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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frank says:

Apr 20 2011 at 12:45 pm

@Buck Rogers

Actually, I think that Frank knows this site is like crack and that once he has enough of us hooked, he'll start charging us and retire on the proceeds!

We jumped the shark with the hair article, so it's over. Curtains. That and we did a post on the Gavia. Also crap. We're packing it in. Time to head back over to Velonews for some quality. I'm looking for a buyer for the domain name. This will be a porn site before long.
Steampunk says:

Apr 20 2011 at 12:48 pm

@xyxax
Keep digging. I'm not sure you can get a minor and a game misconduct for the same infraction. I think you have to get a major penalty in there somewhere, too. Five for fighting, two for instigating, and a game misconduct.

Speaking of which"”and before I get called out for trolling"”watching the Sedin twins cycle the puck is a thing of beauty...
xyxax says:

Apr 20 2011 at 12:51 pm

Velomina-tits.
Marko says:

Apr 20 2011 at 1:01 pm

@Buck Rogers

@frank
Just wait for my winning article about Lance's stunning c-x man-hoover around Beloki in 03. That'll bring in some readership!
Marcus says:

Apr 20 2011 at 1:17 pm

@frank
Before u turn this into a porn site and laying down the V takes on an entirely different meaning how about u post my Murray to Moyne article?

Oh and when it does go to porn I will still visit.
Bianchi Denti says:

Apr 20 2011 at 1:23 pm

@Marko

Marko :
@Bianchi DentiThat is an interesting point, she is one of those riders who very well could transcend the Rules.

Exactly. If Gilbert rides with his visor/peak turned up, he's redefine the rules. If I do the same, I'm just a dick trying to look like Gilbert.
I tried an ironic Robbie McEwen "pointing to my chest multiple times with both index fingers" salute at the end of Welli-Roubaix. The fact that I was dead last AND still had another lap of the velodrome to do meant it was just embarrasing for all.
ZachOlson says:

Apr 20 2011 at 1:23 pm

Wait...are you guys trying to tell me you don't come to this site to beat off? Then what do you want with pictures of sweaty, European men with their tight little shorts and smooth, muscular legs?
Marko says:

Apr 20 2011 at 1:30 pm

@ZachOlson
At least someone gets what "Anatomy of a Photo" is all about.
ZachOlson says:

Apr 20 2011 at 1:34 pm

@Marko, back to your earlier comment on snow in MN, we got about a foot in Bemidji last weekend and now the sky is shitting on us once again. If my bike wasn't disassembled awaiting crucial parts I'd be fucking pissed.
Marko says:

Apr 20 2011 at 1:49 pm

@ZachOlson
And to think last year at this time I probably had 750k behind me. This year I've got less than half that, way less. It's been a shitty spring for riding in these parts.