March 19: Milan - San Remo 2011 298km

[Parrulo]

RS confirmed manuel cardoso robbie mcewen and robert huntert.

of those 3 who has more chances?

well my answer would be none lol but still 1 has to be the leader i guess. i would have cardoso as leader but i am a bit parcial

 

[hatcher]

Yeah, I don't get that, it was clearly stated at the start of the season that they were both going for the Worlds. I guess Swifty failed his audition for the Omnium after Harrison won his, and Thomas... changed his mind? Odd.

Thomas is now down to ride MSR.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Boonen/Haussler for MSR.

Both are uncertain about their form no? Mostly Boonen (sick), but also Haussler (crash in P-N)

 

[NickBVK]

1. Haussler
2. Goss
3. McEwen

Robbie is wishful thinking but Haussler got this

 

[Jan the Man]

Both are uncertain about their form no? Mostly Boonen (sick), but also Haussler (crash in P-N)

I was referring to the guys fantasy team. In hindsight I think Haussler will play third fiddle to Thor and Tyler so I am not sure of the value for him.

I think Boonen is a risk, I agree, and his form is a little uncertain. But he has shown he can be competitive in the past and can certainly travel the distance.

I have had a flutter each way on both Boonen (22.00) and Goss (17.00) for MSR.

 

[Astana1]

I want to say that it would be ridiculous if Garmin didn't win MSR, but that would be disrespectful to the rest of the competition. I hate to say it because I am a big fan of Garmin-Cervelo's riders but this team just smells like the same old Garmin to me, even with the addition of Cervelos studs. They appear to be underachieving and lacking that killer instinct. Add to that, their classics squad took a hit by losing Maaskant who appeared to be showing some good form.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I am going to tip a bit left field for this race.

1. Robbie Hunter
2. Oscar Freire
3. Greg van Avermaet

 

[taiwan]

Hushovd: "Tyler, Heinrich [Haussler] and I get free roles on Saturday, so we'll see who's still there at the end. The last hill before the finish will determine it,"

That's great. So they know who's leader after the Poggio, when there's only one of them left? I had thought this was basically Haussler's race.

 

[Jamsque]

They'll protect all three of them up until the Cipressa at least, I'm sure. It makes sense to spread themselves, if they all work for Tyler all day and then he gets dropped they would look stupid.

 

[taiwan]

They'll protect all three of them up until the Cipressa at least, I'm sure. It makes sense to spread themselves, if they all work for Tyler all day and then he gets dropped they would look stupid.

I reckon just Hushovd and Barbie will survive the climbs. With all due respect to Hushovd, think the better tactic would be for Hushovd to use his strength to deliver Haussler safely to the finale.

 

[Lanark]

I would use Hushovd to answer the attacks on the Poggio, he seemed to climb very well in Tirreno, and use Haussler for a bunch sprint. Hushovd doesn't have the pure speed to win a sprint in MSR, but he can survive in a 10-man group, Farrar does have the speed, but I think he will suffer far too much on the hills to be in any shape to win at the finish.

 

[NickBVK]

How bout Alby Davis, not sure he'll have the finish but I reckon he'll be a dark horse in that last group

 

[lancaster]

with all due respect to Omloop and K-B-K this is the start of the cycling season. All that came before is a warm-up.

So so excited

 

[Sasquatch]

Garmin would be better off with Hushovd going with any moves on the Poggio. Then if it's brought back by a team that missed out, Haussler is fresh for the kill. If Hushovd finds himself against Gilbert, and a couple others, he will fancy himself of winning.

 

[Ferminal]

I wouldn't even have Farrar in the team. I guess he can use it to gain experience, but there is such a low chance that he will survive. Kind of pointless when you have someone just as fast in Haussler, who you're 90% sure will make it.

Garmin would be better off with Hushovd going with any moves on the Poggio. Then if it's brought back by a team that missed out, Haussler is fresh for the kill. If Hushovd finds himself against Gilbert, and a couple others, he will fancy himself of winning.

Agreed, Hushovd will have to play that role. I'm not sure Garmin have anyone else who could (Hesjedal if he is there?) actively defend for them on the Poggio.

 

[joy118118]

MarkoKump

next step....Milano-San Remo!!

i think it is a bit early for him...

 

[El Pistolero]

I wouldn't even have Farrar in the team. I guess he can use it to gain experience, but there is such a low chance that he will survive. Kind of pointless when you have someone just as fast in Haussler, who you're 90% sure will make it.



Agreed, Hushovd will have to play that role. I'm not sure Garmin have anyone else who could (Hesjedal if he is there?) actively defend for them on the Poggio.

Having Farrar in the team won't hurt him and Farrar can survive the hills and still sprint. Just look at the stage at the Vuelta were he came second to Gilbert and the other sprinters were nowhere to be found. If Cavendish can, so can Farrar.

It's not like you have to work hard in MSR. As long as Hushovd goes with the attacks on the Poggio they'll have a great chance of winning MSR.

 

[Ferminal]

Having Farrar in the team won't hurt him and Farrar can survive the hills and still sprint. Just look at the stage at the Vuelta were he came second to Gilbert and the other sprinters were nowhere to be found. If Cavendish can, so can Farrar.

It's not like you have to work hard in MSR. As long as Hushovd goes with the attacks on the Poggio they'll have a great chance of winning MSR.

But I think Garmin would be better served by forcing a tougher selection, because they know Haussler and Hushovd will survive almost anything. They need to make it hard enough to drop or hurt Cav/Goss and Petacchi.

 

[El Pistolero]

But I think Garmin would be better served by forcing a tougher selection, because they know Haussler and Hushovd will survive almost anything. They need to make it hard enough to drop or hurt Cav/Goss and Petacchi.

Never going to happen. If they both are in form they will not be dropped. Poggio is way too easy even after 280km.

The only hope they have is being in the attacker group with someone and forcing HTC to bring the group back and in the process tiring themselves out.

I'm guessing OPL will put up a hard tempo on the Poggio because once Gilbert is launched he doesn't need any more team mates. Greipel hasn't ridden on T-A, so they shouldn't work for him. He should work for Gilbert.

 

[Tom T.]

Friere for #4.

 

[cycladianpirate]

Was going to put a bet on Hushovd but the consensus among the sages here seems to be that he's likely to be used to deliver Haussler/Farrar. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Hushovd "Poggio will clarify everything".
I think the team will decide who will lead out & who will sprint during the race.

 

[theyoungest]

Friere for #4.

Exactly. No hype around him at all, that's just how he wants it. Even with no. 1 on his back he is able to ride fairly anonymously. Always underestimated, always delivers (well, not always, but close).

 

[eljimberino]

How is Hauslers wrist?

 

[TheEnoculator]

Friere to win his fourth. He has dropped off the radar to do a low-key preparation. He's my dark horse.