2016 Strade Bianche, March 5th, 176 km, 1.HC

[Cance > TheRest]

Re: Re:

Fantastic victory for Spartacus! When you're in a quartet that includes two riders from one team (Ettix) there's a big danger that they will outplay you tactically. Cancellara was strong, did a lot of work to keep the quartet in front, chased down Brambilla, and rode a smart uphill sprint against Stybar. The strongest rider has won.

To be honest, the best rider probably got in third today. Even after being in the break and attacking again and again he managed to stay with Cancellara und Stybar until the end. Could've won if he was the one sitting back. But that is obviously in hindsight.

I agree Brambilla was great today. But there's just no question that the best rider won today. Cancellara took his turns, closed down the etixx guys each time they attacked (well almost ), and still beat them, while obviously having a great disadvantage with only Sagan cooperating to keep the others behind.
One might say that Brambilla shaped the race more, but that's different to being the best rider.

 

[Gigs_98]

Would be interesting what Puccio could have done today, because he seemed to be pretty strong too before he had his first mechanical.

 

[Kwibus]

It's strange. I always think the gravel can't be such a big obstacle for pure climbers and I always have the impression the strade bianche should fit the specialists for hilly classics better than the cobbles specialists. But still once again the cobbles specialists showed that they have an equal chance although this race is basically the fleche wallone with a few dirt roads

There were strong winds as well today. And if you watched from the beginning you can see how the pack gets decimated by just riding tempo on the gravel roads. Those roads are constantly up and down. It's a true mix between hills/cobble riders. Actually it's unique.
So far the cobbled riders have been dominant in this race and also the final climb is a true power climb as shown again today.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Of course Brambilla rode a great race. He reminded me a little of Tafi in the Tour de Flanders. I wonder if we will see more of him this year. Lefevre will have a strong collective again for the spring.

 

[Kwibus]

Re: Re:

Fantastic victory for Spartacus! When you're in a quartet that includes two riders from one team (Ettix) there's a big danger that they will outplay you tactically. Cancellara was strong, did a lot of work to keep the quartet in front, chased down Brambilla, and rode a smart uphill sprint against Stybar. The strongest rider has won.

To be honest, the best rider probably got in third today. Even after being in the break and attacking again and again he managed to stay with Cancellara und Stybar until the end. Could've won if he was the one sitting back. But that is obviously in hindsight.

That's always a bit hard to predict. He would've most likely been dropped by Sagans attack and been in the chase group from that point.

 

[doperhopper]

so happy etixx tactixx backfired - they almost caused the group to be caught (fortunately, there was on-form Spartacus and Sagan who knew perfectly well he has no chance on the climb but still worked) and then Brambilla was so surprisingly good that he prevented the expected massive attack of Styby on the highest gradient, allowing Spartacus to pace himself perfectly to the line

 

[Jancouver]

I think that both Sagan and Styby today once again learned that when they get a gap on Cancellara, they have to work together and continue pushing really, really hard and stay away from Fabian as long as possible.

Even if Cancellara would catch them, he would have to burn a few extra matches that he may be missing at the finale.

 

[Brullnux]

Brambilla was awesome. I think Stybar may have preferred it if Brambilla was caught at 1km from the finish, but Etixx played it very well, but Spartacus was just better. Sagan wasn't quite strong enough; stronger than Stybar, however. Kwiat was disappointing, GVA was OK but a step below, Vakoc was strong also and Ulissi actually did well in a hard race.

Fantastic last 20km, bodes well for spring.

 

[Brullnux]

Would be interesting what Puccio could have done today, because he seemed to be pretty strong too before he had his first mechanical.

He was strong until his 7th, I feel.

 

[jens_attacks]

The finale was great, the race overall not so much

Happy for fabian, if he stays like that, ronde and roubaix are in the bag

 

[DFA123]

Re:

The finale was great, the race overall not so much

Happy for fabian, if he stays like that, ronde and roubaix are in the bag

I'm a bit concerned that race radios may end up destroying this race. In the past there were always so many groups along the road that it was impossible for riders to have a full picture of what was going on; it was chaotic and anything could happen.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

Fantastic victory for Spartacus! When you're in a quartet that includes two riders from one team (Ettix) there's a big danger that they will outplay you tactically. Cancellara was strong, did a lot of work to keep the quartet in front, chased down Brambilla, and rode a smart uphill sprint against Stybar. The strongest rider has won.

To be honest, the best rider probably got in third today. Even after being in the break and attacking again and again he managed to stay with Cancellara und Stybar until the end. Could've won if he was the one sitting back. But that is obviously in hindsight.

I agree Brambilla was great today. But there's just no question that the best rider won today. Cancellara took his turns, closed down the etixx guys each time they attacked (well almost ), and still beat them, while obviously having a great disadvantage with only Sagan cooperating to keep the others behind.
One might say that Brambilla shaped the race more, but that's different to being the best rider.

This^^^

Brambilla showed great strength, but being an unmarked rider it was a lot easier for him to go up the road than it was for Cancellara. Cancellara would never have been allowed to go on any of the attacks that Brambilla did; instead he got into the decisive break, worked hard to maintain it and then outgunned everyone in the finish - including a rider who had sat on doing nothing for 10km. It was the perfect performance by Canc.

 

[Rovinin]

Benoot again in top 10.
Youngest rider in top 15.
Love this guy.

 

[Jancouver]

76. USA PHINNEY Taylor BMC 24'15"
77. GER MARTIN Tony EQS 24'15"

 

[WildspokeJoe]

Really enjoyed the battle. It was a perfect storm. Excellent course. Tactically interesting. Star power.

Thought Gianluca Brambilla was the man of the race. Road for Stybar yet was still able to secure a spot on the podium.
Happy that Sagan is doing an excellent job of showcasing the Rainbow Jersey.

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

76. USA PHINNEY Taylor BMC 24'15"
77. GER MARTIN Tony EQS 24'15"

Phinney will never be the big champion everbody thought he would be, i think

And i think it will be difficult for Martin to evolve himself as a totally different rider. He will not focus that much anymore on the ITT, but i can't see him winning a classic tbh.

 

[TMP402]

Re:

77. GER MARTIN Tony EQS 24'15"

Not a stellar year for Tone so far.

 

[TMP402]

Re: Re:

76. USA PHINNEY Taylor BMC 24'15"
77. GER MARTIN Tony EQS 24'15"

Phinney will never be the big champion everbody thought he would be, i think

2nd in ITT Worlds is a good career already IMO. Everything after is a bonus.

 

[jaylew]

Too early to write Phinney off but his injury was major. He still suffers from the effects of that crash.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

I've always expected more from Phinney, but also Sergent. What hasn't happened could come I guess? I dunno, but I hope they both show us again all be it once why they were so promising

 

[Bushman]

Great finale of the race. Brambilla was incredibly strong and left it all out there but it just wasn't enough. Tactical masterpiece from Cancellara. First of all, great (although risky) decision to leave Brambilla hanging until the last climb (I believe Sagan and Cancellara could have closed the gap before the final climb if they really went for it). Secondly, he raced the final climb perfectly. Rode at a steady pace which he knew he could keep and then went all out for the last 100 metres in the climb to get through the corner in the first position. Stybar clearly knew he had to get through that corner before Cancellara but he left it too late, probably because of fear of bringing his team mate back. Thirdly, in the last to corners he gave it all and left Stybar (who is an incredible bike handler) no chance of going past. Massive respect.

Of course Cancellara also needed the strength to pull it off: To keep bringing Brambilla back while keeping some powder dry, riding the last climb at a decent pace and holding off Stybar in the last 250 metres. He is way stronger than he was last spring and in 2014. Already three victories, looking great for Flanders and Roubaix. Pray to God he won't crash out this year.

 

[MortiroloForever]

Lovely win by Cancellara. It's been quite emotional feeling to see him winning this race for third time.

We are going to enjoy every single race of Cancellara´s last proffesional year.

I hope to see him handing up several times this season. Milano-San Remo next stop?

 

[TMP402]

Re:

I've always expected more from Phinney, but also Sergent. What hasn't happened could come I guess? I dunno, but I hope they both show us again all be it once why they were so promising

And don't forget their fellow track pursuiter-turned-Trek-Livestrong-TTer, Alex Dowsett. Like Phinney he has done better than Sergent and won a stage race and a Giro ITT.

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

Too early to write Phinney off but his injury was major. He still suffers from the effects of that crash.

I look more to the Phinney before his horror crash. Really good rider with potential, but a future winner of Roubaix? (like a lot of people thought)

I agree we have to wait before we judge him, after his injury. But the things Benoot is showing in the classics at his age, Phinney never did when he was that age.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

What's it with Sagan so often losing sudden power in the last 5km of a race, especially when he has taken initiative before?

Only time it didn't happen seems to be the worlds last year