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

Jun 10, 2013
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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.

Paris-Nice-Stage-2-1393229049.png


Paris-Nice-Stage-2-1393229055.jpg


The last 5km's.
Paris-Nice-Stage-2-1393229061.jpg


Last km's with grades.
 
Jun 25, 2013
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BigMac said:
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.

Paris-Nice-Stage-2-1393229049.png


Paris-Nice-Stage-2-1393229055.jpg


The last 5km's.
Paris-Nice-Stage-2-1393229061.jpg

Finish has a very slight upward kick... Better for Meersman and Degenkolb.
 
Aug 18, 2010
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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?
 
Jan 27, 2012
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Zinoviev Letter said:
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.
 
Jan 11, 2010
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Zinoviev Letter said:
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.
 
May 5, 2010
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I hope it will be a really dull-boring stage! I have class from 1-4 PM, there should be a law against that! :mad:

JK. I hope for some great racing. :)
 
May 15, 2011
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agree meersman should like this not sure demare will fancy this given his crash and past times iv seen him in tricky finish
 
Aug 16, 2011
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Gonna be one for Degenkolb I think. Meersman, Gerrans, maybe Matthews I could also see being up there.
 
Feb 23, 2014
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I'm going for Degenkolb. Tyler Farrar better do something as well if he wants a contract next year.
 
Mar 28, 2011
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Meersman for the win. Omega Pharma to control the stage. Bouhanni to struggle bravely because of his knee.
 
Jan 27, 2012
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wirral said:
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?
 
Apr 14, 2009
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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.
 
Aug 3, 2009
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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
 
Aug 21, 2011
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Either Boonen or Kristoff have any chances for today? It is an "uphill" finish and I think it is suitable for this guys...
 
Jan 11, 2010
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Dazed and Confused said:
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.
 
May 9, 2010
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Der Effe said:
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 :p
 
Sep 20, 2011
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Hugo Koblet said:
Belkin at the front with 11 km's to go seems inevitable. Belkin nowhere to be seen with 1 km to go seems inevitable :p

I was hoping my sarcasm would be easier to trace. :D

That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if Hofland gets a good result. I would be surprised if he won, though.
 
Sep 20, 2011
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ianstannard said:
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.