Milano - Sanremo changes route!

[jaylew]

I wonder how much Boonen will target this. Well, I guess it might depend on what happens with the route. A win for him would look great on his palmares as he could join Canc and Bettini as the only riders with wins in 3 different monuments in recent memory.

Your post also had me trying to remember who the last Belgian to win MSR was - Tchmil in 99. Only Belgian win in the last 32 years.

 

[trevim]

I would like Boonen to win three races this season: Het Volk, San Remo and Paris Tours. He can retire after that.

Two words though, regarding this race: John Degenkolb.

 

[rghysens]

Will Boonen definitely race MSR? Any confirmation? I feel he has a good chance.

Even with Pompeiana there was a 99% chance that Boonen would start (his own words in an interview I read in a newspaper). He also stated he had about 0% chance on winning it with Pompeiana included.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Even with Pompeiana there was a 99% chance that Boonen would start (his own words in an interview I read in a newspaper). He also stated he had about 0% chance on winning it with Pompeiana included.

Of course he should go anyway. Such a rider shouldn't bail out of a monument just because the clowns messes with the balance of the route.

 

[argyllflyer]

Meersman's started off pretty well and has MSR on his schedule... he won a stage (Catalunya?) last season where there was a descent into the finish then a sprint.

 

[42x16ss]

Meersman and Degenkolb certainly sound like potential winners, would be good to see either of them do well. Sagan is the obvious choice, with or without Pompeiana and Gerrans and Cancellara should also be up there.

As far as dark horses go, I like Haussler.

 

[Gloin22]

Stybar.

10chars

 

[the asian]

Meersman's started off pretty well and has MSR on his schedule... he won a stage (Catalunya?) last season where there was a descent into the finish then a sprint.

Not sure whether Meersman can handle the distance.

He can win stages in stage races but hasn't done anything significant in the monuments/Worlds.

Degenkolb OFC has a good chance, He's on top form too.

Is Kwiatkowski riding? If so he'll be one to look out for.

 

[hfer07]

Not to return to the eternal debate about the incorporation of new climbs with the already demanding length of this race, but now with the removal of the Pompeiana- whose chances have gone up? I still have Cance, Sagan & Nibs to do their thing -if weather permits of course-I mean who? Bonnen?

 

[Afrank]

Not to return to the eternal debate about the incorporation of new climbs with the already demanding length of this race, but now with the removal of the Pompeiana- whose chances have gone up? I still have Cance, Sagan & Nibs to do their thing -if weather permits of course-I mean who? Bonnen?

Any sprinter that can make it over a hill like the Poggio I'd say. With the Pompeiana there wasn't much chance of sprinters making it to the finish to contest the win, now they have that chance back.

 

[hfer07]

Any sprinter that can make it over a hill like the Poggio I'd say. With the Pompeiana there wasn't much chance of sprinters making it to the finish to contest the win, now they have that chance back.

I just realized by looking at the race profile that because of the Pompeiana placement it would have indeed diminished the sprinters chances to win the race- although they might have been able to catch the roulers on the descent.....

 

[myrideissteelerthanyours]

Not to return to the eternal debate about the incorporation of new climbs with the already demanding length of this race, but now with the removal of the Pompeiana- whose chances have gone up? I still have Cance, Sagan & Nibs to do their thing -if weather permits of course-I mean who? Bonnen?

whoever Canc is willing to tow to the line disregarding all logic and tactics essentially gifting them the win or else its a bunch sprint

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

6 potential winners named here, the last two pages; 4 of them riding for OPQS

 

[42x16ss]

That's the great thing about this race - the winner is rarely someone obvious and almost always someone who takes a chance (even in '09 where Cavendish realised he had to ditch his leadout and chase Haussler himself). Adding the Pompeiana would just turn this into a poor facsimile of Lombardia or San Sebastian, I hope that it doesn't end up used

 

[MatParker117]

Pre 2008 route if no Pompeiana Mark Cavendish will be happy.

 

[Peccio89]

Pre 2008 route if no Pompeiana Mark Cavendish will be happy.

I guess if Pompeiana is out Manie will be in

 

[MatParker117]

I guess if Pompeiana is out Manie will be in

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014...ave-pompeiana-climb-for-milano-sanremo_317401

If the Pompieana is not passable, the race will travel its former route, the pre-2008 edition, without the La Mànie climb, which faced the peloton 100 kilometers from the finish for five years. The loss of two climbs along the 298-kilometer route would delight 2009 winner Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) and defending champion Gerald Ciolek (MTN-Qhubeka), both sprinters who saw their chances all but erased with the addition of the would-be new climb.

“We’d have no other option but to race the classic Sanremo, without La Mànie,” Vegni said. “I’d rather return to Milano-Sanremo of [seven] years ago.”

 

[roundabout]

Wait, so it's either a sprint fest or a poor man's hilly classic? Boo

 

[Peccio89]

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014...ave-pompeiana-climb-for-milano-sanremo_317401

that's just really stupid; MSR with Manie has been quite awasome since 2008, but maybe they had problem with the bad weather on the Manie climb too.

Actually even the Capo Mele is closed now, and in Saturday Trofeo Laigueglia they will have to go through an alternative route. We will see if that will be ready by MST time.

 

[manafana]

they need to cut it its obviously a poorly planned decision and the road is in no state to be raced from feedback online

 

[Poursuivant]

Gilbert thinks it is all a publicity stunt and the pompeiana will be in.

 

[offbyone]

This isn't the first time they have changed this course and it probably won't be the last. But I totally disagree with changing these courses unless absolutely necessary. These races would not have become considered monuments/classics over many many years if the course didn't make for a good race.

When they make these changes, they might as well rename the race because it would change the entire race and you can't compare winners of this course change to the past.

 

[Poursuivant]

This isn't the first time they have changed this course and it probably won't be the last. But I totally disagree with changing these courses unless absolutely necessary. These races would not have become considered monuments/classics over many many years if the course didn't make for a good race.

When they make these changes, they might as well rename the race because it would change the entire race and you can't compare winners of this course change to the past.

Agreed sir

 

[King Boonen]

Any more news on the Pompeiana?

 

[Pippo_San]

Any more news on the Pompeiana?

It's stated on tuttobiciweb that Vegni still has strong hopes to keep it in the course. Yet the situation is difficult, and RCS has lots of troubles with Italian races for the spring because of the bad weather during the winter: not only Milano Sanremo, but it looks like also Strade Bianche and Roma Maxima will see changes in the course.