Racing and Luck- Riders like Simon Gerrans create their own LUCK... In races like the classic Liege-Bastogne-Liege where Simon won on Sunday. Gerro patiently watched the other riders all play their cards in the final, as one by one they lost leaving Simon to play his hand of strait Aces to win. Simon said himself that he felt he was not holding all the aces at 30km to go but being the strategist he is, & with the support of the OGE team he picked up that vital Ace to win in the closing meters to the finish. Key factors for his victory are: Being in the right mind and in the moment, the now-not the past and not the future. Being in the right position at the right time. Racing with out blinkers on-watching observing his opponents. Having a motivated and committed team to support him. The Race: Martin attacked and fell- Just bad luck? or combination of poor handing skills and fatigue at the end of a 263 km race like L-B-L? Gilbert attacked and did not have the same powerful legs as he did in Amstel Gold a week earlier. Valverde started sprinting early to ensure he could win by catching the leaders, knowing he may loose... If Gerrans and others were stronger/faster on the day. Gerrans waited to start sprinting to ensure he could win knowing he may loose... If they did not catch the leaders. Pro-Cycling races, and more so the one day classics are an amazing game of chess. With so many tactics and influences in the final of these great races deciding the end result. L-B-L 263km raced, and it all came down to the split second tactics of the riders during the last 500 meters to the finish line on Sunday. What IFs: *Martin did not crash??? would he have still won or not! *Gilbert waited for the sprint and did not attack in the last 500 meters??? *Valverde did not start the sprint when he did after catching Gilbert??? *Gerrans started the sprint early and Valverde was on his wheel??? *Caruso attacked 100 meters earlier then he did in his bid to win??? The same What Ifs can be said for many of the Classics run this year. Milan Sanremo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix? All of the top favourites and their respective teams had their own stories of good luck or bad luck and What Ifs. In the end it is what it is... So write you own scenarios cycling fans because thats all you can do now while waiting for the Spring Classics 2015 to come around... As they say the race has been run-won or lost ... And we love watching it happen ;-) SS
Posted on: Tue, 29 Apr 2014 04:28:39 +0000
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