2016 Paris - Nice, March 6th - 13th, WT

[Kwibus]

Re:

There seems to be quite big difference in opinions regarding how Matthews will do today. Personally I think he will do very well. In his earlier days as a cyclist he was actually very good uphill (take a look at his l'Avenir results for instance). Of course a lot has happened since and he has focused more on sprinting. However, the last two years he's been working very hard on his climbing to focus more on uphill finishes. Also, Paris-Nice GC (and Milano-Sanremo) has been his main goals for the first part of the season since he finished his 2015 season.

I think he'll keep yellow today, but obviously he doesn't need to lose much time to lose the leader's jersey. Just 5 seconds to Dumoulin, 10 to Thomas or Izagirre or 24 to Contador.

The guy won on a 9km at 5.2% climb. He can climb, he's no climber, but he has power and is not a pure sprinter. He actually needs a tough final.

The weather can cause all sorts of mayhem though. It will be a rough ride it seems. It's a hilly course today and that mixed with rain and wind can cause chaos and make it a very selective ride.

 

[Samamba]

Re:

Mont Brouilly 2014 - Michael Matthews at the back of the elite group.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=748roWK68a4

Matthews counter attacking Betancur

 

[HelloDolly]

I see that and I say to myself "what the hell has Carlos Betencur been thinking"

 

[barmaher]

I have put money on Matthews and Gallopin to win the stage today. I agree that there are more likely winners than Matthews (Contador, Thomas) but I would be pretty sure that he comes in the Top 5 tomorrow and keeps yellow.

 

[Red Rick]

Starting time and ETA?

 

[TommyGun]

Re:

Starting time and ETA?

Official start in 5 minutes (1.15pm), ETA between 5.04 and 5.27pm (European time).

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Starting time and ETA?

Official start in 5 minutes (1.15pm), ETA between 5.04 and 5.27pm (European time).

Thanks mate

 

[Jakub]

Re:

I see that and I say to myself "what the hell has Carlos Betencur been thinking"

He doesn't seem to be able to think. Maybe he previously watched some videos withAlberto and also wanted to attack.

 

[Kwibus]

Pictures from the start show the riders in rainjackets and thick clothing. Lots of rain!

This won't be an easy ride! Because of the weather condition the selection on the final climb might be alot bigger.

 

[Samamba]

7 riders in front, 7 riders chasing.

 

[Samamba]

14 riders in front now, S. Yates among them.

 

[Samamba]

Dangerous breakaway. Sky, BMC, Tinkoff, Orica, AG2R, Movistar have someone there.

 

[Miburo]

Re:

Dangerous breakaway. Sky, BMC, Tinkoff, Orica, AG2R, Movistar have someone there.

It doesnt matter for sky or tinkoff.

They'll still ride after it, only one man counts on those teams.

 

[DBotero]

Lol S.Yates in the break.Nice played by Orica Sky has Swift there.

 

[del1962]

14 different teams in the break, plus two chasers from different teams that would be 16 out of 22 teams

 

[del1962]

Vichot abandons, bad for my cq team

 

[Orbit501]

Go go Gougeard!

 

[blackcat]

Re: Re:

That typical North-African spirit that we all came to know and love.

Please just ban him from the sport before people start dying.

Nominee for worst post of the year

In return ill take the opportunity to nominate Bouhanni for most moronic cyclist in the history of the sport. Id rather see Gerrans win 10 more monuments then to see him mong up another sprint.

Besides, he certainly doesn't deserve to be banned for that when Bos wasn't banned for a much worse incident.

If you think Theo Bos' manoeuvre was in any way deliberate, I would also like to nominate your post for worst post of the year. Mr. Bouhanni has a long wrap sheet of similair moronic incidents when he just loses his head, hes doing it on purpose so much is clear at this point.

OK, let me see your long rap sheet. You're welcome to PM me to make sure I see it. Maybe you can get me to change my mind but I doubt it. Over the years we've seen tons of incidents and people calling for rider's heads, including Cav. Most of the time it's a case where a sprinter just got a bit too aggressive but I certainly haven't seen enough from Bouhanni to say he needs to be banned from the sport. Honestly, I don't think anything that happened today was particularly bad and apparently neither did the officials since they just relegated him to 3rd. Bos was suspended for a month, wasn't he?

Speaking of which, you weren't around the forum at that time but people went ballistic. I don't remember anyone making negative generalizations about the Dutch, however.[/quote]

OK, let me see your long rap sheet. You're welcome to PM me to make sure I see it. Maybe you can get me to change my mind but I doubt it. Over the years we've seen tons of incidents and people calling for rider's heads, including Cav. Most of the time it's a case where a sprinter just got a bit too aggressive but I certainly haven't seen enough from Bouhanni to say he needs to be banned from the sport. Honestly, I don't think anything that happened today was particularly bad and apparently neither did the officials since they just relegated him to 3rd. Bos was suspended for a month, wasn't he?

Speaking of which, you weren't around the forum at that time but people went ballistic. I don't remember anyone making negative generalizations about the Dutch, however.

Cav is the fairest sprinter ever.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Was 4 minutes, now only 2:30.
Average speed: 43.5 km/h

 

[Matteo.]

watching the video, I expected harder the final climb

 

[DBotero]

Gap only 1:45 now.I'm wonder which team is so desperate to chase this down so early.
Nice weather:https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdHCNitW0AAvAEq.jpg:large

 

[del1962]

16 man breaks with all from different teams are doomed to fail, too many hangers on

 

[Samamba]

The snow is starting to become a problem...

 

[TommyGun]

Re:

The snow is starting to become a problem...

I really don't want this stage to be shortened or cancelled!

 

[Samamba]

Lotto, DD & Katusha are chasing.