Montepaschi Strade Bianche, Saturday

[Ripper]

I think Hesjedal is on for a breakthrough year, so he has a chance. But there are several who could take it. Either way, I love this course!

 

[hektoren]

EBH not riding? He was 4th here last year...

EBH will do the Tirreno-Adriatico, starting four days later. Give him a rest! He's been great so far. No need to grind him down this early in the season.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I can see flecha getting another win, if the w.e was an indication of his form he'll be up there.

 

[blaxland]

Ballan,Ballan,Ballan,Ballan.............then lokvist and Chavanel(is he riding?)

 

[auscyclefan94]

I can see flecha getting another win, if the w.e was an indication of his form he'll be up there.

Ballan,Ballan,Ballan,Ballan.............then lokvist and Chavanel(is he riding?)

From what I saw of last years race on youtube, it looks like a much too harder finish for those two.

 

[Ad Rock]

Ryder Hesjedal for the win! .... The pride of CANADA!!

 

[Reverend_T_Preedy]

Love this race. Italy's answer to the International Cicle Classic

Seriously, this could be one of the best and most sought after races in a few years. The place is stunning and the racing is interesting too.

Cadel Evans for the win for me.

 

[*G*K*S*]

Ryder Hesjedal for the win! .... The pride of CANADA!!

Crosby would like to have a word with you.

 

[Ad Rock]

Crosby would like to have a word with you.

hahaha Okay... Ryder is the pride of Canada in *cycling* then hahaha.... As someone who grew up int he same city at Sydney Crosby, I recognize that he's the pride of Canada in his respective sport....

...although....pshhhh.... like anyone watches hockey in Canada?

 

[KazakhNeRider]

Official team press-release:
Here are the riders of Team Astana to be present in Italy for the race Strade Bianche :
Assan BAZAYEV (KAZ)
Allan DAVIS (AUS)
Valeriy DMITRYEV (KAZ)
Enrico GASPAROTTO (ITA)
Maxim IGLINSKIY (KAZ)
Mirko SELVAGGI (ITA)
Alexandre VINOKOUROV (KAZ)

 

[Leopejo]

From what I saw of last years race on youtube, it looks like a much too harder finish for those two.

It depends on how many will be in the leading bunch at 2 km to go.

 

[Leopejo]

Yes Rai-3 call their program "Siena Ciclismo: Strade bianche - Eroica"
scheduled for 16:25 - 1725 but preceded from 15:55 by the something called
Sabato Sport which might have updates on the race so far - who knows.

The race won't be live for sure - too expensive. Only a handful of races get a live treatment in Italy: I'd say Tirreno - Adriatico, Milano - Sanremo, Giro d'Italia and Giro di Lombardia. So they will broadcast it somewhere between 15.55 (start of Raitre's "sport afternoon") and 18.10 (football/soccer rules in Italy), depending also on the actual finish time.

Nothing is indicated for the Rai Sports-Piu channel - but their schedule has proved to be a poor indication of content recently.

I'd expect a rerun on Sunday or Monday morning.

 

[Anonymous]

The race won't be live for sure - too expensive. Only a handful of races get a live treatment in Italy: I'd say Tirreno - Adriatico, Milano - Sanremo, Giro d'Italia and Giro di Lombardia. So they will broadcast it somewhere between 15.55 (start of Raitre's "sport afternoon") and 18.10 (football/soccer rules in Italy), depending also on the actual finish time.


I'd expect a rerun on Sunday or Monday morning.

myp2p are saying 13:00 - 15:45 and they are rarely wrong.. in fact, ive never known them be wrong.

 

[Michele]

Italy got hit by a very cold and rainy weather starting from today and it should last for some time so the weather might make things even more interesting; if I remember correctly, the 2 previous edition were dry.

 

[Leopejo]

myp2p are saying 13:00 - 15:45 and they are rarely wrong.. in fact, ive never known them be wrong.

That's not RAI's live coverage.

 

[Leopejo]

Italy got hit by a very cold and rainy weather starting from today and it should last for some time so the weather might make things even more interesting; if I remember correctly, the 2 previous edition were dry.

It should be sunny on Saturday and maybe the day before. Temperatures on the other hand will be 10 °C colder than a week before.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

I'm really unimpressed with cyclingnews' build up to this awesome event. 3 days out and there's absolutely nothing posted about the race. Some dumb article about McEwen's knee, that's it. LAME! But what's new. Ever since the big buyout all the race coverage has been lacking to put it lightly.

I hope it rains on Saturday. Only 30% chance later in the day, but it would be a nice change from the previous editions.

 

[LugHugger]

I'm really unimpressed with cyclingnews' build up to this awesome event. 3 days out and there's absolutely nothing posted about the race. Some dumb article about McEwen's knee, that's it. LAME! But what's new. Ever since the big buyout all the race coverage has been lacking to put it lightly.

I hope it rains on Saturday. Only 30% chance later in the day, but it would be a nice change from the previous editions.

yep, seems to me that the fans are far more excited about this race than the media. don't know about the riders but every interview i've read they seem really enthusiastic about it.

what happens if it rains hard like it did in belgium last weekend? unlikely i know. does it turn into a 'cross crit? do the white roads hold water? just checked a 6 day forecast and they're predicting snow for later in the week and lots of rain http://www.italy-weather-and-maps.com/weather/SI/ looks like fun!

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Italy got hit by a very cold and rainy weather starting from today and it should last for some time so the weather might make things even more interesting; if I remember correctly, the 2 previous edition were dry.

Tell me about it - consistent rain and quite cold too- and it looks as though it is to remain that way until after the weekend.

 

[Leopejo]

Sorry to disappoint, but according to today's forecasts it will be sunny on Saturday, and the previous day it shouldn't rain too much.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

weather can be unpredictable though... let us dream dammit

Can't wait for this.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm really unimpressed with cyclingnews' build up to this awesome event. 3 days out and there's absolutely nothing posted about the race. Some dumb article about McEwen's knee, that's it. LAME! But what's new. Ever since the big buyout all the race coverage has been lacking to put it lightly.
.

Ive popped on looking for previews of races and found nothing, seems they just report nowadays

 

[Inner Peace]

I would like to see a road World Champion win this race.. so that's Evans, Ballan or Cancellara.

I haven't bothered checking the startlist but if Gilbert is racing, he is my pick!!

Cunego? he there... might suit him perhaps

just throwing some names out there




okie dokies, checked the startlist this time. cross of cunego and gilbert, and add Kirchen and Vinokourov as interesting names to throw in the mix.

tough race to predict this one, but I'd like to see the rainbow jersey try to 'animate' the race, but I dare say Vino might be up there

 

[LugHugger]

Sorry to disappoint, but according to today's forecasts it will be sunny on Saturday, and the previous day it shouldn't rain too much.

really http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/europe_forecast_48hrs.asp?locationID=3861

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

Astana just announced that Vino is out due to dental problems.

Susan