2015 Strade Bianche, 7th March, 200 km, 1.HC

[Peccio89]

Stiby is flying, hope it will be his day

 

[Highlander]

Peloton is full with teammates of the leading group.

Orica could try, but they won't make it. Winner comes from the front group. Any race where the winner comes from a group made around 50km from the finish is great race!!

Orica is leading the peloton, but I doubt that they'll be able to make up the gap especially since Gerrans is out of the race any way.

 

[Carols]

Graphic keeps saying Nibali is in front group . Which Astana is it up there?

Bala is looking strong and may win this?

I love this race, action from 70km out.....front group will take it now But who?

EDIT: Astana is Rosa

 

[Arredondo]

I do think that the cobble specialists like Vanmarcke and Cancellara will be dropped on the sectors with the steep climbs. Last year Cancellara got dropped there as well.

Still good they are here. Strong guys, but I think they will have to try to get away before such a climb.

Cancellara was by far the best rider on the last steep climb in 2012.

It's all about the form of Canc at the moment and tougher competition this year.

 

[Kwibus]

Did i miss much?

You missed sector 6 and 7. Where the race is made.

Decisive group has been made so you got the final left, which is ofcourse nice.

 

[wirral]

Stannard crashed out apparently.

 

[Rollthedice]

Graphic keeps saying Nibali is in front group . Which Astana is it up there?

Bala is looking strong and may win this?

I love this race, action from 70km out.....front group will take it now But who?

Diego Rosa.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Just heard Stannard crashed and abandonned. Anyone know how serious it was?

 

[Kwibus]

Cancellara was by far the best rider on the last steep climb in 2012.

It's all about the form of Canc at the moment and tougher competition this year.

I know, but I thinking back I don't recall him having to fight riders like Valverde or Sagan on the climbs back then.

So it's imo mostly tougher competition.

 

[luckyboy]

Cut his leg, no idea as to the severity

 

[SafeBet]

Orica is now pulling the peloton. Still more than a minute behind.

 

[Eshnar]

As far as I know Stannard did not start today. Was dropped from the startlist yesterday.

 

[Sasquatch]

OGE working insanely hard and they are making ground! Wow!

 

[Kwibus]

Gap is coming down quite fast atm. So they are slowing down and starting to look at eachother allready.

 

[luckyboy]

As far as I know Stannard did not start today. Was dropped from the startlist yesterday.

That was Kennaugh

Stannard at the start

 

[Bexon30]

Orica is now pulling the peloton. Still more than a minute behind.

This lead group should stay away now. Valverde should drop Sagan on last climb be interesting to see who gives it s go before that.

 

[Highlander]

The gap is down to only 52 seconds, so who knows may be the leaders aren't doing enough to keep away

 

[Cance > TheRest]

I know, but I thinking back I don't recall him having to fight riders like Valverde or Sagan on the climbs back then.

So it's imo mostly tougher competition.

No he "only" made GVA, Kreuziger and Ballan look like junior riders. Will be harder dropping Valverde, but Sagan is definitely drop-able

 

[SafeBet]

My guess is GPS ****ing around as always.

 

[proffz]

very happy diego rosa at his level after the crash at the giro 2014 spoiled his season.

he was a good biker and he is very nice guy.

 

[Bexon30]

Got to love Valverde when he rides like this.

 

[Eshnar]

That was Kennaugh

yeah my bad

 

[Sasquatch]

I think the clock is ****ed. They are probably 2 minutes behind.

 

[Kwibus]

No he "only" made GVA, Kreuziger and Ballan look like junior riders. Will be harder dropping Valverde, but Sagan is definitely drop-able

I know it was impressive. Typical Cancellara style, sitting down and all of the sudden accelarating while sitting down like a mad man.

Still I think what we saw last year is more likely to happen this year again. Specially since Sagan, Valverde and Stybar allready dropped him on a steep section during sector 7.
Could've been bad positioning, we will see.

 

[Eshnar]

Vanmarcke and GVA attacked