2014 Paris - Nice, stage 2: Rambouillet - Saint-Georges-sur-Baulche 205km

[BigMac]

STAGE 2

After a circuit in the outskirts of Paris, the riders start their way down south. Stage two connects Rambouillet and Saint-Georges-sur-Baulche over 205km. The riders will go once over the finish line before the actual finish.

Profile and route.

The last 5km's.

Last km's with grades.

 

[VeloHuman]

STAGE 2

After a circuit in the outskirts of Paris, the riders start their way down south. Stage two connects Rambouillet and Saint-Georges-sur-Baulche over 205km. The riders will go once over the finish line before the actual finish.

Profile and route.

The last 5km's.

Finish has a very slight upward kick... Better for Meersman and Degenkolb.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Why are all the top sprinters, bar the French guys and Degenkolb missing? You'd think at least a couple of them would come here for easier pickings than TA?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Why are all the top sprinters, bar the French guys and Degenkolb missing? You'd think at least a couple of them would come here for easier pickings than TA?

There are three easy flat stages at T-A.
Looks a wash to me, except sprinters can add value in the TTT in Italy.

 

[theyoungest]

Why are all the top sprinters, bar the French guys and Degenkolb missing? You'd think at least a couple of them would come here for easier pickings than TA?

Cav prefers to get his a.ss kicked by Kittel, he's crazy like that

This seems to be the designated echelon stage. Unfortunately the forecast says hardly any wind.

 

[will10]

That looks like a Meersman stage to me.

 

[RedheadDane]

I hope it will be a really dull-boring stage! I have class from 1-4 PM, there should be a law against that!

JK. I hope for some great racing.

 

[manafana]

agree meersman should like this not sure demare will fancy this given his crash and past times iv seen him in tricky finish

 

[Afrank]

Gonna be one for Degenkolb I think. Meersman, Gerrans, maybe Matthews I could also see being up there.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Its something like 2% or even less.

Bouhanni will crush everybody again.

 

[greenedge]

Bouhanni or Matthews FTW.

 

[Jspear]

I'm going for Degenkolb. Tyler Farrar better do something as well if he wants a contract next year.

 

[wirral]

Meersman for the win. Omega Pharma to control the stage. Bouhanni to struggle bravely because of his knee.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Meersman for the win. Omega Pharma to control the stage. Bouhanni to struggle bravely because of his knee.

ah right knee problem. Hmm maybe downgrade him a bit, but he wants to stay in leaders jersey. Difficult.

What about Coquard? No chance here?

 

[The Barb]

Coquard has a great chance - has beaten Degenkolb and Bouhanni twice recently. Also, after rewatching the stage 1 finish he was decidedly unlucky. I've loaded up on him at $15 to win the stage and at $2.20 vs Kristoff.

 

[Roude Leiw]

This one will be for Coquard, was boxed in on first stage. I am sure his DS shows him the footage of how Nacer handled this so he learns

 

[Oltean_RO]

Either Boonen or Kristoff have any chances for today? It is an "uphill" finish and I think it is suitable for this guys...

 

[saneguy]

Not that much of an uphill to upset any of the fav sprinters. Bouhanni for the win I think.

 

[theyoungest]

Its something like 2% or even less.

Bouhanni will crush everybody again.

If you look at the profile provided by the OP, it's about 800 m at 4%, so that's definitely one for Degenkolb, Matthews, Meersman...

We saw in Samyn that Bouhanni doesn't like that type of finish very much.

 

[Der Effe]

A Belkin win seems inevitable. Hofland ftw!

 

[Hugo Koblet]

A Belkin win seems inevitable. Hofland ftw!

Belkin at the front with 11 km's to go seems inevitable. Belkin nowhere to be seen with 1 km to go seems inevitable

 

[ianstannard]

Is Meersman and Bouhanni likely to win this tour?

 

[Der Effe]

Belkin at the front with 11 km's to go seems inevitable. Belkin nowhere to be seen with 1 km to go seems inevitable

I was hoping my sarcasm would be easier to trace.

That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if Hofland gets a good result. I would be surprised if he won, though.

 

[Der Effe]

Is Meersman and Bouhanni likely to win this tour?

No, not at all. But Bouhanni is maybe the best sprinter in this race (with Degenkolb probably, but he is too allround to be called a sprinter imo) and Meersman is pretty good at such races/stages with a finish a bit uphill.

Favourites to win the race? Well there's only one and his name is Wilco Kelderman.

Other podium contenders may include:

Rui Costa
Vincenzo Nibali
Carlos Betancur
Romain Bardet
Simon Gerrans

I'm pretty sure I missed some 'favourites' and you also have outsiders too...Oh, Betancur and Bardet already lost time yesterday.

 

[wirral]

Is Meersman and Bouhanni likely to win this tour?

Anything is possible. No TT and no mountain top finishes.