Strade Bianchi ***SPOILERS***

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  • symo
    symo Posts: 1,743
    Caught the last 16km on ES2. Spartacus looked strong, even on the last bump into town. Kept looking back like he couldn't believe no-one was there though.
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  • Tusher
    Tusher Posts: 2,762
    iainf72 wrote:
    I'm disappointed no one has said this is evidence Chinny will win the Tour this year. Especially as there is a lot of TT'ing, it's flatish and he's got Bruyneel in the car.


    I'm thinking...........no. A ridiculous thought. He couldn't. Or could he? Bruyneel's cunning enough, maybe Mandy will be the decoy.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    When he wins he properly wins doesn't he?

    I mean, big glorious wins. Not always the most exciting, but they're always special.

    Man to beat for the voorjaar.

    Gilbert looks like he's reining it in for the first half of the voorjaar, so he's fresh for both the olympics and the worlds.


    Time for Strade Bianchi to be world tour status? Or at least 1.HC. With a starlist and winner list like it has, it should only be a matter of time.

    Who else looked strong? van Avermaert and Balan looked good, but the non-Cancellara rider of the day has to be Gatto - he just got shafted by untimely punctures.

    Will be really interesting to see what the above 4 can do to upset Cavendish and Sky come San Remo.
    _
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    symo wrote:
    Caught the last 16km on ES2. Spartacus looked strong, even on the last bump into town. Kept looking back to see how hard he was dishing out the pain and ruining everyone else on the road


    Corrected. :P

    I mean, riding away from an organised 4 man group like that with a good, what was it, 10km to go? is something.

    We've seen bigger and better from him, but still.
    _
  • Moomaloid
    Moomaloid Posts: 2,040
    As well as him being my PTP pick :D it was great to see Chinny in full stride again. He's not even at his peak yet and looks so much leaner this year. He's out to make a point after last year i think. Gonna be some great races coming up!

    Van-AM looked good but tired badly towards the end. Hoping he comes good coz he won't get too many op's to stride out on his own this year in the classics.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Last 12kkm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zngFqsSKsbc
    Contador is the Greatest
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Moomaloid wrote:
    As well as him being my PTP pick :D it was great to see Chinny in full stride again. He's not even at his peak yet and looks so much leaner this year. He's out to make a point after last year i think. Gonna be some great races coming up!

    Van-AM looked good but tired badly towards the end. Hoping he comes good coz he won't get too many op's to stride out on his own this year in the classics.

    Him and Ballan will be an interesting pair come MS-R. He was great last year in MS-R.
    _
  • andyrac
    andyrac Posts: 1,197
    iainf72 wrote:
    Chinny might be in good form, but remember what happened when he showed how good he was in E3 last year? Everyone just raced to neutralise him. I thought it was a good race. He went at the right moment - Don't know what the bleating about the steep sections was about, not much different to Flanders.

    Must admit I thought that - after the E3 last year I expected Cancellara to 'sandbag' and not show his form until April...he will surely be marked now? Still impressive mind you....
    All Road/ Gravel: tbcWinter: tbcMTB: tbcRoad: tbc"Look at the time...." "he's fallen like an old lady on a cruise ship..."
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Can we expect another Spring Classic campaign like last year based on "A-B-C" i.e. Anyone But Cancellara?
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • mroli
    mroli Posts: 3,622
    Didn't he almost ride away from everyone in Oman too? It would be impressive if he could do that at MSR...
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  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Monty Dog wrote:
    Can we expect another Spring Classic campaign like last year based on "A-B-C" i.e. Anyone But Cancellara?

    Pretty much.

    Can imagine it turning out a little like '10.

    Boonen the only guy who wants to take it to him.
    _
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    mroli wrote:
    Didn't he almost ride away from everyone in Oman too? It would be impressive if he could do that at MSR...

    Steegmans reeled him in..

    Can't be that impressive ;).

    Strade Bianchi was much more impressive.

    It's a bit like Gilbert on an uphill finish. Once he goes, you know it's a done deal (unless it's a long long way till the finish).
    _
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Colombia Coldeportes takes place 12, 21, 32 and 37. V impressive. The rider taking 12th was 23rd yr old Pantano.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • dougzz
    dougzz Posts: 1,833
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Monty Dog wrote:
    Can we expect another Spring Classic campaign like last year based on "A-B-C" i.e. Anyone But Cancellara?

    Pretty much.

    Can imagine it turning out a little like '10.

    Boonen the only guy who wants to take it to him.


    Pfff, Boonen can't even ride "No Hands" :D
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Last 50km:
    http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzYxMDE1NDky.html
    Contador is the Greatest

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