Liege-Bastogne-Liege 2011: Gilbert's Ultimate Crowning?

About one year ago at this time, the entire cycling world was aghast at the capabilities of Fabian Cancellara. Seemingly able to ride away from his competition with ease, Cancellara rampaged through the first part of the cycling season en route to a banner year that included two monuments and a host of other wins.

Fast forward to 2011 and a different name is on the tip of everyone's tongue: Philippe Gilbert. The 28 year old Belgian has been absolutely aflame thus far in 2011, and he heads into this weekend's Liege-Bastogne-Liege race as the overwhelming favorite. Gilbert, like Cancallara was last year at Roubaix, will be heavily marked throughout LBL, but after amazing performances at both the Amstel Gold Race and the Fleche Wallonne, it looks as though he will be very hard to stop as he tries for the unprecedented quadruple in the Ardennes classics.

Of all riders today, Gilbert seems the most complete. Although he probably won't be able to contend in a grand tour any time soon, every other race is within his ability to win. Each year he has grown stronger, especially in one day tests, and he looks well-positioned to make a legitimate run at winning all five monuments in his career, which is a testament to his versatility as a rider.

Other thoughts heading into the last big one day race of the spring . . .

With exception to Fabian Cancellara's win at the E3, the Leopard-Trek team has underwhelmed thus far. Can't say I'm surprised.

The Katusha team has had a strong presence thus far in the hilly classics, and look in with a real chance at victory in backing "Purito" Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Danilo Di Luca looks like just an average rider without dope.

Damiano Cunego is, without a doubt, done as an elite cyclist. Like Di Luca, he looks the part of an ex-doper.

Sammi Sanchez looks in good position for a top ride at LBL this weekend. He'll bring a strong team to support him, now all he has to do is finally get the tactics right at the end of the race.

If the Schlecks have decent luck this weekend, it would not be a huge surprise to see Andy win again.

Ivan Basso must have a top 10 ride this weekend to ensure him that he is trending upward ahead of July's Tour de France. If not, he'll be dogged by questions throughout the early summer.

It sure will suck if Vino repeats as LBL winner. Hopefully he gets 7 flat tires in the final 30k. Hey, a guy can wish . . .

What's the deal with Robert Gesink? He was supposed to contend for wins in the hilly classics, but has been roundly beaten in the first two tests thus far. He needs to pick it up big time at Liege.

I wonder if Jerome Coppel can make an impression at Liege this year. He is a promising rider, and a real dark horse, but he could show well with just a pinch of luck.

Saxo Bank for Liege is kind of sad. Not a contender in the bunch.

Garmin-Cervelo, after a masterful Paris-Roubaix performance, seem a bit flat for the hilly classics. Ryder Hesjedal is missing that extra gear, and the Frenchman Le Mevel seems better suited to stage races than one day tilts. Hesjedal should bounce back for Liege, but either way Garmin got what they wanted out of the spring: a monument victory.

The time has come for Janez Brajkovic to show up at a big time one day race or risk being called only a stage race hope. Perhaps Liege-Bastogne-Leige 2011 will be that race. If not, there is always ol' reliable Chris Horner, who is usually good for a top 10.

Spring Classics Part 2: Into the Ardennes

The first part of the spring has centered around the hard men of cycling, those riders who use brute power and strength of character to beat their opponents on some of the toughest races courses the world over. But as we approach the final days of April , it is the climbers who come to the fore, as the parcours shift from mostly flat to mostly hilly in the coming weeks.

First up will be this week's Amstel Gold Race in Holland, following in subsequent weeks by the Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege classics. Below follows some key questions ahead of the first Ardennes tilt the Amstel Gold Race.

Looks like Cadel Evans is out of competition for the classics season, a blow to the BMC squad that is reeling once again from allegations regarding doping and Alessandro Ballan. Shut out for the cobbled classics, BMC probably won;t strike pay dirt in the Ardennes either.

Although he was unable to break through at Flanders like he had hoped, Philippe Gilbert nevertheless is on fire. He looks primed for strong showings over the next three weeks, and heads into the Amstel as the odds on favorite. Even if he doesn't win a hilly classic his season has been a big success thus far.

Euskaltel's Sammy Sanchez is always a protagonist for the hilly classics, but he has not been able to put it all together yet. He is clearly on good form heading into the next three weeks, and he'll have few excuses if he comes up empty again this year.

On paper, HTC looks weak at best, over matched at worst. But this isn't the first time that has been the case. Watch they don't steal one of the three upcoming races.

Katucha's best hope for a victory is Danilo Di Luca. Should the tainted Di Luca win in the coming days, he would probably receive a similar reception to the one Alexander Vinokourov received last year at Liege.

Damiano Cunego, although a favorite on paper, has much to prove if he is truly to be considered a favorite, For now, "outsider" is probably the best terminology to apply to the former Giro overall winner.

Fabian Cancellara lit up the cobbled classics, but was able to muster only one victory along the way. The rest of the peloton ganged up on "Sparticus" throughout the spring, but expect him to be able to hide better for Amstel. He'll probably carry a healthy bit of anger into this weekend's test, don't be surprised to see him, at a minimum, on the final podium for Amstel. If Cancellara is not up to the task meanwhile, watch for the Schleck tandem, who are always ready come this time of year.

Peter Sagan should begin to shine over the next few weeks. he spread himself a bit thin riding most of the early season contests, but expect his form to be good for the upcoming races, all of which suit him better than the cobbles.

Alexander Vinokorouv will once again be in the mix for the next few weeks. Sometimes reality sucks.

Robert Gesink's best chance at a win comes at the Fleche Wallonne, not the Amstel. Hopefully he can play the tactics well.

In looking at their roster, it looks as though Saxo bank will be anonymous at Amstel.

Garmin-Cervelo will be soaring after their huge Paris-Roubaix win, and now it is Ryder Hesjedal's turn to take the reigns. He should have a good chance at both Amstel and Liege.

Paris-Roubaix 2011: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The 2011 Paris-Roubaix race will be remembered most as the race where an entire peloton conspired to prevent one rider from winning. On a dry, dusty day a very interesting race unfolded, even if it was the least exciting race of the spring classics season. Post-race thoughts and analysis below . . .

When the obligatory early break of no-names went away, no one would have guessed that the winner would emerge from the group. Amazing ride by Vansummeren to stay away.

Tom Boonen's Roubaix was an unfettered disaster, as a mechanical in Arenberg Forest and a crash shortly thereafter saw "Tommeke" DNF with 50+ k remaining in the race. His teammate Sylvain Chavanel also was star-crossed, with two punctures and a huge crash eliminating him from the front of the race. Thankfully Boonen has Gent-Wevelgem under his belt or else his classics season would have been deemed an absolute failure.

Thor Hushovd played the consummate teammate role to Vansummeren, neutralizing Cancellara and allowing Vansummeren to win solo. Once again the Norwegian shows his class by working for a better positioned teammate.

Filippo Pozzato once again was terrible. Although he crashed, it seemed from the outset that his heart was not in this year's classics campaign. Expect tons of dissension between Pozzato and Katusha management between now and the end of the season.

Fabian Cancellara was absolutely electric again, showing without a doubt that he was the strongest rider in the race. Even though he didn't win he won with his courage and fearless attacking style.

Heinrich Haussler is lost and bewildered, a broken rider who has essentially been shut down by management. The former runner-up at MSR seems to be regressing and will be a long shot to make the Garmin team next season unless his fall is scintillating.

Johan Vansummeren's courageous play for glory at 15k was amazing and it was nice to see him rewarded for his courage.

the Ballan/Hincapie/Cancellara conversation in the final 20 kilometers was so cool to watch play out. Cancellara clearly was not going to do all the work to bring Vansummeren back, and Ballan and Hushovd were too scared of him to help. Polemics at their finest, with only Hushovd able to call himself a winner (sort of) of the conversation.

Tomas Vaitkus and Frederic Geusdon 1997 PRB winner turn back the clocks and out in great rides. Had Guesdon not flatted he was in with a real chance for a win.

Paris-Roubaix 2011: The Last Huge Race Before the Hilly Classics

Such an exciting time of the cycling season is Paris-Roubaix week. All of the major cobbled classics have been run, and so Paris-Roubaix is a culmination of racing ahead of the fast approaching hilly classics like the Amstel Gold Race, La Flech Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Leige. As we all look forward to this weekend's "Hell of the North", the following comes to mind . . .

Last week's Tour of Flanders is an indicator of who will be around at the end to contest the win at Roubaix, but it must be remembered that Roubaix is a far different race than Flanders. More than perhaps any other race, Paris-Roubaix demands experience, grit and perhaps above all, poise. Panic has no place at Roubaix, as the dynamics of the contest change from minute to minute.

Fabian Cancellara will certainly be there toward the end is is the favorite of favorites for the race. The Swiss is at the very height of his powers and will be nearly impossible to thwart, unless in a sprint. After Cancellara, there are any number of riders who could find themselves victorious at the end of the race.

If I have to pick five names to bet on for the win, I'd choose Hushovd, Boonen, Ballan and Langevelde. Although he finished well off the pace at Flanders, Roubaix is a race taylor-made for Hushovd. Ditto Tom Boonen, as his three previous wins foreshadow. Ballan seems all the way back and has been on the podium twice in the past at Roubaix. Langevelde is just riding too well right now to ignore but his capability on the cobbles is yet to be seen.

Looking at a few outsiders, George Hincapie, Dominique Rollin, Bernhard Eisel and Lars Boom are top of mind. Hincapie is on good form and looks in with as good as chance as ever he's had before. Rollin is probably lacking a bit of experience but his form too is solid and with some luck he could be in with a shot down the stretch. Eisel is probably a bit light for the cobbles but always rides tough, and Boom's big frame should translate well to the pave.

Some other thougths for Sunday . . .

Always fun to watch the Euskaltel Euskadi riders early on in the race as they get shelled off the back. One of the best parts of the first 50k.

Seeing veterans who have absolutely no chance to win like McEwen, Vaitkus, Wiggins, Hondo and Allan Davis is a testament to the respect a rider gets just by finishing at Roubaix.

Leif Hoste has gotten pretty beat up by crashes the last few race days, but expect him to ride gritty as he usually does at Roubaix. He'll not now nor never actually win Paris-Roubaix, but he'll end up being remembered as a guy who was usually in contention at the "Queen of the Classics".

Peter Sagan came into the spring classics with a head full of steam, but thus far he has been pack fill. Roubaix is his last chance before the hilly classics call. In fact, he probably has a better chance at Amstel than Roubaix.

If Pippo Pozzato doesn't manage a top ten, will Katusha can him or simply change his role to one of a domestique for the rest of 2011? It sure would be humiliating for Pozzato to be riding tempo on the flattest stages of the Giro at the front of the pack come this May . . .

Nick Nuyens Takes 2011 Tour of Flanders, Neutralizes the Cancellara Express

The 2011 Tour of Flanders couldn't have been more different than the 2010 version, but it was equally exciting, as a resurgent Nick Nuyens edged an awe-inspiringly strong Fabian Cancellara in a three up sprint. Sylvain Chavanel, after a long two man breakaway with Cancellara, managed to edge Cancellara for second place, as he narrowly missed what would have been by far the biggest win of his career. Many of the big favorites were there at the end, lending a tense and exciting atmosphere to the final 15 kilometers of the race. Post-race thoughts below on what was an amazing Ronde Van Vlaanderen.

Heading into the 2011 season, all the talk around Bjarne Riis' team centered around the mass exodus of many of his key riders, including Fabian Cancellara, the Schleck brothers and many more. In the off season, Riis shrewdly went on the hunt for talent that he could cultivate into elite status. The Dane signed the Belgian Nick Nuyens, who at 31 already seemed past his prime. But an off season spent under Riis' tutelage has supercharged Nuyens, who now owns two big wins on his 2011 palmares, after having take the Dwars Door Vlaanderen race a few weeks ago. Riis meanwhile continues to do what he does best: Make good riders into champions. The Dane is redeemed once again despite a tumultuous last few months.

Fabian Cancellara continues to be an indomitable force in one day races, as the Swiss once again showed his class throughout the race. After featuring in the day's decisive break along side Sylvain Chavanel, Cancellara rode in the wind all alone with no help from Chavanel until being caught with about 15 kilometers remaining. Never one to say die, Cancellara would attack several other times on the way to the line, but was eventually thwarted by a cagey and suddenly very prolific Nuyens at the line. Still, third place on the day was an amazing result for the undisputed pre-race favorite.

Tom Boonen found himself in a very tough spot in the final kilometers of the race. Although he was the best sprinter in the final group, he just didn't seem to have the power necessary to stay at the front of the race when it mattered. He managed fourth place, but with his teammate Chavanel up the road Boonen was forced to wait. In the end, he ran out of road but would be very happy with his ride heading into next week's Paris-Roubaix.

Alessandro Ballan is back, and should be considered a big favorite for Paris-Roubaix. The long, lanky Italian was a strong rider at Flanders, but just was unable to separate when it mattered most. Still, he has been right in the mix all spring, and at Roubaix he should be in with as good a chance as anyone else for a big win.

Sebastian Langevelde, after putting in yet another very strong performance at a Belgian classic, deserves to be the true designated team leader for Rabobank. His teammate Lars Boom, although expected to ride at the front throughout the spring, has not been up to the task. Langevelde has earned leadership rights for Roubaix next week, and looks primed for a strong run as a contender for the next five years at least.

Juan Antonio Flecha was at the front when Flanders moved into its decisive moments, but as usual the Spaniard lacked that little extra bit to push him to victory. In fact, it looked as though Flecha was in a domestique role for his teammate Geraint Thomas. Flecha rode well, but seems always destined to play a backseat role to the true favorites.

George Hincapie rode a very strong race as the veteran American finished in 6th place. Hincapie is still a long shot for the win next week at Roubaix, but he should play a big role in who is eventually victorious at the "Queen of the Classics". Who knows, under the right circumstances Hincapie could well win the race he's been chasing for nearly 20 years.

The Garmin-Vervelo team is in shambles after being shelled again at a big spring race. Although they came into Flanders with three cards (at least) to play, they once again were not present at the front of the race when the biggest moves were made. Tyler Farrar was the best-placed Garmin rider in 13th place at 1:24. It was a poor performance for a team that many considered the strongest classics team on paper heading into the 2011 season.

Dominique Rollin had a strong but quiet ride in finishing 15th overall, and the French-Canadian seems primed for a strong Roubaix. Rollin is still learning and should not be considered a big favorite for Roubaix next week. That said though Rollin is strong and like Hincapie if he finds himself in the right situation (bad weather for example) he could shock the world next week.