Ardennes Classics

[sblack]

First big names attack about 20km out.

Andy goes and Gilbert gets his wheel straight away.

They go over the top and Contador goes to get them.

Coming back to the field now with 18km left. Cadel leading the Peloton.

 

[sblack]

Vino !!

Group behind is very exclusive. Andy, Gilbert, Contador, Valverde, Rodriguez, Anton, and Evans

 

[sblack]

Too hard to gauge who is where. Little groups all over the place. Vino and Kolobnev are in the lead by 15 seconds

12km left. The Cote de Saint Nicholas is the last climb, and is at 5.5km left. 11% gradient.

 

[sblack]

Here we go

Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana), Alexandr Kolobnev (Katusha)

Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Cadel Evans (BMC) at 14 seconds

Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) group at 38 seconds

Cadel in great form atm

 

[sblack]

Wow,

The peloton is at 1:14! They are out of it now.

Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana), Alexandr Kolobnev (Katusha)

Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Cadel Evans (BMC) at 24 seconds

Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) group at 1:15

Andy obviously not feeling it.

 

[sblack]

Andy, Contador and Anton try to get to Evans' group.

Wow, what a kick by Gilbert. Burns off Valverde and Evans with ease. Gilbert grabbed 20 seconds on Vino and Kolobnev. 21 second gap now.

That was an amazing kick.

 

[sblack]

Gilbert gives up.

2km left. Vino v Kolobnev

 

[sblack]

Vinoooooooo. Burns off Kolobnev in the last kilometer. Too good.

Cadel v Valverde for 3rd most likely.

 

[sblack]

Haha, they were playing the games, and nearly got caught by the chasing group.

1. Vino
2. Kolobnev
3. Valverde
4. Cadel
5. Gilbert

 

[Cruiser23]

Vino looked really good, thought he had it in the bag 10-15km, looked stronger than Kolobnev and the riders behind weren't going to catch them.

Cadel in very good form. Did a fair bit of work late when Andy and Gilbert attacked, pulled a fair few riders chasing those two, still finished strong. Doesn't have that burst but has been able to maintain a very strong holding speed. That burst by Contador around 20-30km was pretty good, left Cadel in his wake but once they hit the top of the hill, they were pretty much back together again.

Great stuff, looking forward to the Tour of Romandie.

 

[roostersgal4eva]

Vinoooooooo. Burns off Kolobnev in the last kilometer. Too good.

Cadel v Valverde for 3rd most likely.

too good - or has learnt from his mistake and wont get caught this time

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me!

Despite not making the podium Cadel is looking good for the Giro - problem is I dont think BMC have any decent domstestiques at BCM

 

[Secular Bicep]

I will be very interested to see how Vino handles the high mountains in the Giro.

 

[r dub 19]

too good - or has learnt from his mistake and wont get caught this time

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me!

Despite not making the podium Cadel is looking good for the Giro - problem is I dont think BMC have any decent domstestiques at BCM

Story of cadel's life

 

[Cruiser23]

Just watched the Amstel Gold again, replay on Eurosport, what an impressive win by Gilbert. He did a heap of work over the last 30km, to produce a sprint like that up hill was special. Got a bit of help/lead out from a fellow Belgium rider, not on the same team but impressive all the same. Thought one of the Katusha riders, Ivanov and Kolobnev had it. They were in the prefect position over the final 10km or so but neither had the legs in the end.

Cadel did some good work for Kroon who finished top 10. Managed to stay in the small bunch sprint and finished ahead of Andy, was really in good form.

Roman looked pretty good, he is quality downhill, just like Nibali.