Paris - Nice, Prologue Houillers -> Houillers 2.9 km, Sunday 3rd March

[Netserk]

Starting order:
First rider: 13:37
...
162 16:18:00 TSCHOPP Johann IAM
163 16:19:00 KITTEL Marcel ARG
164 16:20:00 BASSO Ivan CAN
165 16:21:00 TAARAMAE Rein COF
166 16:22:00 MENCHOV Denis KAT
167 16:23:00 CHAVANEL Sylvain OPQ
168 16:24:00 GAUDIN Damien EUC
169 16:25:00 FUGLSANG Jakob AST
170 16:26:00 TALANSKY Andrew GRS
171 16:27:00 HIVERT Jonathan SOJ
172 16:28:00 ROCHE Nicolas TST
173 16:29:00 PERAUD Jean-Christophe ALM
174 16:30:00 VAN GARDEREN Tejay BMC
175 16:31:00 ROY Jérémy FDJ
176 16:32:00 GERRANS Simon OGE
177 16:33:00 DE CLERCQ Bart LTB
178 16:34:00 SCARPONI Michele LAM
179 16:35:00 KLÖDEN Andréas RLT
180 16:36:00 IZAGIRRE INSAUSTI Ion EUS
181 16:37:00 GESINK Robert BLA
182 16:38:00 COSTA Rui Alberto MOV
183 16:39:00 WESTRA Lieuwe VCD
184 16:40:00 PORTE Richie SKY

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Very short and quite technical it seems, judging from the turns on the map.

Should be for the sprinters and good bike handlers I guess. My bet is Matthews.

 

[Netserk]

Very short and quite technical it seems, judging from the turns on the map.

Should be for the sprinters and good bike handlers I guess. My bet is Matthews.

Indeed. First half with many corners, where acceleration and bike-handling is important, and second half where it comes down to power.

 

[qwerty16]

Are there any recent references for these kind of short, technical prologues? I think Romandie had some in recent years?

 

[Netserk]

Are there any recent references for these kind of short, technical prologues? I think Romandie had some in recent years?

Last year 3.3 km

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=22037

 

[KarottenKarl]

Start order

Does anyone knows the starting order for the P yet?

 

[iZnoGouD]

Rui Costa... easy!

 

[jens_attacks]

richie porte.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Birdsong will shut all the haters up

 

[theyoungest]

Last year 3.3 km

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=22037

That one wasn't technical at all, and wet for half the riders. Maybe the one from the year before is a better reference:

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=20250

 

[Netserk]

That one wasn't technical at all, and wet for half the riders. Maybe the one from the year before is a better reference:

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=20250

I was just lazy and took the first short one I could find

 

[gizzajob]

It's an interesting distance - too long for the out and out sprinters who can kick in with the anaerobic efforts for 500m, and too short for the out and out TTers who can push strong aerobic constant efforts for longer distances.

There are some turns but I don't think it's that technical and I think those with a track background and have done pursuits and kilos may do well. My outside picks are Viviani and Grivko who have that track background.

Wind looks to be a tailwind for the longer section back to the finish.

Strade Bianche today and P-N and T-A - so pleased the Spring is here!

 

[Cyivel]

Does anyone knows the starting order for the P yet?

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=59838

 

[burning]

It's an interesting distance - too long for the out and out sprinters who can kick in with the anaerobic efforts for 500m, and too short for the out and out TTers who can push strong aerobic constant efforts for longer distances.

There are some turns but I don't think it's that technical and I think those with a track background and have done pursuits and kilos may do well. My outside picks are Viviani and Grivko who have that track background.

Wind looks to be a tailwind for the longer section back to the finish.

Strade Bianche today and P-N and T-A - so pleased the Spring is here!

leader THOMAS Geraint SKY 03'29" 10
1. THOMAS Geraint SKY 03'29" 40
2. NIZZOLO Giacomo RNT 05" 25
3. CAVENDISH Mark SKY 06" 15

 

[gruppeto993]

gallopin is racing. Could be a good prologue for him. he is fast and versatile and is a good bike handler for this technical course.

 

[Orbit501]

Are there any recent references for these kind of short, technical prologues? I think Romandie had some in recent years?

I think Tour de Luxembourg always starts with this kind of distance prologue. Not sure on the exact technicality or otherwise of the parcours though.

All seems a bit of a lottery to me. With just a few seconds probably dividing the top 50 or so it's near impossible to accurately pick a Top 10.

Beyond the obvious candidates in the two Aussies - I'm hoping Boonen can show some intent after his injury set back and post a top 10 time here and follow that up in stages 1&2. I think Hivert could go well, and from the pure sprinters, perhaps Kittel can show something seeing as how it's pan flat

As I say though, all a bit of a lottery.

 

[Netserk]

Kittel used to be a TT-talent, so he could very well win it.

 

[Orbit501]

Kittel used to be a TT-talent, so he could very well win it.

Agreed. Only trouble is, how often does Kittel promise to deliver and then doesn't. Mind you, he's on his own in this very different kettle of fish so no need to worry about team mates failing to deliver.

I'm inclined to think Kittel will place above Viviani. Not sure why Viviani seems to be so favoured for this as I can't find any results that match Kittel's at this distance, and in terms of current form I can't see much difference. Am I missing something?

 

[search]

I think Tour de Luxembourg always starts with this kind of distance prologue. Not sure on the exact technicality or otherwise of the parcours though.

there is a small cobbled hill in there as far as I can remember

 

[Orbit501]

there is a small cobbled hill in there as far as I can remember

Ok thanks. That might explain Hiverts' high placings there then.

 

[Parel van het Zuiden]

Interesting to see whether guys like Larsson, Van Garderen and Talansky can beat sprinters like Howard and Matthews. I think I favour the sprinters. I'm also curious to know whether Boonen will go full gas. I am afraid though that his arm has not healed enough to be a factor on this technical course.

 

[Netserk]

Interesting to see whether guys like Larsson, Van Garderen and Talansky can beat sprinters like Howard and Matthews. I think I favour the sprinters. I'm also curious to know whether Boonen will go full gas. I am afraid though that his arm has not healed enough to be a factor on this technical course.

Hi and welcome to the forum. I'm also in doubt about Boonen. He seemed fine on Molenberg in Omloop, but I still think he will be cautious.

 

[burning]

Cav can do well here, the course on 2012 Romandie was less techical and he was 3rd there, more bends should suit him

edit: He will be at T-A so it would be a little bit hard to do well

 

[hfer07]

by looking at the startlist-its difficult to find an specialist for this lame/stupid prologue should've been 9k to make it worth.

anyways-I'm throwing the following names FTW:

*SChavanel
*Kristoff
*Boonen
*MIllar
*JJRojas
*Stannard
*Westra

 

[Parel van het Zuiden]

by looking at the startlist-its difficult to find an specialist for this lame/stupid prologue should've been 9k to make it worth.

anyways-I'm throwing the following names FTW:

*SChavanel
*Kristoff
*Boonen
*MIllar
*JJRojas
*Stannard
*Westra

I expect other names: Howard, Matthews, Viviani, Gilbert