We came tantalizingly close to adding a foray up the Mur de Huy during our excursion to Liege-Bastogne-Liege during this year’s Keepers Tour. But good sense and the Anti-V prevailed, as they are wont to do, and only two of us were left wanting a dig at the most notorious finishing climb in the Classics season.
I write this, then, woefully ignorant of the ferocity of the climb, particularly when combined with with a few hundred k’s of racing and scaling it several times in the process. Such is the nature of this event, and it doesn’t even have the dignity of holding a weekend spot on the calendar for its troubles.
But the Huy is a brute. Steep, long, and steep. Did I mention steep? We’re talking 26% steep. And long? We’re talking 1.3km. Even the best climbers in the world fade when the effort is dished out too soon. Keep the powder dry was ever thus.
Throw the formulas out the window; its best to resort to your eye of newt for this one. Whoever wins will have good finishing speed on an uphill finish and it also won’t be Andy Schleck. That’s about all the farther anyone can narrow this puppy down, the rest is guesswork. Enter your picks by the time the countdown clock goes to zero.
Good luck, regular rules apply.
I might have posted this last year as well, but this is my favorite finish of La Fléche to date, Pre-Cancerian Pharmy notwithstanding. He takes a flier in the only spot on this climb with some easing of the gradient. Its beautiful work, that.
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Just Martin in my top five and even he finished fourth instead of my preferred third. Doesn't he know I need the points?
Bettler luck with the ladies: first and fifth metaphorically nailed.
Moreno? Son of a bug. Who is he? FFS!
Did anyone pick him to win?
@napolinige takes the brass ring.
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It's early to be generating GC standings but the tifosi demand it. It is cocktail hour somewhere in the world.
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bzzzzzztttt......
DATA FLAW. GHOST IN MACHINE. RESULTS PROVISIONAL.
CONTESTED PICKS, FFS. STAND BY, FFS
@Gianni
Wasn't it Moreno who slipped gears in the Amstel Gold finale and almost took out Valverde and Gerrans? It's funny: I remember making a mental note that he might be worth considering for Flèche Wallonne when he made his move, but then he almost lost control of his bike, and I blew him off. Chapeau for a good ride.
Wrong Sky rider! It's like changing your lottery numbers. At least my sub paid off.
Good man Danny boy !
@Steampunk No it wasn't him, it was Giampaolo Caruso same team.
Dani Moreno is a great rider though.
@Gianni
Phew! Glad to hear it! I think I'm owed a point for having Martin in my top 5. Also, any word on my L-B-L article being used for this weekend?
I am relieved to see Andy Schleck continues to be consistant. Thankfully Sagan couldn't manage a fast finish and i won't be on a lycra diet.