2017 Strade Bianche, March 4th, 175 km WT

[Brullnux]

Re:

Weather a non-factor. In fact, this year it may be perfect; a light shower just before start, which will keep the dust down, then 15 degrees with part sun & part cloud. Winds will be mostly from the south, so they'll face a bit of it on the early leg south, but will have tail or side wind on the way back to Siena.

http://www.meteo.it/meteo/toscana/

Tail wind? Hallelujah. A head wind would make it ridiculously boring. This wind should encourage a few attacks hopefully, and even better that there is a head wind to begin with to tire them out at the start.

 

[sQiD]

Re: Re:

Sagan needs to go alone and I think he just might be able, but GVA and Stybar will mark him hard. They know he will look to animate the race as usual and they know they are better than him on the finish. As mentioned above, if Peter can't shake them, it could lead to rider getting back on and ultimately escape and win. It very well could be Rosa or Kwito.

I still go with Sagan.

I think completely opposite than you. If I was Sagan, I would just follow wheels and cover attacks of major favorites (GVA, Stybar, Kwiat..) That way he would arrive fresher at the bottom of the last climb, and when he is relatively fresh, I can't see anybody beating him on that finish. Just look at 2013, Moser was at the front and he was just following in the chasing group, and then on the finishing climb he was class above everybody else. So I think the winning formula for him in this race, isn't attacking and going solo, or forcing a selection and pulling hard in the front group. No, I think the secret is in following moves and covering major attacks, in other words conserving energy for the finale

I tought about the same tactic actually. The only problem, is a better climber like Kwiatkowski still hanging with him and finishing him off. If it's the case, hats off to the winner, if not he will get it. In the end, i think the GVA rivalry has really pumped him and he's very motivated to make a point.

 

[klipser]

Sagan will destroy everyone!

 

[Laplaz]

Not many Felline mentions here. I think he will do very well, at least top 5.

 

[May0maniac]

Re:

Not many Felline mentions here. I think he will do very well, at least top 5.

He finished 8th in 2015, I don't know if he'll finish top 5, but he has a shot and should finish in the top 10.
Diego Rosa to finish top 5.

 

[WheelofGear]

Is Strande Bianche the race with the most diverse number of contestants.

Time trialists, puncheurs, hilly riders, climbers, versatile sprinters and northern classics specialists have all been in top 10.

 

[WheelofGear]

List of top 10 finishers: Andy Schleck, Saramotins, Ballan, Baden Cooke, Elmiger, Michael Rogers, Evans, Valverde, Hesjedal, Cancellara, Sagan, Gatto, Vansummeren, Kreuziger, Poels, Barguil, Bennati, Vanmarcke, Benoot, Cunego, Uran..

It has to be the race that suit the most riders.

 

[WheelofGear]

The question is rather; which riders couldn't top 10 this race?

 

[manolo57]

Betancur ?

 

[DFA123]

Re:

List of top 10 finishers: Andy Schleck, Saramotins, Ballan, Baden Cooke, Elmiger, Michael Rogers, Evans, Valverde, Hesjedal, Cancellara, Sagan, Gatto, Vansummeren, Kreuziger, Poels, Barguil, Bennati, Vanmarcke, Benoot, Cunego, Uran..

It has to be the race that suit the most riders.

Great list. It seems that only the really one dimensional riders like GT specialists (Contador, Quintana) and pure sprinters (Cavendish, Kittel) aren't properly represented. It looks as though any guy who can challenge for a monument or classic that isn't MSR has a chance here - shows what a great course it is.

 

[Orbit501]

Re: Re:

Not many Felline mentions here. I think he will do very well, at least top 5.

He finished 8th in 2015, I don't know if he'll finish top 5, but he has a shot and should finish in the top 10.
Diego Rosa to finish top 5.

I think Felline has improved since 2015 and has had a strong start to the season. He should be strong here.

Rosa has also had a decent start to the season. I think the time is right for him now in this race. Perhaps Kwiat might do for Rosa what Sagan did for Moser in 2013?

Brambrilla will no doubt animate the race at some point, but I think for another Italian win, it's most likely from Felline or Rosa this year.

 

[Rollthedice]

The peloton is split with roughly 40 riders leading via strade bianche twitter.

 

[Netserk]

^^That's the women's race. In the men's race, there is no break yet.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Thibaut Pinot (FDJ)
Quentin Jaurégui (AG2R-La Mondiale)
Truls Korsaeth (Astana)
Jose Gonçalves (Katusha-Alpecin)
Simone Andreatta (Bardiani-CSF)
Mattia Frapporti (Androni-Sidermec)

 

[sQiD]

Vai Tibo vai

 

[Max Rockatansky]

Zé!!! Go for it.

 

[Campervan man]

Anyone got a stream please.

 

[Nirvana]

There is no live coverage until 14.
Usual poor coverage of RCS races.

Anyway the official twitter profile confirmed that is raining in Siena but i think not on the race.

 

[Campervan man]

Re:

There is no live coverage until 14.
Usual poor coverage of RCS races.

Anyway the official twitter profile confirmed that is raining in Siena but i think not on the race.

Ah man that sucks. Rainy now yet no pictures. How bad is that! 14h it is then.

 

[Jspear]

Well I guess any chance of Tibopino doing well just went out the door.

 

[Netserk]

Like Brambilla last year, you mean?

 

[frisenfruitig]

Less than 100km to go and we still have to wait an hour for live coverage. Thanks Eurosport!

 

[sQiD]

Re:

Less than 100km to go and we still have to wait an hour for live coverage. Thanks Eurosport!

Live coverage will begin in 30 min on Rai Sport and L'Equipe TV

 

[RedheadDane]

Nice weather.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Less than 100km to go and we still have to wait an hour for live coverage. Thanks Eurosport!

Live coverage will begin in 30 min on Rai Sport and L'Equipe TV

13.30 or 13.40?