Paris-Nice 2012 - Stage 4; Brive-la-Gaillarde - Rodez, 178 km

[Geraint Too Fast]

The appetiser before the main course.

Valverde vs Gerrans again?

 

[Panda Claws]

La Machine 😀

 

[palmerq]

another win for valverde?

 

[williamp78]

How many bonus seconds are available at the finish line?

 

[Froome19]

How many bonus seconds are available at the finish line?

It should be the same for all of the stages so logically 10 for the winner.

 

[Frosty]

I know the graphic comes from the official site but it looks like it goes uphill from 578metres to 545 metres. Are those the wrong way round, looks like it might be from the scale on the left.

 

[FF'Wilco]

Velochrono have a better profile of the finale:

 

[cineteq]

“I lost 30 seconds against the specialists like Wiggins and Leipheimer. Against riders of my characteristics, I did pretty well,” he said. “Now there is more terrain ahead of us more to my liking. We’re in the fight and we’re going to take it to them all the way to Nice.”

 

[auscyclefan94]

Gerrans to take his revenge on Valverde today!

 

[mewmewmew13]

Would like to see Valverde take the win but I am going to speculate that a surprise winner who has been laying low will emerge.

 

[Parrulo]

Gerrans to take his revenge on Valverde today!

valverde to beat gerrans again for the third time this season 😛

seems like we are on completely opposite sides of the field lol

btw ACF what do you think of piti's performance after his return?

 

[Swede1]

Well I guess i have to say Valverde again. He looks strong and with such a great team he will be well positioned. Gerrans should be up there though. Since this is a much steeper finish its power that will count more than just quickness.

 

[jens_attacks]

valverde ftw!

 

[DominicDecoco]

Hard to see past Valverde for this.

 

[Roude Leiw]

A break may go through, there are a lot of guys caught out dreaming 2 days ago who will want to do something today. Stage is too difficult to be shut down by one team (aka Sky) and a takeover by Movistar in the end.

 

[airstream]

My bet is Gerrans because I don't think he was weaker yesterday. He just was a little late with a spurt, it seemed to me. Probably, the pretty steep short section suits him better than that we saw yesterday.
Great avatar, jens. Its a real legend)))

 

[skidmark]

Anyone think there can be any time differences (however small) at the end of things? If it comes together in a group, will it be smaller than today? I predict a group of 15, but I'm not really convinced I know what the finish is like from that profile.

 

[kukiniloa]

nosing in

Just sticking my nose in here... but perhaps someone can help me.

Perhaps there is a thread somewhere where American cycling fans complain about the absolute crap that is that whole Bob Roll, Sherwin, and Ligget crew?

So sad the excuse is always that "Americans don't know anything about professional cycling." So we have to listen to these d-bags vomit in the microphone, over-dramatizing everything?

This really only came to mind because, after ignoring cycling for many months, a period that included a month in France, and only a few days on the bicycle for myself, I got excited by the prospect of some single-day races, and got up early to watch the finish of KBK and Strade Bianche streaming. This was rewarding.

But for Paris-Nice I've turned to more conventional sources, and have been affronted by the American crew, spewing their outdated understanding of racing to an imaginary audience. Many of you will properly say - turn off the volume.

But when I listen to Dutch commentary - and I understand Dutch - they are totally chill and not the least bit vexing.

And I reflect that another year has passed and Americans still have to put up with the same old same old. Nothing changes, and undoubtedly, when July comes around we will hear the same old line, "a particular cyclist by the name of...".

It's such crap! Why can't we do better.

But, right, the thread please....thanks

 

[Christian]

Bakelants DNS

 

[vladimir]

Seems there is quite a lot of illness going around. Taylor Phinney tweeted this:
Taylor Phinney ‏ @taylorphinney
Woke up at 2:30am and threw up everything I ate yesterday... Seems to be a stomach bug going around at this race

 

[auscyclefan94]

valverde to beat gerrans again for the third time this season 😛

seems like we are on completely opposite sides of the field lol

btw ACF what do you think of piti's performance after his return?

Firstly, I am not a fan of Gerrans. I am neutral about him. Secondly, I am very surprised about how well Alejandro has come back into the pro-peloton with a lot of success. He will be a big threat in April. Still think that his form in 3 week races will lack for this year.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Gerrans to take his revenge on Valverde today!

nope 😛 piti to win again

 

[greenedge]

Gerrans to take his revenge on Valverde today!

I second that.

I wonder is Sky might let a break go- if only so they do not give Valverde who seems in good form a chance for more time ( they should consider it after stage 3 )???

 

[cineteq]

Seems there is quite a lot of illness going around. Taylor Phinney tweeted this:
Taylor Phinney ‏ @taylorphinney
Woke up at 2:30am and threw up everything I ate yesterday... Seems to be a stomach bug going around at this race

There are few guys not starting today: Phinney, Posthuma and Bakelants. I guess we can give a pass to A. Schleck this time 😀

 

[Oltean_RO]

From the official tricker:

"167 riders are at the start. It is confirmed that Bakelants, Posthuma (RNT), Phinney (BMC), Hansen and Kaisen (LTB) are not starting."