Paris - Nice: STAGE 1 - Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines --> Contres: 201.5 km

[Mellow Velo]

You know I was this close to saying how surprised I was at how civil and pleasant this forum had become while I had been not paying any attention over the winter, but it seems like every thread just devolves into Contador vs The Shack.

Nah.
This is all in good humour and so far, we have managed to avoid a Dim v Bro/Blackcat/Auscyclefan Sky match.

 

[Jamsque]

dont forget sky and garmin..

I might just be biased because I like both of those teams, but it seems like Sky and Garmin fans have a bit more perspective and sense of humour than the more rabid Shackers and Conta-heads that dominate the posting here.

 

[Anonymous]

Nah.
This is all in good humour and so far, we have managed to avoid a Dim v Bro/Blackcat/Auscyclefan Sky match.

only cos a) sky are doing well b) wiggins isnt in paris nice c) we cant take the **** out of bmc till wednesday

I might just be biased because I like both of those teams, but it seems like Sky and Garmin fans have a bit more perspective and sense of humour than the more rabid Shackers and Conta-heads that dominate the posting here.

to be honest, im not sure the pro contador fans are as much pro contador as they are anti-lance. If Indira gandhi poked lance in the eye they would all become staunch New Congress Party supporters

 

[Publicus]

I might just be biased because I like both of those teams, but it seems like Sky and Garmin fans have a bit more perspective and sense of humour than the more rabid Shackers and Conta-heads that dominate the posting here.

Potatoe, potato. It's early still and any race involving AC/Radio Shack is going to have similar discussions. Frankly, I think this has been really mild compared to Algarve.

 

[ravens]

You know I was this close to saying how surprised I was at how civil and pleasant this forum had become while I had been not paying any attention over the winter, but it seems like every thread just devolves into Contador vs The Shack.

This has been asked and answered. Yes, every thread does. Sorry, that's just the way it is.

Sort of like why any discussion of NFL qb's comes down to Brady v Manning (and don't play dumb and say 'which Manning?' )

 

[Winterfold]

I wonder if Millar can hang in there? The 'mountain-top' finish is not a big climb, about 250m vertical, quite steep but short, and the Cat 2 before it does not look that hard. The rest of it, the stages there is enough time to get back onto any climbers if he is well supported.

 

[Jamsque]

This has been asked and answered. Yes, every thread does. Sorry, that's just the way it is.

Sort of like why any discussion of NFL qb's comes down to Brady v Manning (and don't play dumb and say 'which Manning?' )

I am not even going to go in to why that comparison is all kinds of stupid, suffice to say "that's just the way it is" is a great attitude to have.

 

[ravens]

I am not even going to go in to why that comparison is all kinds of stupid, suffice to say "that's just the way it is" is a great attitude to have.

Hey Dude, I am not exactly driving the bus on these threads. It's just an observation. Please unwad panties.

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

The only difference is that one of those teams has actually stated they want to win a team classification.

Did they? I'm assuming Radio Shack?

I might just be biased because I like both of those teams, but it seems like Sky and Garmin fans have a bit more perspective and sense of humour than the more rabid Shackers and Conta-heads that dominate the posting here.

I think it gets heated when the trolls chime in, but right now it's all in fun. I'm not really a fan of either team or AC (more of an HTC and Cervelo guy myself); it's just that AC is the best stage racer in the world, and Lance, like him or not, is the most famous cyclist in he world. Discussions will somehow always lead in that direction.

 

[BYOP88]

I wonder if Millar can hang in there? The 'mountain-top' finish is not a big climb, about 250m vertical, quite steep but short, and the Cat 2 before it does not look that hard. The rest of it, the stages there is enough time to get back onto any climbers if he is well supported.

No I don't think he will "hang in there" on stage 4 when the fireworks start, I think he'll get a free role in the team but will probably bury himself helping Martin who may be able to follow the attacks etc, providing Martin is in decent form.

 

[Publicus]

Hey Dude, I am not exactly driving the bus on these threads. It's just an observation. Please unwad panties.

I believe in the UK they are called "knickers."

 

[Winterfold]

Hmm looking at the results from Mende from 2007 that Mellow Velo posted it looks like Contador can put plenty of time into everyone on that short climb to Mende. It's steeper than I thought.

Still be interesting to see if Millar can hang onto his podium slot...

 

[kurtinsc]

Interesting looking at the riders at 5 minutes and 7 minutes today. Some capable climbers left out... I would LOVE to see a group get away early on one of more hilly/mountainous stages.

Would be neat to see a stage 4 break with Vandevelde, Horner, Fuglsang, Valjavec, Pereiro, Cunego, Popovych, Sorensen and Danielson in it.

Probably has no chance of happening as many of them will be sheparding other riders... but would I'd love to see them make an attempt at some point.

 

[Jamsque]

Interesting looking at the riders at 5 minutes and 7 minutes today. Some capable climbers left out... I would LOVE to see a group get away early on one of more hilly/mountainous stages.

Would be neat to see a stage 4 break with Vandevelde, Horner, Fuglsang, Valjavec, Pereiro, Cunego, Popovych, Sorensen and Danielson in it.

Probably has no chance of happening as many of them will be sheparding other riders... but would I'd love to see them make an attempt at some point.

It would be great to see a repeat solo win from VdV, and I'd love to see if Fuglsang can live up to all the talk about him on a big stage.

 

[hmronnow]

both parts up.

Thanks a lot

 

[Winterfold]

No I don't think he will "hang in there" on stage 4 when the fireworks start, I think he'll get a free role in the team but will probably bury himself helping Martin who may be able to follow the attacks etc, providing Martin is in decent form.

I forgot to cut and paste the times from 2007 (its on page 25 or thereabout) - he was 45s down on Contador but less than 10s on Leechheimer and LLS. I can see Valverde going with Contador (assuming Contador's injury isnt that bad), but maybe Millar can hang onto 3rd?

Wishful thinking most likely but would be a great result for him.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Seventeen seconds

the measure of life ...

Alberto C. ain't so hot when the wind blows, ... the cradle shall rock.

Last year Lance caught him in the cross-wind during TdF.
This year it's been Valverde and the Bos.

Great stage today - despite the dismal commentating skill on Eurosport.

 

[ravens]

I believe in the UK they are called "knickers."

So long as it ain't a banana hammock, it's all good.

 

[Tugboat]

This stage has got Henderson written all over it.

Yeah boi!!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Mende Paris-Nice 2007

1 Alberto Contador (Spa) Discovery Channel 4.07.26 (41.101 km/h)
6 Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team CSC 0.28
8 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Discovery Channel 0.33
11 Samuel Sánchez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 0.40
13 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis 0.43
14 David Millar (GBr) Saunier Duval-Prodir 0.45
18 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas 0.56

Not bad, considering he didn't go for the very bottom of the climb.
I can't see LLS living with Contador on the 2-12% kms.
Valverde is a different story.

You have to realise by now that Contador is nowhere near his 2007 form...So you can't compare it with that result. To add more to that, Kreuziger was 20 years old back than. Its 3 years ago

 

[auscyclefan94]

only cos a) sky are doing well b) wiggins isnt in paris nice c) we cant take the **** out of bmc till wednesday



to be honest, im not sure the pro contador fans are as much pro contador as they are anti-lance. If Indira gandhi poked lance in the eye they would all become staunch New Congress Party supporters

I'd rather Valverde win than having to listen to dim about fricken sky!

That's right Dim, till wednesday... Our season at BMC will start then!

 

[ak-zaaf]

I'd rather Valverde win than having to listen to dim about fricken sky!

That's right Dim, till wednesday... Our season at BMC will start then!

ghincapie

looks like i am snowed in for the moment. I hope i can make to Italy tomorrow...
about 3 hours ago via web

The Evans curse at work!

 

[theyoungest]

ghincapie

looks like i am snowed in for the moment. I hope i can make to Italy tomorrow...
about 3 hours ago via web

The Evans curse at work!

Same goes for Gesink, probably. Girona is covered in snow. How's that for an escape from wintery Holland.

 

[Publicus]

You have to realise by now that Contador is nowhere near his 2007 form...So you can't compare it with that result. To add more to that, Kreuziger was 20 years old back than. Its 3 years ago

How can you possibly know this? Are you talking about the lack of an injury to his leg, or just in general?

 

[Mellow Velo]

How can you possibly know this? Are you talking about the lack of an injury to his leg, or just in general?

I thought that too. He looked pretty sprightly on a similar climb in Algarve
Also, Contador was a relatively unknown quantity, in 2007....well, at least to Eurosport's Dave Harmon, that is.
Admittedly, Kreuziger was very young, but, on the other hand Jens Voigt is very old and DT thinks he might still make the shake up.

Mende is for the likes of Contador, Valverde and Jaochim Rodriguez (if he's got the form) Kreuziger looked good in Sardinia.
It always blows the peloton to pieces, when the finish is at the top.