Velominati Super Prestige: Luik-Bastenaken-Luik 2012

Eric Van Lacker leads LBL riding the most beautiful saddle ever made, the Rolls.

I thought I’d take this opportunity to move en danseuse on Rule #89 and to refer to Liege-Bastogne-Liege by its less-common Flemish name. It also draws into sharp relief that fact that while Dutch may be every bit as expressive and subtle as French, it certainly sounds less sexy.

Some races seem to foster a romanticism that other races of equal difficulty simply can’t match. Sometimes it is due to the parcours of the event, but many times it has to do with its history and the tales of superhuman effort that capivate our imaginations and builds on itself. The last few editions of this event have left something to be desired in terms of its legend, with the event falling to riders with less-than-pristine records. But that probably only means we’re due for another epic, so buckle in. Perhaps snow is in the forecast, or perhaps the hearts of the early break foil the computers dictating the pace to the field and it stays away. Or perhaps we wind up with a nail-biting sprint finish between the big names. One thing is for sure; the final of this race is perhaps the most difficult of any race on the calendar, with a combination of kilometers and climbs taking its pound of flesh from any who venture towards the line.

La Doyenne is a monument, and as such the winner of this event will win the customary symbol pack and earn the right to comment for the remainder of the season with the LBL Winner’s comment badge. Check the start list, watch the countdown timer, and try not to Delgado this beautiful race. Bon chance.

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

Pistolfromwarragul says:

Apr 21 2012 at 9:06 pm

Comment
Nate says:

Apr 21 2012 at 9:14 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Voeckler
3. Jelle Vanendert
4. Elder Schleck
5. Sammy Sanchez
Markp says:

Apr 21 2012 at 9:18 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Philippe Gilbert
2. Joaquim Rodriguez
3. Damiano Cunego
4. Samuel Sanchez
5. Alejandro Valverde
scaler911 says:

Apr 21 2012 at 9:25 pm

@gaswepass

I'd get all cocky about repeating if it felt like I knew what my picks were worth.nOt feeling it, so here goes(I just think a buncha "no names" gonna blow it apart and surprise us).

VSP PICKS:

1. Rodriguez
2. Heshedal(goes out to scaler)
3. Albasini
4. Cunego
5. Horner

Dude, every time I do picks and run across his name, I wanna pick him. For the top 5 anyway. Not sure why, but I think next year we're gonna see a lot of him on the steps. How could you not be a great cyclist with a name like Ryder? Or a great climber with a name like Summit?

VSP PICKS:

1. J. Rod
2. Can he go?
3. Giblets
4. Sandwhich
5. Jelle "V"
gaswepass says:

Apr 21 2012 at 9:27 pm

forgot about him... gilbert in...

VSP PICKS:

1. Rodriguez
2. Heshedal(goes out to scaler)
3. gilbert
4. Cunego
5. Horner
The Fish says:

Apr 21 2012 at 9:27 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. J-Rod
2. Gilbert
3. Cunego
4. F. Schleck
5. Valverde
Gianni says:

Apr 21 2012 at 10:59 pm

I was going to put Sagan in for the win but he is conveniently not riding. Whew, so now I have to hope Phil is good. Can J-Rod go back to back? I'm betting not. Schlecks, I have no faith in them. Gerro, maybe on the podium. Voeckler was hanging tough in Flanders, maybe I'm just a dreamer. I struck Valverde from the list because he is a tosser.

VSP PICKS:

1. gilbert
2. ryder hesjedal
3. voeckler
4. dan martin
5. j-rod
Blah says:

Apr 21 2012 at 11:01 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. gilbert
2. j rodriguez
3. cunego
4. f schleck
5. valverde
napolinige says:

Apr 21 2012 at 11:42 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Nibali
3. Frank Schleck
4. Cunego
5. Rodriquez
Bill says:

Apr 21 2012 at 11:47 pm

Dammit. Stavelot's only a three hour drive from here. Nice cobbled hill sector up through the center of town, similar to the approach to Kapelmuur (before it turns right up the hill. Lots of Leffe Brun available.

But school work will have me chained to the desk. Although the overall view is better.

Here's the town circle, about midway up the hill. Taken about two hours before the Stage 2, 2010 TdF train came through (in a soaking rain). Actually, by the time they came through, it wasn't a train, but a series of shell-shocked, bloodied riders.

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Rodriguez
3. Cunego
4. Valverde
5. F. Schleck