Yes it is a race named after a barely drinkable Dutch beer. I have enjoyed Amstel beer, brought to our table by a nice waitress, sitting outside in the Dutch spring. Atmosphere is everything. Do the Dutch brew awesome beer? I drank some good stuff in Amsterdam last spring but I’m pretty sure it was Belgian.
Now we begin the Ardennes three race-fest of Amstel, La Fléche Wallone and LBL. Peter Sagan has been resting up, Phil Gil is looking for his 2011 form (or his cortisone), Andy Schleck is suiting up for da ‘Shack. The big Spring Classic boys have moved on to the couch. They are not welcome here. Riding up to the start line now are the tough riders who can climb and climb again. Power to weight ratios must be honed to the razor’s edge to win these Ardennes races. Cancellara has talked of losing weight to be competitive in Liége-Bastogne-Liége. Just winning Ronde van Vlaanderen does not qualify you to win in the Ardennes races. Unless your first name was Edddy and last name Merckx.
Enjoy the start list. The betting window is open. Do not let Pedro Delgado sit on your couch.
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@Mikael Liddy
No ride Monday morning this week?
VSP PICKS:
1. Sagan
2. Gilbert
3. Gerrans
4. Valverde
5. Meersman
Here's a fun fact about this Ardennes classic: it doesn't take place in the Ardennes. And as hard as it is to right those heuvels (Limburgish for hills) again and again: the even bigger art for the Peloton is to avoid the road furniture that the Dutch put simply everywhere. More than one rider will pull an Offredo.
Gilbert may be out of form, but he knows this area very well as he born and raised only 15 miles way. Maybe ten Dam can do something, he's from Maastricht and in good shape.
VSP PICKS:
1. Sagan
2. Gilbert
3. Uran Uran
4. Purito
5. Gasparotto
Gilbert still smarting after Brabanste Pijl, Sagan because he's a machine, Henao for that every hopeful Sky podium in a classic and Gerrans and Martin as my wildish cards. After a lucky start to the VSP now sliding into mid table obscurity.
VSP PICKS:
1. Philip Gilbert
2. Peter Sagan
3. Simon Gerrans
4. Sergei Henao
5. Dan Martin
VSP PICKS:
1. Phil Gil
2. Mr Pinchy
3. Sgt Slagter
4. Terpstra
5. Moser
VSP PICKS:
1. sagan
2. phinney
3. thomas
4. gilbert
5. van avermaet
VSP PICKS:
1. sagan
2. Moser
3. gerrans
4. gilbert
5. van avermaet
VSP PICKS:
1. Sagan
2. Gilbert
3. Moser
4. Cunego
5. Tiernan-Locke
VSP PICKS:
1. Sagan
2. Gilbert
3. Van Avermaet
4. Moser
5. Voeckler
VSP PICKS:
1. Sagan
2. Gilbert
3. Dan Martin
4. Gerrans
5. Ryder