Velominati Super Prestige: Men’s La Fleche Wallonne 2017

Energizer Bunny: Valverde

Valverde is one of those guys who seems to never suck. And he looks great on a bike; he doesn’t spin too much, he doesn’t grind too much. He likes to stomp a big gear uphill in the drops, 90’s-style, when the mood strikes. What’s not to like? I’m not sure, but I can’t find myself liking him, must be the Piti Principle nonsense that spoiled him for me.

In any case, I can’t believe the guy is still an active Pro, let alone still winning. This race always comes down to who can go uphill like he stole something at the end of a long, lumpy race, and have the patience to wait until the right moment – go too early and you’ll burn out. Go too late and you’ll have missed the move from the guy who timed it right. And don’t get tempted into it by that skinny climber who goes well in the Alps; if he hasn’t done this climb yet, he’s likely to get it wrong.

Dan Martin is due to win this race, and my money is on him, assuming he’s starting, and I haven’t checked that he is. (Update: He is.) That’s a free tip, the rest I leave to you. Contemplate the start list (which I can’t find), peruse those pesky tea leaves, and get your picks in before the timer goes to zero.

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frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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RobSandy says:

Apr 19 2017 at 1:42 am
@frank
@RobSandy
Picking Valverde to win even though I don’t like him, as then I’ll be pleased if he wins and pleased if he doesn’t.

VSP PICKS:

Valverde

Dan Martin

Kwiatkowski

Henao

Wellens
Its…diabolical. And genius.
Never bet on your own team. Golden rule.
LeoTea says:

Apr 19 2017 at 1:48 am
@RobSandy
@frank
@RobSandy

Picking Valverde to win even though I don’t like him, as then I’ll be pleased if he wins and pleased if he doesn’t.

VSP PICKS:

Valverde

Dan Martin

Kwiatkowski

Henao

Wellens

Its…diabolical. And genius.
Never bet on your own team. Golden rule.
I have a friend who regularly bets against his own teams. He calls it "emotional insurance".
The Grande Fondue says:

Apr 19 2017 at 3:10 am
Why isn't Wout Poels racing?

VSP PICKS:
1. Kwiatkowski
2. Valverde
3. Dan Martin
4. Sergio Henao
5. Albasini
LeoTea says:

Apr 19 2017 at 3:35 am

@The Grande Fondue

Why isn’t Wout Poels racing?

He's recovering from a knee injury - he won't be defending his Liège title either: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/poels-disappointed-to-miss-out-on-chance-to-defend-liege-title/
ojhart says:

Apr 19 2017 at 3:59 am
VSP PICKS:
1. Valverde
2. Kwiatkowski
3. Dan Martin
4. Henao
5. Majka
RobSandy says:

Apr 19 2017 at 7:49 am

Results of the 81st Flèche wallonne:
1. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar)
2. Dan Martin (Quick-Step Floors)
3. Dylan Teuns (BMC)
4. Sergio Henao (Sky)
5. Michael Albasini (Orica-Scott)

I got 3 in the right place.
chuckp says:

Apr 19 2017 at 7:55 am

Two in the right place plus Henao as a top 5 finisher! Bring on La Doyenne!
wiscot says:

Apr 19 2017 at 8:14 am

Fuck Malmerde. It's just not right. Just not right at all.
Buck Rogers says:

Apr 19 2017 at 8:23 am

Cyclingnews quote from today's race ... Malmerde attributed his latest success to "confidence and strength ... and drugs--shitloads of drugs". I might have changed it just a whee bit!
wiscot says:

Apr 19 2017 at 9:27 am

@Buck Rogers

Cyclingnews quote from today’s race … Malmerde attributed his latest success to “confidence and strength … and drugs–shitloads of drugs”. I might have changed it just a whee bit!

Cyclingnews quote from today’s race … Malmerde attributed his latest success to “confidence and strength … and drugs–shitloads of undetectable drugs”. I might have changed it just a whee bit!

Fixed your post! A 36 years old former doper and kicking the ass of riders 10 years younger on the Huy? I know a lot of success in this race is timing, but really? I just don't buy it.