You MUST WATCH Flèche Wallonne 2024

La Flèche Wallonne 2024
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[@fishandfloral]

I love the shot at the end. And here I thought you had everything memorized. 😂

[@nycticorax5653]

Always like the pictures at the end. 😊

[@Leonorexplore]

Very impressive amount of work for EVERY analysis! Thanks for your expertise Chris!

[@nycticorax5653]

@@Leonorexplore Very true.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I memorize more less before the camera starts shooting. Once we are shooting it’s rare for me to look at the notes because it messes up my flow but sometimes I need a riders name especially if the breakaway is large or changing many times during the race like Amstel was. when I look at the notes to much I just have to start all over because I lost the mojo. And if I start all over it’s a completely different video then the first try because nothing is scripted before we start shooting except of course where the racers are at during the event. 🤪🦋👊

[@method1224]

Chris Thank You for such a gift 🎁 that is your analysis for the Bike races. We don’t take you for granted!

[@333wheeler]

MVDP made the smartest move of the race having a day off training in the warm Spanish sunshine :).

[@tusharvishwanath1996]

Not his terrain

[@BlackTone91]

@@tusharvishwanath1996 Did you even seen him winning WC in Glasgow ?

[@Mike-rm1lb]

Not sure it's warm, they usually train at altitude.

[@JosesAmazingWorlds]

​@@Mike-rm1lbI live near Denia where Chris himself used to live. My kids we swimming in the sea last Sunday...

[@leomaduro8661]

Williams was dressed properly from the start. It's absolutely key with those dismal weather conditions to take care of yourself. Some guys don't watch the weather forecast? And that while you have to clear the Mur de Huy four times... Nice to see Williams win as the smarter rider in many ways.

[@Xenos-rx3bo]

UNO-X was the only team that had all of their riders finish the race, and as such, they scapped up a good chunk of UCI points while UEA, INEOS, Intermarche, and Jayco had all their riders DNF. The winner, Stephen Williams, was the only rider from Israel Premier Tech to finish the race. Only 44 riders ended up finishing the race.

[@frederikdewaele3549]

@ChrisHornerCycling, with regards to Tiesj Benoot: give the man some credit, he'd spent all tuesday in the hospital where his wife tuesday evening gave birth to their second daughter, and he still started in La Flèche Wallonne the next day after having very little sleep, and still ended the hellish edition of this race in 9th place.

[@dotherightthingbro]

Those conditions looked like normal everyday conditions for wales, no wonder Steve Williams excelled.

[@welshluke1971]

Agreed

[@joelchoquette5674]

The extra details you throw in are just wonderful Chris, luke speaking about cold weather and showing your bag. Top notch!

[@roberteastwood6937]

Luke Rowe commentating on Eurosport/Discovery picked Stevie Williams......It was funny to hear him speak well of other riders chances but still went back to Williams for the win. I think it was the Welsh connection...😁

[@dawnc5797]

Only 44 out of 174 riders finished the race. I saw a video on Instagram of Skjelmose shaking so hard he had to be helped off his bike by what looked like random spectators and carried across the road to what I hope was a very warm restaurant. He clearly needed medical attention. Bob and Christian kept talking about how well Uno X were doing despite the horrific weather conditions. I kept telling them (like they could hear me 😄) those guys aren't bothered by such conditions. They train and ride regardless. It's no surprise Visma's Norwegian Staune-Mittet also fared well. Those guys are built different. That was a brutal race completely turned on it's head by the weather conditions. Hail, sleet and freezing rain coming down sideways along with the wind and dropping temps made for a race of attrition. I hope all the riders recover from this and those on the start list for LBL can do so Sunday.

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

He had hypothermia

[@saramims1592]

The video I saw, he was wearing shorts! I don't know why he let himself get THAT cold. Put on pants/heavier jacket. I know it adds weight but you would at least finish the race.

[@dawnc5797]

@@saramims1592 I can tell you from having hypothermia myself, though not as bad as Skjelmose, is mentally you aren't always capable of making sound decisions. Your body goes into preservation mode by sending all the blood to your core in order to keep your organs warm so your brain suffers a bit.

[@slayer6936]

It was one of the most EPIC RACES of all EPIC RACES I've ever watched. It was awesome to see uno-x finish with all their riders. I'm going to watch it again. The riders that started with nothing on took the knucklhead of the year award. Uno-x looked ahead. 🤜🤛👊 UAE took the team knucklehead award.

[@tenzingyurme4058]

As a former racer (I was always a sprinter and never much of GC guy..raced in Boulder in the 70's)........I love your insights Chris...... don't listen to the kids who haven't got a clue..🤘😁

[@geu6270]

Bus Stop Ride out to Lyons and the 7-11 and other team guys would drop us like rocks. 😁

[@domestique3954]

We can clearly see that the commentator is much better prepared for the race than the riders! 😂

[@Anton-tf9iw]

Next level: "a nightmare knuckel head move" ....

[@robbchastain3036]

When victory is too scary. 😀

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Exactly 🤪🦋👍

[@michaeltelega2632]

The picture at the end with your setup and all of your notes is awesome! 🙌🏆

[@akwall47]

Fantastic analysis in a style and wardrobe no one can touch! Chris you are the GOAT!!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋🙏🐐

[@73positive]

Glad you have a sponsor 😅

[@erlendsteren9466]

TV2 did interview an Uno-x, I think it was Halland Johannesen, he said that the Norwegians was happy about the weather because they knew abouth clothes. Uno-x was able to finish with all the riders, Staune Mittet also made it. Tobias Halland Johannesen is getting more fit every week now, recovering after a crash. I guess he can win something in May.

[@S9999Frank]

Unfortunate that uno x seem to miss that guy with the "superpower" at the finish these days. But 6th was a great result also of course. It's just that when they were the strongest team coming into the finish, one hopes for more. Have to mention Eiking as well, goes under the radar of the commentators, but has been the highest finisher in many of the races for uno x. Also had a crash just months ago where his bike broke into 2 pieces, may still have something more to show when recovery is 100%. Crossing fingers for a trip to TDF for him, and a stage win from a smaller group.

[@jptouzeau]

I was always wondering how you can memorize so many facts about a single race... Now, I know!

[@carlrichards9333]

Weather was perfect for Williams, Cold , Wet, and Hard....exactly the same as Aberystwyth Wales....

[@user-rp2fe4rk4i]

"You win just by showing up" and "everyone around you is battling something." Words to live by. Looking forward to ALGF this fall!

[@alex.velasco]

Thanks Chris. I realise how much work you put into these episodes. I find them entertaining and educational. Much appreciated!

[@nycheesehead]

The inside look you provide into the pro peloton and racing strategy is great. looking forward to the rest of the season.

[@daveanderson7304]

Great closing photo Chris! You really put in the work and we appreciate it. I watched most of the 1995 TDF individual time trial from a cafe in Huy right around the corner from the starting ramp.

[@bookingstation]

Strange how knee warmers have gone out of fashion. All those exposed knees made me feel cold. Stevie clearly had the right idea by keeping full leg warmer on.

[@goatbloat8233]

Peacock shade and a brutal race with mostly knuckleheads. Gotta love this coverage.

[@Maestrodeluniverso]

Chris, you are a professional in anything that you do. I lke your preparation to have a coherent and fluent analysis.

[@mortigard]

Thank you for calling everyone a knucklehead for dressing wrong! I live in MN and this is just a normal day in the spring. I don't understand why everyone wasn't dressed like Stevie Williams...covered arms and covered legs. Everything he was wearing fit correctly too.

[@ChrisCapoccia]

That's a crazy pic of your notes and setup at the end. No idea how you keep all that straight

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Normally I have seen the race twice on video before we start shooting. First time I am making breakfast and sitting around eating while watching the race live and taking notes more about what the commentators have said (often they very entertaining;) or a moment I see rider do something that I think the viewers didn’t see. Then Garrett has recorded the race so I go back and take the pics that want for the channel and add to my notes. The third time I see the race it’s just over looking my notes with the high lighter pens. By the time I go up stairs and put the makeup on and get dressed I’m thinking about a story from my past that will add to video somehow or how the race could of or should have been raced (who made what mistakes) properly. 👊🦋🤪

[@dorseykindler9544]

That hail was intense!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Very 🦋😩

[@rudyelizondo1935]

Great show Chris, I really enjoyed it!!! Yeah ugly weather tears up the great riders man. Yeah when I start my rides in bad weather, I always cloth up with my tights on which to me is always the right call. The winds never stop here in Texas and the humidity is always cutting you like a knife! My favorite base layer is merino wool and a great rapha winter jacket that’s also waterproof. If it gets too cold, I usually ease up and eat more. Thank you for producing these shows, they’re the best. They are better than watching them for hours

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋🙏

[@angelamacchi977]

A pleasure watching Christ! Your analysis , all the pictures with the arrows! very well explained..!👏👏 all the suffering of the cyclist, the faces at the end, and as you say, the big names just disappeared. Felicitaciones al ganador William! 👏👏👏👏

[@BDKennels]

I was not going to watch this race. Until I saw your headline. Glad I did. Thanks Chris!

[@Maestrodeluniverso]

Chris, I like to see how much you prepare to have a coherent and fluent analysis!

[@lasylog1]

love the analysis, spot on, no BS, say it as it is.

[@SebastiaanVanAgteren]

So insightfull to see how you organize the weather gear : amazing!

[@keyboard_g]

Good day to be watching from the chesterfield.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

True that 🛋️🦋👊🔥

[@lukesampsonsearle6965]

Thanks Chris, great video as always. Love your work!

[@ChapterNYCBuildingCode--dh1xy]

Thanks for all the details Chris felt like I was right inside the race!

[@englishteacherdon]

Great summary! This Fleche race reminds me of the1996 Lancaster race you won in a terrible thunderstorm. I remember trying to take shelter and survive. You were Houdini that day taking on all the US Postal team. Afterwards, I said to a female staff member of Nutra-Fig "Chris Horner was unbelievable tonight," and she said, "He belongs on the Olympic team." Truer words were never spoken. I don't remember a thing about Greg Randoph.

[@philipkoop9411]

Reminds me of the 2008 Tour of California when Dominique Rollin won the stage into San Luis Obispo. Cold weather can completely upset the normal ranking of riders. You are exactly right about stopping for 30s to put on your stuff being the fastest way to go. Once you start cooling off, you are on the clock: as you chill, you lose dexterity; as you lose dexterity, it takes longer to put stuff on; lather, rinse, repeat. Also, once you start going again, you aren't going to be able to go as fast if you don't have full control of your hands for braking and shifting.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Yep. Dominque jumped just near the finish (maybe 4kto 2k out) as we were entering the town which they had us going thru some lefts and right turns (not exactly straight in if I remember correctly). Every one was frozen (the coldest I had ever been for that long of a period, almost six hours ) and not thinking correctly so Dominique got a beautiful win. Funny story afterward at dinner. Andrea Peron who was an ex rider was at the race and told Dominque the win was amazing and will always be remembered at least until next year. 😂. Peron is Italian and does speak good English but probably hadn’t been using it much and so it took him a second to realize what he said as we all start kind of laughing. He fix it. 😂👊🦋

[@philipkoop9411]

@@ChrisHornerCycling Love the Peron story! 😆

[@leronharrison1110]

Chris just handing out knucklehead cards left and right!!! Even Christian Vande Velde can get a knucklehead card!!! Man, Chris, you are colder than the rain that fell on Fleche Wallone, but I love it!!

[@Btstaz]

always love your recaps!

[@vinssenclark5018]

Wet and Cold!!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Very but you got here first 👊🏆🥶👊🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

[@vinssenclark5018]

@@ChrisHornerCycling Thank you Chris and Garrett for responding. Cheers 🍻

[@Asaya911]

Thank you ❤

[@rogerdc7279]

Fantastic Thank you Chris

[@erlendsteren9466]

Thanks a lot for all your good and very competent work Chris, and please keep on! I am going to rename the SDg seat on my trainer and call it "Chesterfield" ,so on my next indoor training i will be sitting on my chesterfield and listen to your butterflyeffect analyzing strong knuckleheads going left to right. You are the best!

[@cb6866]

Thanks Chris...that was cool to see , you and the data ! And , it was a tough race .....Papillon

[@davidpybas8250]

Loved this. Thanks

[@user-nb3pk6uw8t]

This is like summertime riding here in Alaska. The weather can change from 65 & sunny to 40 and raining hard.

[@thomascollins6751]

Awesome info

[@Marcel-ib1wp]

One thing for sure, everyone feels the weather different.

[@aluminati9918]

Great recap, Chris. Believe UnoX was only to finish w full team. Properly dressed of course 😅

[@nicolas2838]

Decathlon is doing amazing for a new team. This season is much more about the small teams since the big teams lost so many riders.

[@modonnell7363]

Thank you so much for your commentary! 😂 I always wondered how you were able to remember everything. At some point would be lovely to see a photo of the Chesterfield.😊

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

🛋️👊🦋

[@modonnell7363]

🤣

[@kusalperera8839]

Superb explanation Chris ❤

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@anatithenai44]

Thanks for doin' what you do! love your analyses.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@bigwave_dave8468]

You win on a sunny day with 70deg/21c with a tail wind, sure that´s good but you hoodwink the field on a 15% grade in miserable, freezing conditions with the ultimate stink'-face-- there´s a baller! Congratulations @StevieWilliams

[@alaefarmestatesllc]

“You get called a knucklehead, and you get called a knucklehead, everyone gets called a knucklehead”

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Every one is knucklehead soon or later. 🤪🤪🦋👊

[@LPmaterials]

Terrible weather. I saw a fan footage of Skjelmose trembling frozen and had to be carried by the staff.

[@swites]

Looking at some pro's strava's went from ~15C to 3 and 4C pouring with rain for ~1hr40 before it "warmer up" to 7/8C. I've been caught out in NZ when it duplicated those conditions 15 to 3/4C and driving rain and in just 1hr I was a hypothermic mess and never been so cold. What I found interesting in FW was all the UNO-X Norwegians were mostly dressed head to toe with no skin showing-smart. And what was Williams wearing as he crossed the line, and he's from a cold area in England too btw? Riders whose bodies gave out should take note as most of them were underdressed and it took them too long to kit up.

[@franciscopontesvelasco4315]

Luckily I watched the race and was great

[@hondasaurusrex6998]

Love the you call Christian Van De Valde - Van De Feld. Should be Van De Wrong or Van De Knuckle Head.

[@zerog4261]

I watched Lantern Rouge channel and im sure he said, full UAE team dnf.

[@dawnc5797]

Ineos didn't finish either.

[@MattHurst08]

Christian Vandervelde? Great race analysis thank you Chris. Gabba is on the Wishlist for sure for winter.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@gmims3211]

🦋

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@gomeznoonie]

I wanted to hear “when the cold and wet weather started proper” in your commentary. Would have been perfect.

[@billyblanco8106]

Best BE session yet, Chris...chapeau...done well...my suggestion for a future show...how to NOT BE a knucklehead in a bike rice, or as a commentator on bike races...LOL. 😄

[@hobmarg]

Love the knucklehead call-outs 😂

[@gomeznoonie]

🌶️ commentary! Love it. Did you see how many UAE riders finished the race?

[@politoled]

Hey Chris. UAE rider that went full Gass is named "Domen Novak", not "Dominic Novak".

[@tomgloria8778]

So that’s how you do it! What’s the color coding for knucklehead move?

[@royoser9956]

Exactly, agree completely. As I said here before Amstel Gold, UAE riders don't even want to work for their own teammates except for Pogacar. I predict a different story at LBL.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Very different 🦋👊

[@EMC2Scotia]

So many great comments in there! What was your worst day weather wise Chris during your racing career?

[@leduch]

i watched tour des alpes !

[@peterhanssens-qo6xi]

Tish just became a dad for the second time just the day before: almost no sleep en no proper meal!

[@mpowerjon]

Chris - OMG yes. Crazy great and hard and terrible and beautiful race! Thanks for the Easter Egg at the end..... I see that and I'm instantly dropped. You're the man. Keep up the great work!

[@utube7930]

'Not a complete knucklehead' is one of the highest accolades a pro rider can achieve 😂

[@johnwalsh9285]

Thumbs up

[@CaptainMittens831]

It’s crazy that no UAE riders finished today. Like damn what happened, that team was stacked.

[@jimjr4432]

Highlighter bill seems pretty high! Love the videos as always. So if I asked before, sorry. Can you estimate how much time or momentum is lost by looking back? I'm guessing it a finite amount of time, just not sure how much.

[@charlestoddsullivanforpres6628]

I was surprised some riders didn't have some wet weather gear stuffed in pockets on back of the jersey, but maybe that's not practical.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

A rain jacket in the pocket in a race like Flèche would be a great idea. 👊🦋🥶

[@cheechorino3710]

Need flèche to always rain and have cold weather

[@tonilauge5786]

Downside of focusing weight and Diat Less weight of a rider, hypotermina Kicks in early! Skjelmose learned that The hard way, scary pictures. Sorten Kragh Andersen showed increasing form, could be a long awaited win in May.

[@phillovaglio7613]

Peacock Knuckleheads on Steriods

[@johnccleary1980]

Yes, great analysis Chris, as always...those hands of your are like builders hands..haha..and you wave them around all the time...but not in a maniacal way like Bill Gates waves his.....can't wait to see a shot of The Chesterfield some day!...Great stuff!

[@robbchastain3036]

Rut roh, Chris is talking about Bob and Christian again, funny. And they really should crash the Butterfly Effect and ask, "Hey bud, What's your problem?" 😀

[@rowdyeverypoint]

The women's race was great too

[@ericvonhellens8822]

2nd I was wondering why Anderson did a solo attack so far out. Yes, knucklehead. EF just doesn't have the same as last year. I know Carapaz doesn't have the explosive power, so why didn't he go about the Sametime as Williams? I was waiting for his attack.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Carapaz blew up, kind of at the finish. But you did not cause, podium 😜🥈💣💥🔥🦋👊

[@MsBruso]

Re Cosnefroy: Hitting the front so early in that kind of climbs can't be a knuckelhead. No drag benefit at all. If you are at the front you can take the line you want and set your pace. If you are following wheels you risk loosing positions because the guy ahead of you blows up or you are bumped and have to slowdown and then get going again. Stevie did basically the same but at the back (left a bit of empty road ahead of him instead of getting in the scrub) and was lucky when the road opened on the LHS. GReat victory and is yet another one for Israel... They moved from hiring old and expensive guys to young guns and its working finally.

[@toddshanafelt5036]

Ok, younger riders out there reading and listening --- don't brush off what Chris is talking about w/ the weather..and tactics --- excellent break down ....especially concerning how the heck to dress. Notice the Northern Europeans ...they're dressed like they say; 'There's no bad weather, just bad clothing' - some other dudes don't even have a skull cap, shoe covers or knee warmers--- or good gloves!! INSANITY in the those wet/freezing conditions. The Scandinavians apparently (UnoX specifically) were excited the weather was going to be harsh...they knew they would watch people drop out left/right and they'd be ready for it. Personally love racing in those conditions because a lot of people get weeded out because of mistakes in dressing themselves correctly.

[@Rompodable]

someone called chris this morning woke up and chosed violence

[@alessandrobardini6885]

It took me 3 or 4 episodes of the 🦋 to understand that the Decathlon rider was not a gut from Barcelona

[@leodesforges161]

Awesome insights on the bad weather kit.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋🥶

[@elp2689]

Analyst Hannah Walker picked Stevie Williams in her top three.

[@johnnyyaz]

Chris called Christian a knuckle head 🤣🤣🤣

[@estelja]

Can we then assume that Chris is not going to be on the NBC TdF coverage team this year? I'd still love to hear the story about how or why that gig ended. Chris?

[@jcoul1sc]

We need a knucklehead rating system, as its a broad church, we call them ejits in Ireland, and if they are severe ejits then they are BIG ejits or egits

[@gustavosalvini1827]

I haven’t made an appearance in a butterfly effect comment section in so long, just stopping by here to say I’m betting the house on pogacar for liege 😅

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Good plan 👊🦋🏠

[@mchaisso]

People were throwing jackets near the end. Is this just a calculated loss? Seemed hard for team cars to find

[@darongardner4294]

Sepp Kuss for the team leader at this year's TDF.

[@peterderidder9922]

Tom Boonen said he never used handgloves ! !