The Cycling News forum is looking to add some volunteer moderators with Red Rick's recent retirement. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to
In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.
Thanks!
Actually it is downhill, and not once in a 13 years sprinting ability decided the outcome of the race...Really? There's not a finish line at the end of the race where possibly more than one rider at a time will try to cross before the others? Uphill is still a sprint, and Siena is not the *** Alpe d'Huez.
It might still be enough to make the dirt stick a little bit better, which would make it a bit less technical and in favor of the non-CX guys. In theory.The forecast is more benign. Only light rain due overnight now, with dry weather tomorrow.
2016It's a battle for position into the first bend in the final after 600 metres at close to 15 percent. After that it's impossible to overtake a rider in front of you because it is as technical as it is.
2011Actually it is downhill, and not once in a 13 years sprinting ability decided the outcome of the race...
2011
Stybar 2015 and Cancellara 2016 disagree.It's a battle for position into the first bend in the final after 600 metres at close to 15 percent. After that it's impossible to overtake a rider in front of you because it is as technical as it is.
Just rewatched the 2016 finale, yeah there are two guys (after passing Brambilla) racing, on tired legs, almost side by side to get to that final corner, and then Canc rides hard downhill to hold off Sybar. But it’s not a “sprint to the line,” since once Canc (or anyone in that position) gets around the corner in the lead, is not going to get caught. I guess you could call it a sprint to the corner? But It’s not as in a classic two-up sprint, or bunch sprint with a bike throw at the line. If someone didn’t know cycling and asked for a video of a finishing sprint so they can understand what it is, you would never show them this finish. As an example.Stybar 2015 and Cancellara 2016 disagree.
This being a sprint classic is the reason it will never become a monument since MSR is already the sprint monument.
Thanks, you’ve given me a good excuse to back and watch those as well!I have (re)watched a few of the old finishes of the race today, and I have to say that Maxim Iglinskiy must be the king of the final stretch. When he won in 2010, he really had to cut it tight to prevent Löfkvist from overtaking him in the final and repeating his victory from 2009 after having passed him on the flat part with a nice bit of shouldering (or Mario Kart-ing).
And in 2012 he actually managed to overtake Oscar Gatto in the "sprint" for second behind Cancellara in that bend with what really was a technically impressive move.
Lets add Cunego too, thenVino and Rebellin will not participate.
Then Ballerini will probably win just to spite you.I see 3 tiers and have trouble seeing a winner coming from outside these guys:
***WVA, MVDP, Alaphilippe
**Mollema, Bernal, GVA, Fuglsang, Pogacar
Would likely take special circumstances; some included out of respect for past performances:
*Almeida, Bettiol, Pidcock, Brambilla, Yates, Wellens, Stybar, Formolo, Valverde, Bardet, Kwia
Head: Julian
Heart: Mathieu
Now we also need 40 degrees tomorrow and van Aert will be happy.No rain overnight or tomorrow, it will be all dust.