GP de Wallonie 2014 preview
By David Hunter
The riders return to Belgium, after a brief “holiday” in Canada!
They tackle the familiar route, with plenty of short, steep climbs, ending with the climb up to Namur.
This race is all about the final few kilometres.
The final 3km of the race are of significant importance, due to the steepness of the climb.
The climb is around 7% for 1.5km, before flattening out for 500m. Then we have the final, kick up, to the line. The road loops round, so you must be 1st or 2nd, entering the final corner.
Adding to the excitement is the cobbles on the final climb. They don’t really have an impact, but certainly make it looked more dramatic. And we have plenty of drama, as we ride past the Citadelle.
This race usually ends with a small group of riders approaching the line. Last year, Voeckler, Bakelants and Frank pulled away from the main bunch. Frank lost contact and it left Voeckler and Bakelants to sprint it out. The Belgian won, with an aggressive sprint.
In 2012, the race was all together with 2km remaining. A fierce pace was set at the front, and as riders struggled to hold wheels, the front 6 pulled away. Julien Simon won the sprint, with Van Avermaet in 2nd and Bakelants back in 5th.
Gilbert won in 2011, with Simon 2nd. That year saw a larger, bunch sprint.
Certainly, two names jump out: Bakelants and Simon. Both have been successful and have crucial experience of the race. The problem for the Frenchman, is his form. He was flying in 2012, but not so much this year. It would be a big surprise, if he won again.
Bakelants is almost in the same boat. He had a tremendous 2013, with a stage win in the Tour. His 2014, has been much quieter, although he was looking good in Canada, last week. This will be one of his last races for OPQS, before moving to AG2R.
A rider that I like is Romain Bardet. 5th in the Dauphine, 6th in the Tour and 2nd in de l’Ain. This kid is class. He sprinted to a strong 5th place, in Montreal, on Sunday. The uphill finish is good for him and he has a fast sprint.
There are a few sprinters that will hope to hang on. The problem is the final climb. Yes, it flattens out from 1km to 500m remaining, but that’s not enough time to move the sprinters up the bunch. If they want to sprint for glory, they have to stay in the first 5 wheels, throughout the whole climb. Not many sprinters are capable of this.
Greg Van Avermaet has a big chance of winning this race. He’s on a great run of form and finished 5th and 7th in Canada. He can cope with the final climb and is a quick finisher. The climbers will want to eliminate him, on the final climb.
OPQS are spoilt for choice. They have Fenn, who won today. Also Bakelants, De Gendt, Vakoc and Stybar. The Czech rider used Canada as training, will he be ready to challenge for glory here?
Other riders who could contend are:- Teuns, Pinot, Gallopin, Vanendert, Schleck, Vachon, Taaramae, Vanspeybrouck, Degand and Leukemans, who was 3rd here in 2011 and 2012.
Taaramae just won in Tour du Doubs and is in form.
No one knows what Pinot we will get!
Gallopin is good but I don’t know if he can stay right at the front, on the climb.
Vanendert loves attacking but has a terrible sprint!
Prediction time…
Same as usual, the elastic will snap with 2km to go. I think it comes down to two riders: Bardet and Van Avermaet. I’m going to favour the young Frenchman.
David Hunter
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