Milano - Sanremo: March 20, 2021

[Samu Cuenca]

Don't forget about Bouhanni. He has been handing out gifts left and right trying to get rid of his bad karma.
And we shouldn't discount Matej Motoric either

 

[search]

And we shouldn't discount Matej Motoric either

it's surely his last chance to win the race at least

Pedersen in current shape, in my opinion, would be dropped like a stone on the Poggio, though. I can see every reason not to waste much energy for that

 

[tobydawq]

Magnus Cort will smoke all these pretenders.

 

[Roku]

it's surely his last chance to win the race at least

Why is so? (Talking about Mohoric)

 

[BlueRoads]

Why is so? (Talking about Mohoric)

tuck rules

 

[Roku]

Oh i get it now. Thanks.

 

[Netserk]

it's surely his last chance to win the race at least

Pedersen in current shape, in my opinion, would be dropped like a stone on the Poggio, though. I can see every reason not to waste much energy for that

Some riders have historically needed to race Milano-Sanremo to be in top shape for the cobbles, that's at least what Boonen, for one, has said throughout his career.

 

[Netserk]

(* * * * *) MvdP, WvA
(* * * *) Alaphilippe
(* * *) Ballerini, Bennett, Démare, Matthews
(* *) Bettiol, Kristoff, Nizzolo, Pidcock, Mohorič
(*) Laporte, Cort, Gilbert, Trentin, Turgis, Kragh, GvA

 

[Spine Concept]

Aside from the obvious favorites (big 3) I kinda hope Gilbert wins the last monument missing on his palmares.

I know it’s a very long shot, and that all the stars would have to align, but I’d be ecstatic for him if he wins.

With that being said, I just hope for a epic edition, though with most of the main protagonists probably being a bit fatigued from Tirreno it’ll most likely be more of the same.

Maybe a chance for a group of outsiders to try something earlier than usual?

 

[Blanco]

. A fresh, rested MVDP would probably attack on the Cipressa and have a decent chance of staying away, but I think he's got to wait until the Poggio, mark Wout or Alaf or anyone who goes, and hope he can win a sprint.

I doubt anyone of the big favorites would attack on Cipressa, not even Van Der Poel. But on Poggio, that's a whole different case. Why would he mark anyone there? From what we saw this year, he seems to be the most explosive guy, not Van Aert or Alaphilippe. He'll put the hammer there and then we'll see if there are some survivors left. If he has a company, then sprint becomes an option, not before that.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Well any worry that MvdP isn't recovered is thrown out of the windows

Van der Poel weet hoe hij Milaan-Sanremo gaat winnen: 'Zijn geen andere opties' | NOS

Basically says he's recovered and he feels good. Also says he's gonna wait on the Poggio and there are no other scenario's in MSR.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Well any worry that MvdP isn't recovered is thrown out of the windows

Van der Poel weet hoe hij Milaan-Sanremo gaat winnen: 'Zijn geen andere opties' | NOS

Basically says he's recovered and he feels good. Also says he's gonna wait on the Poggio and there are no other scenario's in MSR.

If he waits on Poggio, I think he'll be distanced

It wouldn't be the smartest thing to attack before Poggio, but this year may be different, although I doubt it.

 

[tobydawq]

If he waits on Poggio, I think he'll be distanced

It wouldn't be the smartest thing to attack before Poggio, but this year may be different, although I doubt it.

I think he can try something silly like a Cipressa attack once after he has won the race at least one time.

 

[search]

tuck rules

yep, that's what I was referring to. He's still a good rider of course, but his standout ability is the one to drop everyone on a descent - and probably less so on from April

 

[BlueRoads]

An attack before the poggio makes no sense for van der Poel. He will obviously either be the best there or the second best behind Alaphilippe. It's the only place he can distance the others and he has a great chance to do it there. If he attacks earlier there's no way they are letting him go, teams like Ineos and DQS bring Declercq, Asgreen, Kwiatkowski, Ganna, Bissegger, Bettiol, Campenaerts... they will catch him and after seeing this year so far they won't hesitate thinking "ah, that's too early anyway". No, there's just too many teams with great puncheurs or sprinters and there won't be heavy wind and rain.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I think he can try something silly like a Cipressa attack once after he has won the race at least one time.

That's highly possible. If he actually is planning on doing it on Sunday or any other year, I don't think he is going to disclose it in a pre-rece interview anyway.

 

[tobydawq]

That's highly possible. If he actually is planning on doing it on Sunday or any other year, I don't think he is going to disclose it in a pre-rece interview anyway.

Well, if he waits until Sunday, he will surely not be winning this year's edition.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Well, if he waits until Sunday, he will surely not be winning this year's edition.

You mean that he isn't riding Per sempre Alfredo?
Last year he could ride LBL right after BinckBank Tour, so I thought this would be a piece of cake for him.

 

[tobydawq]

Hmm, can we actually get cross-wind action this year? The wind seems to be uncharacteristically strong for this region but is from the north, so I don't know if the Aurelia is too hidden to make the wind play a role.

 

[Volderke]

I can only see a good Cipressa attack (or shortly after) if the wind is favourable, and if nobody sets the pace. The last couple of years, the pace setting on Cipressa was always too high for any meaningful attacks. I also secretly hope for bad weather each year, but at the other hand, this race also breathes 'primavera' so I'm fine with a sunny rivera.

 

[Escarabajo]

No surprises here:

• MVdP attack "Lift off" in Poggio. Few riders can go with him obviously.
• Small field sprint at the finish. MVdP can be defeated only by WVA and JA. Other sprinters will be dropped in Poggio.

The issue is who from the 3 to win. Positioning and recovery after 300 km can play big against MVdP. I'll go with WVA for the win.

 

[will-10]

I do think it's a good year for an outsider to win. With Wout, Alaphilippe and VDP such big favourites, any moves in the final after the Poggio will be down to them to close. Reminds me of how Goss or Ciolek won their MSR. That said I was sure we were going to have a shock winner in 2019 out of that big group after Poggio but Julian still sealed the deal even then.

 

[BlueRoads]

**** * van der Poel
**** van Aert
*** Alaphilippe
** Pidcock, Bennett, Ballerini, Schachmann
* Aranburu, Laporte, Simmons, Démare

 

[SafeBet]

Hmm, can we actually get cross-wind action this year? The wind seems to be uncharacteristically strong for this region but is from the north, so I don't know if the Aurelia is too hidden to make the wind play a role.

I don't think it's likely.
The road is generally well sheltered and it's hard to find long stretches of straight road where echelons could form.

 

[Lequack]

Who will MVDP lead out this time?