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

BrettOK says:

Apr 20 2011 at 6:33 pm

@Bianchi Denti
Maybe I am, maybe I'm not.

(Not at work)
Buck Rogers says:

Apr 20 2011 at 6:44 pm

BrettOK :
PhilGil, the new Rebellin.

Oh GOD, let's hope not!
Buck Rogers says:

Apr 20 2011 at 6:45 pm

Lepidopterist :
@frankPerhaps if it becomes a porn site that will be no bad thing.Girlfriend after seeing me hastily put down laptop, "What are looking at?"Me "Porn"Girlfriend "You were not ! You were looking at bikes again, admit it"Me, somewhat shamefaced "Yes but only a bit.."

Damn, man, that hits a little too close to home!
Oli Brooke-White says:

Apr 20 2011 at 6:58 pm

Buck Rogers:

BrettOK :
PhilGil, the new Rebellin.

Oh GOD, let's hope not!

Gilbert is almost universally regarded as a clean rider, for what that's worth.
G'phant says:

Apr 20 2011 at 7:05 pm

@Oli Brooke-White

Indeed - http://inrng.com/?p=2729#more-2729
Nate says:

Apr 20 2011 at 7:37 pm

@Oli Brooke-White
I think @Brett meant to say "eradicating the memory of Rebellin."
BrettOK says:

Apr 20 2011 at 7:42 pm

All I meant was doing the triple... you guys are so suspicious!
Ron says:

Apr 20 2011 at 7:56 pm

Zach - yep, I think it is pure awesomeness that Frank and the others do this just for fun. Good on the lot of ya!

And the VSP is great as well. I reluctantly played along in a NCAA b-ball pool with friends, just for fun. I really didn't care. But the VSP? I spend time really, really think over these picks, and now I'm having to make three in a week. Time consuming!

But, it really is pure awesomeness how many of us are brought together to cheer on skinny men in Lycra and talk about bicycles.
anotherdownunder says:

Apr 20 2011 at 8:32 pm

BrettOK :
PhilGil, the new Rebellin.

For what it is worth, I found Rebellin hard to like what with his sit on, snivelling, Klingon tactics, yes he would win but not in a likeable way. And that was before he went +. And don't start me on his mate Shumacher.
ramenvelo says:

Apr 20 2011 at 8:35 pm

Buck Rogers:

ramenvelo :
@frankNOOOOOOOO! So cruel, I thought I was getting a bumper sticker.

Don't feel too bad. Bumper stickers are only given out for the Monuments. :)

So "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." Is this for the Ardennes Classics? I'm confused.