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

[Netserk]

Update yet to come.

https://twitter.com/MitcheltonSCOTT/status/971782348122488832

@MitcheltonSCOTT

#ParisNice: It was @estecharu who crashed late in the stage but he has rolled across the finish line. He will be assessed by doctors with an update to come.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Re:

smart tactics or not, for me it makes Direct Energie and these riders the same way as I felt for it's predecessor and Thomas Voeckler. Dislike. No sympathy

Theatrics and cheap tricks. God I only like Calmejane of that team now

Calmejane is probably the least cooperative rider in current peloton.

 

[May0maniac]

Politt looked super strong, he could be a surprise in the cobbled classics.
Politt could have played it a bit smarter, or at least his ds could have told him to do things different, who was in that teamcar?

 

[SafeBet]

Re:

Politt looked super strong, he could be a surprise in the cobbled classics.
Politt could have played it a bit smarter, or at least his ds could have told him to do things different, who was in that teamcar?

Maybe they just told him: ok this guy is an ***, but better 2nd than 80th.
It's still arguably the best result of his career.

 

[May0maniac]

Re: Re:

Politt looked super strong, he could be a surprise in the cobbled classics.
Politt could have played it a bit smarter, or at least his ds could have told him to do things different, who was in that teamcar?

Maybe they just told him: ok this guy is an *******, but better 2nd than 80th.
It's still arguably the best result of his career.

Maybe, he didn't have a teammate with a good sprint in the bunch (Haller DNS), so they had no other options.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

DE are one of the most cynical teams around, but there’s a place for cynicism in the sport. Also Cousin is a 28 year old who has spent his career in the second division and never won anything of significance. He can be forgiven for a certain unflamboyant ruthlessness when a big opportunity presents itself.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Astana made a mistake today.... if Fuglsang and Sanchez had done a bit of work the last 5 K, Cort could have won that stage. instead of starting his sprint early, to try and reel in the break on the line.

 

[PeterB]

Re:

DE are one of the most cynical teams around, but there’s a place for cynicism in the sport. Also Cousin is a 28 year old who has spent his career in the second division and never won anything of significance. He can be forgiven for a certain unflamboyant ruthlessness when a big opportunity presents itself.

This. It's sad that his long awaited victory came at the expense of such a strong rider, but I can fully understand how he might have decided this was the opportunity he had to use at all costs. Not every rider can afford to be generous. Let's just hope Politt will find another opportunity to win soon.

 

[AQETUYIOI]

Re: Re:

Then Politt wouldn't have gotten second place.

I am sure he is really happy about that........

Cycling is not just about being the strongest rider. Being smart is one component also.

He should've stopped, to force Cousin?

 

[yaco]

The latest on the MS twitter says Chaves is OK - Though doubt he's been fully checked out at a hospital.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

smart tactics or not, for me it makes Direct Energie and these riders the same way as I felt for it's predecessor and Thomas Voeckler. Dislike. No sympathy

Theatrics and cheap tricks. God I only like Calmejane of that team now

I agree I was hoping Politt would take the win.

It's not like Politt never asked him to take a turn. And when Cousin finally started taking turns it was obvious he was holding back.
If not for Politt's efforts they'd have been caught very quickly.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

Did Poels lose 13 seconds? According to the result, he was 13 behind but according to the Overall GC he is still in 2nd place @ 15 secs. Confusing.

Edit, just checked their website and he still in 2nd at 15 behind.

 

[Forever The Best]

I don't have any problems with Cousin wheelsucking his way to win. Because this will probably be his biggest win when his career ends. Also, he won, unlike many wheelsuckers.

 

[Laplaz]

About the stage of tomorrow, the 1st category climb must be the most ridiculous one in history.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

About the stage of tomorrow, the 1st category climb must be the most ridiculous one in history.

I agree, but it could be a crucial climb anyway. I really hope Alaphilippe, Wellens and/or some other puncheurs will attack there. There is an intermediate sprint between the climb and the finish so the bonus seconds might be extra motivation. In all honesty I think if Alaphilippe wants to win the gc he almost has to attack there, because I can't really see him gaining time in the mountain stages.

 

[Koronin]

I hoping Soler is paying attention tomorrow. There very well could be some attacks tomorrow and he's going to need to be paying attention and be ready for them. I do not expect him to be the one attacking though.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Re: Re:

About the stage of tomorrow, the 1st category climb must be the most ridiculous one in history.

I agree, but it could be a crucial climb anyway. I really hope Alaphilippe, Wellens and/or some other puncheurs will attack there. There is an intermediate sprint between the climb and the finish so the bonus seconds might be extra motivation. In all honesty I think if Alaphilippe wants to win the gc he almost has to attack there, because I can't really see him gaining time in the mountain stages.

Those 2 for sure, probably also Martin, Yates and Fuglsang (though Fuglsang might try already on the last cat. 2, as he is a great decender).

Does anyone know how the road is, on the final K before the last climb, and for the first bit of it? - If it is narrow, there is going to be a huge fight for positions in the peloton, because it is so short and steep.

 

[Laplaz]

I can also see Sky playing their cards with Henao on that short steep climb, could be tactically wise. For Bora i can see Konrad trying something.

 

[Salvarani]

Re: Re:

Then Politt wouldn't have gotten second place.

I am sure he is really happy about that........

Cycling is not just about being the strongest rider. Being smart is one component also.

He should've stopped, to force Cousin?

He should have pulled to the side and not dragged him along thats for sure.

 

[The Barb]

Stage seems perfect for Alaphillipe. If he can't win it solo he should be fastest from a small group (although Poels' finishing speed is frequently underrated).

 

[AQETUYIOI]

Re: Re:

He should've stopped, to force Cousin?

He should have pulled to the side and not dragged him along thats for sure.

Then the bunch would've catched up!

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Re: Re:

He should've stopped, to force Cousin?

He should have pulled to the side and not dragged him along thats for sure.

Then the bunch would've catched up!

I agree - he was been a rock & a hard place
but still managed to make that hard place into a 2nd place.

 

[tobydawq]

So, actually Cousin was the hero since he didn't ride for a secondary placing.

The thing we all criticise people for doing throughout the season.

 

[Jagartrott]

Re:

So, actually Cousin was the hero since he didn't ride for a secondary placing.

The thing we all criticise people for doing throughout the season.

Exactly. Cousin bluffed and played all or nothing. Politt didn't have the balls.

 

[Salvarani]

Re: Re:

He should've stopped, to force Cousin?

He should have pulled to the side and not dragged him along thats for sure.

Then the bunch would've catched up!

Or he would have had a chance to win!

Cousin played to the fact that Politt was strong and all he had to do was follow because he probably knew he had a better sprint. Smart by Cousin. You play to your advantage and how the other person is riding. Politt job was to try and get rid of him or stop just dragging him along and let Cousin do some work. Or they both lose.

Because in the scenario that happened. Politt gets beaten 10/10 times. Depends on how much you value that second place I guess

Tbf tho, he did try to attack but then it was kinda too late and he didnt have that much left in tank to get rid of Cousin at that point.