Amstel Gold *Spoiler*

[Flying_Monkey]

We're coming to the end of the Spring Classics now, but there's still the Amstel Gold...

The start list is a bit odd so far, seems very 'B team' by many of the big outfits, which leaves a few obvious favourites in the ones that have kept their big guns on board: Saxo Bank and Rabobank in particular I think Flecha really wants to win something! But the former have both Schlecks... this could also be one for Martijn Maaskant of Garmin. Sylvain Chavanel of Quick Step will also want a win.

I notice however, that many of the teams appear to be packing sprinters, so they are obviously banking on a sprint finish... but then there's Charly Wegelius riding who is a mountain domestique! So many teams are also clearly using this as a training / selection run for bigger things to come... lots of weird things, anyway, I can't quite work out all the reasoning here.

*Personally, its nice to see Yukiya Arashiro of Japan riding for Bouygues Telecom; Fumiyuki Beppu got 20th in the Scheldeprijs the other day, which was an unexpected surprise.

 

[Landslide]

*Personally, its nice to see Yukiya Arashiro of Japan riding for Bouygues Telecom; Fumiyuki Beppu got 20th in the Scheldeprijs the other day, which was an unexpected surprise.

That'd be your links to the Land of the Rising Sun, no? Here's hoping they fair better than this gent of Oriental extraction!

 

[Flying_Monkey]

That'd be your links to the Land of the Rising Sun, no? Here's hoping they fair better than this gent of Oriental extraction!

The Japanese riders have a bit more international experience than the Chinese guys, who are really only starting to ride outside Asia now...

Anyway, you want to read some western riders experiences of riding in the Japanese Keirin leagues to see that cycling out east can be very tough indeed...

 

[Landslide]

Aye, I remember reading an Australian blog about it! Plus they race on tracks which are basically covered in sandpaper!!!

Anyways, back to Amstel...

Chavanel's been riding well, but will Quickstep still have it in them to work the rest of the bunch over?
Saxo Bank should be strong, and Rabobank'll want to do well on home soil, but I'll have a speculative punt on Haussler to take it after some chaos in the latter stages.

 

[yenrod]

i LIKE fleCHE wALLONE

Real strength is needed in that race !

 

[Landslide]

i LIKE fELCHE wALLONE

Real strength is needed in that race !

Tea all over the keyboard!!!

 

[Keith Oates]

I think Valverde may make an effort for this race!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[yenrod]

Tea all over the keyboard!!!

..the Walloon Arrow race - Landy !

 

[Ludwig]

I'm going for Devolver although Boonen is going well at the moment. We hope there aren't so many crashes this week and the spectators who were involved in the motorbike crash last week have made a good recovery.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I'm going for Devolver although Boonen is going well at the moment.

However neither of whom currently feature on the rosters for their teams in the published start list... do you know something we don't?

 

[girofan]

Nah! you're all wrong. I reckon it'll be "Wonderful, Wonderful, Bosan Hagen!"

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Nah! you're all wrong. I reckon it'll be "Wonderful, Wonderful, Bosan Hagen!"

Not this time!

 

[mondobongo]

Its got Tintin's name written all over it and as he is not with a Pro Tour Team this year he will be wanting to do well in the major races that they get the invite too.

So my choice is Davide Rebellin.

 

[John the Monkey]

Chavanel.

 

[naffets]

haussler! for me if he can carry his form