Velominati Super Prestige: La Fléche Wallonne
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.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-O2_KwWMUg[/youtube]
VSP PICKS:
1. Rodriguez
2. A. Schleck
3. Kolobnev
4. S. Sanchez
5. L. L. Sanchez
that’s right! Jerome m-f’in coppel!
VSP PICKS:
1. j-rod from the rokkit skwad
2. fingerbang
3. whistleblower tondo
4. Jerome coppel
5. one-dollar diluca
It is amazing how nobody even mention de name of Christian Banged-and-Felled…by the way Hesjedal will be 6th!
VSP PICKS:
1. Schleck Jr.
2. Rodriguez
3. Anton
4. Clenbutador
5. Vino
These mid week races are awesome. they give me something to look forward to on a work day. I cant wait fir Il Giro so we have acing every day.
VSP PICKS:
1. Conti
2. Jrod
3. “you called master?”
4. Jr
5. The Carbon Wheel
why did my picks just repost. there is no change.
VSP PICKS:
1. Conti
2. Jrod
3. “you called master?”
4. Jr
5. The Carbon Wheel
VSP PICKS:
1. Rodriguez
2. A. Schleck
3. Freire
4. S. Sanchez
5. L. L. Sanchez
VSP PICKS:
1. J-Rod
2. A. Schleck
3. Vino
4. Cunego
5. Uran
@Steampunk
Not just tour guys. Find the Ole Ritter archived article and check out the video — Ole puts down a big steak before his TT.
I’m thinking Gilbert will save his fire for the weekend, Andy too. Vieno is still too old, Bertie not quite there and I really haven’t a clue. It’s such a crap shoot as to who goes too early.
VSP PICKS:
1. j-Rod
2. Gesink
3. Gerrans
4. Dan Martin
5. sammy sanchez
VSP PICKS:
1. Cuntador
2. Joachim Rodriguez
3. Andy Schleck
4. Vino
5. Gesink
I’m feelin’ ya!
OUT: Tondo (love you Tondo, but this isn’t for you)
IN: SCHLECKINO
VSP PICKS:
1. j-rod from the rokkit skwad
2. fingerbang
3. Grimpy the Younger
4. Jerome coppel
5. one-dollar diluca
I feel like any one who is going for the GC or stage wins at Le Tour wont show to much at this race, buts is a crap shoot as I have never seen this race before. I want to see Basso do well but I’m not so sure and same with Sammy. I think the team will be working for Igor ahead of Il Giro.
VSP PICKS:
1. Conti
2. Jrod
3. “you called master?”
4. Jr
5. The Carbon Wheel
Another wild card selection. I’m going to keep saying Jeff Louder until he wins something.
VSP PICKS:
1. Andy Schleck
2. Alberto Contador
3. Vinokourov
4. Janez Brajkovic
5. Jeff Louder
Well, I’ve been voting with my hear and against the likely winner so long, I don’t even know what it feels like to get points. Since it’s a mid-week race that I don’t fancy, I’ll give it a whirl.
Clenny times it right, Grimplette goes to early, Gesink goes from the bottom and almost makes it.
BOOM.
VSP PICKS:
1. Clenbutador
2. Grimplette
3. J Rod
4. Gesink
5. Ryder on the Storm
No bloody idea!
VSP PICKS:
1. A Contador
2. S Sanchez
3. Van Den Broeck
4. J Rodriguez
5. F Schleck
Frank can you stop this from reposting my picks every time.
VSP PICKS:
1. Conti
2. Jrod
3. “you called master?”
4. Jr
5. The Carbon Wheel
@harminator
Oooh, good call on Van den Broeck. I bet that dude shows up strong tomorrow.
Yessss Gerrans! He would be my favourite rider of my picks, but the desire to suck wheels by picking favourites and moving up the leaderboard is too much for me. (Now I’ve said that he’ll go and win the bloody thing) Couldn’t do Contador though. I’d love to see Schlecks, Basso and Cuddles team up on him but I think I may ahve to wait till the tour for that.
@Alex
Oh yeah, 10 picks would be easier!
VSP PICKS:
1. Ryder
2. Gesink
3. Bert
4. J Rod
5. Fränk
VSP PICKS:
1. Clenbutador
2. J Rod
3. Schleklett
4. Gilbert
5. Gerrans
@RedRanger
Just cut them from the text box…
VSP PICKS:
1. Frank Schleck
2. Juaquim Rodriguez
3. Simon Gerrans
4. Andy Schleck
5. Tejay Van Garderen
VSP PICKS:
1. Clenbutador
2. Sanchez
3. Schleckito
4. Gerrans
5. J Rod
VSP PICKS:
1. Gilbert
2. Gesink
3. J Rod
4. Ryder
5. Gerrans
VSP PICKS:
1. Triple Crown Philbert
2. My Favourite Martin
3. Brakes a bit
4. E-van Basso
5. Staf Scheirlinckx
VSP PICKS:
1. Grimpet the younger
2. Gaysink
3. Igor Anton (nickname?)
4. Gerro
5. Spanish Steak
VSP PICKS:
1. Triple Crown Philbert
2. My Favourite Martin
3. Brakes a bit
4. E-van Basso
5. You’re so Veino
VSP PICKS:
1. A Schleck
2. Contador
3. J Rod
4. Gesink
5. Gerro
VSP PICKS:
1. Contador
2. Gilbert
3. Sammy Sanchez
4. A.Schleck
5. Cunego
VSP PICKS:
1. LL Cool S
2. Vino
3. Joaquin R
4. Martin
5. Basso
Yay, i have the Lanterne Rouge! Need to form a gruppetto quick or the broomwagon will get me…
VSP PICKS:
1. Schleck
2. Contador
VSP PICKS:
1. Gilbert
2. Schleck
3. J. Rod
4. Sanchez
5. Gerrans
@Oldschooly
Which Schleck?!
VSP PICKS:
1. Andy
2. Tejay
3. Bobby G
4. Basso
5. Jergen VDB
I have never even seen this ride. After carefully studying last years results and who rides this year, I came up with this list lacking Gilbert and hoping for a point.
VSP PICKS:
1. Rodriquez
2. Igor Anton
3. Frank Schleck
4. Andy Schleck
5. Cunego
VSP PICKS:
1. Andy Schleck
2. Contador
I have now carefully studied more.
VSP PICKS:
1. Rodriquez
2. Igor Anton
3. Andy Schleck
4. Sammy Sanchez
5. Gesink
How fucking cool would it be to see Jens kick the shit out of a few wannabes on the Huy?
VSP PICKS:
1. Jens
2. Gesink
3. Nuyens
4. Grimplete
5. Basso
Because Jalabert said so.
VSP PICKS:
1. Contador
2. Rodriguez
3. Gilbert
4. Vinokourov
5. Gesink
3rd time lucky – kept on defaulting on me.
VSP PICKS:
1. Andy Schleck
2. Contador
3. Gilbert
4. Vino
5. Martin
VSP PICKS:
1. Damiano Cunego
2. Simon Gerrans
3. Jakob Fuglsang
4. Alexander Vinokourov
5. Greg Van Avermaet
@Roberto Marques
That’s because he finished Amstel BEHIND the team’s sprinter. WTF!? I’m always rooting for the guy but by the end of last season I decided I was finished supporting Garmin, however, this resolution did not hold.
VSP PICKS:
1. J Rod
2. Sammy Sanchez
3. Clenbutador
4. Gerrans
5. Vino
VSP PICKS:
1. Gilbert
2. Frank Schelck
3. Rodriguez
4. Contador
5. Sanchez
Oh how I badly need a super-sweep of this race… Falling further and further behind! Good thing I left the sheep station over there…
VSP PICKS:
1. The Spanish Steak
2. Veino
3. Gerro the wunderdog
4. The Second Coming of VDB
5. Still Gesink
Oh how I love Google’s auto-translator:
Xavier Tondo (Movistar) could not start because the Spaniard was suffering from a kidney.
Not eevn sure that Dan Martin’s riding! Rush job to try and get tips in pre start!
VSP PICKS:
1. Schleck A
2. Clenbutador
3. Dan Martin
4. Gilbert
5. VDB