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

[Euskaltel!]

Klier putting on his armwarmers...

Vanmarcke in a short sleeved jersey

 

[Sidbike]

It's french HD.

Very blurry. In fact, I'm glad there's so many recognizable riders in the break so I can tell who's who in spite of the blur.

 

[BillytheKid]

this should be the podium, but all of them can win. Valverde included

Valverde could surprise....

 

[insideout leadout]

Why is Degen taking turns. He should save energy.

 

[BillytheKid]

http://sports-livez.com/channel/ch-7.php

Thanks. Better.

 

[Fetisoff]

Why is Degen taking turns. He should save energy.

Seems like pretty much everyone's taking turns in the group, even Wiggo and Leipheimer

 

[TeoSheva]

Why is Degen taking turns. He should save energy.

who is no taking turns?

 

[insideout leadout]

Seems like pretty much everyone's taking turns in the group, even Wiggo and Leipheimer

Ravard waiting for the sprint. Wiggo and Leipheimer have GC to think about.

 

[Kwibus]

He looks a new man. Himself? Or out from under Bruyneel?

He was doing the same last year. He actually attacked a few times on climbs etc.
Leechheimer is old news.

 

[BillytheKid]

Levi working for Boonen and himself.

 

[Beech Mtn]

Sky helmets are ug-ly

 

[El Pistolero]

Seems like pretty much everyone's taking turns in the group, even Wiggo and Leipheimer

That's a normal thing to do in echelons. Otherwise you end up in the back and you'll get blown away by the wind.

 

[BillytheKid]

He was doing the same last year. He actually attacked a few times on climbs etc.
Leechheimer is old news.

Really? Thanks for the update.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Rabobank now chasing, the clowns.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Rabobank now chasing, the clowns.

You have to laugh.

 

[skidmark]

I wonder if Valverde's gonna go for the sprint today? I wouldn't think so normally, but why not go for bonus seconds? He could possibly top 3, even against the lineup here. Although I guess the next 3 stages are ones he can win too...

Move of the day, aside from getting in the break, was Wiggins anticipating the bonus sprint. Boonen could've been in the leader's jersey if he won today otherwise (maybe?) But either way, even if Larsson had caught up, Wiggo would be in yellow at the end of the day.

 

[Tyke1968]

Wonder if wiggins takes a flyer off the front in the last few km.
Gap coming down a little.

 

[TeoSheva]

Seems like pretty much everyone's taking turns in the group

and this is fair

 

[hatcher]

Wonder if wiggins takes a flyer off the front in the last few km.
Gap coming down a little.

With the amount of work he's doing I doubt he'll have anything left at that point. Can see him losing few seconds to Valverde in a hectic finish.

 

[Frosty]

Wonder if wiggins takes a flyer off the front in the last few km.
Gap coming down a little.

Would have thought that the 4 men of OPQS would chase him down pretty sharpish.

 

[Fetisoff]

and this is fair

Yeah, I know. Plus Pisti's got a fair point about simply doing it not to lose position within the echelon.

I haven't seen Valverde at the front though (saving energy for tomorrow's finish??)

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Let's hope for some big attacks at the front. There are quite a few guys in there who aren't in with a chance if it comes to a sprint.

 

[Tyke1968]

Makes sense hard to see past Boonen in the sprint.

 

[Fetisoff]

Let's hope for some big attacks at the front. There are quite a few guys in there who aren't in with a chance if it comes to a sprint.

There's actually quite a few guys who could surprise and spoil a Boonen vs VanMarke in a finish like this

 

[El Pistolero]

He'll find a way to mess up