Milan San Remo - Pre Race Chat Thread

245

Comments

  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    Above The Cows wrote:
    disgruntledgoat wrote:
    EBH- Too long for him

    Next!

    I thought they were supposed to have sorted that? He managed at the worlds.


    Silver medal would seem to confirm that's been sorted.

    Come on DG, you're so, like, 2011 :wink:

    Sorry, let go with my back up reason

    EBH- Not good enough.

    Thanks.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    disgruntledgoat wrote:

    Sorry, let go with my back up reason

    EBH- Not good enough.

    Thanks.

    Who then?
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    Danlikesbikes wrote:
    disgruntledgoat wrote:

    Sorry, let go with my back up reason

    EBH- Not good enough.

    Thanks.

    Who then?

    Same as everyone else. Sagan or Cavendish.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • Loretta Damage
    Loretta Damage Posts: 270
    Heart says EBH or Cav, head says Sagan. Read on a website today that Degenkolb fancies his chances if he's in the mix at the end but I can't see him taking Cav or Sagan if they are there too.
  • LeicesterLad
    LeicesterLad Posts: 3,908
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Moser won't last 300km.

    Thats harsh - Moser looked fresh as a daisy winning Strade Bianche and he always bangs on about likeing longer races, a bit like Offredo...hmmm, Offredo?
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  • durhamwasp
    durhamwasp Posts: 1,247
    Those odds seem ridiculous for Sagan, Cancellara, Thomas and EBH arent bad bets, worth a couple of quid. But, how does Fabian get away from Liquigas and Sky?!
    http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    durhamwasp wrote:
    Those odds seem ridiculous for Sagan, Cancellara, Thomas and EBH arent bad bets, worth a couple of quid. But, how does Fabian get away from Liquigas and Sky?!

    Power over the top of the last 2 climbs & descend the bike like he stole it away from them.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,695
    If I were Sagan I'd stick to the back of Canc the entire way....
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    ddraver wrote:
    If I were Sagan I'd stick to the back of Canc the entire way....

    He'd make one hell of a wind break/pace setter?
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,462
    Canondale will just drive it up the Poggio to shed any sprinters, I can't see anyone hanging on if they do that I wouldn't fancy Sagan to beat in the sprint. It will either be a Sagan win or someone random that no-one thinks to chase until it's too late.
  • mroli
    mroli Posts: 3,622
    Just as long as it isn't a Gerrans mugging again...

    Speaking of which - is there PTP? If so, can someone put me down for Goss? Ta
    http://www.georgesfoundation.org
    http://100hillsforgeorge.blogspot.com/
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  • Crozza
    Crozza Posts: 991
    some good historical pics in here

    http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2013/03/m ... og%2FTJog+
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,695
    mroli wrote:
    Just as long as it isn't a Gerrans mugging again...

    Speaking of which - is there PTP? If so, can someone put me down for Goss? Ta

    So a different Aussie Mugging is fine? :P
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    preview-finish.jpg
    Contador is the Greatest
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Crozza wrote:
    some good historical pics in here

    http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2013/03/m ... og%2FTJog+

    Brilliant shots. Really love some of the old kits. The Bettini and Cipo shot is class.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • Crozza
    Crozza Posts: 991
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Crozza wrote:
    some good historical pics in here

    http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2013/03/m ... og%2FTJog+

    Brilliant shots. Really love some of the old kits. The Bettini and Cipo shot is class.

    I love the shot of Tchmile looking back - the sight of the whole peloton absolutely going for it whilst you are giving it everything to stay away would make me soil myself I think
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Crozza wrote:
    some good historical pics in here

    http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2013/03/m ... og%2FTJog+

    Brilliant shots. Really love some of the old kits. The Bettini and Cipo shot is class.

    Mirko Celestino! Loved that guy.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    If we are talking photos, gotta include this one!

    cavbingo1.jpg
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Crozza wrote:
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Crozza wrote:
    some good historical pics in here

    http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2013/03/m ... og%2FTJog+

    Brilliant shots. Really love some of the old kits. The Bettini and Cipo shot is class.

    I love the shot of Tchmile looking back - the sight of the whole peloton absolutely going for it whilst you are giving it everything to stay away would make me soil myself I think

    Ha yeah, I never understand why they look behind although maybe the adrenaline of that sight makes you pedal faster for that last burst!
    Contador is the Greatest
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    frenchfighter wrote:
    Crozza wrote:
    some good historical pics in here

    http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2013/03/m ... og%2FTJog+

    Brilliant shots. Really love some of the old kits. The Bettini and Cipo shot is class.

    Think the Haussler one on the floor says it all for a close finish after such a distance.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,695
    Few of thems going into my Desktop rotation...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • inkyfingers
    inkyfingers Posts: 4,400
    Great images, thanks.

    Sagan is clearly the favourite, but I think ruling out Cavendish completely is unwise. He looks fitter this year than i've ever seen him.
    "I have a lovely photo of a Camargue horse but will not post it now" (Frenchfighter - July 2013)
  • Macaloon
    Macaloon Posts: 5,545
    Fascinating prospect. I suspect that even Sagan will want to drop the likes of Cavendish, Goss, Gerrans, Degenkolb etc before the final. Cancellara, Nibali et al certainly will. That's going to make it very difficult for 'pure' sprinters to hang on. The smart play then will be for a team to try to have two guys go with Sagan over the Poggio.

    If Sagan descends like a demon, there's a chance to bring him back in last 3K (although if it's sleeting per forecast the best descender may win). If Moser is still there, Sagan wins. If not there's a chance to pull a move forcing Sagan to lead-out...

    Since this the most controllable monument, it's likely that whatever enhanced training practices Sky have been up to has this race in mind. They're sending a very strong squad, and have no primary responsibility to haul back breaks. I think there's a good case for G and EBH being there at the end, with EBH taking the win.

    [Or is this just PTP mind games? 8)
    ...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    Just reading the CW link that has gone up on MSR - http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/lat ... rites.html interesting that Sky are saying they are targeting Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix but wouldn't count them out as using this a good race practice as we may have just seen in T-A for the TDF this year as their tactics have changed somewhat.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    Macaloon wrote:
    Fascinating prospect. I suspect that even Sagan will want to drop the likes of Cavendish, Goss, Gerrans, Degenkolb etc before the final. Cancellara, Nibali et al certainly will. That's going to make it very difficult for 'pure' sprinters to hang on. The smart play then will be for a team to try to have two guys go with Sagan over the Poggio.

    If Sagan descends like a demon, there's a chance to bring him back in last 3K (although if it's sleeting per forecast the best descender may win). If Moser is still there, Sagan wins. If not there's a chance to pull a move forcing Sagan to lead-out...

    Since this the most controllable monument, it's likely that whatever enhanced training practices Sky have been up to has this race in mind. They're sending a very strong squad, and have no primary responsibility to haul back breaks. I think there's a good case for G and EBH being there at the end, with EBH taking the win.

    [Or is this just PTP mind games? 8)

    Just for you - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSb7bFxFR1w
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    EBH is capable of staying with Sagan up the Poggio and outsprining him on the line (I'd still favour Sagan) so he could have a chance - Hushovd and Degenkolb other sprinters who could be there at the end. Could be an interesting tactical battle and could work out for the pure sprinters if Cannondale are left to do all the work to drop them
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • nic_77
    nic_77 Posts: 929
    Macaloon wrote:
    Fascinating prospect. I suspect that even Sagan will want to drop the likes of Cavendish, Goss, Gerrans, Degenkolb etc before the final. Cancellara, Nibali et al certainly will. That's going to make it very difficult for 'pure' sprinters to hang on. The smart play then will be for a team to try to have two guys go with Sagan over the Poggio.

    If Sagan descends like a demon, there's a chance to bring him back in last 3K (although if it's sleeting per forecast the best descender may win). If Moser is still there, Sagan wins. If not there's a chance to pull a move forcing Sagan to lead-out...

    Since this the most controllable monument, it's likely that whatever enhanced training practices Sky have been up to has this race in mind. They're sending a very strong squad, and have no primary responsibility to haul back breaks. I think there's a good case for G and EBH being there at the end, with EBH taking the win.

    [Or is this just PTP mind games? 8)
    Knew you'd swerve first :)

    Just struggling to see a scenario that doesn't play into Sagan's hands... I think that Nibali has a great chance of forcing a break over the Poggio and then extending it on the descent (especially if it's wet). And he'll have to if he wants to gap the last few sprinters. But Sagan can be with him both up and down, as can Cancellara... and then we all know who that would play out.

    As far as PTP goes I'm torn, as my prediction is... Sagan will win or be nowhere, whereas Cancellara and Nibali will be near the sharp end regardless. Hmmm...
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  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    Could easily be 2 groups following an accident (as happened with Gilbert) and if Sagan is in the second or split from his team the front group over Manie, Cipressa and Poggio climbs will get the hammer down for sure making bridging the gap near impossible and even if he did would he use up a lot of energy and not be in contention to sprint after such a distance of racing

    This could also be true of other riders though as has happened in previous years.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.
  • Macaloon
    Macaloon Posts: 5,545
    nic_77 wrote:
    Macaloon wrote:
    [Or is this just PTP mind games? 8)
    Knew you'd swerve first :)

    But it's not working. They're still piling into Sagan. Going back to have a word with Stanislav. Time he took a pull

    Thanks for the link, Dan. I note that in training they had to slow Stannard down by making him wear the camera, and that Eddie has finally got his mullet under control. Strong signs.

    Whatever happens it's a ballsy move to acknowledge that their approach is untried, and completely different to the other teams.
    ...a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.
  • danlikesbikes
    danlikesbikes Posts: 3,898
    Sometimes see him riding when he is not away on camps as he lives near me and uses some similar routes. Think they are going to use him as the pace man in MSR and if his form is as good as last year won't be a bad thing at all.

    Someone else did point out that the roads are not that great in terms of surface so whilst no cobbles its rough enough. Plus DB seems to know his onions when it comes to training + tactics = results however perhaps not so well in the classics but think they are starting to make a move on these too.
    Pain hurts much less if its topped off with beating your mates to top of a climb.

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