Paris - Nice, Stage 1 Saint-Germain-en-Laye -> Nemours 195 km, Monday 4th March

[Hugo Koblet]

I think Quintana was in the group Boonen/Kittel but im not sure.

He better not be!

 

[Samson]

Taaramae, Voigt, Boonen in the back group. Other interesting names?

As expected. No form cause of the flu he had recently.

 

[skidmark]

So, Howard from perfect positioning to 8th place. Will they give Matthews a shot next stage? I'd have to think he would have shown better than that.

 

[Leadbelly]

http://www.letour.com/paris-nice/2013/us/stage-1/classifications.html

52. COLQUINTANA ROJAS Nairo Alexander 27 MOVISTAR TEAM 04h 47' 24'' + 00' 00''

Nairo safely in.

 

[Ruudz0r]

He better not be!

According to procyclingstats he was in the front group

http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/1167501-Paris---Nice-2013-Overview

 

[Afrank]

I think Quintana was in the group Boonen/Kittel but im not sure.

God no, I hope not. How far back did that group finish?

Edit: see your other post, very good.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

According to procyclingstats he was in the front group

http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/1167501-Paris---Nice-2013-Overview

Thank god! With Costa out nothing can now prevent a Quintana demolition!

 

[Dedelou]

Sylvain looking tired but beaming in green. He pulled hard to be among the sprinters. Chapeau

 

[Netserk]

121 riders in the first group with same time.

 

[theyoungest]

PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF



god damn it!!!!!!

this could ruin costa's spring

Depends on the seriousness of the fracture, of course. Either way it sucks, certainly for this race. One of the top favourites out on a nothing stage. ASO have outdone themselves again.

The interesting thing is, on the tv the only victim we saw was Erviti.

 

[Kwibus]

Costa is also an interesting name for the ardennes. I doubt that if he will show up there his form wont be any good.

 

[shinoda13]

Really impressed by Bouhanni and FDJ. With 2k to go they were like 20 positions back and still managed to win. I expect to see some good result from them this season with Bouhanni and Demare.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Really impressed by Bouhanni and FDJ. With 2k to go they were like 20 positions back and still managed to win. I expect to see some good result from them this season with Bouhanni and Demare.

Yeah, they got caught in the wrong side of the road when there was some obstacle in the middle of the road. They did a very good job to bring Bouhanni back to the front and he was very impressive as well even though he had to open his sprint from pretty far out.

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

This was a big lol at Orica Greenedge, what was that?

 

[dirkprovin]

So, Howard from perfect positioning to 8th place. Will they give Matthews a shot next stage? I'd have to think he would have shown better than that.

To his credit he DID Tweet "No excuses today. Team done textbook leadout and I fumbled! #sorryguys" Mind you, repeats of today should see him demoted from WT races for the forseeable. Then again, Mr Matthew Harley Goss showed a similar proclivity to drop his bundle (and also crack the mopes) once things started to go against him.

Maybe a wee hint that contract renewal is no done deal might just concentrate their mental attitude somewhat better. Maybe OGE should look at giving more outings to the likes of Matthews and Kruopis instead of some individuals who feel that cos they're Aussies on an Aussie owned team, they don't need to prove their worth to keep their job.

 

[BlenJones2]

Howard has won twice already this year...

 

[theyoungest]

Howard has won twice already this year...

Not enough!

Just kidding, but the Mallorca races are pretty meaningless. Last year Andy Fenn won two of them. Personally I think Greenedge should go for Bling tomorrow, give him a proper leadout and he wins.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

At least the wind weeded out 50 or so. Solid performance by Bouhanni, class act.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Rui Costa ‏@RuiCostaCyclist
Saí agora do hospital. Felizmente NÃO TENHO NENHUMA FRATURA! Estou todo "rasgado" e com dores mas nada partido. Obrigado pelas msgs de apoio

No fracture for Rui?

 

[jens_attacks]

i guess so. good news then

 

[Afrank]

Costa is also an interesting name for the ardennes. I doubt that if he will show up there his form wont be any good.

I believe the Ardennes are actually his main goal this year. Hopefully he is not injured too badly, and can get in form for them.

 

[theyoungest]

I believe the Ardennes are actually his main goal this year. Hopefully he is not injured too badly, and can get in form for them.

Apparently he isn't injured at all.

 

[Afrank]

Apparently he isn't injured at all.

Very good, glad to hear. How did he go down by the way? I haven't seen the stage yet.

 

[HiCadence]

Stomach problems apparently for Rui Costa.

 

[Parrulo]

Stomach problems apparently for Rui Costa.

where did you get that from? he had a cold a few days ago but was clearly fine just by looking at his perform yesterday which must have been one of his best prologues ever.

he crashed heavily, had to get several stitches on his arm, has a lot of road rash and pain all over his body but other then that he is fine.

what now for him? will he stay home till pais vasco which was his next race or will he get sent to catalunya so he can get some racing k's on his legs before the ardennes.

i am mighty ****ed with this one, he lost a golden chance to win PN