2013 Milan-San Remo, 17 March (298km)

[Gloin22]

Why is Tommeke not a favorite, I mean not only on this list but on the cycling sites? What am I missing here?

His form is not good ....

 

[Jancouver]

Why is Tommeke not a favorite, I mean not only on this list but on the cycling sites? What am I missing here?

What part of the surgery>recovery>training>form you dont understand?

 

[RHRH19861986]

OK, just had a brief look at the start list.

No Gavazzi for Androni, don´t understand that, maybe out of shape or sick? He still wants to win San Remo one day, like his father did in the 80ies...

No Burghardt for BMC, so I looked at his spring so far and noticed he seems to not even have raced yet...

Valverde still avoids Italy as good as possible, did Strade, doesn´t do San Remo, though did it during the first years of his career. He could be a factor here, don´t know why he doesn´t ride.

IAM with a strong lineup, like in Omloop - all eight riders have Pro/World Tour experience. Top 5-10 should be possible for Haussler, had several Top10 results already this spring, in high class races.

Lampre finally with maybe their best eight men for such a classic, way better than in Omloop, where there was Pozzato and no "team" at all.

Garzelli does not start, was a factor at Cipressa and Poggio in the past, but seems to get to feel age.

Strong MTN squad, with Ciolek in really good shape, he can do great on Sunday.

And of course, nice that it´s time for Classicissima again, bringing on the best eight weeks of the cycling season, IMHO.

 

[Pantani_lives]

1. Sagan
2. Nibali
3. Cancellara
4. Gilbert
5. Hushovd
6. Paolini
7. Moser
8. Pozzato
9. Chavanel
10. Boasson Hagen

 

[Miburo]

Why is Tommeke not a favorite, I mean not only on this list but on the cycling sites? What am I missing here?

If you give boeckmans a star Boonen deserves one too then.

But Boonen always fails in MSR, would be hilarious if it was different now

 

[Miburo]

When everybody is doing 60kph? This isn't PCM ;-)

Do you attack on the flat in MSR on pcm?

A lot of riders always attack then but i let my team work and then go on the poggio

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Do you attack on the flat in MSR on pcm?

A lot of riders always attack then but i let my team work and then go on the poggio

Yes, that is how you do it. MSR is the easiest classic to win really, lol. (PCM wise )

 

[aleale]

The last Milano Sanremowith really bad weather I think it was in 1991 when he won Chiappucci. Twenty years have passed and many things have changed, but I think that on Sunday, as in 1991, anything could happen.

 

[tomorrow]

well, I placed my bet on Sagan as obvious choice and on thor as outsider, we'll see.

Btw, what do you think rate on spartacus not winning any classic(monument) this year would be?

 

[Miburo]

Yes, that is how you do it. MSR is the easiest classic to win really, lol. (PCM wise )

FW is also not that hard, vlaanderen is prob the hardest for me though.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Winning MSR would be one hell of a comeback for Hushovd. I've never been too fond of him but somehow his misfortune has made me like him more than ever before, and I kinda hope he can produce an upset.

 

[Netserk]

Winning MSR would be one hell of a comeback for Hushovd. I've never been too fond of him but somehow his misfortune has made me like him more than ever before, and I kinda hope he can produce an upset.

It would make me puke

Then I rather see Cav take another one. Anyone but Hushovd.

 

[Pentacycle]

It would make me puke

Then I rather see Cav take another one. Anyone but Hushovd.

Especially because it would mean BMC finally wins a Monument, which would make me puke as well.

 

[BlenJones2]

Especially because it would mean BMC finally wins a Monument, which would make me puke as well.

It would make you puke if Phinney won Roubaix?

 

[Pentacycle]

It would make you puke if Phinney won Roubaix?

If he joins another team I won't. I've just never had any sympathy for BMC, they've just bought their way into the sport(look at what they're paying Gilbert, Hushovd, Evans, Phinney) and still they haven't won a Monument. I'd like to keep it that way. With Gilbert it's a matter of time though...

 

[pastronef]

The last Milano Sanremo with really bad weather I think it was in 1991 when he won Chiappucci. Twenty years have passed and many things have changed, but I think that on Sunday, as in 1991, anything could happen.

2010 was bad too, lots of rain on the Turchino and wet roads

http://cdn.blogosfere.it/sportemotori/images/milano-sanremo2010-photo.jpg

 

[rainman]

The descent of the Cipressa for me. If it sticks great, if not he can have another go on the Poggio. Too many strong riders to attack on the climbs, let someone else try that, but on these descents I can see him maybe taking a bit of time.

Cant see it unless he's got incredible form, not from Cypressa. Astana, Cannondale, BMC and others will be setting an infernal pace along the coast road. Fabian can possibly win by holding the leaders on Poggio, which he's quite capable of doing, and going crazy on the probably wet descent. It can only work if Sagan has tired slightly after near 300k's, and if no one like Goss or Gerrans are still hanging on. It would be great to see but Spartacus may have to wait for a nice cobbled classic.

 

[Roderick]

The only way I can see Sagan not winning sunday, besides a crash or mechanical problems, is when it's a very easy race until the Poggio and Cav and/or Greipel can survive in a group of about 40 riders strong.

Or maybe he will just miss a little bit of dash after 290k and EBH beat him at the finish

 

[spalco]

It would make me puke

Then I rather see Cav take another one. Anyone but Hushovd.

I don't like Hushovd, but I'd say anyone but Sagan. Not only because he's such a favourite, that him winning would be anti-climactic, but also because he's most likely going to win it a couple times in the coming years in any case.

 

[Jancouver]

I don't like Hushovd, but I'd say anyone but Sagan. Not only because he's such a favourite, that him winning would be anti-climactic, but also because he's most likely going to win it a couple times in the coming years in any case.

Common man! He was the green jersey at the tour and many, many hard races. Even though it may be boring since he is THE favorite, I think he deserves to win a monument.

 

[velosiped]

The only way I can see Sagan not winning sunday, besides a crash or mechanical problems, is when it's a very easy race until the Poggio and Cav and/or Greipel can survive in a group of about 40 riders strong.

Or maybe he will just miss a little bit of dash after 290k and EBH beat him at the finish

c'mon. It will probably be a group of 10-15 riders grouped after the descent from Poggio. most of these will not want a sprint. there will be numerous attacks, and I can't possibly see that Sagan can have enough teammates at the time to counter them all; he might have to do it all by himself. if it is raining all day the domestics will fade away early. someone will eventually get away, and it may very well be a guy like Van avermaet or Roelandts or Paolini. Or maybe Haussler? The smartest guy will win.

 

[SUFFERvision]

Last year Gerrans said he could hardly hold Cancellara's wheel on the descent.

Indeed. Here (http://suffervision.appspot.com/v/305001) you can see him get gapped at 5:06. Getting the wheel back took one of his hardest 10 second efforts in the race, behind only the actual finishing sprint and his jump after Nibali.

 

[trevim]

Wow Haussler seems very confident. After the last seasons he should have wait until he has a result to back it up

 

[will10]

Do you attack on the flat in MSR on pcm?

A lot of riders always attack then but i let my team work and then go on the poggio

The PCM line is my go-to when people post daft tactics in the Pro Racing section

 

[markjohnconley]

Televised in Australia

I'm in Australia. Any Aus know where I can watch this live?