Ardennes Classics

[Cruiser23]

The thing is, in races such as this, a gap of 20 seconds is enough for them to win. But when the attacks happen on the climb, that can easily be brought back. They should be caught but stranger things have happened.

As I have joined this late, where is Kreuziger. In the lead group?

Bloody Cycling News. Can't trust them. They only have listed 3 in the lead when there is 4 and they have said Frank Schleck rides for Ag2r LOL.

Roman is in the lead group with Frank Schleck. Both doing all the work dragging the other two riders.

Eurosport commentators said Nibali a couple of times but it is Roman.

 

[Cruiser23]

Andy doing a great job shutting down all the attacks from the main group.

Kolobnev going to bridge the gap it seems after another attack.

 

[Secular Bicep]

That gap doesn't look like 22 seconds.

But you always expected the Schleck's would do something like this. Send one up the road.

 

[Cruiser23]

Kolobnev caught the 4 and then jumped them, he's off again.

He's out on his own with everyone else back together.

 

[Secular Bicep]

Kolobnev launching another brave solo attempt.

Come on Son.

 

[Cruiser23]

Valverde getting a lead out by Sanchez.

 

[Cruiser23]

Go Cadel...

 

[Cruiser23]

Cadel you STAR!!

What a finish.

 

[Secular Bicep]

Cadel hey,

Brilliant ride.

There is your Giro winner right there.

 

[Freakie]

Awesome! It seems the curse of the Rainbow Jersey is no more!

 

[Enriqo]

The Classic example was a few years ago in the TDF with Evans before he changed his ways.

It was Stage 9 up to Briancon, I recall. The one that Soler won.

Evans wanted people to do work and got pissed off when they didn't. They were giving Evans a taste of his own medicine. It was okay for him to sit on wheels but he then get pissed off when people did the same?

It was either that stage or a stage that Rasmussen won. One of the two. I know I have it on DVD somewhere as I recorded that tour.

Thankfully, Evans has grown since then and started to learn you need to attack and help out. That's why he is favourite for the Giro. He has found an attacking self and changed the way he's ridden.

I think the run in to Briancon, where Evans missed a wheel and Contador and some others got a bit of a gap. Eventually though they did get back on. The previous day, Evans and Co. put on a fine display, holding on to the old man Moreau for half an hour.

Well done Cadel, may even get a top5 on Sunday too.

 

[Cruiser23]

Here is the last 7km from last night.

[YOUTUBE]DU-kNDQuiIo[/YOUTUBE]

 

[r dub 19]

Well never in my life did I think I would see cadel out climb/sprint contador. Why is cadel doing the giro? Has he conceded the tour de france?

 

[Secular Bicep]

Well never in my life did I think I would see cadel out climb/sprint contador. Why is cadel doing the giro? Has he conceded the tour de france?

1. Cadel is climbing insanely well at the moment and he likes these short punchy climbs.
2. Contador has recently come back from hand surgery. He finished 2 minutes down on a 9km category 1 climb a few weeks back before surgery.

Since then, he lost to Anton on a climb including Soler nearly beating him. He's gaining his feet back. Plus, these short climbs don't suit Contador. He's not fit at the moment.

Cadel hasn't conceded the Tour de France. Basically BMC weren't guaranteed a TDF spot and Cadel decided to go for the Giro this year. He thinks he can win the TDF in the future so he's far from conceded.

It's in his best interest to get a GT win now and he has a better chance of getting a Giro than the Tour. And now that the ASO may take away BMC's Tour invite, he's putting it all in the Giro basket.

When push comes to shove, Cadel needs to think of what is more important. Continuing to be a bridesmaid by focusing on the TDF or decide to finally get a GT next to his name and then refocus on winning the TDF.

He's made the right decision. If he purely focused on the TDF, it would be disappointing. He needs a GT win under his belt so he can at least get something if the TDF goal doesn't come off.

I mean, to nearly win the TDF on a lot of occasions won't give him the star status unless he gets a GT on his palmares. With a GT and a handful of top line TDF performances, people can look back on him and say he's probably Australia's best. Without a GT win, it won't look as impressive.

That's basically it in a nutshell. Hope it helps!

 

[r dub 19]

1. Cadel is climbing insanely well at the moment and he likes these short punchy climbs.
2. Contador has recently come back from hand surgery. He finished 2 minutes down on a 9km category 1 climb a few weeks back before surgery.

Since then, he lost to Anton on a climb including Soler nearly beating him. He's gaining his feet back. Plus, these short climbs don't suit Contador. He's not fit at the moment.

Cadel hasn't conceded the Tour de France. Basically BMC weren't guaranteed a TDF spot and Cadel decided to go for the Giro this year. He thinks he can win the TDF in the future so he's far from conceded.

It's in his best interest to get a GT win now and he has a better chance of getting a Giro than the Tour. And now that the ASO may take away BMC's Tour invite, he's putting it all in the Giro basket.

When push comes to shove, Cadel needs to think of what is more important. Continuing to be a bridesmaid by focusing on the TDF or decide to finally get a GT next to his name and then refocus on winning the TDF.

He's made the right decision. If he purely focused on the TDF, it would be disappointing. He needs a GT win under his belt so he can at least get something if the TDF goal doesn't come off.

I mean, to nearly win the TDF on a lot of occasions won't give him the star status unless he gets a GT on his palmares. With a GT and a handful of top line TDF performances, people can look back on him and say he's probably Australia's best. Without a GT win, it won't look as impressive.

That's basically it in a nutshell. Hope it helps!

Cheers mate

 

[sblack]

Where was the emotion and excitement from the commenators.

It sounded like at the end, they just went, 'The winner is Evans?'.

Cadel really worked hard to get back on Contador after Anton (?) attacked, and Contador got away with Nibali. Would he do that in the TdF though? Or would he have sit back on the front of the chasing group?

 

[Freakie]

They are French, enough said.

Evans waited as he had reconed the climb and knew where to start his effort, Contador went in blind and that cost him the win. The tour will be different as the climbas are alot longer and not as steep as the Huy, so if Conti goes generally no one can follow, Evans has the ability to ride consistantly hard but the change in pace hurts him.

 

[Secular Bicep]

When Contador is absolutely flying, there is only one guy in the peloton that can go with him. Alejandro Valverde

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Great ride by Cadel. I wish the Spanish would stop teaming up on him.

 

[sirjames]

Someone sits on my wheel I will keep hitting them till they start pulling or they blow.

Thats another way to do it but self destructive if there is more than you and the other bloke. Of course if you are obviously the strongest bloke in the race you are right!

 

[Cruiser23]

Profile for tonights Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

• Km 57.5: Côte de Ny 1.8 km avg. 5.7%
• Km 82.0: Côte de la Roche-en-Ardenne 2.8 km avg. 4.9%
• Km 128.0: Côte de Saint Roch 0.8 km avg. 12%
• Km 172.0: Côte de Wanne 2.7 km avg. 7%
• Km 178.5: Côte de Stockeu 1.1 km avg. 10.5%
• Km 184.0: Côte de la Haute-Levée 3.4 km avg. 6%
• Km 196.5: Côte du Rosier 4.0 km avg. 5.9%
• Km 209.0: Côte de la Vecquée 3.1 km avg. 5.9%
• Km 226.5: Côte de la Redoute 2.1 km avg. 8.4%
• Km 241.5: Côte de la Roche aux Faucons 1.5 km avg 9.9%
• Km 255.5: Côte de Saint-Nicolas 1.0 km avg. 11.1%

Also good preview and run down of teams here.

 

[sblack]

It's going to be epic. So many big names expected to have a go.

 

[roostersgal4eva]

Was flicking through the foxsports channel listing for tonight and at 9.45 to my delight I saw Liège - Bastogne - Liège on eurosport

 

[sblack]

Was flicking through the foxsports channel listing for tonight and at 9.45 to my delight I saw Liège - Bastogne - Liège on eurosport

Eurosport FTW

 

[Cruiser23]

Yep, very nice.