/SNCB] 16:36 - Charleroi-Sud [NMBS/SNCB] 17:17 - Marchienne-Au-Pont [NMBS/SNCB] 17:23 - Mons [NMBS/SNCB] 17:51 - Tournai [NMBS/SNCB] 18:32 - Lille Flandres(f) 19:06 3

    16:03 +1 IC 913 IC 913 Liege-Palais [NMBS/SNCB]
    Flemalle-Haute [NMBS/SNCB] 16:03 - Liege-Guillemins [NMBS/SNCB] 16:11 - Liege-Jonfosse [NMBS/SNCB] 16:17 - Liege-Palais [NMBS/SNCB] 16:19 4

    16:21 L 5666 L 5666 Namur [NMBS/SNCB]
    Flemalle-Haute [NMBS/SNCB] 16:21 - Engis [NMBS/SNCB] 16:25 - Haute-Flone [NMBS/SNCB] 16:30 - Amay [NMBS/SNCB] 16:32 • Huy [NMBS/SNCB] 16:39 - Statte [NMBS/SNCB] 16:43 - Bas-Oha [NMBS/SNCB] 16:47 - Andenne [NMBS/SNCB] 16:53 - Chateau-De-Seilles [NMBS/SNCB] 16:56 - Namur [NMBS/SNCB] 17:15 3

    16:58 IC 939 IC 939 Lille Flandres(f)
    Flemalle-Haute [NMBS/SNCB] 16:58 - Huy [NMBS/SNCB] 17:09 - Statte [NMBS/SNCB] 17:13 - Andenne [NMBS/SNCB] 17:21 • Namur [NMBS/SNCB] 17:36 - Charleroi-Sud [NMBS/SNCB] 18:17 - Marchienne-Au-Pont [NMBS/SNCB] 18:23 - Mons [NMBS/SNCB] 18:51 - Tournai [NMBS/SNCB] 19:32 - Lille Flandres(f) 20:16 3

    17:03 +1 IC 914 IC 914 Liege-Palais [NMBS/SNCB]
    Flemalle-Haute [NMBS/SNCB] 17:03 - Liege-Guillemins [NMBS/SNCB] 17:11 - Liege-Jonfosse [NMBS/SNCB] 17:17 - Liege-Palais [NMBS/SNCB] 17:19 4
    Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 1972
  • thomthom
    thomthom Posts: 3,574
    Chris Anker wakes up the peloton
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Kirby on liege?

    Dire times.

    At least get that guy who does all the Italian races in.
    _
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,538
    Don't think I'm going to begrudge De Clerq the sticky bottle there. Massively unlucky with the mechanicals.

    Sky now have 6 on the front, think it's only Suitsou and JTL missing.
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  • tailwindhome
    tailwindhome Posts: 19,310
    Who are Sky riding for?

    Had pondered a PTP punt on Rigoberto Uran.
    “New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,538
    TailWindHome wrote:
    Who are Sky riding for?

    Had pondered a PTP punt on Rigoberto Uran.

    Probably Henao, though they have a ridiculous amount of options.
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  • inkyfingers
    inkyfingers Posts: 4,400
    No tA Doctor wrote:
    TailWindHome wrote:
    Who are Sky riding for?

    Had pondered a PTP punt on Rigoberto Uran.

    Probably Henao, though they have a ridiculous amount of options.

    Uran has best record in this sort of race, Henao has the form. Can't realistically see Porte, Froome or JTL contesting the finish, none of them have much experience or tactical nous for this sort of racing.

    Currently feels like a Tour stage.
    "I have a lovely photo of a Camargue horse but will not post it now" (Frenchfighter - July 2013)
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Is Wiggins riding this?
    _
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,538
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Is Wiggins riding this?

    No. He was going to, but he decided to spend his time scouting the Giro route.
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