This classics season, coming to the end, has been dominated
by the flat powerhouses – namely Fabian Cancellara and Peter Sagan – able to
land the killer blows either from the peloton or leading group, or in the case
of marathons events like Paris Roubaix, the last man standing. If they are the
preserve of the punchers cum time trialists, flatmen, and strongmen, then Liege
Bastone Liege, the oldest of the classics, is the climbers moment. With over
4,500 meters of uphill climbing – as much, if not more, than an Alpine stage of
a Grand Tour – and tight, twisting, descents to follow the many frequent climbs
that plot the route, with 9 climbs
(coming to 19.8KM) in the last 101km including the Cote De Saint
Nicolas, which is 1.2KM at 8.6 before a flat run and then sharp climb for the
finish. It’s a course which can be conquered by the puncheurs, but preference
is for the elite climbers, preferably those who can put in an explosive attack.
What many forget are the several hidden climbs inbetween the categorized ascents.
For all that, the race may well be decided during the flatter sections after
the climbs/descents, At first thoughts it was a course made for Alberto
Contador, but in a bid for Tour De France glory he’s struggled to find his top
level just yet and he looked to be suffering after a particularly brutal
Tierrno-Adriatico when only fifth in the Pais Vasco on a course that should
have suited him, but a best price of 40’s is still tempting. He was 33rd
in the Fleche Wallone won by Daniel Moreno earlier this week, but team mate
Joaquim Rodriguez – the master of all things climbing - was sixth despite having had a crach at the Amstel Gold, and if in better form this weekend - and it looks likely he will be - has an outstanding chance. Skybet's 12/1 is the shortest general price given, but they pay 4 places for each/way purposes and that's our bet, while taking the 16's offered by Paddy Power for win only purposes.
Advice
1 pt each/way Joaquim Rodriguez (12/1 Skybet, 16/1 Paddy Power)
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