Paris - Nice 2020, March 8 - March 15

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HAHA - Schachmann just called him "Soeren KRAGHEN" in an interview with Danish TV2...... I LOVE IT

ah, so he seems to know everything about cycling, even the nicknames.

The other day he was asked if he knew who was the last German winner of Paris-Nice 20 years ago, and he said something along the lines of "yeah, Klöden won back then, but you forgot about Tony Martin in 2011"

 

[ppanther92]

1.06 to Higuita, 1.10 to Teuns and 1.11 to Benoot - is not enough IMO, on a proper mountain stage.

If I was the Bora DS, I'd try to find more time tomorrow and Friday, because Saturday the real climbers are dropping the hammer.

I am not sure if Teuns and Benoot are really that much better climbers. For Bora also Großschartner and Konrad, who on form a both probably better climbers than Schachmann are not too far away. But its only one stage, not that unreasonably to think Schachmann can hold on his advantage. But if Quintana really shows up on 16km he can close in 2:30. And in between are also Pinot and Nibali. Really depends on climbing form, i would say.

 

[movingtarget]

Quintana must be the unluckiest guy in the peloton if THIS year everything gets cancelled when he's finally showing up again.

17 seconds or so behind Porte and Jungels was a pretty good ride for him and he rides much better in the crosswinds than many other GC riders .

 

[Anderis]

No EF riders in the top9, I'm quite disappointed. I would have thought either Bettiol or Van Garderen should be top5 here if not top3, when teams like Jumbo and Ineos are not even here. Bettiol didn't even push for a good time judging by his result (unless he had a crash or mechanical- I don't know)

 

[jaylew]

If the Grand Tours are happening as planned, are they really going to send Latour as their No1 to France?
Well I guess at least the Giro is not going to take place anyway.

Giro looking unlikely. If no Giro and Tour goes on, I guess Bardet would be the #1 there.

 

[JosephK]

"Release the Kraghen!" Great rides by Søren Kragh Andersen, Schachmann, Asgreen, and De Gendt. Bilbao, too. Also, a pretty strong TT by Higuita, compared to other GC guys. Schachmann can be a decent climber, especially on a single stage. Maybe Higuita has a shot at closing the gap if he's on a really good day for the big mountain stage.

 

[SafeBet]

No EF riders in the top9, I'm quite disappointed. I would have thought either Bettiol or Van Garderen should be top5 here if not top3, when teams like Jumbo and Ineos are not even here. Bettiol didn't even push for a good time judging by his result (unless he had a crash or mechanical- I don't know)

Bettiol was clearly saving himself for later stages.

 

[F_Cance]

Bettiol was clearly saving himself for later stages.

People also said that during the first 3 stages

 

[repre]

Bettiol was clearly saving himself for later stages.

Yeah, his pedalling was good, just not enough intensity/effort. He'll try for a stage win in next few days.

 

[Bonimenier]

Bettiol was clearly saving himself for later stages.

He already got his victory this year. He'll be back in 2021.

 

[Earns1985]

Maximilian Schachmann on facebook:
"I know what lies ahead. I have already checked the climbs, it will be hard, but I think there is a chance."

 

[memyselfandI]

Actually Ritchie Porte did quite good ride, my high hopes for him to get things running. Stay up, mate

 

[johnymax]

Benoot has actually been the best among non TT specialists. A somewhat positive surprise tbh.

Edit:
Ok guys like Porte, Jungels, Bilbao are not exactly TT specialists either nowadays, but all of them have delivered strong performances against the clock recently or in the past.

 

[SafeBet]

People also said that during the first 3 stages

People were wrong. Not the first time, not the last.

 

[Lequack]

Stage 5 » Gannat › La Côte-Saint-André (227k)

Sprint finish again, this time Ackermann will win.

 

[Blanco]

Break will take this.

 

[RedheadDane]

Sprint finish again, this time Ackermann will win.

Break will take this.

Ackermann will win, from the break!

 

[Lequack]

Tejay Van Garderen left Paris-Nice following announcements made last night by Donald Trump: the American fears he will not be able to join his family because of the suspension of travel from Europe to the USA.

 

[PeterB]

Stage 5 » Gannat › La Côte-Saint-André (227k)

Sprint finish again, this time Ackermann will win.

Interesting position of intermediate sprints...

 

[Bolder]

Tejay Van Garderen left Paris-Nice following announcements made last night by Donald Trump: the American fears he will not be able to join his family because of the suspension of travel from Europe to the USA.

That's a reasonable fear. Good move, I think. Family should be more important at a time like this.

 

[sir fly]

Ackermann will win, from the break!

That would be an exceptional stage.

 

[Lequack]

That would be an exceptional stage.

Well not anymore.

Unfortunately Pascal Ackermann has also been forced to quit the race. That means one less Bora rider to help Schachmann defend his lead.

 

[spalco]

That's a reasonable fear. Good move, I think. Family should be more important at a time like this.

He'd survive not seeing his family for a couple months, but staying is probably pointless anyway.

 

[sir fly]

Well not anymore.

Unfortunately Pascal Ackermann has also been forced to quit the race. That means one less Bora rider to help Schachmann defend his lead.

Exceptional, isn't it?
He's an escapee, we'll see about the rest.

 

[BlueRoads]

Considering this might be the last serious race for a long time, the riders seem to be moving pretty relaxed right now. Ride for your life, guys!