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

Flying Crowbar says:

Apr 20 2012 at 10:50 am

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Chavanel
3. Voeckler
4. Boom
5. Nibali
napolinige says:

Apr 20 2012 at 11:01 am

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Nibali
3. Frank Schleck
4. Cunego
5. Chavenel
Vin'cenza says:

Apr 20 2012 at 11:03 am

Van Den Broeck to measure up on the 98th LiÃ¨ge-Bastogne-LiÃ¨ge \\ 257.5 km
Attacking on CÃ´te de la Haute-LevÃ©e !!

VSP PICKS:

1. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (24 Bel)
2. Alejandro Valverde (9 Spa)
3. Michael Albasini (8 Swi)
4. Roman Kreuziger (21 Cze)
5. Damiano Cunego (12 Ita)
GProsser says:

Apr 20 2012 at 11:11 am

VSP PICKS:

1. Damiano Cunego
2. Vincenzo Nibali
3. Frank Schleck
4. Gilbert
5. Voeckler
paolo says:

Apr 20 2012 at 11:14 am

How many people will pick Peter Sagan ? ( this is like a sub game..I say 12).

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Sanchez
3. Valverde
4. Vockler
5. Westra
CanuckChuck says:

Apr 20 2012 at 11:18 am

VSP PICKS:

1. Giblets
2. Il Piccolo Principe
3. J Rod
4. Schleck Le Vieux
5. Schleck Le Jeune
Tartan1749 says:

Apr 20 2012 at 11:19 am

Is Cadel really starting?

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Samuel Sanchez
3. Chavanel
4. Voeckler
5. Langeveld
LA Dave says:

Apr 20 2012 at 11:21 am

Version 1.0. Most likely going to be some changes.... keep thinking that Gerrans or Gasparatto might be able to follow wheels and be a factor at the finish if things don't get sorted out before the Saint-Nicholas.... Either of those might be better than a few of my choices.

Looks like rain is in the forecast? Here's hoping the heavens open up on Sunday and make things nasty.

VSP PICKS:

1. Philbert
2. JRod
3. A. Schleck
4. Nibali
5. Sammy Sanchez
Gerard says:

Apr 20 2012 at 11:37 am

VSP PICKS:

1. Gilbert
2. Albasini
3. Nibali
4. Gerrans
5. Horner
draffenator says:

Apr 20 2012 at 11:37 am

VSP PICKS:

1. Valverde
2. Gilbert
3. F. Schleck
4. Vanendert
5. Sanchez