Flèche Wallonne popped off yesterday. It was also my birthday, and I unfortunately paid little attention to the race. Not that the race wasn’t awesome and worth following, rather my priorities lay elsewhere. A mistake on my part, as the closing kilometers were a nail biter. Could Gilbert repeat? Who was one form? Who was hungry? Who could time their effort on the Muy?
The Mur de Huy is no joke!
Finale:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lNdMVnM8G4[/youtube]
Rodriguez takes The Walloon Arrow!
Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) stormed up the Mur de Huy to claim the victory at the 76th La Flèche Wallonne, overcoming wet and windy conditions to prevail in the middle race of the three Ardennes Classics.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/la-fleche-wallonne/results.
Rodriguez had finished second the last two years running. He wanted this one.
Rodriguez was overcome with emotion after crossing the winning line, having erased the pain of 2010 and 2011 by finally getting his hands on the prize…
“It’s the best and most incredible victory of my whole career,” Rodriguez said. “Today is definitely one of the best days of my life. I’ve always been in love with these Classic races, and a victory in these competitions has always been one of my main goals: finally, after many good results, I managed to win. Id.
I also found a video of the 2011 La Flèche Wallonne on Youtube this morning. I don’t think we’ve posted it before. It runs nearly two hours in length. Not the full race, but a good bit more than the closing kilometers. Need something to watch on the rollers? This ought to do it. Unless you’re a sick bastard that does four hour sessions on the trainer (which, sadly, I have done). English commentary with David Duffield and Sean Kelly. Link here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtJKNRja0LU.
Bring on Liege-Bastogne-Liege!
…happy birthday to gianni, the ‘arizona arrow’…
Gotta say it. Katusha rider just got popped for EPO and that dude just dusted the field on one of the hardest steepest climbs in cycling. Do the math. Sucks that I even have to think that….
sure, but rodriguez also said in reference to his disgraced teamate:
“He did what he did but it’s already in the past. It’s finished. It shows that we are catching the cheats and that we should all be happy,” said Rodriguez without emotion.
…“…three times a charm…” for rodriguez…
…two 2nd’s in a row & finally, his timing & determination were spot on…
…stayed with the bunch, didn’t worry about the 2 man break ‘cuz he knew the huy would sort that out & drove that shit home…
…a recovering & healthier phillipe gilbert brings it in in 3rd, which along with his 6th in the amstel gold portends well for his return to top form going into sunday’s liege – bastogne – liege…
…the season’s heating up…
Always kinda liked that Rodriguez kid, he sure timed his attack well left ’em in the dust on the Mur de Huy. Bring on L-B-L!!
Happy Birthday, Cap.
tj