Velominati Super Prestige: Men’s Liege-Bastogne Liege 2017

There was a time when this is what Cycling looked like.

This guy. This fucking Valverde guy. How can you make it look so easy? Dan Martin was right to look like a little bitch on the podium, because that’s exactly what Valvecap made of him: his little bitch.

What kills me about him is he looks totally awesome, but I can’t find myself liking him. What’s the matter with me? Looking Fantastic is normally all I need. Maybe its because he’s bald. But that hasn’t stopped me before. Chalk it up to the great mysteries of life.

Liege is a race that’s dear to my heart; my dad and I did it together when I was seventeen and it was one of the greatest rides of my life. It’s a great classic, but today’s era of specialization means we rarely see riders contest the cobbled classics as well as the Ardennes classics. Yet, this year we’ve got Greg Van Avermaet lining up after winning Roubaix in the true Hardman style of Eddy Mereckx or Sean Kelly.

So lets make this happen people: I’m voting for GvA, nearly assuring everyone he won’t be anywhere near the podium. Appologies in advance. You know the drill: get the picks in by the time the clock goes to zero. Good luck!

[vsp_results id=”104302″/]

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

JohnB says:

Apr 23 2017 at 1:03 am
VSP PICKS:
1. Alejandro Valverde
2. Dan Martin
3. Greg Van Avermaet
4. Michael Albasini
5. Warren Barguil
mulebeatsdrums says:

Apr 23 2017 at 2:49 am
So nearly Delgadoed. Totally missed Fleche, as well.

VSP PICKS:
1. Malmerde
2. Kwiatkowski
3. Henao
4. Van Avermaet
5. Barguil
Cameron W says:

Apr 23 2017 at 4:52 am

Balls, delgado... anyway, I'm about to spend the better part of 16 hours in the saddle, how good is that?
MangoDave says:

Apr 23 2017 at 6:25 am

@Cameron W

Balls, delgado… anyway, I’m about to spend the better part of 16 hours in the saddle, how good is that?

That's a long day. More details, please...
Teocalli says:

Apr 23 2017 at 7:52 am
Teocalli says:

Apr 23 2017 at 7:54 am

Four out of Five and fifth in the correct place. Improving!
R00tdown says:

Apr 23 2017 at 8:00 am

Class by Valverde dedicating the win.
Randy C says:

Apr 23 2017 at 5:32 pm

I was up early this am to have breakfast a couple of hours before a bike ride. But, was raining. So, what to do? Watch the race ! I really enjoyed watching the Cannondale team at the end put forth some efforts. Henao too. Dan Martin had a great attack but just looked to have sit his butt down at the top and at the wrong time. And boom, there went Valverde. That left turn just isn't Martin's corner hey?

I had the NBC Sports package to livestream but regret, they started to broadcast just as the ladies' finished !? What a week for Anna and the Boehls team. Wow. Katarzyna and Annemiek have just been up against such a strong team this spring. And Pauline today ?

The spring classics and ardennes seem to have gone by so fast! Good fun. Cheers all
wiscot says:

Apr 23 2017 at 5:33 pm

I said "fuck Valverde" on Wednesday and I'll say it again today. It's just not right. Every other rider's heaving their lungs out and the Movistar shit just crosses the line cool as a cucumber.
Cary says:

Apr 23 2017 at 7:38 pm

@Randy C

I was up early this am to have breakfast a couple of hours before a bike ride. But, was raining. So, what to do? Watch the race ! I really enjoyed watching the Cannondale team at the end put forth some efforts. Henao too. Dan Martin had a great attack but just looked to have sit his butt down at the top and at the wrong time. And boom, there went Valverde. That left turn just isn’t Martin’s corner hey?

I had the NBC Sports package to livestream but regret, they started to broadcast just as the ladies’ finished !? What a week for Anna and the Boehls team. Wow. Katarzyna and Annemiek have just been up against such a strong team this spring. And Pauline today ?

The spring classics and ardennes seem to have gone by so fast! Good fun. Cheers all

as much as i enjoy watching the Ronde and Paris Roubaix, i just can't get into the Ardennes classics, from a viewer's perspective. as a rider, i would imagine i would like the Ardennes better than Flanders, though..