2018 Strade Bianche, 1.UWT, 03.03.18

[Krokro]

Even if the hype of SB being a neo-Monument is exagerated, I sincerely think this is one of the best races of the season along with RVV, P-R, Samyn, Tro-Bro Leon or even Hageland. A race doesn't need to be a Monument to be great, entertaining or whatever.

 

[Squire]

Re:

Even if the hype of SB being a neo-Monument is exagerated, I sincerely think this is one of the best races of the season along with RVV, P-R, Samyn, Tro-Bro Leon or even Hageland. A race doesn't need to be a Monument to be great, entertaining or whatever.

The Tour of Portugal would be way less entertaining if it was WT.

 

[Krokro]

That is quite true actually. Some of the smaller races are so awesome to watch. I especially like the Napoleon Cup races, except when the only WT teams slaughter the field, but it's still funny. Less predictable and boring than some WT races indeed.

Anyway, interesting squad with Peto for Saturday with: Burghardt, Bodnar, Mühlberger, Pfingsten, Saramotins and the one and only Oss. Enginesssss.

 

[portugal11]

Re: Re:

Even if the hype of SB being a neo-Monument is exagerated, I sincerely think this is one of the best races of the season along with RVV, P-R, Samyn, Tro-Bro Leon or even Hageland. A race doesn't need to be a Monument to be great, entertaining or whatever.

The Tour of Portugal would be way less entertaining if it was WT.

tour of portugal a grandíssima is VOLTA A PORTUGAL

 

[Tonton]

Re: Re:

Even if the hype of SB being a neo-Monument is exagerated, I sincerely think this is one of the best races of the season along with RVV, P-R, Samyn, Tro-Bro Leon or even Hageland. A race doesn't need to be a Monument to be great, entertaining or whatever.

The Tour of Portugal would be way less entertaining if it was WT.

tour of portugal a grandíssima is VOLTA A PORTUGAL

I'd like for Pinot to race it and win it .

Strade: Kwiat is the favorite...period. GVA and Sagan going at it, both are serious customers, that will be interesting. I'd like Bardet to do well. Vincenzo...that feather on his hat would shine. He can do anything. He's the dark horse IMO. Benoot did well last year: can he finally win something?

It will be a great race as usual. La Strade should be the sixth monument.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

With Matthews out, I see Sunweb ride for Kragh Andersen, as the final climb is probably too explosive for Dumoulin.

Though Dumoulin could go early ofcourse.

 

[Tonton]

Re:

With Matthews out, I see Sunweb ride for Kragh Andersen, as the final climb is probably too explosive for Dumoulin.

Though Dumoulin could go early ofcourse.

No one will let Dumoulin go after what he did last year.

 

[jaylew]

I find the podium history for this race to be so interesting. Sagan, Cancellara, Kwia, GVA, Valverde, Wellens, Cunego, Gilbert, Ballan, Stybar, Kolobnev, Iglinskiy, Lofkvist, Rogers, Wegmann, Gatto, Moser, Nocentini, Brambilla...

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I can't make my pick between Sagan, Kwiatkowski and Stybar. The race is tailor-made for all three of them and you probably won't find a race on the calendar that suits any of them better than this one. Sagan was in stellar shape at this point last year, Kwiatkowski has been phenomenal this year and Stybar seems stronger than ever this year.

 

[Krokro]

I still guess the final climb is a bit too long for Sagan. He has this crazy explosiveness but it might be not enough vs Kwiat or a more climbing type of rider (Brambilla, Nibbles).
This should be an hard edition, too bad that Wellens isn't participating, he had such a good form.

 

[Kazistuta]

Re:

I still guess the final climb is a bit too long for Sagan. He has this crazy explosiveness but it might be not enough vs Kwiat or a more climbing type of rider (Brambilla, Nibbles).
This should be an hard edition, too bad that Wellens isn't participating, he had such a good form.

Brambilla is out sick

 

[Blanco]

Re:

I still guess the final climb is a bit too long for Sagan. He has this crazy explosiveness but it might be not enough vs Kwiat or a more climbing type of rider (Brambilla, Nibbles).
This should be an hard edition, too bad that Wellens isn't participating, he had such a good form.

Final climb is less than a 1km, hardly too long for Sagan. It's the toughness of the race that bothers him, and he's rarely in top shape at this moment of the season. Anyway, I have a feeling that is about to change, and that he could finally win it.

 

[rick james]

the final climb and race is too hard for Sagan but some still expect him just to turn up and win

 

[Blanco]

Re:

the final climb and race is too hard for Sagan but some still expect him just to turn up and win

Yet he twice finished 2nd, and in 2013 he smoked group of 10-15 riders on that final climb...

 

[SafeBet]

Don Alejandro is in.
And so is Bananito.

 

[tomorrow]

Re: Re:

the final climb and race is too hard for Sagan but some still expect him just to turn up and win

Yet he twice finished 2nd, and in 2013 he smoked group of 10-15 riders on that final climb...

In 2013 though, his climbing was much better. Against 2013, hell even 2014 Kwiatkovski he would be still favourite, in 2014, it was his tactical error that cost him the win, he shouldn't have attacked Kwiatkovski. However, with Kwiatkovski, and even Stybar on whole new level, they are the biggest favourites for me, especially with their latest performances. If Sagan comes down from mountains with his usual form, he might challenge them, but the odds would be slightly on Kwiat and Stybar's side. These two are top favourites for me.

What is good, that Sagan has if not strongest, then much stronger team than he used to, so he can(maybe even should) ride the races defensively. In addition, it might end up like in 2013, with Oss in Moser's position.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

I'd love it if Wout van Aert was able to truely transfer his cyclocross / mudlark skill into this race.

But having watched a bit of cyclocross this winter I've come to realise that his greatest
skill is in developing a rhythm over the course of several laps and learning to hone
the course as the laps pass.
And there is no such opportunity on a course where section of stirrato gets travelled only once.
But still I hope to see him shine.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

I can't make my pick between Sagan, Kwiatkowski and Stybar. The race is tailor-made for all three of them and you probably won't find a race on the calendar that suits any of them better than this one. Sagan was in stellar shape at this point last year, Kwiatkowski has been phenomenal this year and Stybar seems stronger than ever this year.

I'd say Flanders is more suited for Peto, Kwito and Stybar literally can't get better races tho.

But we also need to account for Greg and of course Alejandro Valverde Belmonte now! Gilbert and Moscon could be dangerous outsiders as well. It will be a sweet edition, Im sure!

 

[Jagartrott]

GVA doesn't really like cold and wet (neither does Valverde), so I don't think he will challenge.
Wellens, why aren't you here ffs.

 

[pastronef]

today is even whiter https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfxr-Fzhdcp/?taken-by=pierobaffi

 

[SKSemtex]

The good thing for Sagan is that this time it is not all peloton against one man. Kwiatko is a two-time champion, eager to join Cance in the club. It is not on him to do all the selection, to chase all the attacks, to do extra work to keep the attack alive.
He is very hard to beat on those occasions unless he was babysitting little bit more than he should.


The list of favorites is amazing. This going to be epic. Kwiatko vs Bala vs Sagan vs Styby vs GVA ......... up that narrow street of Sieena.

BTW is Theuns riding this?

 

[SKSemtex]

today is even whiter https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfxr-Fzhdcp/?taken-by=pierobaffi

too white for me :sad:

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Re:

With Matthews out, I see Sunweb ride for Kragh Andersen, as the final climb is probably too explosive for Dumoulin.

Though Dumoulin could go early ofcourse.

I think it's way too hard for Kragh atm.

 

[Sestriere]

Besides the often mentioned favourites I'm interested some of the second tier favourites. Nibali, for example, had a rather uninspiring dislay in Oman. However, I think he will be very motivated for this race and the course suits him well (enough). His team doesn't have any obvious leader, he often excells in bad weather and he should get in form for TA, so I'm expecting a good race.
Astana has a very interesting team with Moser and Lutsenko. With their performances so far I could defenitely see them having numbers in the finale.
My left field prediction is gonna be Top 10 for Max Schachmann.

 

[Blanco]

The good thing for Sagan is that this time it is not all peloton against one man. Kwiatko is a two-time champion, eager to join Cance in the club. It is not on him to do all the selection, to chase all the attacks, to do extra work to keep the attack alive.
He is very hard to beat on those occasions unless he was babysitting little bit more than he should.


The list of favorites is amazing. This going to be epic. Kwiatko vs Bala vs Sagan vs Styby vs GVA ......... up that narrow street of Sieena.

BTW is Theuns riding this?

I would add Gilbert, Moscon and Lutsenko to round up that list.