Paris Nice 2014

[VeloHuman]

CyclingNews reporting that Bardet and Betancur will both be protected riders for AG2R, so it looks like a pretty strong two-pronged attack.

 

[Damiano]

I do think Carlos Betancur is the favorite here. He's got the sprint to get several bonus seconds.

 

[wirral]

Is Thor Hushovd still up for this race after crashing out of Omloop?

 

[Jspear]

How many of you were aware of this event during the 84 Paris Nice? I wasn't.....boy Hinault was really putting his body into that punch!

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/03/gallery/gallery-protests-cycling_319023

 

[happychappy]

boy Hinault was really putting his body into that punch!

No he wasn't, that's a terrible punch. It's a good effort from a cyclist, though.

 

[maltiv]

Is Thor Hushovd still up for this race after crashing out of Omloop?

Yes, he's riding.

 

[jaylew]

Really gonna come down to how hard the climbs are raced. Bardet, Betancur, Nibali, Kelderman, Costa, Gerrans, Chavanel, GVA, Gallopin, Porte, TJVG, Spilak, others...lots of options.

Who is brave enough to do a star ranking of this one? Not I.

 

[Peter von]

Really gonna come down to how hard the climbs are raced. Bardet, Betancur, Nibali, Kelderman, Costa, Gerrans, Chavanel, GVA, Gallopin, Porte, TJVG, Spilak, others...lots of options.

Who is brave enough to do a star ranking of this one? Not I.

Being brave in a cowardly fashion:
*****
****
*** Betancur, Nibali, Costa, Gerrans, Chavanel, GVA, Gallopin, Porte, TJVG, Spilak
**Kelderman, Majka, Bakalandts,
*rest of Astana, Bardet, Schleck, Venendert, Nordhaug

 

[VeloHuman]

Being brave in a cowardly fashion:
*****
****
*** Betancur, Nibali, Costa, Gerrans, Chavanel, GVA, Gallopin, Porte, TJVG, Spilak
**Kelderman, Majka, Bakalandts,
*rest of Astana, Bardet, Schleck, Venendert, Nordhaug

Drawing from the in-depth preview just posted over at the site (check the signature for a link):

***** Costa, Nibali
**** Betancur, Bardet, Porte
*** van Garderen, Majka, Kelderman, Chavanel
** Spilak, Bakelants, Slagter, Albasini, G. Thomas
* Gerrans, Stybar, Gallopin, I. Izagirre, Voeckler, Fuglsang, Monfort

 

[theyoungest]

Being brave in a cowardly fashion:
*****
****
*** Betancur, Nibali, Costa, Gerrans, Chavanel, GVA, Gallopin, Porte, TJVG, Spilak
**Kelderman, Majka, Bakalandts,
*rest of Astana, Bardet, Schleck, Venendert, Nordhaug

How can Van Avermaet be a favourite for any race

 

[Lupetto]

How can Van Avermaet be a favourite for any race

In a two man race against Rojas.

 

[Peter von]

How can Van Avermaet be a favourite for any race

It's because he is very likely to end up in second place

Loosing because Porte out sprinted him for bonusseconds.

 

[Jason_Mercier]

The Betancur-Bardet X MEN couple will destroy all the field... maybe only the World Champion has to say something about.

 

[Cyivel]

Porte is doing Tirreno-Adriatico now

 

[martinvickers]

Porte is doing Tirreno-Adriatico now

Indeed, apparently Thomas takes over as race leader (slightly surprised it's not Nieve or Wiggins). First Non-sky winner in three years, me thinks. Looks an even more interesting race now.

 

[VeloHuman]

With Porte out I'd bump Thomas to at least 2 stars, maybe even 3 in a 5 star projection...

 

[happychappy]

No TT or hills? sounds crap. I'd want to go and ride something else too.

 

[JRanton]

Indeed, apparently Thomas takes over as race leader (slightly surprised it's not Nieve or Wiggins). First Non-sky winner in three years, me thinks. Looks an even more interesting race now.

How on earth would Wiggins be able to win this race (even if he was in form)? Same with Nieve btw. Thomas won't win it but he might be able to place quite well.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

How on earth would Wiggins be able to win this race (even if he was in form)? Same with Nieve btw. Thomas won't win it but he might be able to place quite well.

Gotta say its pretty intriguing, not being able to really pinpoint a group of favorites.

There is no reason why Thomas couldn't surprise here imo.

Just hope the race can avoid being controlled to death.

 

[BigMac]

No TT or hills? sounds crap. I'd want to go and ride something else too.

You might want to take a another look at the profiles, because I see plenty of hills. This route is good since it allows pretty much every type of rider to win. No time-trial is also a bonus.

 

[manafana]

it feels bit like a eneco tour without any cobbles in t, I would have liked to see a clear hill top finish were at least someone could do something.

 

[VeloHuman]

Stages 6 and 8 are both much more climber-oriented than the Eneco Tour. No, there aren't any summit finishes, but the climbs will do their damage.

 

[jsem94]

I'm going to reserve judgement on this route until I see what actually happens, if it's inviting to some real racing and risk taking.

 

[manafana]

Stages 6 and 8 are both much more climber-oriented than the Eneco Tour. No, there aren't any summit finishes, but the climbs will do their damage.

still taking the race at face value, i will make comments here and their but i do stand by the racers make the race.

 

[saneguy]

So Porte is out. Nibali or Costa seem the clear fav for me.