Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 04/16/2014 01:11 PM |
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Change of pace, from the cobbles to the hills. Like MSR, one of the least predictable one-day races of the year. My picks:
Slagter (its time someone from the home country wins this race again and he's got the chops to do so)
Valverde (he's been a beast so far this year)
Gilbert (looks like he's in form but he's probably peaking for Huy and LBL)
But there's a long list of candidates, Kwiatkowski, Rodriguez, Gerrans, Matthews, Gallopin, Mollema, Poels, just to name a few.
(hint, don't pick Sagan; curiously he's not on the start list)
One of the funnest races to watch for me personally cause I know each of those hills like the back of my hand. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 04/16/2014 02:17 PM |
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Kwiatkowski
valverde
Gilbert
Purito will be in with a shout, but I'll tip him for Fleche.
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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stinkyhelmet
Posts:94
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| 04/16/2014 02:42 PM |
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| If Greg Van Avermaet is on the start line, he's my pick...he's got some unfinished business. |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 04/16/2014 02:48 PM |
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Posted By Orange Crush on 04/16/2014 01:11 PM
...I know each of those hills like the back of my hand.
In that case, I'm betting on Orange Crush, with Valverde 2nd
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ChinookPass
Posts:809
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| 04/16/2014 02:48 PM |
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Look who's baaaack!!
from today's race
7 Davide Rebellin (Ita) CCC Polsat Polkowice
I doubt that they will have start at Amstel however.
Looking at the others in the top 10 from B-P, it looks pretty wide open. Amstel often has a very tactical finish in which case I'll say anyone from OPQS.
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 04/16/2014 03:13 PM |
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Chinook - sorry to disappoint; Rebellin is at start of Amstel. I wonder who made that decision.
LOL Dale - I may float like a butterfly up those hills but I don't sting like a bee. But back in the days we did have a lot of fun with the flatlanders from north of the rivers that would come to ride the cyclosportif version. Lots of steep hills appearing out of blind corners equals lots of cursing and sudden searches for the small ring. |
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vtguy
Posts:298
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| 04/16/2014 03:38 PM |
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Gerrans
Valverde
Kwiatkowski |
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Sweet Milk
Posts:93
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| 04/17/2014 03:50 PM |
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| After seeing how strong he was at the Brabantse Pijl: Gilbert. I would not be surprised to see Voeckler in the top three either. Valverde goes without saying. Thomas Dekker has a point to prove, so that would be my last pick. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 04/18/2014 08:04 PM |
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Posted By ChinookPass . on 04/16/2014 02:48 PM
Amstel often has a very tactical finish in which case I'll say anyone from OPQS.
I'd say Orica is the team with most options: Gerrans, Albasani, Impey, Matthews
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79pmooney
Posts:3189
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| 04/19/2014 02:04 AM |
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The course, wow! 38 climbs for 13,000 ft. That's more than 3/4s of my old racing days benchmark, Blue Hill, SW of Boston 38 times!
I'm thinking Kwiatkowski for the win. He has been riding really well this year, is surrounded by a very strong, very smart and unselfish team and I am thinking he is quite motivated.
Gilbert or Valverde up there wouldn't surprise me at all. My gut says Orica-Greenedge won't get past the first step.
Ben |
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ChinookPass
Posts:809
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| 04/19/2014 04:41 PM |
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| Yeah Orica looked pretty good at BP. OPQS had 4 in the top 20 and not counting Kwiatkowski. Never heard of this Matthews guy til recently, he won at Pais Vasco. Should be a great Amstel. Also look out for anyone whos name ends in "-ov" or "-ski". The easterners tend to do well this time of year. |
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