Amstel Gold

Raam · 15-04-2009 10:38am #1

Request to El Tonto: may we have a preview please?

Chips Lovell · 15-04-2009 1:40pm

We are so spoiled in April, aren't we?

My pick is Damiano Cunego to win again this year. He looked like he was coming into some form in the Pais Vasco last week and he has a killer turn of speed on these uphill finishes.

Valverde is also very strong at the moment, having won the Klasika Primavera at the weekend. He had said he'd be concentrating all of his energies on winning the Tour this year, but given that he probably will be suspended by then, I'm guessing he'll give it his all in the Ardennes. He's a better sprinter than Cunego, but I think Cunego may have the edge on the uphill finishes.

Then there's the Schlecks, Frank or Andy, take your pick. I think Frank is better suited to the one day races like this. He's got a bit more power to him (and he's a previous winner), whearas Andy seems more suited to the long climbs of the Grand Tours. Saxo will no doubt be hoping to play the one-two, but Kolobnev and Kroon are also threats. They ought to have someone in contention at the end. I can never figure the Schlecks out though. They blow hot and cold, dominating races and then disappearing again. I know riders plan to peak at certain times, but these guys can be very inconsistant.

Rebellin will totally go for it. It's nice his team got an invite. He's too old now to pull off the triple of Amstel/Fleche/Liege that he did in 2004, but I wouldn't put it past him to grab one of them again this year.

Fabian Wegmann should also be in contention. One day soon this guy is going to win a hilly classic. I love watchign him too. There are few riders who seem to push themselves so hard. Just seeing the pain on his face as he hits the hills is incredible. Milram are bringing a strong team too. Gerdeman and Terpstra are also lining out.

Columbia are bringing a strong team too, and I reckon Kirchen could be their man for it.

Lotto should really be gunning for this one. Their sponsor was giving out about them after Paris Roubaix, so they really need some results. Evans is starting but I think he doesn't really give everything to the Ardennes races and prefers to concentrate on the Tour. Dekker will be the mystery man. Will he regain the form he showed before he fell out with Rabobank? Gilbert should be their main contender but has he done too much already in the Belgian races? You could say the same think about Quick Step's Chavanel, suited to this race but maybe a bit burned out by all the work he's done over the past few weeks.

Rabobank are also putting a very strong team in but I can't see if any would be a top five? Nuyens maybe? Or Gesink.

Dark horse would be Katusha's Christian Pfannberger. He rode a great race for Barloworld last year.

I see all three Irish guys are on the start list as well. Here's hoping they get a chance to shine.

Chips Lovell · 15-04-2009 1:47pm

So Raam, who's your pick? I would have put you on the list but I believe you only want to race the club league this year.

lukester · 15-04-2009 1:50pm

@el tonto- Do you have a blog?

Raam · 15-04-2009 1:53pm

el tonto wrote: »

So Raam, who's your pick? I would have put you on the list but I believe you only want to race the club league this year.

:pac:

I always like the Schlecks, so I'll go for Frank. I was reading here and he has done well in some of his previous attempts.

The startlist doesn't have Dan Martin, who I assume is the third Irish guy you are talking about after Roche and Deignan?

It's always hard to bet against Valverde, and I would like him to win if he wasn't in the hot water he is in.

Chips Lovell · 15-04-2009 1:59pm

lukester wrote: »

@el tonto- Do you have a blog?

http://rideitlikeyoustoleit.wordpress.com/

I should update more often than I do.

Raam wrote: »

The startlist doesn't have Dan Martin, who I assume is the third Irish guy you are talking about after Roche and Deignan?.

Martin's on the list on the Amstel Gold site.

ba · 15-04-2009 2:13pm

wasnt frank schleck involved in a training accident and received a few stitches to his chin amongst other things. so the money is on:

Cunego
Valverde

i cant find a start list so my selections are preliminary.

Chips Lovell · 15-04-2009 2:17pm

ba wrote: »

wasnt frank schleck involved in a training accident and received a few stitches to his chin amongst other things.

That was about a month ago now. Don't think he broke anything. Just cuts.

TinyExplosions · 15-04-2009 2:20pm

Andy Schleck for me, dark horse is Dan Martin

Reckon Cunego will get it though

Chips Lovell · 15-04-2009 2:22pm

TinyExplosions wrote: »

dark horse is Dan Martin

I've never seen Martin in a race like this yet so he's a bit of an unknown quantity for me.

Zipp101 · 15-04-2009 4:14pm

TinyExplosions wrote: »

dark horse is Dan Martin

Can't see it,he doesn't have the power on the smaller sharper climbs.
He needs more explosivity.
His explosions at the moment are tiny

jdt101 · 16-04-2009 9:18pm

My Dark Horse is the form rider from the Cervelo Test Team's Heinrich Haussler. Not sure about the 31 hills.....

sy · 17-04-2009 2:05am

My Name is Mario wrote: »

We are so spoiled in April, aren't we?

Valverde is also very strong at the moment, having won the Klasika Primavera at the weekend. He had said he'd be concentrating all of his energies on winning the Tour this year, but given that he probably will be suspended by then, I'm guessing he'll give it his all in the Ardennes. He's a better sprinter than Cunego, but I think Cunego may have the edge on the uphill finishes.
.

Not sure I'd agree here Mario! I think Valverde would shade it in an uphill duel with Cunego but can't see it happening this weekend. Yes Cunego will be there at the end but the big duel between these two will be in Liege. ( I hope!)
My pick to put it up to Cunego is Sanchez (Sammy) who was going very well in the Tour de Basque.
Rebellin in his day was a great uphill finisher and would dearly love to see him win but I am afraid he has lost that killer kick. Age can be cruel!
I agree with your comment on the Schlecks, "hot or cold" and Frank would have to get away before the end if he is to repeat his win. He just can't sprint.
Columbia will try hard but I think Kirchen needs more time.
Lotto are pretty *issed after Roubaix but I think Gilbert is getting there so he would be my second bet after Sanchez.
Don't know much about Christian Pfannberger and would love to see Dekker back at the front again.
Thanks for the informative post and whats with the name change!!

zzzzzzzz · 19-04-2009 3:05pm

Jaysus - great finish for Nicholas Roche coming in 7th! Didn't see him once in the coverage though.

Dura Ace · 19-04-2009 4:36pm

According to the commentators on cycling.tv, Simon Gerrnas was 7th. They had similar numbers, so that result may (unfortunately) change. I did spot Deignan in the ever diminishing bunch with a few climbs left though.

Junior · 19-04-2009 5:32pm

Dura Ace wrote: »

According to the commentators on cycling.tv, Simon Gerrnas was 7th. They had similar numbers, so that result may (unfortunately) change. I did spot Deignan in the ever diminishing bunch with a few climbs left though.

Looks like you were correct, it was Gerrans who was 7th Roche DNF. Dan Martin DNF. Philip Diegnan 82nd at 6'02"

Aquos76 · 19-04-2009 9:55pm

Slightly OT but there was major controversy at the end of todays tour of turkey

Scroll to 3.40 and watch what happens to the rider in the yellow jersey (Daryl Impey)

According to cyclingnews, "Impey remained on the ground for 20 minutes before getting back on his bike to cross the finish line. He was taken to the hospital in Alanya where the doctors reported a fracture of the third disc of his lumbar vertebra, a micro-fracture of his neck, facial trauma, a few broken teeth and a deep cut in his lips."

Bos denies intent with regard to Impey's crashing. UCI commissaires watched the video and agreed, taking no action against Bos. And yet one thing is sure: In the middle of a high speed sprint finish, Bos grabbed hold of Impey's jersey, a dangerous action, and caused the crash.

Raam · 19-04-2009 9:58pm

I've been watching this on podium cafe. I don't think I can believe it was on purpose.
http://www.podiumcafe.com/2009/4/19/844611/terrible-van-impey-accident-by-bos#14434301

Hermy · 19-04-2009 11:23pm

Anyone know the latest on Matthew Lloyd?

And yet one thing is sure: In the middle of a high speed sprint finish, Bos grabbed hold of Impey's jersey, a dangerous action, and caused the crash.

+1

TinyExplosions · 20-04-2009 8:21am

Raam wrote: »

I've been watching this on podium cafe. I don't think I can believe it was on purpose.
http://www.podiumcafe.com/2009/4/19/844611/terrible-van-impey-accident-by-bos#14434301

I'm not so sure... it looked pretty malicious, like he grabbed his shoulder and threw him into the barrier, but that was only from one camera angle I guess....

Funkyzeit · 20-04-2009 11:25am

Saw that finsih in the TO Turkey last night (had sky+ it as knew Amstel would run over).

Unreal - 3 crashes in the last k and I kept replaying the yellow jersey crash

Can't believe the UCI didn't persue this further with Bos - He grabbed him and threw him into the railings - even my OH who has as much interest in sport as I have in buying Celine Dions greatest hits commented on it. Horrific behavius IMO.

Junior · 20-04-2009 2:23pm

From http://www.darylimpey.com/

I got taken down deliberately by Bos from Rabobank, you can even see it on youtube, only one word for him and that is a true chophead. He doesn't deserve to race anymore and I am thinking about going to the UCI about his dangerous riding. He tried to pass me 700m to go in the bunch sprint but there was no-where to go and all of a sudden I felt a hand on my shoulder pulling me into the barriers. We both crashed.

blorg · 20-04-2009 2:26pm

Slow motion at the end, to me it does look like Bos has his hand on Impey to warn of his position and then starts to fall himself and just grabs instinctively, doesn't look deliberate. In fairness why would you pull a rider down in front of you, makes no sense. Still Bos' fault and stupid etc just not deliberate.

Raam · 20-04-2009 2:27pm

blorg wrote: »

Slow motion at the end, to me it does look like Bos has his hand on Impey to warn of his position and then starts to fall himself and just grabs instinctively, doesn't look deliberate. In fairness why would you pull a rider down in front of you, makes no sense. Still Bos' fault and stupid etc just not deliberate.

Agreed, can't see him trying to actually make himself crash also.

bcmf · 20-04-2009 3:15pm

Watched it on full screen on youtube and the slower I look at it and the more I look at it the more it looks like he came up the inside and pulled him down.He had his arm across his back.

Junior · 20-04-2009 3:18pm

Interesting comment from Robbie McEwen on Twitter

Last word on Bos crash - INTENTION wasn't to crash DI or himself but he did. In the wrong, no question. If suspended 1 month, take it. Done

Chips Lovell · 20-04-2009 3:22pm

blorg wrote: »

Slow motion at the end, to me it does look like Bos has his hand on Impey to warn of his position and then starts to fall himself and just grabs instinctively, doesn't look deliberate. In fairness why would you pull a rider down in front of you, makes no sense. Still Bos' fault and stupid etc just not deliberate.

That would be my take too after looking at the video (which isn't great) a few times. Bos looks like he was in way closer to the barriers than anyone else. I think he tried to put his hand out to warn him or steer Impey away and then perhaps panicked as he started to fall. Pulling someone down deliberately at that speed just doesn't make sense. It could result in a career ending injury for you as well as the other guy.

scottreynolds · 20-04-2009 3:58pm

My Name is Mario wrote: »

That would be my take too after looking at the video (which isn't great) a few times. Bos looks like he was in way closer to the barriers than anyone else. I think he tried to put his hand out to warn him or steer Impey away and then perhaps panicked as he started to fall. Pulling someone down deliberately at that speed just doesn't make sense. It could result in a career ending injury for you as well as the other guy.

People are always pushing and pulling round the peleton. Its just a pity that some riders think that they are targeted. I'd understand if Contador pushed Lance over but no one else would be deliberate -- its too dangerous. If you think I'm wrong jump off your bike at 80kms an hour and tell me its a good idea.

Chips Lovell · 20-04-2009 4:02pm

scottreynolds wrote: »

People are always pushing and pulling round the peleton.

Exhibit One:

8385.11696.f.jpg

Junior · 20-04-2009 4:09pm

My Name is Mario wrote: »

Exhibit One

Thing is with that no one took their hands off the bike and put them on the other rider, no matter what you can say happened after that you are making yourself unstable and 'interfering' with another rider.

lukester · 20-04-2009 4:12pm

Junior wrote: »

...'interfering' with another rider.

That looks like 'interfering' to me

Junior · 20-04-2009 4:31pm

lukester wrote: »

That looks like 'interfering' to me

You can always claim you were holding your line/off balance, from what I remember of my sprinting days taking your hands off the bars was something that was dealt with as interference. You never tried to do it really in the sprint unless your were Mehall Fitz.

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