Velominati Super Prestige: La Fléche Wallonne

Freddy Maertens on the Mur de Huy

La Fléche would perhaps be my least favorite classic, were it not for Gent-Wevelgem’s ill-timed bike-throw in their race for last place. It isn’t anything to do with the quality of these races themselves, but more to do with the company they travel in. Gent used to be sandwiched between de Ronde and Roubaix, just as La Fléche is between Amstel and Liege; it just happens that these are some of the greatest races in the world, and the bridesmaid never looks as good as the bride.

It’s a shame, too, because the Mur de Huy is an absolute brute and ranks as one of the most fearsome and recognizable climbs in the world. Almost a kilometer and a half in length with pitches of 20% and 25%, the climb is hit several times on the finishing circuit. Diabolically, the finish is placed at the top of the hill.

The finish favors a powerful climber who can time an uphill sprint to perfection. Think Nicole Cooke or Danilo Di Luca. Cuddles misfired on this finish several times before getting it right last year and giving the “Thumbs Up” sign. You could almost a weakening Clentador thinking as he was getting passed, “I’m not climbing well enough for my weight yet. Need to get me some Spanish Beef.” Experience always counts, but it’s critical here.

So on with the 2011 Velominati Super Prestige and the La Fléche Wallonne. As usual, the winner of this VSP edition will earn an “Obey the Rules” bumper sticker and all reader’s points qualify towards the final prize of the free personalized Velominati Shop Apron. If you are inclined to enter, simply post your predictions for the top five placings in the designated area above the posts section, bearing in mind that entry/modification of picks closes at 5am Pacific time on the day of the race. Check the Super-Prestige main page for rules and scoring information.

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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View Comments

ramenvelo says:

Apr 20 2011 at 7:38 am

From now on I'm just going to put Gilbert in the #1 spot. I hope he completes the Ardennes hat trick, like Rebellin, but do it clean. I'm on the bandwagon now, one of my new favorite riders.
Nathan Edwards says:

Apr 20 2011 at 7:40 am

Yay for once I scored some points!
Netraam says:

Apr 20 2011 at 7:43 am

I picked everyone in the wrong order, except Gilbert who I left out for Gesink. I feel violated...
xyxax says:

Apr 20 2011 at 7:55 am

Odd, http://www.letour.fr has Vinokourov 4th and A. Schleck 44th.
Ron says:

Apr 20 2011 at 7:58 am

Wow, Phil Gil is awesome! I didn't doubt his form, I just thought he'd be holding off for LBL. Nope!

I was watching on Eurosport and during the replay the lead commentator said, "The camera doesn't do justice to the power of his kick right there..."

He just seems a step ahead of everyone right now. Love watching him ride!
Mikeweb says:

Apr 20 2011 at 8:03 am

J-Ro doesn't mean Joaquim Rodriguez?

I $%&@-ing missed the last 30km of the race to take care of a dodgy Bloomberg terminal at work... grrr.
xyxax says:

Apr 20 2011 at 8:11 am

Not that I want to take points away from myself, but CyclingNews now has same order as letour.fr and the replay seems to confirm?

1 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 4:54:57
2 JoaquÃm RodrÃguez Olivier (Spa) Katusha 0:00:03
3 Samuel SÃ¡nchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:00:05
4 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Pro Team Astana 0:00:06
5 Igor Anton Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
Steampunk says:

Apr 20 2011 at 8:20 am

@xyxax
Yep. Andy was off the back going into the Mur. That would have been a climb for the ages if he had managed to recover. Veino in fourth.
xyxax says:

Apr 20 2011 at 8:35 am

@Steampunk
Damn, signed the wrong scorecard and incur a 2-stroke penalty.

Both cyclingnews and steephill had Schleck 4th in their initial postings.
LA Dave says:

Apr 20 2011 at 8:58 am

Too little too late, but I think I'll stop underestimating Gilbert now. I initially had him first For the Amstel Gold but then thought "I just can't see him winning it two years in a row" and put him second. Then for the FW I stupidly thought "I just can't see him winning 2 races in a row" and did the same thing. I won't take a chance like that again.

He is amazing and we may be witnessing history (if we haven't already). Watching that finish this morning made me want to call in sick and ride all day.