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

Buck Rogers says:

Apr 20 2012 at 1:56 pm

@The Oracle

@Buck Rogers

Damn autocorrect! Have to get around to taking your advice about how to shut it off. Should be double check, not Doyle deck, in the above post, as well as "were" instead of we're.

I thought "Doyle Deck" was some exclusive lingo that I wasn't hip enough to understand.

Ha! Maybe that will be the newest lexicon entry even though i have no bloody idea what it means either!
sgraha says:

Apr 20 2012 at 2:15 pm

Phil Gil to find his form again...

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Cunego
3. Sagan
4. Voeckler
5. Freire
Tobin says:

Apr 20 2012 at 2:35 pm

What about Sanchez, Gerrans, Voeckler, Chavanel, Kreuziger and Nibbles...fack!

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. J-Rod
3. Piti
4. Grimpelder
5. Cunego
smithers says:

Apr 20 2012 at 2:57 pm

.

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Vanendert
3. Gerrans
4. Rodriguez
5. F Schleck
sthilzy says:

Apr 20 2012 at 4:02 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Philippe Gilbert
2. Joaquim Rodriguez
3. Damiano Cunego
4. Samuel Sanchez
5. Frank Schleck
il ciclista medio says:

Apr 20 2012 at 4:32 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. PhilGil
2. Gerro
3. J Ro
4. Albasini
5. Clarke
VeloVita says:

Apr 20 2012 at 4:47 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Albasini
3. Cunego
4. Rodriguez
5. Nibali
Adrian says:

Apr 20 2012 at 5:00 pm

This is my Jonny Hoggerland style attack to try to pull away from the middle of the bunch, but I fear I may simply be swallowed by the peloton before the line.....

VSP PICKS:

1. Cunego
2. Rodrieguez
3. A. Schleck
4. Gilbert
5. Van Avermaet
Skinnyphat says:

Apr 20 2012 at 5:15 pm

I want to pick Voeckler, but he never gets away in races this big.

VSP PICKS:

1. Alejandro Valverde
2. Philippe Gilbert
3. Sammy Sanchez
4. Joaquin Rodriguez
5. Chris Horner
ash says:

Apr 20 2012 at 5:25 pm

Can't wait for this!

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. j-Rod
3. albasini
4. Nibbles
5. TommyV