Hilly Classics 2022 ***Spoilers***

blazing_saddles
blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
in Pro race
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






"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
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Comments

  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,717
    Perhaps we can start by discussing why the hilly classics do not attract the anticipation and excitement of the cobbles..?
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • gsk82
    gsk82 Posts: 3,620
    edited April 2022
    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.
    "Unfortunately these days a lot of people don’t understand the real quality of a bike" Ernesto Colnago
  • thejimmymethod
    thejimmymethod Posts: 458
    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
    phreak Posts: 2,953
    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
    Pross Posts: 43,593
    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
    thejimmymethod Posts: 458
    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
    mididoctors Posts: 18,912
    Caught the last 20 k of the women's . Good finale ..nice to see new names
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
    Still waiting on anything resembling live coverage of the men’s race.
    The Dutch being cheap again.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
    Finally live coverage arrives with miserly 75kms left.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,593
    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
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    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
    Pross Posts: 43,593
    Ben Turner is a real engine. Would like to see him given a chance at P-R, should really suit him.
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,593
    vdP getting dropped
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    MvdP not enjoying the Keutenberg today. Benoot accelerates
    _
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,593
    Just about clinging on as they ease a bit in front.
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,593
    Very strong lead group of 11 now.
  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,833
    Ridiculous number of motorbikes on the road.
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
    Pidcock and Kwiato
    Kung, Hirschi, Cosnefroy, Teuns, Kamp, Matthews, Benoot, Asgreen and MvDP
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • gsk82
    gsk82 Posts: 3,620
    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.
    "Unfortunately these days a lot of people don’t understand the real quality of a bike" Ernesto Colnago
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,593
    edited April 2022
    Benoot looks a weak point in the break, I wouldn't want to be behind him hitting the Cauberg.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    blazing_saddles said:

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

    Fast group
    _
  • mooro
    mooro Posts: 483
    always preferred this when the cauberg was in the last lap!
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,593
    WTF are the lead group doing?
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,593
    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
    Pross Posts: 43,593
    Kwiato goes for it from 22k
  • mooro
    mooro Posts: 483
    gnash. bloody adverts.

    this could stick - the lead group looking at each other a bit.
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
    Ffs.
    Kirby winding up the hysteria with an entire lap to go.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,593
    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
    Pross Posts: 43,593
    Now his triggers an attack allowing Teuns to bridge.
  • mooro
    mooro Posts: 483
    bit of a gap here.

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