The 100th running of Liége-Bastogne-Liége takes place this Sunday. Danny-boy Martin will be marked heavily as the defending champion. Malmerde, and Phil Gil have shown they are peaking too. Froomy has thrown his hat into the ring, as he did last year but after last years 26th place, maybe it’s training. 263 kms, past winners include a long list of known dopers, again, the pot belge mix paid off to keep riders cranking through those last climbs. Cancellara talked of slimming down more in to add this Monument to his palmarés but this might be the farthest from his grasp. This is a very tough race course. You need to be a fondisti, someone with staying power, a Phil Gil or a fully doped Moreno Argentin to finish this race off successfully. Last year Red Ryder went ballistic, blew up the field and opened a way for his teammate, Danny-boy. Let’s hope for some equally exciting fireworks this Sunday.
Here is an imperfect startlist.
The points from the LBL VSP count towards the overall prizes. So check the start list, review the VSP Scoring Guidelines and get your picks in by the time the countdown clock goes to zero at 00:00 hours PDT on Sunday the 27th. If you think we mapped one of your picks wrong, use the dispute system and we’ll review it. Also remember to be precise enough in your description so we know which rider you mean; in other words, if you enter “Martin”, we will use our discretion (read: wild guess) to decide if you mean Tony or Dan – and that choice will not be negotiable once the the countdown clock goes to zero, so be sure to give yourself enough time.
Don’t forget we’ve got three major prizes for the season-long VSP:
First place overall wins a Veloforma Strada iR Velominati Edition frame in addition to the customary VSP winner’s VVorkshop Apron
Second place overall wins a set of hand built CR Wheelworks Arenberg wheelset in a custom Velominati paint scheme laced to orange Chris King hubs. (CR Wheelworks is Café Roubaix’s new wheel goods brand.)
Third place is you’re fired or overall wins a full Velominati V-Kit with accompanying custom orange Bont Vaypor+ road shoes.
All Hail Cosmo!
[vsp_results id=”29669″/]
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@girl
Same here, a record for me.
@The Grande Fondue
Just gutted for Martin. Podium place for sure if not the win. I've watched the clip dozens of times and it just doesn't make sense. The road was apparently dry and he wasn't leaning too far over. Can't take anything away from Gerrans either - he played it smart and won. better Gerrans than Valmerde anyday.
@wiscot
Has anyone watched the clip of Martin cornering slowly enough to see if his left crank/pedal was down at the moment that would have created impact? I've re-watched the TV a few times but just can't tell. Martin himself doesn't mention it but even the smallest impact at that speed and angle could be the cause of disaster.
Whatever, the case, I think Gerro would have got there anyway. He was just getting into this sprint around that corner.
@PT
I just watched it another ten times. Martin's left pedal does seen to be down when he wipes out but surely if he hit his pedal on the ground there would be a violent jerk to the crash, not the somewhat graceful slide. The other thing is, these guys are pros: they know instinctively how far over they can lean and still pedal.
Anyone seen/heard from Frank lately?
@PT from the Garmin FB page:
@wiscot
After thinking about the video of Martin it seems that it is more about his cornering than the road or pedals. I have no idea if he was red lining and that led to poorly executed cornering or something else but it seems that he was not counter steering and his weight was over the line, if you compare his lean angle it is further over. Also these new fangled carbon bikes are potato chips and if you unweight the rear wheel boom...
I'm happy for Gerrans and I like him a lot. We're exactly the same size/weight, so fun to watch him to see if I can pick up anything.
But, he's GOTTA change out that shit kit. Way too much matching. Helmet, jersey, shorts, he just looks bad. Even just black shorts with a green/yellow stripe down the thigh would make it much less terrible.
Please Gerro, ride in something classier.
@Chris Completely gutted for him and the team. His message is pretty humble, nice to see the praise he puts on his team.
I think Martin just applied a wee bit too much power in the curve.
@ChrisO
He needs a neck. That'll balance out the cap.