Velominati Super Prestige: Liége-Bastogne-Liége 2014

Roche and Criquielion
Roche and Criquielion battle at L-B-L

The 100th running of Liége-Bastogne-Liége takes place this Sunday. Danny-boy Martin will be marked heavily as the defending champion. Malmerde, and Phil Gil have shown they are peaking too. Froomy has thrown his hat into the ring, as he did last year but after last years 26th place, maybe it’s training. 263 kms, past winners include a long list of known dopers, again, the pot belge mix paid off to keep riders cranking through those last climbs. Cancellara talked of slimming down more in to add this Monument to his palmarés but this might be the farthest from his grasp. This is a very tough race course. You need to be a fondisti, someone with staying power, a Phil Gil or a fully doped Moreno Argentin to finish this race off successfully. Last year Red Ryder went ballistic, blew up the field and opened a way for his teammate, Danny-boy. Let’s hope for some equally exciting fireworks this Sunday.

Here is an imperfect startlist.

The points from the LBL VSP count towards the overall prizes. So check the start list, review the VSP Scoring Guidelines and get your picks in by the time the countdown clock goes to zero at 00:00 hours PDT on Sunday the 27th. If you think we mapped one of your picks wrong, use the dispute system and we’ll review it. Also remember to be precise enough in your description so we know which rider you mean; in other words, if you enter “Martin”, we will use our discretion (read: wild guess) to decide if you mean Tony or Dan – and that choice will not be negotiable once the the countdown clock goes to zero, so be sure to give yourself enough time.

Don’t forget we’ve got three major prizes for the season-long VSP:

First place overall wins a Veloforma Strada iR Velominati Edition frame in addition to the customary VSP winner’s VVorkshop Apron

Second place overall wins a set of hand built CR Wheelworks Arenberg wheelset in a custom Velominati paint scheme laced to orange Chris King hubs. (CR Wheelworks is Café Roubaix’s new wheel goods brand.)

Third place is you’re fired or overall wins a full Velominati V-Kit with accompanying custom orange Bont Vaypor+ road shoes.

All Hail Cosmo!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkLa_W7g5js[/youtube]

[vsp_results id=”29669″/]

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328 Replies to “Velominati Super Prestige: Liége-Bastogne-Liége 2014”

  1. @girl

    Great finish. 6 points. Stoked considering how I make my choices.

    Same here, a record for me.

  2. @The Grande Fondue

    From http://inrng.tumblr.com/post/84027878450

    Looks like his read wheel just slid out.

    Just gutted for Martin. Podium place for sure if not the win. I’ve watched the clip dozens of times and it just doesn’t make sense. The road was apparently dry and he wasn’t leaning too far over. Can’t take anything away from Gerrans either – he played it smart and won. better Gerrans than Valmerde anyday.

  3. @wiscot

    Has anyone watched the clip of Martin cornering slowly enough to see if his left crank/pedal was down at the moment that would have created impact?  I’ve re-watched the TV a few times but just can’t tell. Martin himself doesn’t mention it but even the smallest impact at that speed and angle could be the cause of disaster.

    Whatever, the case, I think Gerro would have got there anyway.  He was just getting into this sprint around that corner.

  4. @PT

    @wiscot

    Has anyone watched the clip of Martin cornering slowly enough to see if his left crank/pedal was down at the moment that would have created impact? I’ve re-watched the TV a few times but just can’t tell. Martin himself doesn’t mention it but even the smallest impact at that speed and angle could be the cause of disaster.

    Whatever, the case, I think Gerro would have got there anyway. He was just getting into this sprint around that corner.

    I just watched it another ten times. Martin’s left pedal does seen to be down when he wipes out but surely if he hit his pedal on the ground there would be a violent jerk to the crash, not the somewhat graceful slide. The other thing is, these guys are pros: they know instinctively how far over they can lean and still pedal.

    Anyone seen/heard from Frank lately?

  5. @PT from the Garmin FB page:

    The team rode a beautiful race today. We did everything right and they gave everything for me all day. I hit a patch of something on the road, I don’t know exactly what happened – it was like falling out of a tree – and down I went. Before I knew it, it was over. I think there were tears in my eyes before I hit the floor. I’m just so sorry. I know in my heart we did everything we could have to get me where I needed to be. I’m heartbroken I couldn’t deliver the win for the team but I’m proud of how they rode for me and of Tom finishing 6th. We’ll just have to come back next year and try again.

  6. @wiscot

    After thinking about the video of Martin it seems that it is more about his cornering than the road or pedals. I have no idea if he was red lining and that led to poorly executed cornering or something else but it seems that he was not counter steering and his weight was over the line, if you compare his lean angle it is further over. Also these new fangled carbon bikes are potato chips and if you unweight the rear wheel boom…

  7. I’m happy for Gerrans and I like him a lot. We’re exactly the same size/weight, so fun to watch him to see if I can pick up anything.

    But, he’s GOTTA change out that shit kit. Way too much matching. Helmet, jersey, shorts, he just looks bad. Even just black shorts with a green/yellow stripe down the thigh would make it much less terrible.

    Please Gerro, ride in something classier.

  8. @Chris Completely gutted for him and the team. His message is pretty humble, nice to see the praise he puts on his team.

  9. @ChrisO

    @Harminator

    I’ll go first with the derision… he needs lessons from Brian Holm on how to wear that cap.

    Apart from that, good on him. To win one Monument may be regarded as good fortune; to win two looks like decentness.

    Not to mention wins in all the grand tours. He makes the most of what he’s got and he does it pretty well.

    He needs a neck. That’ll balance out the cap.

  10. @Ron

    I’m happy for Gerrans and I like him a lot. We’re exactly the same size/weight, so fun to watch him to see if I can pick up anything.

    But, he’s GOTTA change out that shit kit. Way too much matching. Helmet, jersey, shorts, he just looks bad. Even just black shorts with a green/yellow stripe down the thigh would make it much less terrible.

    Please Gerro, ride in something classier.

    At least he wore a proper cap on the podium – as did Kwiatkowski. Valmerde wore the (hopefully) increasingly unfashionable ball cap. Wouldn’t it be nice to see some V caps?

  11. from twitter

    Just to clear things up, i didnt clip my pedal and dont think i hit a pen. We believe there was oil on the road. Whatever. I went splat #end

    Absolutely gutted for him, and not just because I’d picked him to win. As others have said above, real classy response to the whole thing, chapeau.

  12. @Geraint

    from twitter

    Just to clear things up, i didnt clip my pedal and dont think i hit a pen. We believe there was oil on the road. Whatever. I went splat #end

    Absolutely gutted for him, and not just because I’d picked him to win. As others have said above, real classy response to the whole thing, chapeau.

    Yes to above, no whining, no excuses just common sense and class! I had him at third… Just sayin.

  13. @wiscot

    @The Grande Fondue

    From http://inrng.tumblr.com/post/84027878450

    Looks like his read wheel just slid out.

    Just gutted for Martin. Podium place for sure if not the win. I’ve watched the clip dozens of times and it just doesn’t make sense. The road was apparently dry and he wasn’t leaning too far over. Can’t take anything away from Gerrans either – he played it smart and won. better Gerrans than Valmerde anyday.

    Yeah, good job Gerrans, “to finish first, first you have to finish”, but damn Dan, looked like he was about to smash past Caruso as he seemed to be carrying  more speed he may have held on but Gerrans was flying.

  14. @piwakawaka Agreed. Caruso was on fumes and had no kick in him when he got caught. I think Dan would have opened it up for the win or a podium at least. Class act.

  15. I see Cav has his own line of gear out via the Big S. It’s called cvndsh. Perhaps Specialized have trademarked vowels and capital letters?

    Pity they couldn’t find a decent model: stuff looks like shit – all wrinkly and baggy and the guy has hairy guns. Really? That passed muster as looking PRO? Cav’s gear is always really well-fitting. His signature line? not so much. Must be “club fit.”

    http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/first-look-cvndsh-collection

  16. @wiscot

    I see Cav has his own line of gear out via the Big S. It’s called cvndsh. Perhaps Specialized have trademarked vowels and capital letters?

    Pity they couldn’t find a decent model: stuff looks like shit – all wrinkly and baggy and the guy has hairy guns. Really? That passed muster as looking PRO? Cav’s gear is always really well-fitting. His signature line? not so much. Must be “club fit.”

    http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/first-look-cvndsh-collection

    It’s all too long for a start. I’m sure I read on here that the jury was out on black socks, but those particular ones with those particular shoes? Urgh.

  17. @Rhodri

    @wiscot

    I see Cav has his own line of gear out via the Big S. It’s called cvndsh. Perhaps Specialized have trademarked vowels and capital letters?

    Pity they couldn’t find a decent model: stuff looks like shit – all wrinkly and baggy and the guy has hairy guns. Really? That passed muster as looking PRO? Cav’s gear is always really well-fitting. His signature line? not so much. Must be “club fit.”

    http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/first-look-cvndsh-collection

    It’s all too long for a start. I’m sure I read on here that the jury was out on black socks, but those particular ones with those particular shoes? Urgh.

    lvd th bggy cmprssn pnls!

  18. @sthilzy

    @Rhodri

    @wiscot

    I see Cav has his own line of gear out via the Big S. It’s called cvndsh. Perhaps Specialized have trademarked vowels and capital letters?

    Pity they couldn’t find a decent model: stuff looks like shit – all wrinkly and baggy and the guy has hairy guns. Really? That passed muster as looking PRO? Cav’s gear is always really well-fitting. His signature line? not so much. Must be “club fit.”

    http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/first-look-cvndsh-collection

    It’s all too long for a start. I’m sure I read on here that the jury was out on black socks, but those particular ones with those particular shoes? Urgh.

    lvd th bggy cmprssn pnls!

    Maybe you have to ride it in the rain and it’s “shrink to fit”? To convert pounds to $$, add about 55% That’s some expensive ugly stuff. Signature color is green = the color of money. Makes Rapha seem reasonable (and better looking. And Better fitting. On better models).

  19. @Marcus

    @ChrisO correct. LBL oldest, M2W second. I am still sad that the Warney gave up its title as the longest one dayer to MSR by changing its route.

    @Daccordi Rider you just know that isnt a tie-your-own bow tie.

    Oh yeh, but most of the stuff in the right photo are non genuine parts.

  20. @Mikael Liddy

    Thanks for posting that, it really adds another dimension to a great day for Gerro, OGE and Australian cycling.   Hows Neil Stephens when Gerro wins: Faaaaaaark!

  21. Glad to read I’m not the only one having a negative reaction to the new Shit Kit for Specialized. Oh man, that full shot of the “model” was terrible. The naming is a bit dim too. The more I see how products are marketed, the more I’m sure I could be a marketing genius.

    The shoes are the only thing I wouldn’t mind trying out. But, they look so slim and form fitting that they scream dead feet and numbness to me. I wonder if the PROs have that problem or they’re too busy chasing breaks to pay attention. The one pain I’ve still never cured is foot numbness/soreness on long rides.

    Also, does Cavendish even ride a Romin saddle? Never seen one on any of his bikes.

  22. @Ron some interesting  thoughts on shoes here http://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/buyers-guide-cycling-shoes.html

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