Paris-Nice 2023, March 5-12

[Netserk]

Question: Have they ever done Col d'Eze from the south via Saint Laurent to A500, then through the village of Eze and the last 1,5 km to the Col?

I don't think so, no.

We also discussed that option last year:

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[Krzysztof_O]

Yates was OK but if he had his 2022 form he still would have been 20 or 30 seconds off Pogacar.

Sure, Yates is monstrous in those 15-30 minute w/kg fests. In peak form maybe he could've even matched Pogacar. I just emphasized somewhat similar circumstances but different outcome.

 

[BR2]

I prefer not knowing who wins with a 99% certainty before a stage even starts. What Pogacar doesn't isn't daring because he knows he is the best in the race with 100% confidence so there's no risk in attacking and flying away.

But I love how Jumbo dominance is boring while this is apparently mesmerising to watch.

Neither is interesting, neither is Evenepoel's dominance. They really need to be in a race against each other that they seriously target, otherwise it is no fun.

 

[tobydawq]

Overwhelming today, underwhelming yesterday, according to the forum. So, just whelming on average?

And @Red Rick, obviously it's more interesting to see one guy dominate than a whole team, I don't really see how that could be a mystery to anyone.

 

[Salvarani]

Overwhelming today, underwhelming yesterday, according to the forum. So, just whelming on average?

It is just the same old, from the same old. It is no point to discuss it or care about what certain posters say. You just cant win over certain people, let them be. Better to just enjoy the show we are getting, because it wont last forever. Time will come for everyone, including the likes of Pog.

 

[Red Rick]

It is just the same old, from the same old. It is no point to discuss it or care about what certain posters say. You just cant win over certain people, let them be. Better to just enjoy the show we are getting, because it wont last forever. Time will come for everyone, including the likes of Pog.

It can indeed be very hard to convince people when you provide no arguments and nothing changes.

Dominance isn't entertaining by default, I don't see what that's such a controversial take.

 

[Salvarani]

It can indeed be very hard to convince people when you provide no arguments and nothing changes.

Dominance isn't entertaining by default, I don't see what that's such a controversial take.

Dont understand how you got that from my post. I was speaking in general.

If the shoe fits, I guess.

 

[Netserk]

It can indeed be very hard to convince people when you provide no arguments and nothing changes.

Dominance isn't entertaining by default, I don't see what that's such a controversial take.

It's all about dosage. Inequality is good, but you can overdose.

 

[Valv.Piti]

This basically Monte Carpegna all over again. Scary stuff!

Hopefully Wout and Mathieu is timing their form just right beginning next week. They are probably not at 100%, but they better be once April rolls around

 

[Nick2413]

Parity is important but some level of dominance is interesting especially when it’s a rider and not a team, and especially when that rider is exciting.

 

[Boehmand]

I'm pretty sure I know better than whatever *** they make up in the media. It just doesn't pass the most basic sniff test.

Amazing you are not a World Tour DS with those skills

 

[BR2]

I rarely agree with RedRick, but here I do. There isn't much excitement in a rider who knows he is stronger than the others riding away. There's no serious risk for him. (That's one main reason why I like Alaphilippe, he just goes on the attack and you don't at all if he's on a great day or if he will crack 5 minutes later, well, that's not something RedRick agrees on with me, but anyway).
When Pogacar goes on the attack, in 90% of the cases, that's it. Some people like to watch it, like people enjoyed Usain Bolt winning over and over. But I think you have to be a hardcore fan of that rider or a fan of strength per se in general to enjoy it. Personally I am not a fan of strength per se. A huge part of me likes to not know who is going to win and how a competition is going to play out at the beginning.

I also don't enjoy these discussions like "if rider x was here, how would he fare against y?" "What does this say about his form for july?"
I'd rather see the actual, important race with competitors who can put up a fight against each other, than talking about the conditionals.
(But for some exactly that is a huge part of the joy.)

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I rarely agree with RedRick, but here I do. There isn't much excitement in a rider who knows he is stronger than the others riding away. There's no serious risk for him. (That's one main reason why I like Alaphilippe, he just goes on the attack and you don't at all if he's on a great day or if he will crack 5 minutes later, well, that's not something RedRick agrees on with me, but anyway).

Pogacar could've stayed with Gaudu and co knowing that he would easily smoke them at the end (this is no risk strategy). Yet he attacked in a spectacular fashion. Style matters.

 

[BR2]

Pogacar could've stayed with Gaudu and co knowing that he would easily smoke them at the end (this is no risk strategy). Yet he attacked in a spectacular fashion. Style matters.

It's both pretty riskless for him. At least when he has already seen that Vingegaard cannot keep up with him in this race.

 

[Didinho]

I'm gonna ride the last 2h of this stage now, loved the scenery!

Sidenote: I'll be riding indoors at home, watching out my window.

I did the Côte de Peille with my gears for the Belgium "flats" and it was a horror climb, really tough! Ran out of time and legs for de Col d'Eze, for another time.
But if you see how UAE drilled this penultimate climb, you know the Col d'Eze would be even harder hence no one could respond to Pogi.

On the plus side, I won the intermediate sprint easily!

 

[Miha81]

It's both pretty riskless for him. At least when he has already seen that Vingegaard cannot keep up with him in this race.

No point in saving energy for day 8 (or 7 in this years edition) that isn't coming.

But there will be very different circumstances for TDF and I hope we in for a treat.

 

[Netserk]

I did the Côte de Peille with my gears for the Belgium "flats" and it was a horror climb, really tough! Ran out of time and legs for de Col d'Eze, for another time.
But if you see how UAE drilled this penultimate climb, you know the Col d'Eze would be even harder hence no one could respond to Pogi.

On the plus side, I won the intermediate sprint easily!

This was the slowest Peille ascent without rain.

 

[Rackham]

Pogacar could've stayed with Gaudu and co knowing that he would easily smoke them at the end (this is no risk strategy). Yet he attacked in a spectacular fashion. Style matters.

Arriving in a small committee for the final 10km over the climb is actually quite dangerous, i.e. if he loses a wheel (suffers a mechanical even) or there's a break in the group with Gaudu ahead working with someone else, then that 10 second or so lead looks very sketchy. So just drop the hammer & blow these guys away = guaranteed result.

 

[Lequack]

Yet anther amazing Pog win. We're getting so used to it like it's nothing, but it's still exciting just watching this guy perform. Thankfully we had great weather the last few days, which made for exciting pictures.

 

[Lequack]

Powless went straight into a Mcdonalds

 

[Sciatic]

No team to protect 5th place to bring back
Like happened to Contador

Oh, that was painful!

 

[Lequack]

Pidcock has been bandaged up

https://twitter.com/x/status/1634951454359441408

View: https://twitter.com/INEOSGrenadiers/status/1634951454359441408

 

[bNator]

I do not agree at all that Pogacar‘s attacks are riskless. They only appear riskless after they succeed. I mean, take last years Galibier attack. If he succeeded, would you claim it was riskless? Some would, apparently. Yet it is now proven it was a very risky attack.

In Pog situation (as it was today) every attack is riskier than playing it safe. And he’s doing it for you and me, for our entertainment (yeah, right…).

Pog would win in any case, this way at least there’s excitement seeing if he can pull it off (again).

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Powless went straight into a Mcdonalds

So he's the new Horner?

 

[Cookster15]

I rarely agree with RedRick, but here I do. There isn't much excitement in a rider who knows he is stronger than the others riding away. There's no serious risk for him. (That's one main reason why I like Alaphilippe, he just goes on the attack and you don't at all if he's on a great day or if he will crack 5 minutes later, well, that's not something RedRick agrees on with me, but anyway).
When Pogacar goes on the attack, in 90% of the cases, that's it. Some people like to watch it, like people enjoyed Usain Bolt winning over and over. But I think you have to be a hardcore fan of that rider or a fan of strength per se in general to enjoy it. Personally I am not a fan of strength per se. A huge part of me likes to not know who is going to win and how a competition is going to play out at the beginning.

I also don't enjoy these discussions like "if rider x was here, how would he fare against y?" "What does this say about his form for july?"
I'd rather see the actual, important race with competitors who can put up a fight against each other, than talking about the conditionals.
(But for some exactly that is a huge part of the joy.)

I am definitely a fan of strength. But I can see why others prefer entertainment.

I am wondering if Pog’s panache today was to make a statement? Yes I know I can out sprint the group but to ride away will put a few lingering doubts in Vingo’s mind - Vingo will be thinking, he will be ready for me this time.

I also don’t think it’s helpful to mention Alaphilippe in this conversation? Sure he is entertaining, but other than the unique circumstances of 2019, JA isn’t a genuine GC threat in Grand Tours.