Milano - Sanremo changes route!

[EvansIsTheBest]

I thought the previous route had a nice balance between sprinters and punchers, this route not so much. Now it becomes just a bit less unique ..

Basically this. I'll wait to see how it pans out before giving a definitive opinion but I'm afraid this is going to kill what made MSR stand out from the rest and instead replace it with another punchers' classics, and frankly, it's already painful enough having to watch what the Ardennaises (bunch sprints) and the Ronde (a 20km race) have become, no need to make another classic transition to 'classic'. Look at the list of winners since 2008, when they introduced Le Manie : Cancellara, Cavendish, Freire, Goss, Gerrans and Ciolek. Great vairety in riders and winning styles (one solo, two bunch sprints and three small groups). If it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[Eshnar]

Michele Acquarone ‏@micacquarone 22m
@friebos That is our goal. A race open to every kind of rider. We're looking for the perfect balance. We're looking for the perfect race.

Michele Acquarone ‏@micacquarone 2m
@cycling_jsg @friebos Last five winners: Cavendish Freire Goss Gerrans Ciolek. May be we already had a 1D race. Now we're looking for 3D.

 

[tomorrow]

Correct, and I meant monument but wrote classic. My bad.

reading your mind probably? I read classic, but brain just somehow presumed, what you meant.

 

[roundabout]

Michele Acquarone ‏@micacquarone 22m
@friebos That is our goal. A race open to every kind of rider. We're looking for the perfect balance. We're looking for the perfect race.

Michele Acquarone ‏@micacquarone 2m
@cycling_jsg @friebos Last five winners: Cavendish Freire Goss Gerrans Ciolek. May be we already had a 1D race. Now we're looking for 3D.

Acquarone is full of ****.

 

[Afrank]

Will have to see how it get's raced on this new route before drawing any final judgement's. But my first impression is it doesn't look too bad, I like it that it gives more opportunities to attackers. More chances for attackers will mean a more exciting race. We certainly won't be seeing much bunch sprints with this race, and got to say, I'm perfectly fine with that.

 

[the asian]

That's bull****.

What exactly is the official reason for changing the route?

Making it easier for Nibbles to have a chance.

I like the old route more. It had a better balance. No chance for pure sprinters anymore. The Puncheurs have enough monuments, no need to add another.

 

[SKSemtex]

GW is not considered as monument

GW is not "mostly" considered as classic either . I still wonder what a hell is difference between semi-classic and classic.

 

[the asian]

Michele Acquarone ‏@micacquarone 22m
@friebos That is our goal. A race open to every kind of rider. We're looking for the perfect balance. We're looking for the perfect race.

Michele Acquarone ‏@micacquarone 2m
@cycling_jsg @friebos Last five winners: Cavendish Freire Goss Gerrans Ciolek. May be we already had a 1D race. Now we're looking for 3D.

He must be thinking that all five are pure sprinters.

 

[hfer07]

I like it -thumbs up-
I prefer a 1000 times a race where "rouleurs" get more chances, because they tend to attack earlier & provide more action, rather than the sprinters just surviving the climbs to out sprint everyone...

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

I think it's a good change. Pure sprinters can still win more than enough big races.

 

[icefire]

The course is still 2.8 kms too long

 

[red_flanders]

I welcome the change, and look forward to seeing how it pans out. If it doesn't work out...they can change it back.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

I still wonder what a hell is difference between semi-classic and classic.

The difference is 'semi-'. I'll get my coat...

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

The course is still 2.8 kms too long

Not anymore. With this course, you can attack on Cipressa, and last till the finish. If you shorten the course, people will still wait till poggio, no matter what comes before...

 

[Netserk]

GW is not "mostly" considered as classic either . I still wonder what a hell is difference between semi-classic and classic.

It is considered a classic. More so than Amstel.

 

[roundabout]

Please tell me in which hilly classics is the winning break formed on the 3rd to last hill?

 

[barmaher]

The last two editions of MSR were incredibly exciting.

2011 wasn't too shabby either.

If it ain't broke....

 

[SafeBet]

Agree with who said the old route had a perfect balance. I don't like the change but I'll wait to see how the race pans out before giving my final word on it.

 

[Descender]

Terrible, terrible stuff.

MSR used to have a unique flair as the "sprinter's monument". But plenty of non-sprinters have won before on the old route. Why this?

Awful decision!!

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

The last two editions of MSR were incredibly exciting.

2011 wasn't too shabby either.

If it ain't broke....

I would go along with this. But then it will probably turn out to be the best edition in 50 years and we will all be saying how we thought it was always a good idea.

 

[jens_attacks]

that's terrible.

cipressa and poggio are enough to get rid of the sprinters if you are strong. and it happened lots of times

i hope this idea it won't last long...basically this new climb will make poggio and cipressa not matter anymore. all the attacks will happen there. the legendary pompeiana bleagh...

 

[Taxus4a]

Well, it was right that before to add The Manie, everybody thought the classic was very soft, for a buch sprint, and the cipressa didnt make the same pain as before... times when Coppi could win.

Now the put Le Manie away, the only hard climb, instead, they put a new climb, no so hard, but close to the finish.

I think that is overall less hard, but quite more selective in the final. These days, an attack on the Cipressa was always worthless, right now could be possible to make pain froom far.

San Remo has been never a race for pure sprinters, but for riders as Freire or Zabel, or even climbers.

I think that it is not so bad the change, we will see.

 

[SKSemtex]

This year edition was brutal and awesome but mainly because of weather. My big respect to everybody who had not given up.
The reason for change is probably growing nomber and strenght of "all above sprinters" teams.

 

[barmaher]

What is the profile of the new climb?

 

[Eshnar]

What is the profile of the new climb?

see post #2