Paris-Nice: Stage 2 - Contres - Limoges 201 km

[Jamsque]

So will that mean the peloton will split up?

There's certainly a chance. The wind should be more behind them for the first two-thirds of the stage, but there is a very interesting 13km stretch from Le Dorat to the top of the 3rd category Cote de Maison Neuve, just under 50km from the finish, that is more or less perpendicular to the expected wind direction.

 

[taiwan]

No, the climbs are simply too simple. Only wind can break it up really

Tend to agree with that.

 

[The Barb]

Very disappointing lack of effort by Columbia yesterday (Greipel had plenty more to give but coasted to the line). I do think he's almost as superior to these sprinters as, say, Cavendish was to his rivals at last year's Tour de France and Columbia will bounce back today.

I give a breakaway about a 10% chance of success (can't be more than that with Rabobank and Columbia and possibly others likely to chase) about a 10% chance of a splintered peleton with cross winds, and about an 80% chance of a bunch sprint finish. If it's a bunch sprint I reckon Greipel would win at least half of the time, making him, in my estimation a 40% chance of winning the stage.

So I'm content to have backed him at $2.75 (or 7/4 in other betting parlance).

 

[tgsgirl]

Very disappointing lack of effort by Columbia yesterday (Greipel had plenty more to give but coasted to the line). I do think he's almost as superior to these sprinters as, say, Cavendish was to his rivals at last year's Tour de France and Columbia will bounce back today.

They had Tony Martin up there, while quite a few GC contenders were in the peloton. Hauling back the break for Greipel meant putting Martin at a disadvantage. They chose Martin over Greipel yesterday. It ain't rocket science.

 

[Big GMaC]

They had Tony Martin up there, while quite a few GC contenders were in the peloton. Hauling back the break for Greipel meant putting Martin at a disadvantage. They chose Martin over Greipel yesterday. It ain't rocket science.

Was just writing the same thing when I saw your comment!

 

[theyoungest]

They had Tony Martin up there, while quite a few GC contenders were in the peloton. Hauling back the break for Greipel meant putting Martin at a disadvantage. They chose Martin over Greipel yesterday. It ain't rocket science.

I guess he's just sad about his unnecessary loss of precious dollars.

 

[theswordsman]

I went back and had a look at AC's & HH's crash - it was outside the 3km to go. In the coverage you can see the break pass the 3k sign at the side of the road and then it cuts back to AC & HH on the deck and about 100 meters in the distance is the same sign.

One of the articles I read said that the leader of that group was within the 3 KM limit at the time of the crash, and that's why the race officials ruled as they did. I don't know if that was to help Haussler. I guess that would explain how Strangelj got the same time after waiting with Alberto's bike & the broke wheel.

 

[craig1985]

Usually in the last couple of editions of Paris - Nice the stages tend to be hit by crap weather and the strong cross winds break the peloton into pieces. Think of last year when Chavanel won his stage last year and Contador was jumping from groupetto to groupetto after his team mates cracked.

 

[theswordsman]

Contador is starting Stage 2 and will see how it goes. Google Translation of the article said he does have abrasions, Babelfish says he does not. The rest of the text says he hit with a thud, and that's why he needs to see how it reacts during the race.

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=23687

 

[Mellow Velo]

So will that mean the peloton will split up?

Depends on the route.

The small course map suggests that a couple of sections towards the end may get a direct xwind, but, then again, these might be in the lee of a hill.
I guess we'll find out, if the hammer goes down, again.
With the forecast wind strengths, if it's possible, someone will try.
Could end up like last year's second road stage.
http://meteo.region-nord.com/meteo-87085.html

 

[zapata]

So will that mean the peloton will split up?

Hope so, but since I was pleasantly surprized yesterday, I'm guessing it will be a bunch sprint today. Think I'll go with Chicchi again.

 

[zapata]

Napolitano didn't start today, by the way.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

They might let a group go consisting of riders who lost 7 minutes yesterday though

 

[python]

if i got my clock right the stage started about an ago.

does anyone know if contador was at the starting line ?

 

[zapata]

if i got my clock right the stage started about an ago.

does anyone know if contador was at the starting line ?

Haven't heard specifically, but the only Dns mentioned by procyclinglive was napolitano and ponzi.

 

[python]

Haven't heard specifically, but the only Dns mentioned by procyclinglive was napolitano and ponzi.

thanks. i went looking for the answer too and it appears berto started.

astana team manager yvon sanquer this morning after breakfast: "I saw Alberto this morning at breakfast and he doesn’t feel too bad."

 

[theswordsman]

Laurent Mangel started the day 36 seconds back, and Koen de Kort was at 1'12". They're both in the break that had a 3:55 gap at 47 Km.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Major tailwind. 88kms covered in one hour and three quarters.
Don't expect much coverage, today.
In the showers around 4pm CET.

 

[python]

87k to go. the peloton just started the climbing part of the stage. the gap, currently at under 3 min, will likely fall quickly now.

 

[moi123]

attack by caisse

 

[moi123]

9km to go, contador is going to lose time again

 

[Jamsque]

I think you are watching a repeat of yesterday's stage moi, there is still more than 60km to go today.

 

[python]

jeez, average speed after 3h - 46.9 !!

 

[moi123]

I think you are watching a repeat of yesterday's stage moi, there is still more than 60km to go today.

Yes now I see, but they were saying it was live. Kinda stupid but ok.

 

[Publicus]

Gap coming down. Now 2:30. HTC and Rabo leading the peloton.