Paris-Nice 2012: Stage 2 Mantes-la-Jolie - Orléans (185 km)

[Dekker_Tifosi]

And to think that Rabo tore the peloton apart on a stage like this a few years ago... but back then they didn't have a GC rider. And they didn't win the stage either.

3 years ago yup.
But this whole season so far they've been off. Matthews is good and Gesink is riding at a good level all things considered. But the rest can do much better...

 

[Frosty]

The thing about Cofidis is not that they missed the break of 21 but that they all missed being in the yellow jersey group too (although some may have got called back to chase)

 

[hrotha]

3 years ago yup.
But this whole season so far they've been off. Matthews is good and Gesink is riding at a good level all things considered. But the rest can do much better...

Luisle probably can't.

 

[Frosty]

3 years ago yup.
But this whole season so far they've been off. Matthews is good and Gesink is riding at a good level all things considered. But the rest can do much better...

Would have thought the Dutch would have been at home on a day like today,.

 

[burning]

No they're not. Rabo had people in the peloton

Just realized that best cofidis rider in gc is in amazing 106th place, they failed utterly I guess

 

[true legend]

It was rainy and windy. Clearly treacherous conditions. Andy was probably protesting and thought the race should be neutralized.

Funny as hell

 

[Beech Mtn]

At least saxo had pretty much no one can go for GC, Rabo had 2 guys for GC (Sanchez,Mollema) and they are completely out of it

Saxo's supposed GC man, Navarro, crashed today according to CN live ticker. No idea how seriously, but obviously wasn't in lead group.

edit - Navarro came in 2.29 in Mollema group

 

[wirral]

He should have gone to the front and told everyone to slow down and wait for Frank and Andy. It would only be fair.

LOL

And then berate the commissaires for asking the riders to race when the it's drizzling and windy.

 

[pastronef]

WIGGINS Bradley
LEIPHEIMER Levi
VAN GARDEREN Tejay
MONFORT Maxime
VALVERDE Alejandro

SPILAK Simon
KISERLOVSKI Robert

from the first group: how can Spilak or Kiserlowsky perform in GC?

 

[BillytheKid]

Wind and rain! You got take some big chances to make the split. Did any see the Basso crash?

 

[Beech Mtn]

He should have gone to the front and told everyone to slow down and wait for Frank and Andy. It would only be fair.

He clearly didn't receive the team directions on how to properly support one's leader. Someone will have to beat him with a man scarf after they get back to the hotel.

 

[Lexman]

Pretty impressive win by Boonen, given how much work he did do during the race. Rojas worked a bit for Valverde, Vanmarcke, Degenkolb respectively a lot less or nothing at all... Good training for Boonen who now will ride 100% for Chavanel & Leipheimer the next days...

 

[roundabout]

Boonen is going to win tomorrow. Impossible is nothing.

 

[burning]

Prediction: Andy wont finish top 100 in any stage at all then complain that Col d'Eze is not long and steep enough

 

[Fetisoff]

from the first group: how can Spilak or Kiserlowsky perform in GC?

All depends on form I guess. If Spilak's on Romandie 2010 form, he can top 3, methinks.

 

[Fetisoff]

Prediction: Andy wont finish top 100 in any stage at all then complain that Col d'Eze is not long and steep enough

That would be great. Funny and great. Don't think it'll happen though. I see at least a top-10 out of him there.

 

[Morbius]

Great tactics from Andy

Make sure he is far enough behind on GC to be allowed to go on a 100km break

 

[Red Rick]

It looks like this year is not going well for the Schlecht bro's

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

English speakers?

anglo-saxophone time trial specialists + a liar (Valverde)

 

[pastronef]

anglo-saxophone time trial specialists + a liar (Valverde)

hahaahhaha, that was nice

 

[LaFlorecita]

At least saxo had pretty much no one can go for GC,

Dani Navarro is supposed to be their GC man, but I think he'll now go all out in one of the gruesome mountain stages.

 

[Mellow Velo]

WIGGINS Bradley
LEIPHEIMER Levi
VAN GARDEREN Tejay
MONFORT Maxime
VALVERDE Alejandro

SPILAK Simon
KISERLOVSKI Robert

from the first group: how can Spilak or Kiserlowsky perform in GC?

Unless something spectacular happens, the GC is between those guys......at a stretch.
Probably already a 3-horse race.

Once again, the first road stage rips up the Paris-Nice participants.

 

[theyoungest]

Would have thought the Dutch would have been at home on a day like today,.

That's kind of a cliche... the current crop of Dutch featherweight climbers simply suck at echelon riding. Gesink falls from his bike at the thought of an echelon (although power-wise he should be quite good at it, like Wiggins).

 

[cineteq]

anglo-saxophone time trial specialists + a liar (Valverde)

You have a rabo bitter mouth

 

[Richeypen]

WIGGINS Bradley
LEIPHEIMER Levi
VAN GARDEREN Tejay
MONFORT Maxime
VALVERDE Alejandro

SPILAK Simon
KISERLOVSKI Robert

from the first group: how can Spilak or Kiserlowsky perform in GC?

Wouldnt discount Chavanel just yet.