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Fleche Wallone Discussion
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 09-09-2014 13:19
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3931
Joined: 29-01-2013
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The Fleche Wallone, the middle race of the three Ardennes classics, once more focuses on the Mur de Huy, crossing it twice before finishing there.
World Champion Edvald Boasson Hagen  is surely the biggest favourite for today, and after a disappointing Amstel Gold Race, which he finished in 9th, he'll be looking to bounce back with a victory. His support team is tailor made for him, so there's no excuse for not delivering at least a podium.
After showing his current for with a super win at the Amstel Gold Race, Yuri Trofimov  looks like the man most likely to challenge Boasson Hagen to the victory.
Home favourite Jan Bakelants  will be looking to improve on his 6th place in Valkenburg, and where better to do that than in his home country? He is the third of the big favourites, with the overwhelming amount of pundits reckoning the winner will be one of these three.
Another hometown hero is Phillipe Gilbert  , who is still trying to win here for the first time, after disappointing rides here in the last few years.
German Stefan Schuhmacher  is another rider to look out for. He's got some decent support, though it remains to be seen wether he can follow the big guns when the heat's on. At least his 19th at the AGR seems to say he can't.
It will be interesting to see how the race unfolds for the Pokerstars  camp, given that designated leader Ginanni disappointed in Holland with a 14th place, but Roche stepped up to save the day, finishing 5th.
Behind that, we've got outsiders like previous winners Ricco  , Schleck  and Valverde  .
Others like Ponzi  , Claeys  and Van Garderen  should also never be ruled out.
Edited by Dippofix on 09-09-2014 13:21
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| OlegTinkov |
Posted on 09-09-2014 15:26
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2775
Joined: 31-12-2007
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I think Fleche Wallone is Trofimov's least favourite race of the three Ardennes classics, but I hope he again can score some more ProTour points for Tinkoff! Looking forward to the report!
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| roturn |
Posted on 09-09-2014 15:27
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Team Manager
Posts: 22045
Joined: 24-11-2007
PCM$: 3900.00
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Just the opposite. Should be LL Sanchez` best suited race I think.
Top 10 would be cool, top 15 a must.
And hopefully my other riders in especially Roux can finally deliver team wise as well. |
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| dave92 |
Posted on 10-09-2014 02:39
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2856
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PCM$: 200.00
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Hoping for another strong showing from Van Garderen.
A weak race for Trofimov means a top 3?
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 09-12-2025 19:16
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Bot Agent
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Joined: 23.11.09
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| ember |
Posted on 10-09-2014 06:32
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Team Leader
Posts: 7062
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 900.00
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Seeing last year's race, it's all about positioning starting the Muur for the last time.
Hopefully Boasson Hagen can finally make his hill stat worth something. |
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| OlegTinkov |
Posted on 10-09-2014 10:37
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2775
Joined: 31-12-2007
PCM$: 450.00
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dave92 wrote:
A weak race for Trofimov means a top 3?
Yes 
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| roturn |
Posted on 10-09-2014 10:43
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Team Manager
Posts: 22045
Joined: 24-11-2007
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OlegTinkov wrote:
dave92 wrote:
A weak race for Trofimov means a top 3?
Yes
Someone with that salary should actually deliver big times.
And apparently Trofimov was by far the best catch of those overpaid riders.
Seeing this a top10-15 by 450k LLSanchez is probably a fair deal. |
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| Heine |
Posted on 10-09-2014 13:12
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4477
Joined: 08-04-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Come on Flügel and Klemme! Cause an upset! Double-German 
Nah, will most likely be happy with a top 10, every point count.
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| SotD |
Posted on 11-09-2014 07:09
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World Champion
Posts: 12635
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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Can't expect too much here, but hoping for Ricco to stay in top 10 again.
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| roturn |
Posted on 12-09-2014 10:56
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Team Manager
Posts: 22045
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11th is a solid result by Sanchez in this race.
Boom 32nd and Roux 42nd is less than expected but better than nothing.
No rider in the breakaway though is once again disappointing when you don`t have a real top10 rider in your squad. But at least LLS showed himself in an attack.
Good report and congrats to Pokerstars for a somehow surprising winner. |
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| The Rider |
Posted on 12-09-2014 11:00
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4514
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Nice report Dippofix. 
Good to see there was some action in getting into the break for a change, 9 times out of 10 on PCM2013 it seems the first several riders to attack form the break.
I felt sure that Trofimov was going to stay clear, a great end to the race. |
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| beagle |
Posted on 12-09-2014 11:35
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What a pleasant surprise! Great to see Roche working so hard for Ginanni. Boonen's curse is finally broken
Manager of Polar in Man-Game
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| SotD |
Posted on 12-09-2014 14:47
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World Champion
Posts: 12635
Joined: 29-11-2006
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5th from Ricco is a brilliant result... He simply isn't good enough to battle for the win, so for him to start a bit in front of all the rest was a clever move.
Ricco has been doing very well recently. Also the helpers were in more respectable positions this time around, getting some top 30-40 results.
I'm looking very much forward to the rankings to see if I have made any ground back.
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 12-09-2014 15:05
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World Champion
Posts: 13566
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At least we were in the break...
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| OlegTinkov |
Posted on 12-09-2014 15:30
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2775
Joined: 31-12-2007
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OlegTinkov wrote:
dave92 wrote:
A weak race for Trofimov means a top 3?
Yes
"while Trofimov rounds off the podium, to make Oleg Tinkov a happy man... or not. Twitter will show" 
Edited by OlegTinkov on 12-09-2014 15:36
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| CountArach |
Posted on 12-09-2014 16:40
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8205
Joined: 14-07-2008
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Thanks for the report Dippofix! Just a little request for the future though - could you take photos from other angles, rather than just directly above the peloton? It mixes things up a bit. The report itself is great though.
Well a top 15 is all my team can seem bothered to do on any terrain.
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| rjc_43 |
Posted on 12-09-2014 16:58
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Posts: 6490
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Happy with that!
[url=cleavercycling.co.uk]  [/url] |
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| Roman |
Posted on 12-09-2014 18:39
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4279
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18th and 25th isn't the worst result, happy with that.
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 12-09-2014 20:41
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Sprinter
Posts: 1983
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Wow, really great report!
I thought Trofimov had that. It's great to have a surprise winner like that though.
I guess a top ten from Schumacher will have to be good enough.
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| ember |
Posted on 12-09-2014 21:24
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Team Leader
Posts: 7062
Joined: 27-03-2008
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That was a show of strength from Boasson Hagen, which was definitely good to see. Kind of a pity that he couldn't make a top three out of it, but it was always going to be difficult with everyone following his wheel.
Congratulations to beagle, and thanks a lot for the report, Dippofix! |
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