As the latest in the series to explore the famous roads of cycling, here is the Côte de La Redoute in the Belgian Ardennes. The idea is to discover the road and its place in the world, whether as part of cycling’s history or to look at the route on a day without racing and it is open to all.
La Redoute’s name means “redoubtable” and has long been decisive in the Liège-Bastogne-Liège, if not selecting the winner but determining the lead group for the day.
The oldest one day race of the year. Liège-Bastogne-Liège might be in Belgium but it has over 4,700 vertical metres of climbing, comparable to an Alpine stage of the Tour de France. But unlike the stage race, Sunday’s event has steep climbs and twisting descents that test tactics and nerves too. It’s a supreme physical contest where there’s rarely a surprise win.
Here’s a preview with the route, including details of the new Colonster climb, the riders (including the final start list), TV schedules, weather, what’s sweet and sour in Liège and a quick take on the race history, including the myth of Bernard Hinault’s frozen fingers.
Sergio Henao and Carlos Betancur flank Dani Moreno on the podium. If all three speak Spanish, two are Colombians. It comes after several other remarkable results by Colombians this year, notably Nairo Quintana’s win in the Tour of the Basque Country.
With the emergence of several Colombian riders this year I’ve seen many citing their nationality and background as a factor for success. In particular the altitude of several South American countries is cited as an explanation for improved performance. Does being born at 3,000m above sea level give you an advantage? Can living higher than the Passo Stelvio or Col du Galibier make a rider faster?
With 200m to go Daniel Moreno accelerates, building momentum on the last part of the steep slope to distance Philippe Gilbert and pass an increasingly static Carlos Betancur. This was the moment the race was won.
Often there’s plenty to analyse in a race because each event is page in the script and Sunday brings one of the season’s biggest one day acts. But it’s hard to draw too many lessons from today in advance of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The problem lies with the formula and status of the race.
According to leaked memos seen by Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad Lance Armstrong tested positive four times in the 1999 Tour de France. Sounds dramatic, no?
Only if parts of the media are reporting this as news (here, here or here) it turns out the UCI mentioned all of this last year in a press release. But whilst news of Armstrong’s positive test is stale as a baguette baked months ago, there’s some fresh insight because the memos appear to show the UCI positioning itself to explain past actions. Rather than analysing what went wrong the memos appear to be trying to present excuses for significant lapses in the UCI’s anti-doping procedures.
The same with the leaked information about Armstrong’s 2001 Tour de Suisse EPO tests. Whilst the media (ici) says there was no “cover-up” of a positive test there are still big questions that have yet to be answered.
It might be a midweek race but the Flèche Wallonne is big classic thanks its history and famous finish. The race heads across the Belgian Ardennes before tackling the vicious Mur de Huy with a gradient that can reach 26%.
Here’s the preview for Wednesday’s race and note the late finish on TV mentioned below.
Luis León Sánchez has been on “non-active status” since February after his team started an investigation into media reports he was linked to Dr Fuentes.
Months later and he’s taking his Blanco Pro Cycling team to the UCI to try and settle the matter of his informal suspension. The issue goes beyond this rider and shows us how different teams are struggling with ethical issues.
A warm-up for the Giro d’Italia, this race marks a turning point in the season when the roads for the high mountains. A key test of form and teamwork ahead of the season’s first grand tour, it’s an exciting race with some tough climbs.
Here’s a preview with the stages, climbs, riders and if you’re planning to watch it live on TV note the early finish each day.
Raymond Poulidor is 77 today. The Frenchman has two nicknames “Pou-Pou” and “The Eternal Second” and unfortunately for him his Wikipedia entry begins ” ‘Pou-Pou’ redirects here. For other uses, see Poo-poo (disambiguation)”. But two names are linked as Poupou was a term of affection for an underdog, a rider who finished second so often that he won fame and fortune for losing.
But the more I read about him, the more he seems to be a misunderstood rider whose myths and simple labels mask the truth of an efficient and calculating rider.
With 7km to go Roman Kreuziger ditches his breakaway companions to ride away for a solo win in the Amstel Gold Race. We expected a Slovak and got a Czech.
In a season of classics so far dominated by the favourites, this was a surprise result and a reward for attacking riding.