Milan-San Remo 2014 *SPOILERS*

salsiccia1

frenchfighter wrote:

Congratulations to Kristoff but would be nice if next year another C-grade sprinter doesnt take the win. I am always surprised by the top20 of MSR though - is not exactly always the who's who of cycling talent. Seems to be full of those that have the legs for a 300km ride and that's about it. Didn't watch it live as it is not a race I care about - really nothing selective about it other than the distance.

Sorry FF, but I disagree. If someone wins MSR then they automatically become something above 'a C-grade sprinter' IMO.

Shame you didn't watch it live, it was a damn good finish, with a good winner.

Anonymous

That Cancellera stat looks wrong now, Irish Peloton saying he DNF Flanders 2012.

Mad_Malx

Yellow Peril wrote:

Really pleased with Kristoff, he'll never be underrated again.

For me Swift was the very big surprise. Although he never looked like the winner, I really didn't expect to see him at the sharp end after 300k. Not in the right team, but bodes well.

frenchfighter

Salsiccia1 wrote:

frenchfighter wrote:

Congratulations to Kristoff but would be nice if next year another C-grade sprinter doesnt take the win. I am always surprised by the top20 of MSR though - is not exactly always the who's who of cycling talent. Seems to be full of those that have the legs for a 300km ride and that's about it. Didn't watch it live as it is not a race I care about - really nothing selective about it other than the distance.

Sorry FF, but I disagree. If someone wins MSR then they automatically become something above 'a C-grade sprinter' IMO.

Shame you didn't watch it live, it was a damn good finish, with a good winner.

Yeah maybe so after winning but coming in not so much. Watched the extended Rai highlights.

Sky reject Appollonio finished at 34 secs with EBH. 25 riders in that first group including Chavanel.

1. NOR KRISTOFF Alexander KAT 6h55'56"
2. SUI CANCELLARA Fabian TFR
3. GBR SWIFT Ben SKY
4. ESP LOBATO DEL VALLE Juan Jose MOV
5. GBR CAVENDISH Mark OPQ
6. ITA COLBRELLI Sonny BAR
7. CZE STYBAR Zdenek OPQ
8. ITA MODOLO Sacha LAM
9. GER CIOLEK Gerald MTN
10. SVK SAGAN Peter CAN
11. LTU NAVARDAUSKAS Ramunas GRS
12. ITA PUCCIO Salvatore SKY
13. BEL GILBERT Philippe BMC
14. NED LANGEVELD Sebastian GRS
15. NOR NORDHAUG Lars Petter BEL
16. FRA OFFREDO Yoann FDJ
17. ESP VENTOSO ALBERDI Francisco Jose MOV
18. ITA BENNATI Daniele TCS
19. SUI RAST Gregory TFR
20. ITA FELLINE Fabio TFR
21. FRA CHAVANEL Sylvain IAM
22. ITA CIMOLAI Davide LAM
23. BEL ROELANDTS Jürgen LTB
24. GER GREIPEL André LTB
25. BEL VAN AVERMAET Greg BMC

Yellow Peril

Mad_Malx wrote:

Yellow Peril wrote:

Really pleased with Kristoff, he'll never be underrated again.

For me Swift was the very big surprise. Although he never looked like the winner, I really didn't expect to see him at the sharp end after 300k. Not in the right team, but bodes well.

That is a very good point. Great for his self confidence and belief that he can cut it with the very best after 300km in tough conditions. Maybe it will get him a pick for the TdF or at least a starring roll in the Sky one day teams.

Perhaps it's time for EBH to put down the reins and pull the cart instead?

Pross

frenchfighter wrote:

Seems to be full of those that have the legs for a 300km ride and that's about it. Didn't watch it live as it is not a race I care about - really nothing selective about it other than the distance.

Um, yes - that's kind of the point. Person winning bike race is the one best suited to the race shocker!

It's a bit like Paris-Roubaix having nothing selective about it other than the cobbles or L-B-L having nothing selective except the hills. The beauty of M-S-R (although not one of my favourite races) is the distance changes the dynamic so you can have a 'C' class sprinter taking the win from a bunch that includes the very best sprinters, Classics specialists and GT riders. Not many other races have that.

BTW I would suggest Kristoff is in the group of sprinters just behind the big 3.

It was an OK race and decent finish but no real suspense in the last 10km, it was going to be a bunch sprint and the only question was which sprinters would hang in.

frenchfighter

"It’s the race that I’ve looked at in the past and dreamed about over the years. It’s the one big race where I could see myself getting a result because normally that sort of terrain is where I’d have pretty good legs. So to go there and do that today was a really great feeling.”

"My hands were so cold. I was struggling to do anything with my fingers. I couldn’t do up my rain cape and things like that."

"I never felt bad in the race I was just cold. As it went on I just felt better and better. Then once we took the rain capes off and the racing really started I felt a lot better. When we got onto the climbs the rain did affect a lot of people. We were expecting a lot of attacks but they just never really materialized."

“The team rode together all day. The plan was to keep out of sight a little bit but to be at the front for the final climbs. I came around and got into a really good position at the bottom of the Cipressa and that helped a lot.
"Heading into the finish I was just looking to stay safe down the Poggio and stay in contact with the front guys. I knew that you needed good position down there to make it as easy as possible. I didn’t really know how many people were in the group or not but I just tried to stay as far forward as I could. It turned into a bit of a track race once we got into that final 3km. There were always guys willing to put moves in and then once it came to the sprint it was just about trying to pick the right wheel. I got boxed in a little bit but luckily I managed to find a way out."

-Ben Swift

frenchfighter

Pross wrote:

Not many other races have that.

Agreed, pretty unique in that regard.

Pross wrote:

BTW I would suggest Kristoff is in the group of sprinters just behind the big 3.

Probably generous that. Looking through his results for the last two years he hasn't got a palmares strong enough to put him as A/B imo. Same with Ciolek.

nic_77

So, should Stybar have engineered a better lead-out for Cav? Easy to say I know, but would have made the difference.

tailwindhome

sjmclean wrote:

That Cancellera stat looks wrong now, Irish Peloton saying he DNF Flanders 2012.

Jeez, If you can't trust randomers on twitter who can you trust

That's the second tweeted stat I've posted which turned out to be pants - will have to sack the researcher



It's being amended now to >

Last 10 Monuments that Fabian Cancellara finished: 1/1/2/3/2/2/3/1/1/2.

Yellow Peril

nic_77 wrote:

So, should Stybar have engineered a better lead-out for Cav? Easy to say I know, but would have made the difference.

I don't think he could, positions seemed initially set as they came off the Poggio. Cav was working his way through the field with (it seemed to me) Stybar ordered to keep the tempo high to stop riders flying off the front. He looked around but when it's full gas I guess there's little could be done.

TBH Cav did better than I had expected given his form running in to this.

Yellow Peril

TailWindHome wrote:

sjmclean wrote:

That Cancellera stat looks wrong now, Irish Peloton saying he DNF Flanders 2012.

Jeez, If you can't trust randomers on twitter who can you trust

That's the second tweeted stat I've posted which turned out to be pants - will have to sack the researcher



It's being amended now to >

Last 10 Monuments that Fabian Cancellara finished: 1/1/2/3/2/2/3/1/1/2.

Yes you'll recall that Canc binned it in the RVV feed area, Thomas not involved.

mooro

nic_77 wrote:

So, should Stybar have engineered a better lead-out for Cav? Easy to say I know, but would have made the difference.

I thought that. Hard to assemble a sprint train after 300k but I was surprised at his lack of support.

I am always surprised that bmc don't appear to work together well. Pip and Greg could have worked on the last hill but i appreciate its a bit difficult after that mileage.

Yellow Peril

Mooro wrote:

nic_77 wrote:

So, should Stybar have engineered a better lead-out for Cav? Easy to say I know, but would have made the difference.

I thought that. Hard to assemble a sprint train after 300k but I was surprised at his lack of support.

I am always surprised that bmc don't appear to work together well. Pip and Greg could have worked on the last hill but i appreciate its a bit difficult after that mileage.

I'd never considered that before but you're right, BMC tactics are a little unpredictable even in GT's. Too many chiefs not enough Indians?

mm1

2012 is when Chinny smashed his collar bone in Flanders. I was watching on the Molenburg and news of his accident reached the crowd before the race, there was a palpable sense of disappointment even among the Bonnen fans. Cancellar's frustration as he crossed the line today is a good sign I think, can't wait for 2 weeks' time!

Today's may not have been pretty (save Nibali's effort) but MSR is always beatiful and exciting IMO (if that makes any sense?) Its like asking which of Contador's wins in Tireno was "better" the first was grim and everyone in the race looked like they were on their knees, the 2nd was more "exciting".

cal_stewart

Am I the only one who enjoys Sagan not winning. I just enjoy it, think he's the new EBH

disgruntledgoat

frenchfighter wrote:

Kristoff's helmet was wonky - school boy error. Fabu's helmet looks like it was inspired by a Gladiator. These Garmin lids and specs really are a complete disaster. Also, note Offredo's appalling eyewear today:

Good to see FF back in his guise as cycling's Patrick Bateman. Those are the old school Oakley Frogs, Robert Millar was an early adopter.

mike6

Excellent race. True hard men battling over that distance in those conditions. Cavendish and Sagan both looked out on there feet near the end. Anyone who wins that race, and beats Spartacus, is a true champion.

iainf72

Cal_Stewart wrote:

Am I the only one who enjoys Sagan not winning. I just enjoy it, think he's the new EBH

Sagan : 4'th and 2n'd in Milan San Remo
5'th and 2nd in Tour of Flanders
2nd E3
1st G-W

Biggles : 1st G-W when it was less than 200KM. On a Wednesday.
9'th EG

Pretty safe to say they're on different levels in the classics so far.

disgruntledgoat

iainf72 wrote:

Cal_Stewart wrote:

Am I the only one who enjoys Sagan not winning. I just enjoy it, think he's the new EBH

Sagan : 4'th and 2n'd in Milan San Remo
5'th and 2nd in Tour of Flanders
2nd E3
1st G-W

Biggles : 1st G-W when it was less than 200KM. On a Wednesday.
9'th EG

Pretty safe to say they're on different levels in the classics so far.

Can we ask Eddy for a ruling?

argyllflyer

iainf72 wrote:

Cal_Stewart wrote:

Am I the only one who enjoys Sagan not winning. I just enjoy it, think he's the new EBH

Sagan : 4'th and 2n'd in Milan San Remo
5'th and 2nd in Tour of Flanders
2nd E3
1st G-W

Biggles : 1st G-W when it was less than 200KM. On a Wednesday.
9'th EG

Pretty safe to say they're on different levels in the classics so far.

I don't think he's started 2014 especially well though. Looked very sluggish in Dubai - beaten by Kittel in a sprint tailor-made for him, beat a few GC guys in a sprint in Oman, outclassed by Kwiatkowski at Strade Bianche. His most impressive win came I'd say in Tirreno when he won stage 3. He just looks off the pace.

Still time to come good though.

iainf72

I'd agree. He doesn't look as good as I'd expect.

However Dan Friebe said on the Humans Invent podcast that he has lost some of his high end speed working on other things. Today it looked like he knew he didn't have it when Nibali attacked and basically sat back after that.

Paul 8v

At about 10k to go it looked like a bunch of riders took the wrong route?!

Never would have put Cancellara down to beat Cav at a sprint finish, the great thing about this race is that it's possible for different types of riders to win this. Nibali's effort looked good, shame he couldn't make it work but it's a nice glimpse of what's to come in terms of his form.

DeVlaeminck

I assumed those riders were dropped and were riding to the finish missing out the final climbs - either that or locals out on a ride but you'd assume any local cyclists would at least stop and watch MSR so must have been the former.

cal_stewart

Ok a bit harsh, but it just enjoy him not winning. Think Cav's working hard on climbing to help with the tbf battle with sagan

tailwindhome

Vincenzo NibaliVerified account‏@vincenzonibali ·
Ho aspettato per una buona compagnia!! Da solo sapevo che era difficile !! Ma dove sono i corridori con le ** di una volta??

Paul 8v

DeVlaeminck wrote:

I assumed those riders were dropped and were riding to the finish missing out the final climbs - either that or locals out on a ride but you'd assume any local cyclists would at least stop and watch MSR so must have been the former.

Yeah looked to be a few FDJ riders in full team gear among them so you're probably right

Paul 8v

Cal_Stewart wrote:

Ok a bit harsh, but it just enjoy him not winning. Think Cav's working hard on climbing to help with the tbf battle with sagan

Cav came off the climb in a better state than Griepel, what happened to moustachioed man Degenkolb, was he in the bunch?

TheBigBean

Cavendish quotes

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cavendi ... emo-sprint

Basically did his best, but very cold. Cold. Very cold.

frenchfighter

TailWindHome wrote:

Vincenzo NibaliVerified account‏@vincenzonibali ·
Ho aspettato per una buona compagnia!! Da solo sapevo che era difficile !! Ma dove sono i corridori con le ** di una volta??

Van Av should have gone with him. He did look a bit surprised when the guys came past - I think had he known the gap was getting crushed he would have tried to force the pace a lot more as soon as he hit the Poggio.