Paris-Nice Stage 5:Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise Vernoux-en-Vivarais: 193 km

[Raceoftruth]

Go uran can see this being his stage if he is allowed in breakaway! If not think he will drill the last climb for brad and see what damage they do! Field need to put time into tony martin or its his race!

 

[rxgqgxnyfz]

didn't vino prerace say he's riding for roman this race ? whatever...vino is very obviously itching for action as he was near the head of the peloton last couple stages.

Vino did said that he'd rather go for a stage:

http://astana.lu/news_x.php?ID_news=250

I target a stage victory, but I'm not expecting for an overall classification, my objectives are mostly focused on next july, so I have to keep my strength!

But of course this is Vino you just never know with him.

And a team manager said that Vino should be be working for Kreuziger for the overall.

 

[rxgqgxnyfz]

Vino will not spend his last year of racing working for anybody.

2010 was rumoured to be his last and yet in all races with Contador he was working as a super-domestique for him.

Roman will get his freedom riding Giro and will work for Vino in TDF.

Kreuziger going for TDF is highly unlikely.

 

[Sasquatch]

Vino riding for Roman? Are you kidding me. After he saw him dragging Nibali during the Vuelta he hired him to be his key domestique in 2011. Vino will not spend his last year of racing working for anybody. Roman will get his freedom riding Giro and will work for Vino in TDF.

Vino will be looking at the bigger picture and Kreuziger will be the leader in July. Vino will be running this team when he retires so he knows how important it is to get results and if he's not the best man for the job, he will know that and will work for the person who is.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Brajkovic ftw.

I think this climb may be to steep for Porte. Not sure about LLS.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

I could see Janez do it. But the way your Aussies are going I wouldn't be surprised if Porte gets the win. How about Samu or LuLu? I'd pick one of those two... don't know why - just a gut feel.

 

[Eric8-A]

Lets see how Ryder is on tommorow's stage

I also have a little game going on by myself to see which rider places higher on GC.

Andrew Talansky or Teejay Van Garderen

 

[python]

....... Porte's form for today is more of an unknown I guess).

The kid seems more optimistic about his form
http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/7717/Porte-looking-forward-to-big-test-of-form-in-Paris-Nice.aspx

I'm in fairly good shape and I'm looking forward to seeing how far it's going to take me.

was it him (or someone) who revealed he’s got an engine to envy (vo2 max in the 80s) ? either way, he's one of my picks for the gc podium

 

[Ferminal]

The kid seems more optimistic about his form
http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/7717/Porte-looking-forward-to-big-test-of-form-in-Paris-Nice.aspx

was it him (or someone) who revealed he’s got an engine to envy (vo2 max in the 80s) ? either way, he's one of my picks for the gc podium

That's the 2nd article in a few days and his tweets seem like he's planning on racing, which is why I'm optimistic of his chances.

I think he tests well, but he's also famous for being able to swim 75m underwater.

 

[boomcie]

If they go full throttle VDB2 will be up there. Shape looking ok.

 

[Tuarts]

I shall remind you when he comes 20mins back

Go easy on Brent. He's just finished Stage 13 of last years TDF.

 

[Tuarts]

The kid seems more optimistic about his form
http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/7717/Porte-looking-forward-to-big-test-of-form-in-Paris-Nice.aspx

was it him (or someone) who revealed he’s got an engine to envy (vo2 max in the 80s) ? either way, he's one of my picks for the gc podium

The VO2 testing he did at the AIS was the highest ever recorded iirc.

 

[Sasquatch]

Brajkovic ftw.

I think this climb may be to steep for Porte. Not sure about LLS.

How can a climb at that length and gradient be steep for Porte considering Porte has put up a time on Mt Wellington - which is a steeper climb that no one in Australia can beat.

And he is 58kg, so it shouldn't be too steep for him at all.

And also, he kept up with Contador, only losing 28 seconds to him on a longer, tougher climb 2 weeks ago.

And he is a climber.

 

[theyoungest]

How can a climb at that length and gradient be steep for Porte considering Porte has put up a time on Mt Wellington - which is a steeper climb that no one in Australia can beat.

And he is 58kg, so it shouldn't be too steep for him at all.

And also, he kept up with Contador, only losing 28 seconds to him on a longer, tougher climb 2 weeks ago.

And he is a climber.

Last year's performances indeed suggest that Porte simply isn't among the best climbers on long, steep climbs. But maybe he's made progress (which wouldn't be very surprising).

 

[Christian]

This is very premature but I wonder whether Porte is going to extend with Riis at the end of the season ... right now I'd be inclined to say no but on the other hand I can't really imagine where he'd go

 

[rmacek]

I'd like to see Kreuziger attacking tomorrow if it is unsuccessful then Vino counter-attack...

That would be amazing, but I'm little pesimistic about Roman. From what he is saying, he is little suffering so far at P-N, but lets hope. Every day is different.

 

[Mellow Velo]

This is very premature but I wonder whether Porte is going to extend with Riis at the end of the season ... right now I'd be inclined to say no but on the other hand I can't really imagine where he'd go

Sky? He's got the squeaky clean image they used to desire.

With the well used Paris-Nice cat 1 climb coming early in the stage, I fancy we could have a large group up the road and if de Gendt isn't up to it, nobody prepared to marshall the peloton.

I wonder if someone like Xavier Tondo will go off on one of his long ones........

 

[Ferminal]

This is very premature but I wonder whether Porte is going to extend with Riis at the end of the season ... right now I'd be inclined to say no but on the other hand I can't really imagine where he'd go

Green Edge most likely, they need points and will pay above his market value.

 

[Roland Rat]

This is very premature but I wonder whether Porte is going to extend with Riis at the end of the season ... right now I'd be inclined to say no but on the other hand I can't really imagine where he'd go

That new Aussie Green Fingers team or whatever it's called? *** edited by mod ***

 

[The Amateur]

I think Kiserlovski will do a good ride. the terrain ought to suit him and he has shown some good form. Probably he will have to work for Vinokourov and Kreuziger but one can always hope...

The winner will probably be S Sanchez or Vinokourov/Kreuziger but it is just a bit to boring to bet on them

Other than Kiserlovski Chris Anker Sørensen (should be hard enough for him), Tejay and Uran will be interesting to follow. Porte is a big question mark but he sure is talking his chances up.

Anyone know what kind of form Frank Schleck is in?

- The Amateur

 

[Roland Rat]

Green Edge, that's the one, thanks Ferminal.

 

[Winterfold]

Let's hope some of the teams with a genuine GC contender try to put some time into Martin today, there are plenty of places for it to come back together on Saturday, today gives a much better chance.

 

[Martin]

Other than Kiserlovski Chris Anker Sørensen (should be hard enough for him), Tejay and Uran will be interesting to follow. Porte is a big question mark but he sure is talking his chances up.

Uran was dropped on a day one. That could mean 2 things: he doesn't have form right now or he might a have a big chance to go in a break today and succeed - the GC contenders won't mind and let him go!

 

[Anonymous]

I've had £20 e/w on Hesjedal and Brajkovic (both at 50/1) which looks to me to be decent value.

I do not want the break to stay clear.....unless one of those two are in it!

Liquigas are normally a team to be considered in these stages. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Jamsque]

Uran's time loss on stage 1 was thanks to a crash IIRC, so I don't think it says much about his form, just his Colombian bike handling skills.