Milan-Sanremo

[auscyclefan94]

I think he should go for one more big one this year and pull the plug. Imagine if he could retire In Rainbows. (What does the profile look like this year?)

it's a very much freire course. for someone like alby davis or freire.

 

[mr. tibbs]

The Italian commentators were saying EBH had got up into the first group coming down off the Poggio, but I couldn't see him in the last 2 km.

CN's picks to win MSR:

EBH: 8 out of 10 chance
Freire: 5 out of 10

 

[Moondance]

Props to ak-zaaf for winning the podium contest! He was the only one to call it. It only took what, 5 races for someone to walk away with the spoils?

Someone got it on the last day of Paris-Nice. This is the 2nd go around.

 

[maltiv]

Best finisher for BMC was burgharst in 22nd. At least we can tip winners e.g. evans

Thor Hushovd also said that Freire was the biggest favorite. I thought he was crazy, but he obviously knew what he was talking about!

 

[Francois the Postman]

No, it was in the Dutch news a few days back that he was staying with Rabo through 2011 at least.

Cool. Glad to hear that.

Must be a team that is quite hopeful of more nice things to come over the coming 2 years then. Young riders on the squad maturing well, and old glory that has not faded yet.

 

[balkou]

Try Tirreno just a week or so ago. Lots of killer uphill finishes, and Astana seemed in the play.

I know that. Gasparotto was impressive. What I'm saying is that you cannot judge the team level of the next Tour from the fact that Astana were better today (or in Tirreno) or that RS were better at Paris-Nice. And I know that the whole debate began as a way to low down the significance of AC's win.

 

[Jamsque]

I think the worlds course this year may be too flat for Friere. He did well today because he was clearly much fresher than Boonen, Bennati, Petachi and co, thanks to not having to work as hard on the climbs. There is no denying that he is fast, but he will have to do something really special to beat Cav, Boonen, and whoever the Italians decide to ride for if it comes to a bunch sprint in Melbourne.

Balkou, we are not talking about the damn Tour. We are just making fun of RadioShack because it is a silly team. Not everything said about them is about Lance or about the Tour, OK? Chill out.

 

[il_fiammingo]

Friere has got to be tactically the best sprinter in the peloton. He always picks the right wheel and always kicks at the right time. What a rider.

The only guy who still has this sharp excelleration after such a long and hard race.

Beautiful Sanremo this year!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Jamsque

Freire has, ALWAYS, been a faster sprinter than Boonen in pure speed. Always. The thing is, he is so often injured or not completely 100%.. you don't see him doing well an entire season, or you don't see him doing well each Tour de France.
I won't say anything about Petacchi and sure as hell Cavendish is faster. But Boonen has never been a better or faster sprinter than Freire.

 

[Publicus]

I know that. Gasparotto was impressive. What I'm saying is that you cannot judge the team level of the next Tour from the fact that Astana were better today (or in Tirreno) or that RS were better at Paris-Nice. And I know that the whole debate began as a way to low down the significance of AC's win.

Astana has a much more successful season to date after they were roundly dismissed as crap during the offseason. It's not about the Tour--where Astana will be significantly better than Team Lance presented by Radio Shack.

Back to MSR: Just a fantastic race. Really impressed by Oscar's kick at the end. Initially it looked like he just nipped Boonen, but the aerial shot makes it clear that Boonen had no chance.

 

[Bike Rider]

Tirreno-Adriatico

I had a feeling Boonen's form was slightly overrated. He did well to get second but I thought he would struggle in the sprint. If Cav was in form at the Tirreno-Adriatico then he would not have won those sprints and there would be less hype around him.

 

[Jamsque]

Jamsque

Freire has, ALWAYS, been a faster sprinter than Boonen in pure speed. Always. The thing is, he is so often injured or not completely 100%.. you don't see him doing well an entire season, or you don't see him doing well each Tour de France.
I won't say anything about Petacchi and sure as hell Cavendish is faster. But Boonen has never been a better or faster sprinter than Freire.

I've always put Friere in the same kind of place as Robbie McEwen. He has a REALLY good kick, by which I mean he can accelerate incredibly quickly and leap off someone's wheel to get to the front, and as I said before he may well be the most tactically smart sprinter in the peloton, but he doesn't have the speed endurance of the bigger guys like Boonen and Petacchi. They are guys that take a while to get up to top speed (which is why they really need a leadout) but can hold it for much longer.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I don't agree. I've seen Freire doing sprints against Boonen, starting at 250m to go, and only accelerating away till the finish line. Him never getting up to speed.

In fact, it's Boonen who's not really a sprinter, he always says that as well on Belgian TV. He can just hold a top speed for a while, but doesn't have the real acceleration and needs to be launched at (close to) top speed as well

 

[rhubroma]

Milano San Remo is a race that "anyone" has a chance at winning, though, in the end, is won by a true champion. Such was the case today.

 

[il_fiammingo]

I don't agree. I've seen Freire doing sprints against Boonen, starting at 250m to go, and only accelerating away till the finish line. Him never getting up to speed.

In fact, it's Boonen who's not really a sprinter, he always says that as well on Belgian TV. He can just hold a top speed for a while, but doesn't have the real acceleration and needs to be launched at (close to) top speed as well

100% true.

 

[Sasquatch]

The Worlds course this year is perfect for Oscar

Have you seen the course? At this point in time I will be shocked if a Sprinter wins it. My opinion may change later in the year but at this point in time, the win won't be from a sprinter.

 

[Bike Rider]

There had been some talk that Boonen had lost weight. I did not think he looked any different.

 

[Moondance]

Have you seen the course? At this point in time I will be shocked if a Sprinter wins it. My opinion may change later in the year but at this point in time, the win won't be from a sprinter.

http://www.melbourne2010.com.au/default.aspx?s=geelong-road-race-flash

Ummm... This is what I have been able to find on the official site. And certainly any sprinter who is able to survive the Cipressa & Poggio should be able to get through this.

 

[ingsve]

Yeah they just showed the top 27, EBH not in the leading group, for all the Gazetta commentators mentioned his name.

Yep, Löfkvist was the 2nd Sky rider next to Flecha in the lead group.

 

[maltiv]

Edvald once again got stomach troubles in the end, as he's struggled a lot with in the past. Poor guy.

 

[issoisso]

Edvald once again got stomach troubles in the end, as he's struggled a lot with in the past. Poor guy.

Yes, I'm sure he would've won today without them

 

[pmcg76]

Good victory for Freire, brillant tactics and once he got his nose in front it was his. Anyone think Nibali might have done more good helping to lead out Bennati rather than go it for himself. Maybe not for the last time, Liquigas tactics will be a bit mixed up.

I am not a big fan of Milan-San Remo but today was one of the dullest editions in years. One maybe two attacks(Rogers/Gilbert) on the Poggio and then Nibali/Pozzato suicide effort, that was it. For those who were saying Paris-Nice was boring, I think todays race put things into context.

 

[theyoungest]

CN's picks to win MSR:

EBH: 8 out of 10 chance
Freire: 5 out of 10

Yes, EBH-fanboyism has also struck the CN editors.

Freire has never finished outside the top-10 in this race, EBH has once (barely) finished this race. Place your bets.

 

[Mellow Velo]

I am not a big fan of Milan-San Remo but today was one of the dullest editions in years. One maybe two attacks(Rogers/Gilbert) on the Poggio and then Nibali/Pozzato suicide effort, that was it. For those who were saying Paris-Nice was boring, I think todays race put things into context.

I would say Italy's answer to Paris-Tours, except P-T was far better.
Dull as ditchwater, when compared to Paris-Nice.
As for tactics, the GP Samyn, the other week, was a little gem, compared to this piece of paste.

 

[Bike Rider]

Good victory for Freire, brillant tactics and once he got his nose in front it was his. Anyone think Nibali might have done more good helping to lead out Bennati rather than go it for himself. Maybe not for the last time, Liquigas tactics will be a bit mixed up.

And Nibali nearly went into a wall going on the attack.

I am not a big fan of Milan-San Remo but today was one of the dullest editions in years. One maybe two attacks(Rogers/Gilbert) on the Poggio and then Nibali/Pozzato suicide effort, that was it. For those who were saying Paris-Nice was boring, I think todays race put things into context.

Well I only watched the last 60k because I knew it would be boring. It was more chaotic than I expected but like you say there were no big attacks from the favourites. I think this was due to the high pace on the assent.