Classics

Liège-Bastogne-Liège Preview

The last of the spring classics, Liège-Bastogne-Liège is a race of transition. Part Belgian classic, part-mountain stage and a rare chance to see the grand tour specialists go all-in for one day over a tough course. There are ten marked climbs but countless more rises.

Alejandro Valverde is the obvious pick as he hopes to double-up his Flèche Wallonne win but too many teams need a result on Sunday and it’s worth taking a risk to get the last reward. Here’s the usual preview with the route, contenders, ratings, TV times and more.

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Flèche Wallonne Preview

Valverde Mur de Huy Fleche Wallonne

For 364 days of the year the Chemin des Chapelles climbs up the side of Mont Mosan but on Wednesday the road its renamed the Mur de Huy, the “wall of Huy”. The climb is so steep it deserves mural adjective and few races see riders cross the finish line in such obvious agony. But can the race deliver more than a three minute climax?

This year’s route includes a new climb right before the end to split up the field and the presence of several star names indicates that this mid-week race matters because because the finish is identical to Stage 3 of the Tour de France.

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A Change of Gear

The Brabantse Pijl happens today. La Flèche Brabançonne to francophones, this is a hilly race and the start of the “Ardennes” spring classics and a transition race from the cobbles to the climbs as it features both.

It’s good to change format but the upcoming races seem to be stuck in a rut with repetitive scenarios.

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The Classics Revelations

John Degenkolb and Alexander Kristoff have triumphed in the spring classics. The season continues but in a different gear as the sport progresses to hillier one day races and the summer season of stage races. But who else impressed? Here’s a look at the younger revelations in the spring classics.

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The Moment The Race Was Won: Paris-Roubaix

John Degenkolb wins the sprint in the Roubaix velodrome. As captions go “Degenkolb wins sprint” is predictable, he won Milan-Sanremo three weeks ago in this manner. But this time it was the art and the manner of Degenkolb’s win that was so different and impressive. He rode across to the breakaway of Yves Lampaert and Greg Van Avermaet, helped tow them to Roubaix and then saw off others who’d joined this group to win by a several bike lengths.

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Paris-Roubaix Preview

Paris Roubaix

Who can take on Alexander Kristoff? The Norwegian has been invincible and his biggest opponent could be misfortune, his chances were ruined last year by punctures and mechanicals. This is a race of last chances, the final cobbled classic of the season and just like last year time’s running out for Etixx-Quickstep to get that big win, the same for Sep Vanmarcke. Meanwhile Bradley Wiggins longs to end his road career in the Roubaix velodrome.

Amid the cobbled chaos there are many more names to contend with and it’s all live on TV for four hours.

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The Exceptional Paris-Roubaix

This Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix has to be the unique race on the calendar. Its cobbles are enough to make the Oude Kwaremont look new. The velodrome finish is unusual but the exceptions don’t end there, this is a race where reaching the showers has become part of the ritual. Even the name stands out, Roubaix is celebrated as a strong brand by the cycle-trade when in the reality it’s France’s poorest town and rarely something to celebrate.

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The Moment The Race Was Won – De Ronde

What do give you a billionaire for his birthday? Katusha team owner Igor Makarov has private jets, two luxury yachts and all the trappings you’d expect of a Russian oligarch. Fortunately there are things money can’t buy no matter how many Roubles you might have. Niki Terpstra tried to spoil things up the Paterberg, forcing the pace on the vicious 20% slope but there’s no cracking Kristoff and the sprint finish in Oudenaarde was a formality for Kristoff.

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Ronde van Vlaanderen Preview

The greatest one day race in the world takes place on Sunday. Giant crowds, fierce climbs and more await. This year’s edition promises an open edition with no particular rivalries there’s a long list of contenders and pretenders.

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