2014 Milan-San Remo, Mar 23rd (294 Km)

[wayahead]

Let's face it, without Le Manie it's more a sprinters' race. And Sagan is no more a top-sprinter. So it's Cav or Greipel to lose, not Sagan. Even Degenkolb has better chances.

But I vote for Sagan and cheer on him, no matter what Exciting rider, always at the front. And I would be happy to see another Cance show as well.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Would love Cav to win it again but I have a feeling Degenkolb will sneak it.

 

[forkboy84]

Horrific news for Boonen. Tragic.

 

[will10]

La Manie never really changed the race as a climb, more as a descent. But of course it does mean we're less likely to have a split before the Cipressa, leaving sprinters with more guys to chase down any attackers. I'm expecting a pretty typical old-school MSR like those of the mid 2000s, group sprint of ~40.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

I'm expecting a pretty typical old-school MSR like those of the mid 2000s, group sprint of ~40.

Which is great!

MS is not more boring than FW, but people don't seem to mind that one...

 

[Jancouver]

We all know Sagan and Cancellara will be on podium, the question is who is the third one to take the top of that podium?

My dream podium:

1. Stybar
2. Sagan
3. Cancellara

 

[MartinGT]

I would love to see Cav take it again. However with the loss of Boonen I think Greipel will take it.

Looking forward to it.

 

[trevim]

I was just wondering about Valverde's possibilities towards this race. With a team filled with climbers/puncheurs to set a blistering pace on Cipressa and Poggio, dropping most of the sprinters, wouldn't he be one of the fastest riders on the finishing line? I know there's always freaks like Sagan and it's difficult to control the race like I said, but it's odd that Valverde doesn't have a decent record in San Remo... I know he hasn't raced in Italy for years but still he was 2nd or 3rd to Boonen in a sprint, he has beaten Freire....maybe he should give it a try while he's still at the top of his game.

 

[podunavac]

I was just wondering about Valverde's possibilities towards this race. With a team filled with climbers/puncheurs to set a blistering pace on Cipressa and Poggio, dropping most of the sprinters, wouldn't he be one of the fastest riders on the finishing line? I know there's always freaks like Sagan and it's difficult to control the race like I said, but it's odd that Valverde doesn't have a decent record in San Remo... I know he hasn't raced in Italy for years but still he was 2nd or 3rd to Boonen in a sprint, he has beaten Freire....maybe he should give it a try while he's still at the top of his game.

Maybe next year.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Valverde isn't riding.

 

[trevim]

Maybe next year.

Valverde isn't riding.

I know he's not riding; I was just wondering how he could compete even in the classic route without Manie/Pompeiana.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I know he's not riding; I was just wondering how he could compete even in the classic route without Manie/Pompeiana.

Don't think he can win it. There will always be a couple of strong sprinters at the business end without Manie imo. Would take a major crash (before 100km to go) to make the race hard enough.

 

[trevim]

Don't think he can win it. There will always be a couple of strong sprinters at the business end without Manie imo. Would take a major crash (before 100km to go) to make the race hard enough.

I don't know... the Poggio can be hard for the sprinters and Valverde descends pretty well so it might be difficult to get his group back. But yeah there would be more powerhouses riders behind than in that hypothetical front group.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I don't know... the Poggio can be hard for the sprinters and Valverde descends pretty well so it might be difficult to get his group back. But yeah there would be more powerhouses riders behind than in that hypothetical front group.

Should a crash happen mid race and split the peloton in a lucky way
where support riders are burned at two fronts, I think the situation may benefit Valverde. However if the sprinters gets a nice protected armchair ride until the last hill, I see very little chance for Valverde. Including the Manie could tilt the balance in Valverde's favor. Just my opinion.

 

[Echoes]

Maniè or not, Milan-Sanremo with Turchino, Cipressa, Poggio and Capi is too hard for sprinters unless ibracadabra is involved. Hope this helps.

Just love it when posters here think sprints in Sanremo are oldschool.

 

[Panda Claws]

I don't know about Valverde. I don't think he'd be as good on a course like MSR as top-form Gilbert (2010, 2011) while they are otherwise very similair riders.

And if you add that Gilbert has lots of trouble winning it...

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Maniè or not, Milan-Sanremo with Turchino, Cipressa, Poggio and Capi is too hard for sprinters unless ibracadabra is involved. Hope this helps.

snipped..

well, we are dealing with reality here.

The '11 version was pretty good, action was impacted by a crash caused by poor weather.

 

[Wallenquist]

Garmin for MSR: Bauer, Haas, Langeveld, Millar, Navardauskas, Slagter, Vansummeren, Wegmann.

Slagter to follow Cancellara on Poggio, Navardauskas to fight in the sprint finale?

 

[Afrank]

I don't know about Valverde. I don't think he'd be as good on a course like MSR as top-form Gilbert (2010, 2011) while they are otherwise very similair riders.

And if you add that Gilbert has lots of trouble winning it...

On current parcours I could see Valverde making a select group (kinda like Nibali 2012, or Scarponi 2011). But it would have to be a very select group in order for him to win. I don't see him beating some of the other guys you would expect in such a break, such as Sagan, Gilbert, Cancellara, etc.

His best chance would be on a course with the Pompeiana included. If the above type riders couldn't make a select group on such a course and it was mostly other climbers in the group, then I could see Valverde winning.

 

[Volderke]

I am not a Valverde fan, but I really wonder why he does not ride San Remo.

In my opinion, he would have a very good chance winning it. Just look at who won it over the last couple of years, and you could easily replace Freire, Gerrans, Ciolek,… with Valverde in the same position. He would be one of the few able to follow (or lead) the first group like in the past years with Nibali, Cancellara,… and has a very good sprint. I just don't get it why he does not ride...

 

[SafeBet]

After about a month of sunny and warm days, showers expected for Sunday.

 

[Echoes]

well, we are dealing with reality here.

The '11 version was pretty good, action was impacted by a crash caused by poor weather.

Blablabla. I am dealing with reality.

Always the same excuse found by Sanremo haters, a crash. And there was a crash in 1999, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2013 as well, probably?

Milan-Sanremo is one of the hardest classics of the calendar, say the riders themselves. There's a reason, no?

A 150km mountain race is not harder ...

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Blablabla. I am dealing with reality.

Always the same excuse found by Sanremo haters, a crash. And there was a crash in 1999, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2013 as well, probably?

Milan-Sanremo is one of the hardest classics of the calendar, say the riders themselves. There's a reason, no?

A 150km mountain race is not harder ...

Ah yes the hater argument. And the soft mountain stage to boot. Well done.

Anyway I'm happy if its rainy.

Here from '10:

Nothing better than a spring classic in tough conditions.

 

[Kwibus]

Blablabla. I am dealing with reality.

Always the same excuse found by Sanremo haters, a crash. And there was a crash in 1999, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2013 as well, probably?

Milan-Sanremo is one of the hardest classics of the calendar, say the riders themselves. There's a reason, no?

A 150km mountain race is not harder ...

Easiest monument to finish, hardest to win. That's what the riders say. That doesn't sound hard does it? Doesn't change the fact that it's a hard race, but not the hardest.

Anyways, I like M-SR and I prefer it to have La Manie on the course as well. Not too happy with that new climb they wanted to add to the final as that would crucially change the way the race is.

Without both climbs I'm convinced Cannondale and possibly BMC and Trek as well will try to race the Cipressa as hard as possible allready. I can't imagine a rider like Cav survive it, but he did proof us wrong before

 

[jaylew]

I am not a Valverde fan, but I really wonder why he does not ride San Remo.

In my opinion, he would have a very good chance winning it. Just look at who won it over the last couple of years, and you could easily replace Freire, Gerrans, Ciolek,… with Valverde in the same position. He would be one of the few able to follow (or lead) the first group like in the past years with Nibali, Cancellara,… and has a very good sprint. I just don't get it why he does not ride...

He was planning on it until the route change.