2018 Paris-Nice, 4/3-11/3

[Red Rick]

How is it possible that the same freakin thing happens in this stage year after year. I think Soler won this time but again by less than 5 seconds, again after an attack on the same climb and again after the race leader already seemed to crack on the last climb but came back to the group in front of him again.

Fatigue, spring form, and absolute *** weather for the entirety of the race.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Stage

GC

 

[Escarabajo]

Soler won this thing!

 

[El Pistolero]

Very disappointing ride by Wellens. And why didn't one of the Izaguerre's follow Soler? He waited but why???

 

[Bot. Sky_Bot]

Finally really dissapointing

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

Very disappointing ride by Wellens. And why didn't one of the Izaguerre's follow Soler? He waited but why???

Mistake of the year by Ion there.

He let the race slipped out of his hands.

 

[Alexandre B.]

So much for a generational void, eh?

 

[tobydawq]

Re:

Very disappointing ride by Wellens. And why didn't one of the Izaguerre's follow Soler? He waited but why???

It was Ion. I thought he couldn't follow but based on the rest of the stage, that probably wasn't the case. In which case it was very stupid.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Always nice when taking the initiative is rewarded. Great win for Soler.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Finally really dissapointing

Why?
Besides the Izagirres crashing (which in the end made it more exciting, I think)

 

[ppanther92]

Re: Re:

Very disappointing ride by Wellens. And why didn't one of the Izaguerre's follow Soler? He waited but why???

It was Ion. I thought he couldn't follow but based on the rest of the stage, that probably wasn't the case. In which case it was very stupid.

Schleck Style

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Re: Re:

Very disappointing ride by Wellens. And why didn't one of the Izaguerre's follow Soler? He waited but why???

Mistake of the year by Ion there.

He let the race slipped out of his hands.

Are you sure that wasn't baby Nibali? They do look quite similar, I mixed them up yesterday.

 

[Netserk]

Re:

Ion will regret this day for the rest of his life.

Why dropping back on the penultimate climb while being with Soler and De La Cruz?

I must admit that when it happened, I thought it was a case of getting dropped and not dropping back. Certainly the crucial moment for him.

edit: lol, if it was him...

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

Very disappointing ride by Wellens. And why didn't one of the Izaguerre's follow Soler? He waited but why???

Yeah I hoped for an earlier attack too, but he still went for it on the last climb. I really didn't think the Soler group could keep this advantage before the short Eze ramp so in that situation I would have said "wait for the last climb" too. It seemed like the most reasonable tactic. Then on the last climb he tried but couldn't drop the others and since Soler was in front he couldn't play games too.
He certainly didn't ride this race perfectly but he didn't make a huge tactical mistake either.

 

[tobydawq]

Re: Re:

Very disappointing ride by Wellens. And why didn't one of the Izaguerre's follow Soler? He waited but why???

Mistake of the year by Ion there.

He let the race slipped out of his hands.

Are you sure that wasn't baby Nibali? They do look quite similar, I mixed them up yesterday.

Definitely Ion.

 

[Arredondo]

Re: Re:

Very disappointing ride by Wellens. And why didn't one of the Izaguerre's follow Soler? He waited but why???

Mistake of the year by Ion there.

He let the race slipped out of his hands.

Are you sure that wasn't baby Nibali? They do look quite similar, I mixed them up yesterday.

I'm 100% sure it was Ion. He's got a very unique style.

 

[Asero831]

I think ion was not able to follow when Marc increased the pace.
Still big mistake not to give everything in that moment. Simon does not have really enough support then.

 

[Arredondo]

Re: Re:

Ion will regret this day for the rest of his life.

Why dropping back on the penultimate climb while being with Soler and De La Cruz?

I must admit that when it happened, I thought it was a case of getting dropped and not dropping back. Certainly the crucial moment for him.

edit: lol, if it was him...

Yeah but like you said, based on the rest of the stage it looked like he was dropping back because he didn't dare.

 

[Bot. Sky_Bot]

Re: Re:

Finally really dissapointing

Why?
Besides the Izagirres crashing (which in the end made it more exciting, I think)

But of course not. Beacuse Soler win it.

 

[Blanco]

Re: Re:

Very disappointing ride by Wellens. And why didn't one of the Izaguerre's follow Soler? He waited but why???

Yeah I hoped for an earlier attack too, but he still went for it on the last climb. I really didn't think the Soler group could keep this advantage before the short Eze ramp so in that situation I would have said "wait for the last climb" too. It seemed like the most reasonable tactic. Then on the last climb he tried but couldn't drop the others and since Soler was in front he couldn't play games too.
He certainly didn't ride this race perfectly but he didn't make a huge tactical mistake either.[/quote]

well if he dropped intentionally, he made a very big mistake, the one that probably cost him Paris-Nice title. With Gorka behind he had every reason to push on.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Re:

Very disappointing ride by Wellens. And why didn't one of the Izaguerre's follow Soler? He waited but why???

Mistake of the year by Ion there.

He let the race slipped out of his hands.

Are you sure that wasn't baby Nibali? They do look quite similar, I mixed them up yesterday.

I'm 100% sure it was Ion. He's got a very unique style.

That must have been one of the most stupid things a rider has ever done. There isn't even a risk in following Soler. The worst case scenario would have been Orica spending all their helpers early which still would have been a really good scenario. If you don't follow Soler why even have two leaders in the first place.

 

[KyoGrey]

Re:

So much for a generational void, eh?

It is totally wonderful for Spain.

The Contadors, Valverde's, Puritos, Freires, Sanchez etc will never repeat because it is a once in a lifetime golden generation that was brewed riding the Perico-Indurain wave of popularity the 80's-90's.

But to be able to remain a big part of the cycling calendar with Landa, Soler, the Izagirre bros, De la Cruz, Castro, Mas, Fraile, Rosón etc is so joyful. (We were supposed to disappear from the big level elite).

Now we only need 1-2 teams more in the Pro-Conti level, recover races and take care of the amateur scene.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Re:

Very disappointing ride by Wellens. And why didn't one of the Izaguerre's follow Soler? He waited but why???

Yeah I hoped for an earlier attack too, but he still went for it on the last climb. I really didn't think the Soler group could keep this advantage before the short Eze ramp so in that situation I would have said "wait for the last climb" too. It seemed like the most reasonable tactic. Then on the last climb he tried but couldn't drop the others and since Soler was in front he couldn't play games too.
He certainly didn't ride this race perfectly but he didn't make a huge tactical mistake either.[/quote]

well if he dropped intentionally, he made a very big mistake, the one that probably cost him Paris-Nice title. With Gorka behind he had every reason to push on.

Did he deliberately drop too? I didn't watch the stage from the beginning. If yes there are no excuses. Sad considering his record of long range attacks.

 

[Arredondo]

Re: Re:

Very disappointing ride by Wellens. And why didn't one of the Izaguerre's follow Soler? He waited but why???

Mistake of the year by Ion there.

He let the race slipped out of his hands.

Are you sure that wasn't baby Nibali? They do look quite similar, I mixed them up yesterday.

I'm 100% sure it was Ion. He's got a very unique style.

That must have been one of the most stupid things a rider has ever done. There isn't even a risk in following Soler. The worst case scenario would have been Orica spending all their helpers early which still would have been a really good scenario. If you don't follow Soler why even have two leaders in the first place.

Totally agree! BM just messed it up.

 

[Kokoso]

Re: Re:

Secretly hoping Soler fails in this attempt because he did naught in the break with Berto and De la Cruz last year. :redface:

He was the one who attacked this time.

Life continues

I'm still bitter and it'll take a while for me to cheer for him but at least he's more likeable to me than Roman Kreuziger.

Yep, Kreuziger deserves hate for serving loyal to Contador for years.

Is there contest for most biased forum member here? Because you are winning.

P.S. I know it won't help you, but I couldn't help myself.