MacRoadie said:I don't think that's quite accurate. Paris Nice has long been considered a test of fitness for those contenders already intending on competing in the Tour later tin the year.
That's a far cry from suggesting that if a rider can win Paris Nice, then he has a good chance of winning the Tour. There are planty of Paris Nice winners who never even saw a Tour podium.
Hell, Sean Kelly won the damned thing seven times in a row from '82 through '88, and his best Tour finish during that span was a 4th in '86. He had a DNF in '87 and finished 43rd in '88.
I said "contender" not winner.
Kelly proves my point. 4th in the tour would be seen as being a contender, winning the Vuelta would also indicate being a pretty good tour rider wouldnt it?
Paris nice success does not guarantee GT success, but it certainly a good indicator.