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

[Son of Amsterhammer]

Looking at the profile of the mtf I must admit, I underrated that climb. I thought this is a Montevergine like climb, but it's definitely harder, most likely too hard for Wellens and I think a little bit too hard for Alaphilippe as well.

That climb is hard. There will be a lot that miss out.

 

[Angliru]

Re:

I'm going with Alaphilippe only because I don't think Soler has enough experience yet as a race leader.

You being the resident Movistar afficionado (Along with Valv-Piti), can you tell me why none of their big three (Valverde/Quintana/Landa) is participating in Paris-Nice? I would've thought that one of them would be there.
I'm behind in my reading of the latest news and in keeping up with the forum dialogue. Thanks in advance!

 

[capuldemetal]

Re: Re:

I'm going with Alaphilippe only because I don't think Soler has enough experience yet as a race leader.

You being the resident Movistar afficionado (Along with Valv-Piti), can you tell me why none of their big three (Valverde/Quintana/Landa) is participating in Paris-Nice? I would've thought that one of them would be there.
I'm behind in my reading of the latest news and in keeping up with the forum dialogue. Thanks in advance!

i'll try to answer.unzue's planning .he is trying to keep all 3 as fresh as they can be.but in the same time to have some racing kilometers on board.it might pay in july..or not

 

[Broccolidwarf]

My highlight tomorrow:

Valgreen eating himself alive, to stay on Alaphilippes wheel on the final climb, to keep his captains (and himself) in the race - you heard it here first

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

I'm going with Alaphilippe only because I don't think Soler has enough experience yet as a race leader.

You being the resident Movistar afficionado (Along with Valv-Piti), can you tell me why none of their big three (Valverde/Quintana/Landa) is participating in Paris-Nice? I would've thought that one of them would be there.
I'm behind in my reading of the latest news and in keeping up with the forum dialogue. Thanks in advance!

I have no clue as to why Quintana is not there. As for the other two that's easy.

Valverde was at Strade Bianche today and Paris-Nice starts tomorrow.

Landa is racing Tirreno-Adriatico which over laps with Paris-Nice.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

I'm going with Alaphilippe only because I don't think Soler has enough experience yet as a race leader.

You being the resident Movistar afficionado (Along with Valv-Piti), can you tell me why none of their big three (Valverde/Quintana/Landa) is participating in Paris-Nice? I would've thought that one of them would be there.
I'm behind in my reading of the latest news and in keeping up with the forum dialogue. Thanks in advance!

I have no clue as to why Quintana is not there. As for the other two that's easy.

Valverde was at Strade Bianche today and Paris-Nice starts tomorrow.

Landa is racing Tirreno-Adriatico which over laps with Paris-Nice.

Hope that helps a little.

My best guess is Quintana wants to change his early season a little cause he missed his peak in the last 2 Tours, and if he wants to peak for the Tour, ride the Vuelta, and be good at the WC, he better lighten the load a little at the start of the season.

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

I'm going with Alaphilippe only because I don't think Soler has enough experience yet as a race leader.

You being the resident Movistar afficionado (Along with Valv-Piti), can you tell me why none of their big three (Valverde/Quintana/Landa) is participating in Paris-Nice? I would've thought that one of them would be there.
I'm behind in my reading of the latest news and in keeping up with the forum dialogue. Thanks in advance!

I have no clue as to why Quintana is not there. As for the other two that's easy.

Valverde was at Strade Bianche today and Paris-Nice starts tomorrow.

Landa is racing Tirreno-Adriatico which over laps with Paris-Nice.

Hope that helps a little.

My best guess is Quintana wants to change his early season a little cause he missed his peak in the last 2 Tours, and if he wants to peak for the Tour, ride the Vuelta, and be good at the WC, he better lighten the load a little at the start of the season.

Except it would make more sense to send him to Paris-Nice than to Catalonia where he'll be riding in support of Valverde and possibly Soler. We've seen the shape Valverde is in and he's building for a peak for the Ardennes.

 

[HelloDolly]

Why is Wellens not in the pole ? He has been targeting this race and for all those who say he cant hang on the climb ...did you not see him drop Landa (climbig God on here). Plus the weather is rubbish and that suits Wellens

Marc Soler, Wout Poles, SL Henao . Dan Martin for the top 5

 

[Koronin]

Re:

Why is Wellens not in the pole ? He has been targeting this race and for all those who say he cant hang on the climb ...did you not see him drop Landa (climbig God on here). Plus the weather is rubbish and that suits Wellens

Marc Soler, Wout Poles, SL Henao . Dan Martin for the top 5

If Marc Soler can manage a top 5 without Valverde there to guide him, Movistar may have finally found their future. Well that's assuming Valverde can't race forever.

 

[Alexandre B.]

So who's your pick for this stage?

 

[Robert5091]

http://netstorage.lequipe.fr/ASO/cycling_pnc/rules-2018.pdf

ARTICLE 13.
Bonuses
In accordance with article 2.6.019 of the UCI regulations, time bonuses (applied only to the general individual classification) are awarded in the 7 mass-start stages.
Bonuses are awarded as follows:
1) At each intermediate sprint:
3′′, 2′′ and 1′′ to the first three riders.
2) At the finish of each stage:
10′′, 6′′ and 4′′ to the first three riders.

With 2 sprints in a stage, there could be some fun and games.

 

[Orbit501]

Re:

So who's your pick for this stage?

Wellens from a late attack, or Demare if any of the sprinters make it.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

I'm going with Alaphilippe only because I don't think Soler has enough experience yet as a race leader.

You being the resident Movistar afficionado (Along with Valv-Piti), can you tell me why none of their big three (Valverde/Quintana/Landa) is participating in Paris-Nice? I would've thought that one of them would be there.
I'm behind in my reading of the latest news and in keeping up with the forum dialogue. Thanks in advance!

I have no clue as to why Quintana is not there. As for the other two that's easy.

Valverde was at Strade Bianche today and Paris-Nice starts tomorrow.

Landa is racing Tirreno-Adriatico which over laps with Paris-Nice.

Hope that helps a little.

My best guess is Quintana wants to change his early season a little cause he missed his peak in the last 2 Tours, and if he wants to peak for the Tour, ride the Vuelta, and be good at the WC, he better lighten the load a little at the start of the season.

Except it would make more sense to send him to Paris-Nice than to Catalonia where he'll be riding in support of Valverde and possibly Soler. We've seen the shape Valverde is in and he's building for a peak for the Ardennes.

I don't think Quintana necessarily cares too much about the early season as long as the form is where it needs to be. Winning is nice, but his season will stand and fall with the Tour.

 

[Anderis]

Re: Re:

Winning is nice

Winning is Nice. Paris-Nice.

 

[Isaak-Gabriel]

Re:

So who's your pick for this stage?

Hmmm, sorry Alex but it's not the good profile.

 

[Isaak-Gabriel]

In fact the last 300 meters got some cobblestones, 4% I would say.

 

[happytramp]

Dan Martin's incredible ability to remain undetected and underrated by fans and riders alike to pay dividends again I think

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re:

Dan Martin's incredible ability to remain undetected and underrated by fans and riders alike to pay dividends again I think

Perhaps. But he's quite a slow starter and almost never good this time at the year. Last year was an exception but then he also already had two stage races under his belt.

 

[LPP68!]

Re: Re:

Why is Wellens not in the pole ? He has been targeting this race and for all those who say he cant hang on the climb ...did you not see him drop Landa (climbig God on here). Plus the weather is rubbish and that suits Wellens

Marc Soler, Wout Poles, SL Henao . Dan Martin for the top 5

If Marc Soler can manage a top 5 without Valverde there to guide him, Movistar may have finally found their future. Well that's assuming Valverde can't race forever.

What is the retirement age in Spain? Here in the Netherlands it is 66 and a bit.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Plus there's a short flat time trial which probably puts Dan Martin out of contention

 

[Robert5091]

Woolly hats today -

 

[Alexandre B.]

Jurgen Roelandts (BMC), Pierre-Luc Périchon (Fortuneo) and Pierre Rolland (EF) form the break.

 

[WalterMorgan]

Any chance of crosswinds?

 

[WalterMorgan]

Any chance of crosswinds?

 

[DNP-Old]

Rainy, pretty cold. Could affect some who are hoping to do well today.