La Fleche Wallone *SPOILER*

[Flying_Monkey]

Well, Gilbert again... this is getting boring, or it would be if his finishing wasn't quite so spectacular.

And in the women's - Vos again. Ditto. Nicole Cooke was 5th. She doesn't seem to be shining yet in her new team, and is in danger of becoming an also-ran. The fire does not seem to be there at the moment.

 

[marinyork]

Chapeau to the man. Rodriguez up there again.

 

[Crackle]

Nothing boring about that burst at 200m. Got to be fave for LBL the way he is riding.

 

[rich p]

Awesome finish by PG. He's improving like an old Beaujolais.

Nice to see Bertie didn't get into the mix too.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Nothing boring about that burst at 200m. Got to be fave for LBL the way he is riding.

Anything with a steep uphill finish (or just before the finish), you wouldn't bet against him right now. Anything that is a bit less steep and he tends not to be able to make the gaps in the same way. His finish in the Strade Bianche was the most impressive I have seen this season, but every time, it is a joy to watch.

 

[raindog]

Nice to see Bertie didn't get into the mix too.

Got to agree with that. He looked a bit knackered anyway.

There's no-one can stay with Gilbert on that kind of finish.

 

[ColinJ]

I've just watched it - super!

Who'd bet against 3/3 on Sunday?

He must be hot favourite!

It's amazing how far 1.3 km looks when it is that steep ...

We've got lots of climbs like that round here. Just getting up them is hard enough, but actually sprinting up them after racing for 201 km...

 

[oldroadman]

I've just watched it - super!

Who'd bet against 3/3 on Sunday?

He must be hot favourite!

It's amazing how far 1.3 km looks when it is that steep ...

We've got lots of climbs like that round here. Just getting up them is hard enough, but actually sprinting up them after racing for 201 km...

Doesn't feel that great, either, the Mur/Muur is a brute to finish on.....!

What a brilliant ride, timing and tactics perfect. Nothing's certain, but unless he is utterly marked out of it, and that is possible, he has to be in the frame for LBL.

 

[ColinJ]

Doesn't feel that great, either, the Mur/Muur is a brute to finish on.....!

I bet it is!

I know what riding up this kind of climb does to me and I only do 4 kph on 'em ...!

 

[cyberknight]

I bet it is!

I know what riding up this kind of climb does to me and I only do 4 kph on 'em ...!

looks normal to me i cycle up this every work day on a bike weighing over 30 llbs + by the time i have panniers on.
My link

 

[ColinJ]

looks normal to me i cycle up this every work day on a bike weighing over 30 llbs + by the time i have panniers on.
My link

Perhaps the side view will make it more obvious ... (rotate your Streetview view and you'll spot a subtle difference )

Here's the Streetview of it ...

 

[cyberknight]

Yes its steep , i only meant that we view such terrain as "normal " compared to those that live in flatter locations

 

[ColinJ]

Yes its steep , i only meant that we view such terrain as "normal " compared to those that live in flatter locations

Well, I must admit that the 'killer hill' that had me off and walking my 5-speed racing bike as a skinny teenager in Coventry (Barkers Butts Lane) feels fine to me now on my singlespeed bike as an overweight 55 year old!