2013 Paris Nice

[serfla]

Wasn't there also better weather and M-SR 5-10 years ago?

Yes, there was. But the character of the race was different. And category, I think.

 

[the asian]

and now it will be TJVG and Talansky going up the incline.

Will Valverde ride P-N?

No. Different schedule. Won't ride T/A either.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

No. Different schedule. Won't ride T/A either.

damn, this whole thing could be one big coal fired train. What about Henao for some step dance with Gesink?

(thanks)

 

[the asian]

damn, this whole thing could be one big coal fired train. What about Henao for some step dance with Gesink?

(thanks)

Henao,Gesnik, Rui Costa, westra, DeGendt all would have a chance.

 

[jens_attacks]

if in last year's condition, westra should take this

 

[Parrulo]

and now it will be TJVG and Talansky going up the incline.

Will Valverde ride P-N?

TJVG riding away from every1 on that climb, or any climb as matter of fact, seems very unlikely to me.

i would certainly have gesink, henao and costa as bigger favourites for the win there then TJVG.

 

[Netserk]

Yes, there was. But the character of the race was different. And category, I think.

nope.

The only thing that has changed is the route, so perhaps a lot of the starts choose T-A because of the route.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

TJVG riding away from every1 on that climb, or any climb as matter of fact, seems very unlikely to me.

yes, diesels. Not chance of surprises.
It will take serious racing by Gesink, Henao, De Gendt and Rui Costa to derail the train on 6%, but lets see.

 

[Pentacycle]

yes, diesels. Not chance of surprises.
It will take serious racing by Gesink, Henao, De Gendt and Rui Costa to derail the train on 6%, but lets see.

The middle part of the climb offers an opportunity for an attack though. If you're strong, a 9% gradient should be enough to create some gaps.

Btw De Gendt is a diesel too, if he's not on the attack.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

The middle part of the climb offers an opportunity for an attack though. If you're strong, a 9% gradient should be enough to create some gaps.

Btw De Gendt is a diesel too, if he's not on the attack.

thanks. At least the finish is @ 1600M.

Agree, De Gendt must attack earlier on the stage somehow.

 

[Echoes]

Paris-Nice route is of course much better than Tirreno's but that's not hard to do. Tirreno has a f*cking TTT which Paris-Nice does not.

It's true that the weather is the reason why many choose Tirreno. Tirreno field is just a bunch of softies who don't know what the greatness of Flandrian cycling is all about.

The problem I see with this Paris-Nice route is of course Lure ! Why trying to make a mini-Bore de France when the idea is to be the best prep for the big battle of the classics and for Milan-Sanremo in particular.

In this respect, only one 200+ km stage is not enough for me.

Otherwise, some nice stage with a succession of small climbs, that can make my day.

 

[trevim]

I'm afraid the long MTF will kill Rui Costa's chances on this one. Right now, it's looking better for the Colombian Army (Henao and Uran right?) and Gesink (the mountain and the Eze MTT should suit nicely). Still, there's hope for Rui considering his performance on Verbier last year beating some decent climbers. And he also as a nice TT. Either way I'm rooting for him and De Gendt too just for the sake of epicness.

 

[classicomano]

I'm afraid the long MTF will kill Rui Costa's chances on this one. Right now, it's looking better for the Colombian Army (Henao and Uran right?) and Gesink (the mountain and the Eze MTT should suit nicely). Still, there's hope for Rui considering his performance on Verbier last year beating some decent climbers. And he also as a nice TT. Either way I'm rooting for him and De Gendt too just for the sake of epicness.

Lets not forget that nowadays Gesink for some reason goes backwards when a TT goes uphill.

 

[trevim]

Lets not forget that nowadays Gesink for some reason goes backwards when a TT goes uphill.

He did well in Oman last year and it was a lumpy course if I remember correctly. Then in Spain and Switzerland he wasn't very convincing but still.. The whole team seem to have a better mental background this year.

 

[serfla]

nope.

The only thing that has changed is the route, so perhaps a lot of the starts choose T-A because of the route.

The route defines the character.
It wasn't attractive enough for the GT riders before. It was mild.
That's what I've meant when I wrote character.

But since the riders determine their schedules before the both routes are unveiled, it wouldn't be right to assume that they think T-A route is better by default. Weather, training program (but very little) and M-SR are more important in decision making.
Also I'm still not sure T-A and P-N were always in the same UCI rank.

 

[gregod]

i am a bit disappointed with the choice of finish for this year's paris-nice. the last stage usually finishes on the promenade after going over eze and making two or three passes through arianne. it is always a cracking stage with lots of attacks.

a mountain time trial to finish the race has the potential to be a nail-biter, but that is not quite as exciting and scenic as the usual finish.

 

[observer]

I like the T-A route better simply for the fact that it goes through my old man's home town of Popoli during stage 5! woo

 

[ElChingon]

I can only imagine there is a reason why more and more big guys decide to ride T-A.

They are finally realizing its a better race

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Paris-Nice route is of course much better than Tirreno's but that's not hard to do. Tirreno has a f*cking TTT which Paris-Nice does not.

It's true that the weather is the reason why many choose Tirreno. Tirreno field is just a bunch of softies who don't know what the greatness of Flandrian cycling is all about.

snipped....

lol, and currently all the spring classic hardmen are battling the serious conditions in Qatar rather than going to Southern France.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Pathetic.
Has Aso declared 2013 the non TT year
2,9 km

 

[will10]

I'm afraid the long MTF will kill Rui Costa's chances on this one. Right now, it's looking better for the Colombian Army (Henao and Uran right?) and Gesink (the mountain and the Eze MTT should suit nicely). Still, there's hope for Rui considering his performance on Verbier last year beating some decent climbers. And he also as a nice TT. Either way I'm rooting for him and De Gendt too just for the sake of epicness.

I don't rate Costa as much as his Portugese army on here but he could definitely be up there in Paris Nice. He had a great ride on Verbier in Suisse and was just, just good enough (with the help of Valverde) to hang in there on the other tough stages. Wouldn't rule him out, did a very good ITT in Romandie too.

 

[theyoungest]

The middle part of the climb offers an opportunity for an attack though. If you're strong, a 9% gradient should be enough to create some gaps.

Btw De Gendt is a diesel too, if he's not on the attack.

I think most people on here know Montagne de Lure from the last time it featured in Paris-Nice... it's a tempo climb, perfect for a guy like Van Garderen.

 

[cineteq]

I think most people on here know Montagne de Lure from the last time it featured in Paris-Nice... it's a tempo climb, perfect for a guy like Van Garderen.

Yup, in theory, he should win all these 1-week stage races like 2012 ToC.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I think most people on here know Montagne de Lure from the last time it featured in Paris-Nice... it's a tempo climb, perfect for a guy like Van Garderen.

well, ASO would like a new US head figure for the GC role.

Just for the record I like TJVG's commitment to the season. Solid rider with high base level. None of the deep troughs, high peaks stuff. Well, at least so far.

 

[theyoungest]

well, ASO would like a new US head figure for the GC role.

Just for the record I like TJVG's commitment to the season. Solid rider with high base level. None of the deep troughs, high peaks stuff. Well, at least so far.

I think Van Garderen will have more trouble with the uphill TT. His last results in mountain TTs:

Paris - Nice, Stage 8 : Nice - Col d'Eze I.T.T. (9.5 km)
1. [GBR] WIGGINS Bradley SKY 19'12" 40
2. [NED] WESTRA Lieuwe VCD 02" 25
3. [FRA] PERAUD Jean-Christophe ALM 33" 15
4. [SLO] SPILAK Simon KAT 47" 10
5. [FRA] COPPEL Jérôme SAU 51" 5
6. [ESP] VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro MOV 52" 3
...
14. [USA] VAN GARDEREN Tejay BMC 01'15"

USA Pro Cycling Challenge - Tour of Colorado, Stage 3 : Vail - Vail Pass I.T.T. (16.1 km)
1. [USA] LEIPHEIMER Levi RSH 25'47" 20
2. [USA] VANDE VELDE Christian GRM 10
3. [COL] INFANTINO ABREU Rafael EPM 04" 5
4. [USA] DANIELSON Tom GRM 33" 3
5. [NED] CLEMENT Stef RAB 40" 0
6. [USA] VAN GARDEREN Tejay THR 51"

Same goes for Gesink, BTW. He sucks even more in them.