Recent content by barmaher

This stage has a huge amount of potential. I really like the route, with three very tough climbs. I just wonder what the race dynamics are going to be like. Ineos could explode the race on the Romme and then we could have them finishing in 2s and 3s.

Fair play to Mark Cavendish. It really is an incredible story. I am Irish, and a big Bennett fan. So the part Sam has played in the whole drama takes the shine off it a bit. But you have to admire Cavendish to come back and sprint at such a high level. He has been brilliant and he fully...

Morkov is ludicrously strong in the past 12 months.

Thanks for taking the time to write that. It really was an intriguing race. Not balls out action for 100km, but the most likely outcome seemed to change constantly every 30 seconds for the last 15 minutes of the race. I agree with those pointing at Sagan's result as being informative for...

A brutal stage. The racing this year has been memorable so far. And I think we are in for more treats in coming weeks.

Thanks very much for that. MAL always strikes me as an interesting case study as a high-level athlete. He seems to have bundles of talent, and he has clearly been very successful in his profession, but.... It must be frustrating, particularly in a sport with such high physical and time demands...

Race March prediction Pre-race prediction Strade Bianche (1 point) WvA Alaphilippe Milano-Sanremo (1 point) Ganna Gent-Wevelgem (half a point) MVP Ronde van Vlaanderen (1 point) MVP Paris-Roubaix (1 point) WvA Amstel Gold Race (half a point) Alaphilippe La Flèche Wallonne...

The forecast is more benign. Only light rain due overnight now, with dry weather tomorrow.

The only hole in the route is ITT km. As mentioned above, another 25km and I am happy. Otherwise it is a great route. I can't wait.

Bennett 's move was dangerous. I am Irish, and a big SB fan, but he lost Morkov' s wheel and resorted to two dangerous manoeuvres to try and get it back. Harsh but fair.

What a great stage. A few thoughts, most of which have been covered by others: * I agreed this morning with the stage preview by Eshnar, where he said that the seemingly voluntary 10km of flat before the final climb was a flaw. But in hindsight it really added to the intrigue. Dennis...

He was good in Torino and I suspect he is capable of winning Lombardia if things fall right. But he is possibly a level or two below Peak Bala.

Dowsett finished like a train. Oliveira the opposite.

Even further back maybe.

Oliveira is blowing out of his arse.