Hilly Classics 2022 ***Spoilers***

blazing_saddles

Time to start this thread.
In an unfamiliar slot, but back to more familiar terrain after last year's unusual loop, tomorrow it's time for the Amstel Gold Race.
It amounts to 254.1 kilometres and takes in 33 hills, while large sections of the route are on extremely narrow roads. Bemelerberg is the last climb with 7 kilometres remaining.





Previous winners

2021
VAN AERT Wout
2019
VAN DER POEL Mathieu
2018
VALGREN Michael
2017
GILBERT Philippe
2016
GASPAROTTO Enrico
2015
KWIATKOWSKI Michał
2014
GILBERT Philippe
2013
KREUZIGER Roman
2012
GASPAROTTO Enrico
2011
GILBERT Philippe

Top competitors

MOHORIČ Matej
VAN DER POEL Mathieu
KÜNG Stefan
LAPORTE Christophe
MATTHEWS Michael
COSNEFROY Benoît
TRENTIN Matteo
HAIG Jack
HIRSCHI Marc
BARGUIL Warren

ddraver

Perhaps we can start by discussing why the hilly classics do not attract the anticipation and excitement of the cobbles..?

gsk82

ddraver said:

Perhaps we can start by discussing why the hilly classics do not attract the anticipation and excitement of the cobbles..?

They're boring and haven't been hyped as cool by those seen as cool by newbies watching in their Rapha spectator Jersey and shorts bundle.

thejimmymethod

ddraver said:

Perhaps we can start by discussing why the hilly classics do not attract the anticipation and excitement of the cobbles..?

There's only 3 (4 with Brabantse Pijl) and normally they're so close together they're done almost as soon as they've started.
Doesn't help that Fleche is the most formulaic race on the calendar - its a hill climb with extra steps.

phreak

thejimmymethod said:

ddraver said:

Perhaps we can start by discussing why the hilly classics do not attract the anticipation and excitement of the cobbles..?

There's only 3 (4 with Brabantse Pijl) and normally they're so close together they're done almost as soon as they've started.
Doesn't help that Fleche is the most formulaic race on the calendar - its a hill climb with extra steps.

Lombardia and the other races around it count, no?

Pross

phreak said:

thejimmymethod said:

ddraver said:

Perhaps we can start by discussing why the hilly classics do not attract the anticipation and excitement of the cobbles..?

There's only 3 (4 with Brabantse Pijl) and normally they're so close together they're done almost as soon as they've started.
Doesn't help that Fleche is the most formulaic race on the calendar - its a hill climb with extra steps.

Lombardia and the other races around it count, no?

Most people have lost interest in the season by then (which is a shame as I like Lombardia).

I actually think they could become more interesting again if the GT riders decide to start competing. I reckon even Fleche could be livened up by the likes of Pog taking part and not leaving it to the final climb.

thejimmymethod

phreak said:

thejimmymethod said:

ddraver said:

Perhaps we can start by discussing why the hilly classics do not attract the anticipation and excitement of the cobbles..?

There's only 3 (4 with Brabantse Pijl) and normally they're so close together they're done almost as soon as they've started.
Doesn't help that Fleche is the most formulaic race on the calendar - its a hill climb with extra steps.

Lombardia and the other races around it count, no?

Hmm I suppose, I almost think of that as a separate thing, which is another point - even though Strade & MSR are not cobbles its similar riders involved, so this part of the season feels very distinct. It builds from Omloop to the crescendo of RVV and PR.

mididoctors

Caught the last 20 k of the women's . Good finale ..nice to see new names

blazing_saddles

Still waiting on anything resembling live coverage of the men’s race.
The Dutch being cheap again.

blazing_saddles

Finally live coverage arrives with miserly 75kms left.

Pross

Looks like Ineos are back their usual Classics strategy of numbers at the front driving it on and causing carnage to, presumably, disappear when it gets to the deciding moments.

rick_chasey

Quite a small group for 38km to go.

On the NOS coverage today and they’ve got Stef Clement on the call and he’s actually not too bad.

Big step up from the snore fest that is the usual coverage (Boogarde for a while)

Pross

Ben Turner is a real engine. Would like to see him given a chance at P-R, should really suit him.

Pross

vdP getting dropped

rick_chasey

MvdP not enjoying the Keutenberg today. Benoot accelerates

Pross

Just about clinging on as they ease a bit in front.

Pross

Very strong lead group of 11 now.

mrb123

Ridiculous number of motorbikes on the road.

blazing_saddles

Pidcock and Kwiato
Kung, Hirschi, Cosnefroy, Teuns, Kamp, Matthews, Benoot, Asgreen and MvDP

gsk82

Pross said:

Looks like Ineos are back their usual Classics strategy of numbers at the front driving it on and causing carnage to, presumably, disappear when it gets to the deciding moments.

At least with Pidcock they have potentially a top classics rider to ride for.

Pross

Benoot looks a weak point in the break, I wouldn't want to be behind him hitting the Cauberg.

rick_chasey

blazing_saddles said:

Pidcock and Kwiato
Kung, Hirschi, Cosnefroy, Teuns, Kamp, Matthews, Benoot, Asgreen and MvDP

Fast group

mooro

always preferred this when the cauberg was in the last lap!

Pross

WTF are the lead group doing?

Pross

Teuns messed up there, he should have go through and done his turn straight away and him and Pidcock would have opened a gap but he hesitated.

Pross

Kwiato goes for it from 22k

mooro

gnash. bloody adverts.

this could stick - the lead group looking at each other a bit.

blazing_saddles

Ffs.
Kirby winding up the hysteria with an entire lap to go.

Pross

Pidcock's positioning a little bit suspect. I assume he's marking out vdP whereas second wheel feels like where he should be at all times. Allows Cosnefroy to close to Kwiato

Pross

Now his triggers an attack allowing Teuns to bridge.

mooro

bit of a gap here.