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

Steampunk says:

Apr 20 2011 at 4:03 pm

mcsqueak:It's the start of my second spring on my bike now, and I'm logging speeds and climb numbers that it took me until last June to reach, so I feel pretty good right now coming out of winter.

Good for you! I'm feeling much the same way. Much stronger and much better sensations, especially going uphill.
G'phant says:

Apr 20 2011 at 4:15 pm

So the question is how will anyone beat PhilGil at LBL? They now know fo' sure that they can't do it by waiting for a sprint half way up the final climb. So someone's gonna have to go early. Real early. In a break. And then guts it out, hardman style, to the end. Does anyone else hear that low, savage Kazakhstani growl growing louder ... ?
RedRanger says:

Apr 20 2011 at 5:09 pm

@G'phant
Can a person have that much luck? I'm just glad we have a few days to think about this. Again I have never seen LBL so I'm gonna have to do my home work.
mcsqueak says:

Apr 20 2011 at 5:11 pm

@G'phant

I think I'm going to have to go with him as my number one pick, the guy is on fire right now. Of course, that means he won't be in the top 5 after I pick him.

@Steampunk

Thanks mate! I didn't hit the rollers nearly as often as I thought I was going to this winter, and I'm certainly still trying to make up my stamina and endurance (especially on hill climbs), but I feel pretty good. Rides no longer feel like slogs like they did two months ago, and they are ending because I'm run out of time rather than energy. The bike just moves and the legs just go.
Steampunk says:

Apr 20 2011 at 5:23 pm

@G'phant
Of course, we were saying the same kinds of things about Spartacus a few weeks ago. Is it time to put Jens in a top five?

@mcsqueak
Yeah. I had a pretty lousy winter for training, and the first few rides really hurt, but I've been feeling a lot better of late. Yesterday's ride was one of those rolling hills rides, and I basically lived in about 53x17 and just hopped out of the saddle to get over every hill"”some of them pretty long/steep. Felt good to have the confidence to just power on up. Of course, I'm not carrying a rear light bracket up with me, so maybe my experience isn't as impressive.
mcsqueak says:

Apr 20 2011 at 5:31 pm

Steampunk:
Of course, I'm not carrying a rear light bracket up with me, so maybe my experience isn't as impressive.

It's like a boat anchor.
G'phant says:

Apr 20 2011 at 5:48 pm

mcsqueak :

Steampunk:Of course, I'm not carrying a rear light bracket up with me, so maybe my experience isn't as impressive.

It's like a boat anchor.

I feel the same way about my arse, but it's not detachable.
BrettOK says:

Apr 20 2011 at 5:55 pm

PhilGil, the new Rebellin.
minion says:

Apr 20 2011 at 6:10 pm

It's like a boat anchor.
I feel the same way about my arse, but it's not detachable.

Buck Rogers :
@Marcus Porn??? Did someone say Porn? Where????

mcsqueak :
@Marko
Damn dude, my rear light bracket has logged more kms than you this year.

It's funny how the mere mention of adult content colours the way you read things. Also selective quoting is the friend of Journalists everywhere.
Bianchi Denti says:

Apr 20 2011 at 6:25 pm

@BrettOK

BrettOK :
PhilGil, the new Rebellin.

Are you implying what I think you're implying? And are you at work this afternoon?