Video: Arndt and Stevens talk HTC Highroad team strategy
Riders explain tactics in Flèche WallonneTeam HTC Highroad had one of the strongest line-ups in the peloton in Wednesday’s Flèche Wallonne, and sought to make the most of that in the way that it tackled the race. It threw down the gauntlet early on, and when Evelyn Stevens attacked a long way out, it meant that the onus was on the other teams to chase.Ultimately Marianne Vos and Emma Johannson were too much to beat, but former world champion Judith Arndt took a solid third place.“We tried to race aggressively. We have really good riders, so we tried to use them all. It doesn’t make sense to arrive at the final climb with six riders. We really tried to play our cards,” she told VeloNation shortly after the race.“It was my part [role] to try to be as fresh as possible for the last climb. I think third is a [...]
Tony Martin Video Interview: Targeting top ten in Liège, and a big ride in the Tour de France
German GC rider turns his attention towards Classic goalHTC Highroad rider Tony Martin rode Wednesday’s Flèche Wallonne to loosen up for this weekend; the gloves are off in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he will go all out for a big result. The German spoke to VeloNation yesterday afternoon at the team hotel in Herderen, and was clear on what he was aiming to achieve. “My big goal is Liege. I want to ride top ten,” he said. “Normally I am a GC rider in big stage races. This is a one day race so normally it is not my favourite, but I really like the Ardennes Classics, especially Liege. So it is my personal goal to come here for a top ten.” He will spearhead the team with Michael Albasini, while Tejay Van Garderen will also be a rider who will be protected early on. Martin identifies Alexandre Vinokourov, Philippe Gilbert, Andy [...]
Video: Emma Johannson says Vos was too strong, looking forward to Tour of Chongming Island
Hopes to be competitive in sprintsFlèche Wallonne runner-up Emma Johannson was closest to Marianne Vos in yesterday’s Classic, but admits there was little she could do when her rival hit the gas close to the top of the Mur de Huy. She went from further out, but Vos stuck to her wheel and then floored it, ripping clear and reaching the line three seconds ahead. “I did all I could, but Marianne was very good in the sprint. I didn’t really have much left over when she pulled it off in the last 100 metres,” she said in a video interview with VeloNation. “I am satisfied, you have to be – when you have done everything you can, you just have to be satisfied with what happens.” Vos took over as leader of the women’s World Cup, but has indicated that she won’t defend the jersey in the next event; [...]
Nicolas Roche Video Interview: Building towards Liège, Romandie and Tour
Irishman okay after Flèche crashNicolas Roche hit the deck during yesterday’s Flèche Wallonne, crashing along with his first cousin Dan Martin (Garmin-Cervélo), but has confirmed to VeloNation that he is not too badly hurt and will be okay for Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Roche suffered cuts and bruises but scans carried out yesterday showed that he had no fractures. That’s a major relief for the Ag2r La Mondiale rider, who has already suffered disruptions to his season. Fortunately he feels that his condition is growing, and he aims to be in very strong shape by the Tour of Romandie. “The form is getting better every week,” he confirmed to VeloNation yesterday morning in a video interview (see below). “I had some good training sessions. Amstel was very particular, everything has to be done at a certain point [to determine if] you are there or not there. It didn’t work out in Amstel, [...]
Marianne Vos Video Interview: Vos delighted to win fourth Flèche, won’t defend World Cup lead
Busy season means Flèche Wallonne winner needs to take a breakMarianne Vos underlined her ability yesterday when she triumphed in the women’s Flèche Wallonne for the fourth time in her career. The Dutchwoman became the first to do so and, at just 23 years of age, there’s no reason to believe that she won’t continue to dominate the race for many years to come.“The tactics were to keep the race in control with the team,” she told VeloNation afterwards. “From the last few times here on the Mur, I know that when I am good, I have a chance. I felt good in the race and when we passed the Mur for the first time, I said to my teammates,’ let’s do it, I think I can make it.’ So they kept it together and when we ended up at the foot of the Muur, there was some speed by [...]
Video: Philippe Gilbert says he’s not scared about Liège favourite tag
Flèche Wallonne winner ready for Sunday showdownAs he did in the autumn of 2009, Philippe Gilbert is on the verge of taking his fourth race in what is already a superb winning streak. Back then he triumphed in the Coppa Sabatini, Paris-Tours, Giro del Piemonte and Giro di Lombaria races, being unbeaten in that period and underlining sensational form. Fast forward a year and a half and he’s at it again; this time, he triumphed in the Brabantse Pijl one week ago, the Amstel Gold race last Sunday, and Flèche Wallonne today. As was the case in the 2009 Giro di Lombardia, all eyes will be fixed on him. The stakes are even higher this time round, in that he has a house near the route of the Liège race and has long said that it is the monument he really wants to win. Still, Gilbert made it clear today [...]