March 19: Milan - San Remo 2011 298km

[theyoungest]

So Freire says he'll win because he's the strongest.

For this only, I hope he gets beaten

And then he went on to say that no one will get away on the Poggio. Now I really hope someone does. Sprinters need to be taught a lesson

You're just hurt because he says he wasn't that impressed with Gilbert's climbing in the Tirreno. But why should he be? Both times when Gilbert put his team on the front because he wanted to try something on the final climb, he failed.

 

[lancaster]

more importantly, i'm more excited about MSR than englands grand slam shot.
I've played rugby to a much higher standard than i've cycled (not hard)
and i dreamed of playing rugby for england more than a decade before i'd heard of San Remo (the town or the bike race).

I'll still watch the rugby as well. that's the closest i get to multi tasking.

 

[El Pistolero]

You're just hurt because he says he wasn't that impressed with Gilbert's climbing in the Tirreno. But why should he be? Both times when Gilbert put his team on the front because he wanted to try something on the final climb, he failed.

No, if he really was the strongest over such distances he would've been the strongest for more then 2 years so far.

And Gilbert hadn't any team mates left at the final, so ok. I guess they were at front in the gruppetto behind And I must say, I'm totally impressed by what Freire, Cavendish, Haussler and Hushovd have done so far. What an indication.

Didn't know the Poggio was a climb that had parts reaching 18%. Obviously Gilbert alone will not make it over the Poggio before the peloton. It all depends on who decides to attack. And if Petacchi gets dropped things could get really interesting as it will be one team less to chase the attackers.

 

[Echoes]

[...] Tell me another sprinter who can do that.

Who went on the attack at Paris-Tours? Boonen.

Bozic in the exact same attack ..

 

[El Pistolero]

Bozic in the exact same attack ..

He almost went backwards there.

 

[theyoungest]

No, if he really was the strongest over such distances he would've been the strongest for more then 2 years so far.

Huh? What?

And Gilbert hadn't any team mates left at the final, so ok.

Lol. I remember Renaat and Karl going crazy in that final stage when some Lotto guys were pulling in the final 10 k: Phille feels good! He will try something!

Must say, I'm totally impressed by what Freire, Cavendish, Haussler and Hushovd have done so far. What an indication.

Freire, Haussler, and Hushovd have shown good uphill form. If you haven't seen that, you haven't been paying attention (or know little about them). They don't need to get away on the Poggio, they need to follow wheels. Gilbert needs to get away, and he just hasn't shown the stellar form he needs to do so.

 

[El Pistolero]

Huh? What?


Lol. I remember Renaat and Karl going crazy in that final stage when some Lotto guys were pulling in the final 10 k: Phille feels good! He will try something!


Freire, Haussler, and Hushovd have shown good uphill form. If you haven't seen that, you haven't been paying attention (or know little about them). They don't need to get away on the Poggio, they need to follow wheels. Gilbert needs to get away, and he just hasn't shown the stellar form he needs to do so.

The only thing Haussler has shown is that he can crash.

And Hushovd and Freire always get over the poggio with the small leftover peloton. So, I don't know what's different about Thor's uphill form this year. Except of course that he's world champion now and that brings extra hype.

I think you know little about Gilbert if you expect him to win on final climbs à la Mur de Huy.

 

[beer_thirty]

If it ends in a bunch sprint, then it's not that fat off a hard tour sprint. TF has a chance in this circumstance. but if i was JV i wouldn't be waiting for him, but trying to drop as many of the sprinters as possible as long as 1 of HH or TH are still there. if it all comes back together, then TF gets a shot, but i wouldn't play for it.

this.

I'm a fan of TF but don't think he'll be there.

1.Freire
2.Hausler
3.Thor/Boonen

My sixth sense tells me Oscarcito will find a way to exploit the Garmin boys and win his 4th. Gilbert will try on the Poggio, of course, but he just hasn't shown 'super' form and it seems a month too early for him. Cavendish will not be there at the end. I'd like to see Boonen on the podium but don't think it will happen (though I have him there w/Thor as 'wishful thinking'!)

 

[El Pistolero]

I really wonder what they're going to do with both Thor and Haussler at MSR.

Perhaps they should do like Quickstep did at 2006(except the cheering too early bit and thus losing your podium lol)
Phil alone will have no chance on the Poggio, but if the right people attack and form a small group then it's possible to stay away even though the chances of that happening are small.

If it's impossible like Freire says we might as well only watch the final 500 meters instead of the Cipressa.

 

[joy118118]

I really wonder what they're going to do with both Thor and Haussler at MSR.

How about 2009 MSR?

 

[El Pistolero]

How about 2009 MSR?

That didn't end very well now did it. And back then Haussler was leading out Thor, but will he want to do that now after Thor failed back then?

If Haussler has his 2009 form tomorrow and Thor leads him out then there's no way he'll lose this. But of course I don't know how his form is compared to 2009.

 

[boomcie]

The only thing Haussler has shown is that he can crash.

He has also shown that he is blazing fast... How could you have missed that? Are you watching the races on your smartphone?

 

[El Pistolero]

He has also shown that he is blazing fast... How could you have missed that? Are you watching the the races on your smartphone?

I'm thinking the crashes will have some sort of effect on him tomorrow. Cavendish is also blazing fast as is Freire and Thor in such races.

And he did Paris-Nice and T-A this year seemed a way better preparation yet again. And him not winning any stages at P-N is also going to have some sort of psychological effect on him.

Now, Haussler surely is one of the favorites tomorrow, but so far, he hasn't really impressed me that much. Not more then Phil at least.

Anyway my podium for M-SR

1. Haussler
2. Thor
3. Boonen

 

[Archibald]

I may be way out of left field here, but what are the chances of someone like Nibali descending the Poggio like a stone and beating the peleton to the line?
or is it just not steep enough a descent for him to do his usual nutty descending?

 

[The Hitch]

Since so many seem to be writing him off, ill go for Cav.

I would like to see Canc attack, but i dont think he will. When Canc has his mind on something, well, hell hath no fury, but does he really want to peak for Milan San Remo, which he has already won and which is more difficult for him, with 2 weeks till Flanders, 3 till Roubaix

I may be way out of left field here, but what are the chances of someone like Nibali descending the Poggio like a stone and beating the peleton to the line?
or is it just not steep enough a descent for him to do his usual nutty descending?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL3jQmkj3uI

 

[boomcie]

I may be way out of left field here, but what are the chances of someone like Nibali descending the Poggio like a stone and beating the peleton to the line?
or is it just not steep enough a descent for him to do his usual nutty descending?

No chance. Also he is not the most awesome descender...
Watch your peloton spelling.

 

[The Hitch]

I may be way out of left field here, but what are the chances of someone like Nibali descending the Poggio like a stone and beating the peleton to the line?
or is it just not steep enough a descent for him to do his usual nutty descending?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL3jQmkj3uI

 

[TourOfSardinia]

more importantly, i'm more excited about MSR than englands grand slam shot.
I've played rugby to a much higher standard than i've cycled (not hard)
and i dreamed of playing rugby for england more than a decade before i'd heard of San Remo (the town or the bike race).

I'll still watch the rugby as well. that's the closest i get to multi tasking.

I guess the english event closest in spirit to the MSR would be the aintree grand national - just to get in view of the finish you have to have survived a whole lot.

 

[El Pistolero]

Since so many seem to be writing him off, ill go for Cav.

I would like to see Canc attack, but i dont think he will. When Canc has his mind on something, well, hell hath no fury, but does he really want to peak for Milan San Remo, which he has already won and which is more difficult for him, with 2 weeks till Flanders, 3 till Roubaix

I don't think anyone who is a classics specialist peaks for San Remo(except perhaps Pippo), but they still try to win it, so the chance is there that he'll follow attacks on the Poggio and attack after the descend. He certainly won't be the one attacking on the Poggio.

 

[Ferminal]

Speed

Cavendish
Petacchi/Farrar/Haussler/Goss/Greipel
EBH/Bennati
Boonen/Freire/Hushovd/Sagan/Rojas

Survivability

Haussler/Hushovd/Freire/Boonen/Petacchi
Rojas/Goss//Bennati
Sagan/EBH
Cavendish/Farrar/Greipel

Anyway, that is just me thinking out loud, I'm sure you can pick out inaccuracies.

You expect Petacchi to make the finish under any circumstances simply on the amazing consistency he's shown in this race. Question marks over Sagan, EBH and possibly even Goss as to how well they will handle the journey. I don't expect Sagan or EBH to make it, even though they are considered better in tougher races than Cav/Farrar/Greipel, so that's a bit confusing. It's not just about surviving, it's about surviving with enough left to make use your speed. Experience should be a factor once it comes to the sprint, so big points for Boonen, Petacchi and Freire.

Anyway,

Petacchi
Goss
Haussler
Boonen
Freire

Cavendish, Greipel and EBH to get dropped (all this talking up Tyler has convinced me he will make it).

Something in the back of my mind telling me it might be a split finish this year, but then you would just say Gilbert a thousand times.

 

[Jamsque]

I think everyone scouts the course too well now for Nibble (or any other) to be able to get a gap on the descent of the Poggio. All the real contenders know every corner in the last 10km. I remember reading Andy Schleck last year or the year before saying that he gave his brakes just the barest of tugs coming in to a corner on the way down the Poggio and immediately lost 10 or 15 places and got screamed at for nearly causing an accident.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL3jQmkj3uI

Sean Kelly - much better being commented on than commentating!

 

[Mr. Gipsy]

I did say that Gilbert would win. However, if there's a longshot victor to be determined, here's my choice...Frederic Guesdon. I saw his name on the start list and I got an eerie feeling. On Saturday, he'll be (if all the stars are properly aligned) adding a third major calssic to his palmarès!

 

[boomcie]

I did say that Gilbert would win. However, if there's a longshot victor to be determined, here's my choice...Frederic Guesdon. I saw his name on the start list and I got an eerie feeling. On Saturday, he'll be (if all the stars are properly aligned) adding a third major calssic to his palmarès!

I just got a call from Jezus and he said that the stars would not be properly aligned for Freddy Guesdon on Saturday. This sucks

 

[Mr. Gipsy]

Wait a minute boomcie. That's what Jezus said about Paris-Roubaix and Paris-Tours when a certain FDJ rider surprised everyone. Let's wait and see! Do you have a longshot favorite picked yet?