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

mcsqueak says:

Apr 20 2011 at 11:16 am

Ron:
A lot of them are pretty damn amusing, but when a bunch of other cycling fanatics have no clue who the hell you are talking about I think you've fallen off the back.

Crapped out like a rainbow turd?
ramenvelo says:

Apr 20 2011 at 11:20 am

@frank
NOOOOOOOO! So cruel, I thought I was getting a bumper sticker.
Steampunk says:

Apr 20 2011 at 11:24 am

xyxax:
@Steampunk
Damn, signed the wrong scorecard and incur a 2-stroke penalty.
Both cyclingnews and steephill had Schleck 4th in their initial postings.

Actually, I think making golf references on a cycling site is worth triple the penalty. But maybe that's just me.

It was curious to see some unidentified Astana rider digging deep right behind Gilbert, but then there was no sign of him in the final standings (Universal put Grimplette in fourth, too). And, unlike Sunday, they knew not to take the camera off Gilbert for even a second. Oh, the irony...
frank says:

Apr 20 2011 at 11:32 am

@Buck Rogers
Almost the same. He only got one point. I think he's sitting up to wait for the group to bridge up.
frank says:

Apr 20 2011 at 11:34 am

As for the naming; I love the nicknames, but yeah, some of them are crazy just for the sake of crazy. We reserve the right to issue penalties for disputing a pick that is so far off the wall that's just creating more work.

But keep the nicknaming up; the clever ones will eventually find their way into the Lexi.
Marko says:

Apr 20 2011 at 11:36 am

That's one of those finishes on the Huy I know I'll be coming back to in years to come. Thanks @YouTube. That man's kick is unreal, and from what, 3-4 hundred meters out? Ouch.
As for the Schlecks, I fear they may be going the way of Garmvelo's A-squad in the classics. I'll be keeping an eye on them and thinking hard about whether or not to tip them. And fuck all, the one time I don't listen to my head and go with A.Schleck instead of Veino, Veino comes through and C*ntodor instead of Gilbert, look what happens. Hail Veino.
xyxax says:

Apr 20 2011 at 11:41 am

@Steampunk
Ha! I knew I would get dinged for that. 2-minute minor plus game misconduct.
frank says:

Apr 20 2011 at 11:42 am

Marianne Vos spanked the field today as well; dominated. Chick is BAD.ASS.
ZachOlson says:

Apr 20 2011 at 11:44 am

Hmmm... I know "J. Rodriguez" is a pretty obscure nickname, but somehow I feel like I should have gotten a point for putting him in 4th.

Gotta say, I'm loving the VSP and how active everyone is in it. Tons of fun.
Marko says:

Apr 20 2011 at 11:53 am

@frank
Yeah but did she need to steal Flecha's lame-o salute?