Paris - Nice 2014 *Spoilers*

gpreeves

andyp wrote:

Chavanel rides for OPQS, alongside the likes of Boonen, Cavendish and Terpstra, and gets to lead the team once in a blue moon. He was 5th overall with a stage win at Paris-Nice last year, was just off the podium at MSR, won the 3 Days of De Panne and was consistently in the top ten of the cobbled semi-classics. I'd say that was a decent return for a rider who has never been prolific.

Not anymore, he's with IAM now.

(I do like him though, I always hope to see him in the mix when given the opportunity)

joelsim

andyp wrote:

Joelsim wrote:

I watch every race I can, and tbh Sylvain has flattered to underwhelm pretty much every time.

I'm doing pretty well in the road.cc fantasy league (3rd in the BR league) so I can't be that bad at judgement. It's fair to say Chavanel (either of them) don't ever get picked in my team. That's after 37 stages/classics so far in 2014.

With a record as impressive as this, how come a WT team hasn't been on the phone to recruit you as their tactically savvy DS?

Chavanel rides for OPQS, alongside the likes of Boonen, Cavendish and Terpstra, and gets to lead the team once in a blue moon. He was 5th overall with a stage win at Paris-Nice last year, was just off the podium at MSR, won the 3 Days of De Panne and was consistently in the top ten of the cobbled semi-classics. I'd say that was a decent return for a rider who has never been prolific.

Funnily enough Bruyneel was on the blower earlier.

Even if he doesn't ride for OPQS his record doesn't stand up to the good press he is given. Hence my comment 'flattering to underwhelm'. Unless it was a TT, I would never, ever place a bet on him to deliver. Whereas I've just had a fiver E/W on Nibali to win P-N at 10/1, and Kwia E/W TdF at 100/1, Yes really 100/1. Unlikely that he'll win with Froome there of course.

Back to Chavanel, there are so many better riders than him around at the moment, who you can rely on to do well in a good number of races rather than once a year.

Paul 8v

Great stage today, makes up for the earlier ones which were not a patch on this.

Great effort by Thomas, he's really looking on form this season.

Shame Nibs couldn't bridge the gap but he gave it a good go.

joelsim

Got a feeling Nibs saw that he wasn't getting any help and decided to save his energy.

rayjay

I always felt he was a bit underplayed at Quick Step.

He has his moments and he really wanted to do well in this race.

I do think he has had his share of bad luck as well.

I am not saying he's the greatest rider to never win big time. I just like the way he rides. He can be very aggressive and take the race on.

I hope he wins a stage, he look's to have the team behind him.

Im sure Nib's or someone else will win but I like the crazy underdogs.

yorkshireraw

Daniel Friebe (I think) made the point on the Humans Invent podcast that Chavenel hasn't won a RR 'a la pedale' , or at least not at the top level, for a good few yrs. His wins have either been in a break or TTs.

In other news there's two world tour races occurring at the moment and as we stand both are led by Brits. A first maybe?

tailwindhome

Macaloon wrote:

Quality ride by Degenkolb. Stage/GC riders had to slaughter themselves to distance a 'sprinter'. Excellent variety in the top 10. potential for a few belters in forthcoming stages.

That shouldn't go unrecognised

frenchfighter

Put two hands up if you look like a loser:

MartinGT

Has Degonklob beasted himself too much yesterday for todays stage? Great effort by the lad.

Enjoyed yesterdays stage I must say. Great riding by Thomas.

Richmond Racer

Good interview and piece on the race leader

http://www.ridemedia.com.au/ride-featur ... eadership/

Macaloon

MartinGT wrote:

Has Degonklob beasted himself too much yesterday for todays stage? Great effort by the lad.

Enjoyed yesterdays stage I must say. Great riding by Thomas.

A bike race rudely interrupted a stage-race. Lumpy ones are the best.

I'd imagine the prospect of a Kittel win in TA will aid Degenkolb's recovery. Two Giant wins on the same day? They might explode.

frenchfighter

MartinGT

Bouhanni pulled out?

Richmond Racer

Race update:

after 99km, a breakaway of 5 have a gap of 1'45

Breakaway: Chava (IAM), Bakelants (OPQS), Izaguirre (MOV), B Feillu (BSE - of course), Busche (TFR)

Bouhanni's just climbed off

Around 52km to go

MartinGT

Richmond Racer wrote:

Race update:

after 99km, a breakaway of 5 have a gap of 1'45

Breakaway: Chava (IAM), Bakelants (OPQS), Izaguirre (MOV), B Feillu (BSE - of course), Busche (TFR)

Bouhanni's just climbed off

Oooo Chava in the breakaway!

Macaloon

Richmond Racer wrote:

Race update:

after 99km, a breakaway of 5 have a gap of 1'45

Breakaway: Chava (IAM), Bakelants (OPQS), Izaguirre (MOV), B Feillu (BSE - of course), Busche (TFR)

Bouhanni's just climbed off

Captain euphoria.

LutherB

Go on Chava - make up for letting me down yesterday!

I think you all knew Bouhanni was gonna abandon today as i was the only sucker to PTP him!

No_Ta_Doctor

Break down to 30s with 30km left.

blazing_saddles

Watching Sproza.
33kms to go.
Groups all over the road, as the peloton gets whittled down.
The Chava group hanging just in front of what's left of the main bunch.

joelsim

Are Degenkolb and Hofland still in there?

No_Ta_Doctor

Chava's made a break for it.

No_Ta_Doctor

Everyone hoovered up apart from Chavanel.

joelsim

I suspect Chava will win it today after I slaughtered him on here last night. That's what usually happens.

No_Ta_Doctor

He's suffering 15s off the front. Aint happening for him.

No_Ta_Doctor

Chava cuaght, Laurent Didier launches.

ddraver

So still no English stream for this?

thomthom

ddraver wrote:

So still no English stream for this?

You are missing exactly nothing.

frenchfighter

Geraint has Lopez and EBH with him. Degenkolb sitting pretty but can't see any teammates.

No_Ta_Doctor

Nibs goes on the descent. Betancur follows, Thomas chasing.

No_Ta_Doctor

Nibs has ave ry small hole to Betancur & Thomas at the front of a strung out descending peloton.