Paris-Nice 2017, 5th-12th March

[deValtos]

Re: Re:

People are just disappointed Henao was gifted the win and would have preferred Contador to take it. I think most would agree that Contador deserved it more. But yeah, that's the way it goes I guess -_-

Henao wasn't gifted anything, it's not like he sat up and did nothing. Also he positioned himself well in stage 1 and didn't lose time while Contador lost time. Henao deserved the win just as much as Contador

He got dropped by Contador two days in a row and wouldn't have won without the assistance of others. He won fair and square obviously, but I still think Contador deserved it more

Contador is a much better climber. Henao is a better puncheur. The results in various stages reflected the different qualities of each rider.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

I can't understand all the arguments going on! Contador made a break cos he had to make up 30 odd seconds, gets away, the following group made up time and Contador loses out by a few seconds. Thought that was just how 99% of races end up with the breakaway getting caught/nearly caught. So happy Henao won, but well done Contador for giving it a go. Onwards and upwards to the next race!

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

To the people who appreciate Bahrain working for a 4th place in a stage, do you also appreciate Garmin chasing the breakaway on the Pau stage in 2010 Tour because Plaza was threatening Hesjedals 10th?

Bahrain weren't working for 4th place. They would have got 4th anyway by doing nothing and waiting for the sprint. They were working for 1st place, which they ultimately failed to get.

Protecting lowish positions in the GC is a legit tactic. I don't appreciate it personally because I think it shows a lack of ambition from a team and isn't really cause for much celebration. But it's not comparable at all to Bahrain - because they were giving one last throw of the dice for the stage win - which is always a laudable goal.

They had one guy trying to close 30s on a group of three driven by the guy who dropped the entire peloton 2 climbs earlier. 30s on 4.8km. That's not a shot at the victory, it's an excuse of an excuse of a reason to help Henao (or Sky) win.

Why would Bahrain want to help Henao win? This is real conspiracy theory stuff. Contador was tiring because of the work he had already put in. He was slowing. He lost half his lead in the final 10km and could have lost more if he would have blown up completely, which was always a possibility.

You can't look at the result and, with hindsight, say it was always going to fail. 30 seconds in 5km to a tired breakaway is certainly not unbridgeable. If I was a fan of Bahrain (is anyone actuall a fan of them ), then I would absolutely want and expect them to chase in that position.

 

[Andro]

Re: Re:

People are just disappointed Henao was gifted the win and would have preferred Contador to take it. I think most would agree that Contador deserved it more. But yeah, that's the way it goes I guess -_-

Henao wasn't gifted anything, it's not like he sat up and did nothing. Also he positioned himself well in stage 1 and didn't lose time while Contador lost time. Henao deserved the win just as much as Contador

He got dropped by Contador two days in a row and wouldn't have won without the assistance of others. He won fair and square obviously, but I still think Contador deserved it more

Contador got dropped by Henao in Fayence, but I guess that doesn't count in your mind since it was more than 2 days ago.

 

[red_flanders]

Chapeau Contador. What a showman, what a racer. He's so freaking great.

 

[frisenfruitig]

Re: Re:

People are just disappointed Henao was gifted the win and would have preferred Contador to take it. I think most would agree that Contador deserved it more. But yeah, that's the way it goes I guess -_-

Henao wasn't gifted anything, it's not like he sat up and did nothing. Also he positioned himself well in stage 1 and didn't lose time while Contador lost time. Henao deserved the win just as much as Contador

He got dropped by Contador two days in a row and wouldn't have won without the assistance of others. He won fair and square obviously, but I still think Contador deserved it more

Contador got dropped by Henao in Fayence, but I guess that doesn't count in your mind since it was more than 2 days ago.

Henao dropped him once, Contador dropped Henao twice. 2-1 for Contador!

 

[Vasilis]

Re: Re:

People are just disappointed Henao was gifted the win and would have preferred Contador to take it. I think most would agree that Contador deserved it more. But yeah, that's the way it goes I guess -_-

Henao wasn't gifted anything, it's not like he sat up and did nothing. Also he positioned himself well in stage 1 and didn't lose time while Contador lost time. Henao deserved the win just as much as Contador

He got dropped by Contador two days in a row and wouldn't have won without the assistance of others. He won fair and square obviously, but I still think Contador deserved it more

Contador got dropped by Henao in Fayence, but I guess that doesn't count in your mind since it was more than 2 days ago.

Henao dropped him once, Contador dropped Henao twice. 2-1 for Contador!

Henao dropped him on stage 1 too, so 2-2

 

[Ruudz0r]

Re: Re:

People are just disappointed Henao was gifted the win and would have preferred Contador to take it. I think most would agree that Contador deserved it more. But yeah, that's the way it goes I guess -_-

Henao wasn't gifted anything, it's not like he sat up and did nothing. Also he positioned himself well in stage 1 and didn't lose time while Contador lost time. Henao deserved the win just as much as Contador

He got dropped by Contador two days in a row and wouldn't have won without the assistance of others. He won fair and square obviously, but I still think Contador deserved it more

Contador got dropped by Henao in Fayence, but I guess that doesn't count in your mind since it was more than 2 days ago.

Henao dropped him once, Contador dropped Henao twice. 2-1 for Contador!

COntador got dropped in stage 1 (by Henao and others) and in stage 2 (though that came back) 3-2 Henao

 

[Carols]

Re: Re:

Let's not forget that many Cotnador fanboys here girls. And they do tend to have short fuse on emotions in general

What a load of sexist rubbish and blatantly false as well. I've just read the last few pages of the thread and don't see any posts made by female posters (except mine).

I tend not to bother since it all gets so unpleasant and factional and it just gets in the way of my enjoying the actual racing.

Okay so now I'm the 3rd female to weigh in about this disgustingly sexist post. Only 1 female commented on the race finish and she in no way showed a 'short fuse'. You Sir are Totally out of Line!

It was a very Exciting edition of PN, from start to the very end. Yes I'm disappointed that Alberto came up 2" short after big losses at the very start in the wind. He rode a brave and audacious race as always when he has legs! That's as emotional as I'm getting about it......

 

[LaFlorecita]

Did anyone else notice Cousin Dan didn't get flowers or a little medal on the podium? He looked a bit lost.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

Did anyone else notice Cousin Dan didn't get flowers or a little medal on the podium? He looked a bit lost.

Poor guy. He went to Quickstep to be a serious GC stage race rider. Then he has to babysit Alaphilippe for the first few days, finally gets a chance to shine and does reasonably well, and then, in the last day, the team go for a stage win instead of defending his second place.

And now, the coup de grace, he doesn't even get any flowers. :sad:

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

I can't be happy with another Sky win on French soil. It really bothers me.

Cycling shouldn't be about petty nationalism.

When will Sky finally die... 5 out of 6 last P-N won... Why bother holding the race anymore.

When they stop winning, I guess.

Did SKy win last year?

If no, then host race
If yes, then don't host race

And then be surprised that it's held once every two years

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

= universal emoji of tongue in cheek, you use this forum so much i thought people would know basics

I'm sure you thought that was funny.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

To the people who appreciate Bahrain working for a 4th place in a stage, do you also appreciate Garmin chasing the breakaway on the Pau stage in 2010 Tour because Plaza was threatening Hesjedals 10th?

Bahrain weren't working for 4th place. They would have got 4th anyway by doing nothing and waiting for the sprint. They were working for 1st place, which they ultimately failed to get.

Protecting lowish positions in the GC is a legit tactic. I don't appreciate it personally because I think it shows a lack of ambition from a team and isn't really cause for much celebration. But it's not comparable at all to Bahrain - because they were giving one last throw of the dice for the stage win - which is always a laudable goal.

They had one guy trying to close 30s on a group of three driven by the guy who dropped the entire peloton 2 climbs earlier. 30s on 4.8km. That's not a shot at the victory, it's an excuse of an excuse of a reason to help Henao (or Sky) win.

Why would Bahrain want to help Henao win? This is real conspiracy theory stuff. Contador was tiring because of the work he had already put in. He was slowing. He lost half his lead in the final 10km and could have lost more if he would have blown up completely, which was always a possibility.

You can't look at the result and, with hindsight, say it was always going to fail. 30 seconds in 5km to a tired breakaway is certainly not unbridgeable. If I was a fan of Bahrain (is anyone actuall a fan of them ), then I would absolutely want and expect them to chase in that position.

It is if there's one guy chasing a guy who dropped him. Izaguirre wasn't fresh. He was very tired as well.

 

[frisenfruitig]

Re: Re:

[quote="StryderHells"
Contador got dropped by Henao in Fayence, but I guess that doesn't count in your mind since it was more than 2 days ago.

Henao dropped him once, Contador dropped Henao twice. 2-1 for Contador!

COntador got dropped in stage 1 (by Henao and others) and in stage 2 (though that came back) 3-2 Henao

That's rather generous of you though. As if it was Henao who made the difference in crosswinds

 

[saganftw]

Re: Re:

= universal emoji of tongue in cheek, you use this forum so much i thought people would know basics

I'm sure you thought that was funny.

it was precisely because it caused the reaction i expected :lol:

 

[Põhja Konn]

The best one-week stage race I've seen in my time as a cycling fan. It will take a long time to see something like that again.

Really don't understand why anyone expects rational analysis from fans in the immediate aftermath of such a race.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

To the people who appreciate Bahrain working for a 4th place in a stage, do you also appreciate Garmin chasing the breakaway on the Pau stage in 2010 Tour because Plaza was threatening Hesjedals 10th?

Bahrain weren't working for 4th place. They would have got 4th anyway by doing nothing and waiting for the sprint. They were working for 1st place, which they ultimately failed to get.

Protecting lowish positions in the GC is a legit tactic. I don't appreciate it personally because I think it shows a lack of ambition from a team and isn't really cause for much celebration. But it's not comparable at all to Bahrain - because they were giving one last throw of the dice for the stage win - which is always a laudable goal.

They had one guy trying to close 30s on a group of three driven by the guy who dropped the entire peloton 2 climbs earlier. 30s on 4.8km. That's not a shot at the victory, it's an excuse of an excuse of a reason to help Henao (or Sky) win.

Why would Bahrain want to help Henao win? This is real conspiracy theory stuff. Contador was tiring because of the work he had already put in. He was slowing. He lost half his lead in the final 10km and could have lost more if he would have blown up completely, which was always a possibility.

You can't look at the result and, with hindsight, say it was always going to fail. 30 seconds in 5km to a tired breakaway is certainly not unbridgeable. If I was a fan of Bahrain (is anyone actuall a fan of them ), then I would absolutely want and expect them to chase in that position.

It is if there's one guy chasing a guy who dropped him. Izaguirre wasn't fresh. He was very tired as well.

So what then; the team with the strongest sprinter should just sit and do nothing with a breakaway 30 seconds up the road coming towards the end of the final stage of the race?

Is that really the kind of cycle racing you would want to watch?

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

To the people who appreciate Bahrain working for a 4th place in a stage, do you also appreciate Garmin chasing the breakaway on the Pau stage in 2010 Tour because Plaza was threatening Hesjedals 10th?

Bahrain weren't working for 4th place. They would have got 4th anyway by doing nothing and waiting for the sprint. They were working for 1st place, which they ultimately failed to get.

Protecting lowish positions in the GC is a legit tactic. I don't appreciate it personally because I think it shows a lack of ambition from a team and isn't really cause for much celebration. But it's not comparable at all to Bahrain - because they were giving one last throw of the dice for the stage win - which is always a laudable goal.

They had one guy trying to close 30s on a group of three driven by the guy who dropped the entire peloton 2 climbs earlier. 30s on 4.8km. That's not a shot at the victory, it's an excuse of an excuse of a reason to help Henao (or Sky) win.[/quote

Why would Bahrain want to help Henao win? This is real conspiracy theory stuff. Contador was tiring because of the work he had already put in. He was slowing. He lost half his lead in the final 10km and could have lost more if he would have blown up completely, which was always a possibility.

You can't look at the result and, with hindsight, say it was always going to fail. 30 seconds in 5km to a tired breakaway is certainly not unbridgeable. If I was a fan of Bahrain (is anyone actuall a fan of them ), then I would absolutely want and expect them to chase in that position.

It is if there's one guy chasing a guy who dropped him. Izaguirre wasn't fresh. He was very tired as well.

So what then; the team with the strongest sprinter should just sit and do nothing with a breakaway 30 seconds up the road coming towards the end of the final stage of the race?

Is that really the kind of cycle racing you would want to watch?

You mean that riders sit back when there's nothing to lose and nothing to gain, to let the race play out?

Yes

 

[Jungle Cycle]

Contador is so much fun to watch... made me forget of a unbelievable Sagan a few minutes earlier....

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

It is if there's one guy chasing a guy who dropped him. Izaguirre wasn't fresh. He was very tired as well.

So what then; the team with the strongest sprinter should just sit and do nothing with a breakaway 30 seconds up the road coming towards the end of the final stage of the race?

Is that really the kind of cycle racing you would want to watch?

You mean that riders sit back when there's nothing to lose and nothing to gain, to let the race play out?

Yes

Erm, the riders are the race - not just two guys. There is always something to gain in that kind of situation. Even if there was only 5% or whatever chance of catching Contador, it was possible to catch Soler who was cracking big time. And what about crashes or punctures?

I want to see riders giving everything for their goals until the end of the race; however achievable or not they are. I guess others just prefer the celebrities and personalities aspect of the sport than the racing itself though.

 

[GuyIncognito]

Matthews really wants to take everything of Gerrans and leave him nothing. Even the title of most useless wheelsucker in the sport.
Can't poor Simon at least keep that?

 

[Red Rick]

"Fun" is over guys.

Drop the sexist jokes immediately

 

[Forever The Best]

Re: Re:

It is if there's one guy chasing a guy who dropped him. Izaguirre wasn't fresh. He was very tired as well.

So what then; the team with the strongest sprinter should just sit and do nothing with a breakaway 30 seconds up the road coming towards the end of the final stage of the race?

Is that really the kind of cycle racing you would want to watch?

You mean that riders sit back when there's nothing to lose and nothing to gain, to let the race play out?

Yes

Erm, the riders are the race - not just two guys. There is always something to gain in that kind of situation. Even if there was only 5% or whatever chance of catching Contador, it was possible to catch Soler who was cracking big time. And what about crashes or punctures?

I want to see riders giving everything for their goals until the end of the race; however achievable or not they are. I guess others just prefer the celebrities and personalities aspect of the sport than the racing itself though.

So you want teams riding for a useless 10th place?

 

[SlickMongoose]

Re: Re:

That's rather generous of you though. As if it was Henao who made the difference in crosswinds

He certainly owes Luke Rowe a great big bunch of flowers or something.