Liege-Bastogne-Liege

sy

This is going to be a hard one to call. Kelly loved Roubaix but he has always said this was the classic to win. It is probably the most complete race for the punchers in the peleton.
261 kms with 11 climbs totaling nearly 25kms!!


Climbs ( all gradients are average)

• km 57.5 - Côte de Ny - 1.8km climb at average gradient of 5.7 percent
• km 82 - Côte de la Roche-en-Ardenne - 2.8km at 4.9
• km 128 - Côte de Saint Roch - 0.8km at 12
• km 172 - Côte de Wanne - 2.7km at 7
• km 178.5 - Côte de Stockeu - 1.1km at 10.5
• km 184.0 - Côte de la Haute-Levée - 3.4km at 6
• km 196.5 - Côte du Rosier - 4km at 5.9
• km 209.0 - Côte de la Vecquée - 3.1km at 5.9
• km 226.5 - Côte de la Redoute - 2.1km at 8.4
• km 232 - Côte de Sprimont - 1.4 km at 4.7
• km 241.5 - Côte de la Roche aux Faucons - 1.5km at 9.9
• km 255.5 - Côte de Saint-Nicolas - 1km at 11.1

and that is 11.1 % average gradient for the last km:eek:

So we know who is going well over the last few weeks. Can Rebellin win the double? Are we going to see who is the best uphill finisher between Valverde and Cunego. ( Rebellin and Samuel Sanchez are no slouches either)
Andy Schleck will be there at the end but doesnt have the kick as is the case with Evans. Will somebody sneak away and win on their own.

Personally I think Cunego might shade it with Sanchez and Valverde close behind. Rebellin might be a little tired from wednesdays effort.

I think Valverde is a bit out of sorts ( I wonder why:rolleyes:) and this is the guy I admired most in the peleton. He has an incredible record here, with two wins and a 2nd in the last three years. Would stil love to see him win. Di Luca beat him in 2007:rolleyes:

Outside shot? Nibali

Over to you el tonto (glad to see you dropped that Idiots name :P)

Funkyzeit

Should be a cracker alright...My choices:

Andy Schleck - nearly did it last week and looked (IMO) surprisingly 'punchy'

Outside choice: If Valverde is not up to it reckon Rodriguez might have a pop...

Looking forward to seeing the Irish boys in action again - was nice to see them all prominent at some stage during Flech-Wall. Hopefully Roche might find a more suitable break if he's up to it.

smithslist

Funkyzeit wrote: »

Andy Schleck - nearly did it last week and looked (IMO) surprisingly 'punchy'

Outside choice: If Valverde is not up to it reckon Rodriguez might have a pop...

Schleck is in no doubt of a good chance to win, in terms of outside bets and riders on form wit good odds i went with on paddypower:
- S.Gerrans @28/1 &
- Ivanov @25/1

Both were placed within top 10 of fleche last wens.

TinyExplosions

Andy Schleck on the outside, but my money'd be on Cunego or Gilbert -Silence have to go all out to get a victory in one of the classics, and I think he's better suited than Cuddle Evans

sy

TinyExplosions wrote: »

Andy Schleck on the outside, but my money'd be on Cunego or Gilbert -Silence have to go all out to get a victory in one of the classics, and I think he's better suited than Cuddle Evans

Can't see Evans and Gilbert getting along too well on Sunday after what Gilbert said about Evans

Yes Gerrans is going well and has a chance but does anyone know if Gesink is back. He is a serious talent for the future, I think he is only 22/23. el tonto said he injured his knee in the Amstel so didn't ride the Fleche. I saw him as a possible contender but not with a wonky knee.

Junior

Don't know if Gesink is back, but Schleck Snr is back for Sunday.. I think Cuengo is in good form and could be there or there abouts come the final.. But I'm going to plump for Valverde...

bcmf

watching live here -> http://www.worldlivetv.it/en/

rai tre/ rai sport. Attenzione! in Italiono

Junior

Well thank god for that result least we know he's not a Fred..

sy

Funkyzeit wrote: »

Should be a cracker alright...My choices:

Andy Schleck - nearly did it last week and looked (IMO) surprisingly 'punchy'

Outside choice: If Valverde is not up to it reckon Rodriguez might have a pop...

Great call Funkykeit

Diarmuid

Watched the last 40km live, looked like the whole peleton were wrecked. Schleck attacked but the chasing bunch were unable to get their act together and he put up over a minute on them very fast. It was all over by the time he got to the bottom of the last climb. Frank Schleck did a good job of disrupting the chase too.

Funkyzeit

sy wrote: »

Great call Funkykeit

Finally and you'll excuse the gloating for getting the 2 of them ! - only wish I'd put some money on it !!! Can't believe they let "the winner" get away so easily...