Paris-Nice 2017, 5th-12th March

[Valv.Piti]

It would obviously be perfect if Dan Martin could follow Contador, but they realised before the stage even began with 2016 in mind, according to Holm, that Martin most likely wouldn't be able to follow Contador on Peille. It was the most realistically, as he stated multiple times, so QS was in the perfect situation when Sky/Henao had burned themselves out to attack Henao on Eze, possibly distance him and maybe bridge to Contador with Cruz - that was the only chance of winning. Small possibility, but the only one.

I don't wan't to allow this to get into yet another Contador-debate as I think we have enough of them (and its frankly annoying), only stating what Holm said (which honestly 99% of the time come across as very well thought out).

EDIT: IMO, when Holm explained the tactic, it was the best shot at winning P-N. I dno whats to critique about that. its about being as realistic as possible, Contador is a better climber and is in an aggressive position while Sky/Henao was in a defensive position - the tactic basically revolved around taking the most advantage of that.

 

[Netserk]

Then it doesn't make any sense that Martin even tried to follow on Peille.

 

[Valv.Piti]

As I've stated, it would be optimal for Martin to be able to follow Contador on Peille, but the most realistic was he wasn't able to follow him. Which he couldn't, wasn't close at all. That was what Brian Holm had expected hence why he said it was a very good position for QS to be in at Col 'd Eze, unfortunately for them Henao was still very strong and Martin wasn't able to make the difference.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Thanks Valv.Piti

I guess people think too much of Martin. He is not the climber that most fans think he is IMHO.

I agree

Strange tactics by QS for the final stage. So it relied on Contador attacking on Peille, Henao getting dropped by Martin on Eze, Martin making up 30s on Henao and Martin getting back to Contador.
Much smarter would have been sending Martin off with Contador. With Martin's sprint he'd always outsprint Contador on the line and he'd have a partner to work with. But anyway, we saw he wasn't strong enough regardless.

QS have good tactics in classics and classic-type races, but for the mountains they still have a lot to learn

Yes, according to Holm, that was what the tactic was. They realised Contador was too good for Martin, mano a mano, and needed to win by Contador tiring Sky and Henao out (and to some extent himself) and having numbers against Contador on Col d' Eze and the descent of Eze which obviously would be of great significant when the gradients werent lower/higher.