Velominati Super Prestige: La Fléche Wallonne

Freddy Maertens on the Mur de Huy

La Fléche would perhaps be my least favorite classic, were it not for Gent-Wevelgem’s ill-timed bike-throw in their race for last place. It isn’t anything to do with the quality of these races themselves, but more to do with the company they travel in. Gent used to be sandwiched between de Ronde and Roubaix, just as La Fléche is between Amstel and Liege; it just happens that these are some of the greatest races in the world, and the bridesmaid never looks as good as the bride.

It’s a shame, too, because the Mur de Huy is an absolute brute and ranks as one of the most fearsome and recognizable climbs in the world. Almost a kilometer and a half in length with pitches of 20% and 25%, the climb is hit several times on the finishing circuit. Diabolically, the finish is placed at the top of the hill.

The finish favors a powerful climber who can time an uphill sprint to perfection.  Think Nicole Cooke or Danilo Di Luca.   Cuddles misfired on this finish several times before getting it right last year and giving the “Thumbs Up” sign. You could almost a weakening Clentador thinking as he was getting passed, “I’m not climbing well enough for my weight yet.  Need to get me some Spanish Beef.” Experience always counts, but it’s critical here.

So on with the 2011 Velominati Super Prestige and the La Fléche Wallonne. As usual, the winner of this VSP edition will earn an “Obey the Rules” bumper sticker and all reader’s points qualify towards the final prize of the free personalized Velominati Shop Apron. If you are inclined to enter, simply post your predictions for the top five placings in the designated area above the posts section, bearing in mind that entry/modification of picks closes at 5am Pacific time on the day of the race. Check the Super-Prestige main page for rules and scoring information.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-O2_KwWMUg[/youtube]

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245 Replies to “Velominati Super Prestige: La Fléche Wallonne”

  1. under the wire!!!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Joaquin Rodriguez
    2. Bertie the Steak Man
    3. Samu
    4. Baby Grimpeur
    5. Veino

  2. Eurosport are telecasting to Oz without commentary. All you can hear is the sound of the chopper or the moto. It is kinda cool for a while but more beer required.

  3. Oli Brooke-White :
    Roche out and on his way to hospital. Dan Martin has crashed also.

    Just saw that.. Man, bummer as both are such good riders and good guys.

  4. Maciej Paterski (Liquigas-Cannondale), Preben Van Hecke (Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator), Maxime Vantomme (Katusha Team) and Matti Helminen (Landbouwkrediet) with just under 7 minutes and 55km to go…Saxo on the front with Leopard Trek.

  5. What a lovely day over their today. Cripes, they have leaves on their trees and shrubs already and peeps wearing shorts. I’ve still got a foot of ice on the lake, 4 inches of snow in the woods, and a month out from leaves.

  6. @Marko

    What a lovely day over their today. Cripes, they have leaves on their trees and shrubs already and peeps wearing shorts. I’ve still got a foot of ice on the lake, 4 inches of snow in the woods, and a month out from leaves.

    Seattle’s rainy, but that’s a pretty good description of why I left Minnesota. The thaw from Spring can be a rough ride if you’re jonesin’ to get on a bike. Hang tough, buddy.

  7. frank:
    @Marko

    What a lovely day over their today. Cripes, they have leaves on their trees and shrubs already and peeps wearing shorts. I’ve still got a foot of ice on the lake, 4 inches of snow in the woods, and a month out from leaves.

    Seattle’s rainy, but that’s a pretty good description of why I left Minnesota. The thaw from Spring can be a rough ride if you’re jonesin’ to get on a bike. Hang tough, buddy.

    I spent 3 years in the twin cities. that was enough for me.

  8. @Alex
    Thanks mate – but we get it on cable here. Commentary started after a while. There was som snooker tourney onion the UK so they didn’t bother commentati g for just us Aussies. Snooker over, commentary started but no Sean Kelly commentating…

  9. @Marcus
    no worries, i don’t have foxtel so no eurosport so have to watch on live stream.
    in another life i would have been watching the snooker (world champs at the crucible no less which is like the flanders of queue sports).
    i have a custom cue and a custom frame but the cue doesn’t get any action these days.

  10. Interesting bit of trivia from the Flemish lads: Golas speaks 6 languages. What to do in your spare time as a Pro cyclist, eh? Learn languages, I guess.

  11. ok well i just learnt to have faith in big pHil
    he is just soooo good, wonderful to see.

  12. God DAMN! I picked the first three guys but in the wrong order!!! SHIT!

  13. he smashed them, like he looked around, said to himself “ok boys watch this” and boom

  14. Commentators: “This was a demonstration. This was not tactics, this was not planning. This not poker. This was riding your bike.”

  15. SPOILER ALERT:

    O-fficial
    1. Gilbert
    2. J-Rod
    3. Sammy Sanchez
    4. Andy Schleck
    5. Igor Anton

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