Paris-Nice '12: Stage 1 Dampierre-en-Yvelines - Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse (ITT), 9,4 k

[Afrank]

No one thinks Andreas Kloden could win or podium? In the Paris-nice thread alot of people were saying this route is made for him.

 

[SHAD0W93]

No one thinks Andreas Kloden could win or podium? In the Paris-nice thread alot of people were saying this route is made for him.

I think he is going to win overall (and greg probably does to) and top 5 this TT and top 3 or better the next one.

 

[Eric8-A]

No one thinks Andreas Kloden could win or podium? In the Paris-nice thread alot of people were saying this route is made for him.

I want him to win the overall. But I don't think he'll win the prologue.

 

[Trofinios]

Top 3 stage
1. Martin
2. Wiggo
3. Leipheimer

Top 3 GC
1. Leipheimer
2. Porte
3. Martin

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Watch out for Coppel today. This ITT is tailormade for him and he should be in very good shape. I wouldn't be surprised if he top 5'ed - heck, even top 3'ed - today.

 

[auscyclefan94]

With rain later in the day, I will go for an early starter in Bookwalter.

 

[spalco]

Cheering for valverde to pull out the stops!....
Tony Martin FTW

I'm not rooting for Valverde, but I'm looking forward to Eurosport whinging about him.

 

[zamzonait]

i predict Hushovd top 7 today

 

[Froome19]

Top 3 stage
1. Martin
2. Wiggo
3. Leipheimer

Top 3 GC
1. Leipheimer
2. Porte
3. Martin

I cant see Levi or Porte out climbing Wiggins but...

 

[Trofinios]

I cant see Levi or Porte out climbing Wiggins but...

I believe Levi could be in better shape than Wiggo at the moment, and he followed Contador on the climbs in Argentina. I also think Levi could do really well on the last TT.

Porte showed superb form in Algarve, and the Mende climb resembles the Malhao climb. A short and fairly steep climb isn't exactly perfect for Wiggo.

But I could of course be wrong and Wiggo wins the hole thing.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Mende is steeper than Malhão though. Quite significantly so. Malhão is about 3km at 6,7%, Montée Laurent Jalabert is about 3km at 10%. Certainly not the kind of thing we've ever seen Wiggins or Porte really show well on. It's quite a good balance because the type of rider that the Col d'Èze TT suits is different to the type that Mende suits.

 

[Trofinios]

Mende is steeper than Malhão though. Quite significantly so. Malhão is about 3km at 6,7%, Montée Laurent Jalabert is about 3km at 10%. Certainly not the kind of thing we've ever seen Wiggins or Porte really show well on. It's quite a good balance because the type of rider that the Col d'Èze TT suits is different to the type that Mende suits.

3km at 6,7%? You're sure?

On steephill.tv I read that the Malhão climb is

...a short, but at this time of the year, relatively steep climb (2.7 km, 9.25% average grade).

http://www.steephill.tv/volta-ao-algarve/

 

[theyoungest]

No matter what the profiles look like, Mende is simply harder. You just have to look at the footage of the respective climbs to see that. On Mende riders are clearly struggling to turn the pedals, on Malhao it's easier to keep a rhythm.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Has Andy baby's TT increased significantly?
How much time is Saxo's GC man, Dani, going to lose?
Is Tony going to beat Wiggo? Let's hope so.

I think Dani could be a surprise. He won't win, but he can get a good placing. I don't know how his TT is, but it'll be interesting to see how he'll do now he can go all for himself.

 

[Trofinios]

No matter what the profiles look like, Mende is simply harder. You just have to look at the footage of the respective climbs to see that. On Mende riders are clearly struggling to turn the pedals, on Malhao it's easier to keep a rhythm.

Yes it's harder, but Malhão is still a tough short climb. Porte excelled on it. And given what I have seen from Wiggins on shorter and steeper climbs before, I think it's not unreasonable to believe that Porte could to better on Mende than Wiggins.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Mende is still a week away. Let's focus on the TT

 

[Eric8-A]

Is Tony going to beat Wiggo? Let's hope so.

On a climb, no.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Whohoo! I'm ready!

 

[theyoungest]

Mende is still a week away. Let's focus on the TT

Yes, on Mende Thomas Dekker has no chance, today maybe he does

 

[LaFlorecita]

On a climb, no.

In the TT.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yes, on Mende Thomas Dekker has no chance, today maybe he does

A top 10 would be nice but I'm not banking on it (in this TT)

 

[online-rider]

I think the hill is too much for Phinney. Valverde never peaks for a prologue. Martin doesnt have top form ... So probably wiggins

 

[Richeypen]

I think the hill is too much for Phinney. Valverde never peaks for a prologue. Martin doesnt have top form ... So probably wiggins

Personally I dont think that Wiggo has great form at the moment. It will either be Martin or maybe a surprise from earlier in the day

 

[online-rider]

Personally I dont think that Wiggo has great form at the moment. It will either be Martin or maybe a surprise from earlier in the day

Probably Martin then. I wouldnt expect a surprise in a Timetrial.

 

[Bavarianrider]

The first riders are on the track.