2014 Paris - Nice , stage 1: Mantes-La-Jolie - Mantes-La-Jolie 163km

[BigMac]

The first European WT race of the season starts tomorrow, with a peculiar and interesting route.

The 1st stage is a circuit around Mantes-La-Jolie in the outskirts of Paris. It should be a peloton sprint finish, but with this year's parcours, those who are fighting for the win, might have a go. Every stage is unpredictable.

Startlist

Race to be broacast live by Eurosport.

Profile and route.

Nacer Bouhanni to win this one.

 

[Parrulo]

Every stage is unpredictable, except this one and about 4 others who are certain mass sprints

 

[VeloHuman]

Odds for some of the top favorites according to Bet365:

Bouhanni...........2
Degenkolb......7/2
Boonen.........13/2
Kristoff.........13/2
Coquard..........10

I'd take 10 to 1 on Coquard any day. He's already beaten Bouhanni and Degenkolb this year.

 

[BigMac]

Every stage is unpredictable, except this one and about 4 others who are certain mass sprints

Unpredictable in the way there isn't a clear GC stage. All of them are. The contenders might very well attempt something on this stage, or the break taking it by a good margin, and sealing the overall.

 

[manafana]

31km in they hit the circuit gives lots of time for riders to get feel for the finish expecting the trains to get to work, also like coquard.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

How is the road up Cote de Vert? Anybody with info?

 

[BigMac]

How is the road up Cote de Vert? Anybody with info?

It's a two lane road (Rue de la Libération) inside the woods from Vert to Boinvilliers (the côte however is before Boinvilliers, near Bois des Rochers).

1.5km @ 4.5%, with some sections > 10%.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Every stage is unpredictable, except this one and about 4 others who are certain mass sprints

Not necessarily. 20km/h southerly winds are forecast for tomorrow. Not strong enough to guarantee echelons... but there are some narrow, open roads after Cote de Vert where OPQS might try to have some fun.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

It's a two lane road (Rue de la Libération) inside the woods from Vert to Boinvilliers (the côte however is before Boinvilliers, near Bois des Rochers).

1.5km @ 4.5%, with some sections > 10%.

Thanks. Sounds like a group ride unless a team goes bonkers. Steppers could probably do it if they so wish.

edit: redundant Step talk

 

[Jspear]

Boonen for the win!

 

[Orbit501]

Coquard for his first big win.

 

[greenedge]

I will be a fanboy and suggest that Goss will win.

 

[ILovecycling]

Kristoff for the win!

 

[Netserk]

31km in they hit the circuit gives lots of time for riders to get feel for the finish expecting the trains to get to work, also like coquard.

Not the finish they won't

 

[RedheadDane]

Okay... now I'm confused.
There's live-update on the frontpage right now, but according to the tv schedules I've seen it'll be shown live from around 6:30 pm to around 7:00 pm...
Are those schedules lying?

 

[burning]

Okay... now I'm confused.
There's live-update on the frontpage right now, but according to the tv schedules I've seen it'll be shown live from around 6:30 pm to around 7:00 pm...
Are those schedules lying?

French TV is broadcasting live, Eurosport will start to broadcast live starting with stage 2

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

Well, the race is sure going on right now, so I guess the TV folks are a bit confused....

 

[burning]

Well, the race is sure going on right now, so I guess the TV folks are a bit confused....

I think their schedule is a bit overloaded, so imo Eurosport choose to show the race at 7 pm

 

[wirral]

Eurosport showing Roma Maxima live and stage 1 of Paris - Nice recorded. Stage 2 onwards will be live.

 

[RedheadDane]

I did think it was a bit strange that the race was live so late. But it wouldn't be the first time a race is being held at a rather unusual time.
It isn't Eurosport BTW, but a Danish channel, which usually know these things...

Anyway: I hope Laborie takes it!

 

[BigMac]

I have checked the British ES guide and they have it at 14:30 in ES2, though it doesn't say live, it will, because the stage only finishes around 15:30.

 

[BigMac]

The break (Bretagne-Séché's Christophe Laborie) has 10 minutes on the peloton. When was the last time Susan made live coverage?

 

[RedheadDane]

Okay... now I'm confused again: How far is it?
Coz something tells me that the 23 K remaining from around 11:45 CET is not quite correct...

 

[burning]

Okay... now I'm confused again: How far is it?
Coz something tells me that the 23 K remaining from around 11:45 CET is not quite correct...

They raced 23 km

 

[RedheadDane]

Oh... makes more sense!

Then Laborie's chances of winning aren't that good.

Why does that make me sad? I don't even know who he is!