Milano - Sanremo 2022, one day classic, March 19

[gunara]

Since people still complaining about it and I can't say I really saw the full amount of it except for about five seconds at 4.0 ks to go before the moto speeding while in its p.o.v., how much was actually the significant drafting?

I saw some major one and this one didn't look at such level, don't know how much I missed.

 

[CyclistAbi]

@RunningRouleur

You wrote:

The strongest riders in MSR were MVDP, Pog, and insanely Turgis.

If one of them would do what Mohorič did. Would you be in this thread complaining?

 

[CyclistAbi]

What if Pogačar doesn't win. Then it's likely all over for him? Including Tour?

There is a reason i wrote that at the beginning of this thread. It was rather clear that the race will likely in general disappoint. That is in general what was expected from Pogačar is to win this race at Cipressa. And if not that then van Aert obviously has this. The hype and only possible scenarios where just being unrealistic.

What actually happened is something special. A descend we will talk about for years to come. A descend that likely changed the face of pro road cycling regarding descending.

All in all people asked to witness history and got a bit more then that can handle. In my opinion what happened is cycling won. And that is why we love it.

 

[topcat]

And if it would be lets say Nibali. Would you still claim the same? Or it would be OK then?

As the capo of Nibali fans, I've been nothing but praising of Mohoric's win. It was an epic way to win and Nibali's win was epic also. A great edition of the greatest classic.

 

[Oldermanish]

Meaning that while Nibali's victory was exciting, I still don't believe bike races should be decided this way.

It's bike racing, Dude. Happens in a 30km criterium or a 400km epic. Someone takes a chance and wins. The fact that he was strong enough to be there, have a plan and do it is GOLDEN.

 

[Leinster]

Max kudos to Mohoric, but I don't think bike races should be decided by who is most willing to risk their life on descents. Nor should they be determined by errant or biased motorbikes offering up a powerful draft.

The strongest riders in MSR were MVDP, Pog, and insanely Turgis.

Maybe stick to running. If you can’t enjoy Mohoric’s win, cycling might not be the sport for you.

 

[SafeBet]

Actually, it was Rota who crashed because some technically hopeless dude called Mohoric went to wide in a bend just in front of him (without crashing).

I was referring to Honore crashing (because of Mohoric) and then taking down Rota.

 

[tobydawq]

I was referring to Honore crashing (because of Mohoric) and then taking down Rota.

Okay, I don't remember that Honoré hit the ground (he might well have), just that he made it back before the sprint.

 

[Carols]

I'm all for strong attacking riders winning with a combination of watts, tactics, and teammates.

Mohoric is a top rider and deserves his Monument.

But I'm not for human beings cheating death on a bicycle or drafting off of a motorcycle to win.

I don't understand wanting athletes to literally risk their lives to win bike races. The sport is dangerous enough as it is and we are robbed of some great racing because of crashes and the risk of them. Roglic for example in most of his French races (he even skipped the Dauphine last year so he didn't crash... and then got body-checked out of the Grand Boucle which made the race a victory lap for the other Slovenian. A great tragedy for the sport).

The last thing we as fans need is for riders to start taking even more risks on descents.

Do you by any chance belong to the Andy 'descents shouldn't be in bike races' Schleck club?

 

[Valanga]

I'm not a big fan of these descending dare devils either. This has more to do with luck than skills imho.

This was also Mohoric, not so long ago: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fhxC8Xoxlwg

But it is a valid tactic and if you go up, you most go down so ¯\(ツ)/¯

 

[fbjim]

good lord, if you just want everything decided on power then just watch uphill TTs, or better yet, hook everyone up to a trainer and powermeter.

 

[Oldermanish]

I'm not a big fan of these descending dare devils either. This has more to do with luck than skills imho.

This was also Mohoric, not so long ago: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fhxC8Xoxlwg

But it is a valid tactic and if you go up, you most go down so ¯\(ツ)/¯

I can say from being on both ends of results due to crashes that every skill is relevant in racing. Descending is the natural consequence of going uphill and, if a rider can't quite hang with a well-funded team's strong uphill train he can still catch them descending as an individual on a lesser funded team. Many would suggest the budget imbalance between squads can make racing very dull; what's worse than seeing Ineos of old spread across the descent to prevent attacks?
As RR noted; Roglic was punted to the ditch and his Tour was pretty much over. My guess is his skill and instinct on pack placement has improved as has his team's ability to minimize his need to be in that position.

Anyone remember Lemond catching Fignon on the last descent in Worlds? After hours of being hammered in cold, wet weather it set up one of the most amazing finishes.

 

[Valanga]

I can say from being on both ends of results due to crashes that every skill is relevant in racing. Descending is the natural consequence of going uphill and, if a rider can't quite hang with a well-funded team's strong uphill train he can still catch them descending as an individual on a lesser funded team. Many would suggest the budget imbalance between squads can make racing very dull; what's worse than seeing Ineos of old spread across the descent to prevent attacks?
As RR noted; Roglic was punted to the ditch and his Tour was pretty much over. My guess is his skill and instinct on pack placement has improved as has his team's ability to minimize his need to be in that position.

Anyone remember Lemond catching Fignon on the last descent in Worlds? After hours of being hammered in cold, wet weather it set up one of the most amazing finishes.

Oh I fully agree that descending is a skill a cyclist should master, and should be able to exploit.

It's just, what Mohoric did was more than that imho, and was more about taking risks and being lucky. I'm not a fan of that, but it's his life and his career, so he can do what he wants ;-)