69th Paris-Nice 2011~March 6 to 13 (WT) 1.307k

[cyclingfanatik]

where i come from peloton = group = bunch [sprint]

 

[El Pistolero]

stage 6 is the time trial dude...

That leaves stage 5, with a nice climb, but also downhill to the finish so probably 5/6 men sprint
And the final stage, which often finished in a group sprint also, (a lot depends on the wind). The rest -> mountains too far from the finish or too easy.
So like I said, the time trial will decide and the favorites who fail will fall off one by one, but all in all not even close to the previous 3/4 editions.

Oh and appearently, you don't know the difference between the group sprint, and the peloton sprint.
You think I expect peloton sprints? honoustly? come on, the difference is subtle but very very clear.

Every stage at the Tour was a bunch sprint then.

Last year's P-N

Prologue: ...
Stage 1: bunch sprint
Stage 2: bunch sprint
Stage 3: bunch sprint
Stage 4: Solo win by Contador
Stage 5: bunch sprint
stage 6: breakaway wins, bunch sprint after him(5seconds after)
Stage 7: breakaway wins, bunch sprint after the first two(3 seconds after)



And I knew stage 6 was the time trial, so little chance of it ending in a sprint unless you're a loser that wants to finish in front of Cancellara after he caught you.

 

[The Hitch]

Every stage at the Tour was a bunch sprint then.

.

Ribblon won a solo.
So did Voeckler.
So did Chavanel. Twice.
So did Vino.
Contador didnt really contest the stage against Rodriguez.

I guess you could say that one or two of Cavs wins were more solos than sprints.

Eitherway Ruben didnt say they would all end in bunch sprints, he said they would all end in group sprints. Im not sure what the minimum number of people for something to be called a "group" is, but i know its less than 5 so DekkerT is being reasonable when he says they could all end in group sprints (sprints of 5 or more people).

 

[Sasquatch]

So what Stage will they be aiming for Vino?

I reckon the final stage or stage 5.

 

[Boeing]

Based on those profiles it's a pure time triallers race this year.

I think so as well and it is a shame Phiney won't ride now. course seems to be his gig

 

[Raceoftruth]

Dont think Phinney would have held on in the hills!

 

[theyoungest]

Dont think Phinney would have held on in the hills!

Of course not. Is there anyone who did?

edit: oh, I see now, someone actually claimed that... someone apparently not familiar with Phinney's subpar climbing capabilities.

 

[Christian]

Contador didnt really contest the stage against Rodriguez.

I respectfully disagree

 

[El Pistolero]

I respectfully disagree

Well, if you look at how fast Contador closed the gap with Rodriguez you can have some question marks as to why Contador didn't just drop him.

 

[Christian]

Well, if you look at how fast Contador closed the gap with Rodriguez you can have some question marks as to why Contador didn't just drop him.

Yes indeed ... Rodriguez has the better sprint so maybe Contador didn't really try but it looked to me as though he gave it his all

 

[El Pistolero]

Yes indeed ... Rodriguez has the better sprint so maybe Contador didn't really try but it looked to me as though he gave it his all

In the sprint Contador gave it his all yes, but let's not forget that Rodriguez could take advantage of Contador during the sprint. He couldn't stall like Rodriguez as otherwise Schecklett would come closer.(and those 10 seconds were very important in the end) And then there was also the problem called Vino that was probably worrying Contador.

 

[Havetts]

Well obviously Rodriguez was in a better spot, Contador wants yellow / time on that stage then you ride for it.

 

[Christian]

In the sprint Contador gave it his all yes, but let's not forget that Rodriguez could take advantage of Contador during the sprint. He couldn't stall like Rodriguez as otherwise Schecklett would come closer.(and those 10 seconds were very important in the end) And then there was also the problem called Vino that was probably worrying Contador.

That is all true but I was just answering to what Hitch had said about Contador not really contesting the stage. He was in a bad position compared to Rodriguez for winning it, but he still tried. As opposed to for example the Tourmalet, or Voeckler who didn't contest in the Tour du Haut Var against that rider from La Pomme Marseille

 

[Frosty]

Be interesting to see how Sicard is progressing - 11th in the Dauphine last year and 23 years old now - cant see him doing well in the TT though.

 

[Sasquatch]

Be interesting to see how Sicard is progressing - 11th in the Dauphine last year and 23 years old now - cant see him doing well in the TT though.

Off memory he said in a recent interview that he's not in great shape and will be using it for good race miles.