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.
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@frank
So, just hypothetically, what does crashing into a 3-timee RVV/3-time PR winner say about someone? I think it says they aren't afraid of a reputation. It also says they didn't hear the call to turn right (which could mean right or left when made by William). Just sayin'...
@Buck Rogers
Interesting article in a recent Cycle Sport mag, with Brian Holm's wishes for the 2012 New Year. He wished for the UCI to put Interpol, FBI and Scotland Yard onto Cobo, because "there is no way that guy should be able to win a Grand Tour". They were happy to print that, so it's apparently no secret that his Vuelta win was, at a minimum, highly suspicious.
Damn Damn Damn. Zero points. Best I can salvage is being Lantern Rouge on the results list.
@Bianchi Denti
I had not seen that. LOVE it!
@frank
Yeah, kind of like lancing a saddle sore: hurts a wee bit but feels better once the pus is let out!
I don't understand why every dude with sweet hair is mocked for having a mullet. Long hair doesn't equal a mullet.
Maxim observes Rule V. And, he has awesome hair.
Not sure if anyone saw the GreenEdge video the other day that showed a day in the life of Joachim their soigneur...well it looks like it's made him a little popular within the peloton. Look out for a little cameo a minute or so in to their backstage pass from L-B-L
I believe I have discovered the root of Phil Gil's poor spring campaign: his new shoes. Man, are those things ugly. Every tiome he looks down he sees them and his morale drops.
On a more positive note, I have to say I've enjoyed he spring classics. Being a Boonen fan, his success has been most welcome after a couple of dry years. Faboo's wins in Bianche, Tommeke's magnificent P-R, Oscar and Nibali's balls-out attempts to win in Fleche and LBL. Great racing. Alas, I too look at Astana with dread. Just as I like to think things are getting cleaner, they come up with a couple of big wins. I mean, look at the condition riders are finishing in - totally spent. Wasn't like hat a few years ago.
Ditto the Astana hangover
So much loving Vincenzo this year - hope he descends like a man possessed in the mountains in the next few months and gets all the loot he deserves - definitely taken over from Fast Phil as the most exciting rider in the peleton so far this year
New name for the Lexicon: Frank and Andy Schlucks
@frank
A quote today on cycling news from Veino himself, "He did it the Vino way! ". Not sure that if I was Iglinskiy that I would want Veino saying that in public!