The Classics

[fanievb]

http://d4nuk0dd6nrma.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CORVOS_00023062-006.jpg

 

i can't figure out if he is picking it up or throwing it down

['Dale]

 

 

i can't figure out if he is picking it up or throwing it down

 

I think it's Kristoff who DNFed

[Cellar]

Didn't Frank Schleck crash and end his tour on the cobblestones in 2010?

 

As a direct result of Cancellara's acceleration.

[Cellar]

If i remember correctly Wigans and Froome have beaten the TT specialist on occation.

 

 

Then you should also remember Contador stitching up Cancellara in the Tour ITT as well. (And being only seven seconds off Martin in the Pais Vasco ITT last week.)

Edited April 15, 2014 by Cellar

[gummibear]

 

i can't figure out if he is picking it up or throwing it down

 

Smashing it.

[fanievb]

I think it's Kristoff who DNFed

Smashing it.

 

tx, sunday was difficult balancing act for me trying to watch PR and the XCO finals

[rock]

Wiggo needs to lose the arm warmers and flash that new ink of his.....

 

http://www.modculture.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wig1.jpg

[Wez-O]

Vino playing babysitter during 2010 Tour de France stage 3 on the cobbles at Haveluy…

 

Contador lost over a minute that day.

 

I can assure you the lightweight GC riders are not looking forward at all to stage 5 this year. Nothing to gain, but so much potentially to lose.

My thoughts exactly... Most the GC riders won't be looking forward to this stage, but particularly someone like Rodriguez, (who weighs about 15kg).

[Bat-ass]

 

 

Then you should also remember Contador stitching up Cancellara in the Tour ITT as well. (And being only seven seconds off Martin in the Pais Vasco ITT last week.)

 

Yip... I think the bottom line is any top TDF GC contender is capable of winning cobble classics. Their focus is just on TDF.

Big Jan Ulrich would have been devastating on the cobbles? Did he ever give the classics a go? LA would have been good cobble ridder? Too focused on TDF

[tombeej]

My thoughts exactly... Most the GC riders won't be looking forward to this stage, but particularly someone like Rodriguez, (who weighs about 15kg).

 

And Wiggo can no longer be called lightweight. He's filled out a lot since those skeletal days in 2012. Looking a lot healthier too - no longer like a deathcamp inmate. I'd be interested to know exactly how much he's put back on.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if he starts focusing more on the classics into the twilight of his career. I'm sure I've read recently that he's pretty much written off any future grand tour aspirations for the future. Pure speculation, but I'm guessing not wanting to go down that starvation route again has a lot to do with it.

 

Wiggo, Thomas and Stannard will be a very potent set of babysitters for Froomedog come July. I'd say Chris is not too worried at all with guys like that around him when things start to get bumpy.

[T-Bob]

^{Brabantse Pijl today.}

 

^{Not a heap of 'big names' about for todays race. Sagan isn't defending his crown, Glibert is there so will be interesting to seen what his training has done. Dan Martin is there. Hoogerland is back with Giocattoli. OPQS seem to have a very second string team as do a lot of others.}

 

^{Strongest teams for my money are Garmin Sharp and Orica GreenEdge. Lotto look like they want a win as well but I reckon OGE might do something. Impey is there, Gerrans, Mathews, Meyer and the Yates twins as well.}

Edited April 16, 2014 by hellocolour

[Jakkals.]

MTN is there!!!

[tombeej]

Good to see Gerrans back in action.

['Dale]

^{Brabantse Pijl today.}

 

^{Not a heap of 'big names' about for todays race. Sagan isn't defending his crown, Glibert is there so will be interesting to seen what his training has done. Dan Martin is there. Hoogerland is back with Giocattoli. OPQS seem to have a very second string team as do a lot of others.}

 

^{Strongest teams for my money are Garmin Sharp and Orica GreenEdge. Lotto look like they want a win as well but I reckon OGE might do something. Impey is there, Gerrans, Mathews, Meyer and the Yates twins as well.}

 

The race ends with three laps of a circuit course which contains five climbs: Hagaard, Hertstraat, Holstheide, Ijsklerdaam and the closing Schavei,720 meters with a maximum gradient of 11 percent. Who will have the legs to sprint for the win on that climb?

['Dale]

The podium last year was Peter Sagan, Philippe Gilbert and Björn Leukemans. Sagan is not here today to defend his title.

['Dale]

The Ardennes Classics have begun! And we start out with a break group of six with a gap of 6:45 after only 50km.