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

[will10]

So lots of "favorites" with +1 minute or so.
Perfect setup for the rest of the race.

Really? where are they supposed to get that 1:09 back?

 

[BigMac]

Nacer is the first GC leader of P-N for the second year in a row.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Nacer is the first GC leader of P-N for the second year in a row.

Gaudin won the prologue last year...

 

[Roude Leiw]

Really? where are they supposed to get that 1:09 back?

In the hills, if they want to win, no softpedalling

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Really? where are they supposed to get that 1:09 back?

Not by wheelsucking all day.....

@Roude Leiw, agree.

 

[BigMac]

Really? where are they supposed to get that 1:09 back?

They won't. The likes of Bardet, Betancur, Schlecks, are out of contention.

Besides, they deserved it. I don't like riders that ride in the back all day. Will Voeckler ever learn?

 

[Roude Leiw]

Betancur came back

 

[BigMac]

Betancur came back

Oh what a shame. Thanks for the info.

 

[BigMac]

I can't believe this.

One of TVI24 commentators (who have broadcast the stage live here in Portugal) said something along this lines:

''Stay tuned to find out if Rui Costa can face Nacer Bouhanni. 7 stages to go!''

 

[Hugo87]

I can't believe this.

One of TVI24 commentators (who have broadcast the stage live here in Portugal) said something along this lines:

''Stay tuned to find out if Rui Costa can face Nacer Bouhanni. 7 stages to go!''

Unfortunately they "stole" some huge races tv rights from Eurosport.

 

[Parrulo]

Lol at Rojas in forth

Who was the guy that protected Costa today? I only saw the last 50k and the guy was always protecting him from the wind on the second row of the peloton. I thought it was pretty impressive.

 

[Roude Leiw]

Main loosers seem to be @1:19
Bardet, sepulveda, f schleck, gerrans

Little schleck lost 2 min

 

[BigMac]

Unfortunately they "stole" some huge races tv rights from Eurosport.

Did they? I seriously hope not. I think Eurosport holds international rights for those races, including the ones TVI24 are going to broadcast. They will probably broadcast them both.

 

[Hugo87]

Did they? I seriously hope not. I think Eurosport holds international rights for those races, including the ones TVI24 are going to broadcast. They will probably broadcast them both.

Hopefully you are right, otherwise i will have to watch that races on UK or FR Eurosport.

 

[BigMac]

Lol at Rojas in forth

Who was the guy that protected Costa today? I only saw the last 50k and the guy was always protecting him from the wind on the second row of the peloton. I thought it was pretty impressive.

It was either Nelson or Favilli. I was also trying to find out who he was.

 

[Roude Leiw]

Lol at Rojas in forth

Would love to see a sprint between him, Colbrelli and GVA

 

[TourOfSardinia]

crash - chance from Bros Schleck to catch up a bit

 

[ianstannard]

Who is OPQS riding for?

 

[hfer07]

But the race is already finished-- the winner was ......... No spoilers?

 

[JRanton]

Who is OPQS riding for?

For GC, maybe Bakelants. But I don't think you can rule out Stybar and Meersman on this route. Main priority for them will be getting some hard racing into their classics guys.

 

[VeloHuman]

Who is OPQS riding for?

Looks like they're going all out for Meersman. Unless he's really just interested in the points classification?

 

[ianstannard]

Is Geraint Thomas a lot worse than Porte?

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Is Geraint Thomas a lot worse than Porte?

At what? As a climber, yes, he's not in the same league.

 

[Gloin22]

On this course of Paris Nice?

Nope.

 

[JRanton]

Is Geraint Thomas a lot worse than Porte?

As a GC rider, yes. Porte climbs much better but Thomas is arguably better suited to this route because there's no summit finish and he's more likely to pick up bonus seconds along the way.