Paris-Nice 2017, 5th-12th March

[Akuryo]

Porte still not finished

 

[Lexman]

Re: Re:

This is what a REAL sprint looks like.

For the hard men after a hard race. It's not always about speed.

You know it has been raced hard when Naesen beats Greipel and Kittel.

Boonen said about Naesen that he's one who rides the hardest in the bunch...

 

[frisenfruitig]

Re: Re:

This is what a REAL sprint looks like.

For the hard men after a hard race. It's not always about speed.

You know it has been raced hard when Naesen beats Greipel and Kittel.

I didn't even see Kittel in the front at the end. He's damn fast but whenever the racing gets tough he's nowhere to be seen. Pretty one dimensional rider tbh

 

[rune1107]

Re:

I'm surprised no one took their jacket off before the sprint.

Impossible with strong headwind and high profile wheels

 

[rune1107]

Re: Re:

This is what a REAL sprint looks like.

For the hard men after a hard race. It's not always about speed.

You know it has been raced hard when Naesen beats Greipel and Kittel.

I didn't even see Kittel in the front at the end. He's damn fast but whenever the racing gets tough he's nowhere to be seen. Pretty one dimensional rider tbh

QS DS Brian Holm just said that he got onto the small chainring, and therefore lost a step

 

[Akuryo]

Re: Re:

This is what a REAL sprint looks like.

For the hard men after a hard race. It's not always about speed.

You know it has been raced hard when Naesen beats Greipel and Kittel.

I didn't even see Kittel in the front at the end. He's damn fast but whenever the racing gets tough he's nowhere to be seen. Pretty one dimensional rider tbh

He made the initial cut yesterday and was also in the front group today. So it's not like he just sits back and waits for the final 200 meters this race so far. Maybe that just tired him out. Yesterday every sprinter was dropped except Kristoff and Demare. Can't only blame Kittel for not making it.

 

[Breh]

Re: Re:

This is what a REAL sprint looks like.

For the hard men after a hard race. It's not always about speed.

You know it has been raced hard when Naesen beats Greipel and Kittel.

I didn't even see Kittel in the front at the end. He's damn fast but whenever the racing gets tough he's nowhere to be seen. Pretty one dimensional rider tbh

He's one of the few riders who has always been in the front group yesterday and today. And doing his job, not just hanging back.

 

[frisenfruitig]

Re: Re:

This is what a REAL sprint looks like.

For the hard men after a hard race. It's not always about speed.

You know it has been raced hard when Naesen beats Greipel and Kittel.

I didn't even see Kittel in the front at the end. He's damn fast but whenever the racing gets tough he's nowhere to be seen. Pretty one dimensional rider tbh

He's one of the few riders who has always been in the front group yesterday and today. And doing his job, not just hanging back.

I'm not just talking about today/yesterday but in general. I don't ever see him winning MSR for example.

 

[kingjr]

Before the season people would have said he'd be among the first to get dropped on a stage like this, now he was the only one with Alaphilippe at the front for a while.

 

[yaco]

Re: Re:

This is what a REAL sprint looks like.

For the hard men after a hard race. It's not always about speed.

You know it has been raced hard when Naesen beats Greipel and Kittel.

I didn't even see Kittel in the front at the end. He's damn fast but whenever the racing gets tough he's nowhere to be seen. Pretty one dimensional rider tbh

He's one of the few riders who has always been in the front group yesterday and today. And doing his job, not just hanging back.

I'm not just talking about today/yesterday but in general. I don't ever see him winning MSR for example.

Kittel has been fine the last 2 days - Kittel would have been dropped after 30 or 40kms if he is the rider you described.

 

[LaFlorecita]

71st Wagner +0'28"
72nd Docker +7'17"
73rd Van der Sande +14'16"

Yikes

 

[sQiD]

EPIC, just EPIC Racing !

Unfortunately for the riders(but fortunately for us ), there is more rain expected for tomorrow's stage and wind is also expected.

 

[Scarponi]

Re:

71st Wagner +0'28"
72nd Docker +7'17"
73rd Van der Sande +14'16"

Yikes

Lonely ride for Docker haha

 

[sir fly]

Hope no one will catch a cold. Would be a shame since they're already suffering a lot.

 

[sQiD]

Re:

71st Wagner +0'28"
72nd Docker +7'17" (i feel really sorry for him finishing alone)
73rd Van der Sande +14'16" (Richie...)

Yikes

 

[Carstenbf]

Great stage again. Pity Phil couldn't hang tight for the win. Henao's race to loose now as I see it. Though I'll be cheering for Balaphilippe like a madman.

 

[Breh]

Rolland 40minutes behind after two flat stages...

 

[del1962]

Re: Re:

71st Wagner +0'28"
72nd Docker +7'17"
73rd Van der Sande +14'16"

Yikes

Lonely ride for Docker haha

Was in front group, maybe dropped off and soft pedaled at end.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Wonder what racing this 2nd category climb will provide on tired legs.

 

[barmaher]

There won't be as much wind tomorrow. I wouldn't be surprised to see a cease fire.

 

[Inquitus]

Poor Richie probably thought he'd have a few flat days to find the legs after this break from racing, instead he got back to back epic flandrian one day races!

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Poor Richie probably thought he'd have a few flat days to find the legs after this break from racing, instead he got back to back epic flandrian one day races!

Yeah, but still better training quiet and alone on Tasmanian roads in hot weather than riding Abu Dhabi! He seemed in good shape yesterday, must simply have had a bad day, that happens to the best (read: thinnest) in these conditions.

 

[staubsauger]

Second year off Sky. Hopefully Porte's season follows this pattern from now on.

 

[Forever The Best]

Re: Re:

Poor Richie probably thought he'd have a few flat days to find the legs after this break from racing, instead he got back to back epic flandrian one day races!

Yeah, but still better training quiet and alone on Tasmanian roads in hot weather than riding Abu Dhabi! He seemed in good shape yesterday, must simply have had a bad day, that happens to the best (read: thinnest) in these conditions.

Being the strongest on the mountains and TT is not equal to being best. There are other aspects in cycling. He couldn't ride in the wind and lost minutes today

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Poor Richie probably thought he'd have a few flat days to find the legs after this break from racing, instead he got back to back epic flandrian one day races!

Yeah, but still better training quiet and alone on Tasmanian roads in hot weather than riding Abu Dhabi! He seemed in good shape yesterday, must simply have had a bad day, that happens to the best (read: thinnest) in these conditions.

Being the strongest on the mountains and TT is not equal to being best. There are other aspects in cycling. He couldn't ride in the wind and lost minutes today

I am well aware of that. Thats why racing a real race as a prep is superior.