Paris Nice Stage 8: Nice → Nice 124 km

[maltiv]

Let the Tony Martin hype begin, which is good in a way because he doesnt have a chance of winning the Tour, but that wont stop the press hyping him up.

If they ride this slowly up the mountains in TDF then I can see no one who will be able to stop Tony Martin from winning the overall

 

[The Hitch]

Looks likje that Cofidis rider going for the sprint cost Samu the 4th place. Doesnt really matter imo though

 

[Libertine Seguros]

So I suppose we can call a truce.

Cobbles can celebrate Martin getting a big win and the Shack putting 3 guys in the top 10, and I can say I was right, the race was a huge letdown because all the guys at the top would ride defensively to protect what they had.

 

[ak-zaaf]

Well, this is sad. If people aren't willing to take risks to aim for the jackpot at Paris-Nice, the chances of them trying anything at the Tour are zilch.

Well, Wiggins and Kloden won't be anywhere in the TDF.
Sanchez will.

 

[Cobblestoned]

The only thing that was duller than the weather, was the race.
I confident predict that the ATOC will be more exciting.
Worst edition in years.

At least Tirreno live feed was up for the last few kms.

Sorry I have to say this - but you were even worse than that race.
Pathetic !
Just look what drama you delivered here !
Grow up - soon please.
Still can't believe how childish and penetrant someone can be.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

He is completely right about how boring the race is though.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Great ride by Titi once again

 

[Cobblestoned]

So I suppose we can call a truce.

Cobbles can celebrate Martin getting a big win and the Shack putting 3 guys in the top 10, and I can say I was right, the race was a huge letdown because all the guys at the top would ride defensively to protect what they had.

And this is what its all about, hmmm ?
Grow up too and come over it !

Looking forward to next race. I will then confirm you and see what happens.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

The next race? Tirreno-Adriatico?

You will confirm me? Into the Catholic church?

 

[thirteen]

Well, this is sad. If people aren't willing to take risks to aim for the jackpot at Paris-Nice, the chances of them trying anything at the Tour are zilch.

that's why it's lovely that Tommy won -- twice!

he always takes risks, yet rarely gets the win... i realise this is because no one really sees him as a threat, but still... he rides his heart out and gives as much as he can give, regardless of placement or chances of staying away.

i wish more were like him.

 

[Cobblestoned]

He is completely right about how boring the race is though.

I was bored by some whiners, putting some petrol into fire every day, nearly every minute during race on and on and on and on and on.......unstoppable

I saw many many things in cyclingforums, but that one was really really unique !
Wonder how people can show in such pathetic way. And this is where I am completely right.
Damn, glad this race is finally over, dear "cyclingfans".

 

[simo1733]

Not a good race for Van den Broeck...

Sorry I have to say this - but you were even worse than that race.
Pathetic !
Just look what drama you delivered here !
Grow up - soon please.
Still can't believe how childish and penetrant someone can be.

Excuse my ignorance but what does "penetrant" mean in this context?

 

[Andy99]

Excuse my ignorance but what does "penetrant" mean in this context?

No idea. But I agree entirely.

Constant whinging about races really is tiresome.

I guess some people must be relatively new to the sport and/or have never competed themselves.

You can't expect a race to be a constant attackfest.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

You can't expect a race to be a constant attackfest.

Ofcourse not, nobody is expecting that. But this is the other end of the spectrum, and you (and some others) refuse to see that.

This is no racing.

 

[Andy99]

Ofcourse not, nobody is expecting that. But this is the other end of the spectrum, and you (and some others) refuse to see that.

This is no racing.

Trust me I don't. I'm not complaining about any type of racing - only the constant whinging about it by certain people...

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I guess some people must be relatively new to the sport and/or have never competed themselves.

It's precisely because we aren't new to the sport that we were moaning. Because we remember old editions of Paris-Nice. We remember year upon year where the Col d'Èze stage was full of entertainment, not the whole top 5 sitting on to defend what they had. We remember days when sprints weren't totally predictable, when riders would see being less than a minute down on a hilly stage as a chance to try something. And we miss those times.

What we had this week was a different type of racing. And it was a type of racing that made us pine for the Paris-Nices of the last few years, when GC riders would be fighting for the bonus seconds on the Col, when you'd have small groups all over the place on the final day. When people tried to win, rather than not to lose.

Tony Martin was probably the strongest guy over the week - he was very strong on stage 5, and easily the best on stage 6. But on the last two days, nobody really even tried to test him. And that's what's galling.

 

[Andy99]

It's precisely because we aren't new to the sport that we were moaning. Because we remember old editions of Paris-Nice. We remember year upon year where the Col d'Èze stage was full of entertainment, not the whole top 5 sitting on to defend what they had. We remember days when sprints weren't totally predictable, when riders would see being less than a minute down on a hilly stage as a chance to try something. And we miss those times.

What we had this week was a different type of racing. And it was a type of racing that made us pine for the Paris-Nices of the last few years, when GC riders would be fighting for the bonus seconds on the Col, when you'd have small groups all over the place on the final day. When people tried to win, rather than not to lose.

Tony Martin was probably the strongest guy over the week - he was very strong on stage 5, and easily the best on stage 6. But on the last two days, nobody really even tried to test him. And that's what's galling.

Have to say I agree with you.

But in P-N; certainly the parcours wasn't selective enough, such that the strong teams could set such a tempo that there was no point any of the GC riders trying to attack.

 

[Dutchsmurf]

The problem these days is that far too much value is placed on the 2-10 places. Years ago nobody cared if you got 7th in PN, except for the rider himself maybe. But now riders think that by ending 7th in PN they actually got a good result. In the Tour it is even worse. Riders at all cost defending their 14th place instead of trying to move into the top 10. And there is nothing you can do about it. Radios or no radios isn't going to change that.

 

[Andy99]

The problem these days is that far too much value is placed on the 2-10 places. Years ago nobody cared if you got 7th in PN, except for the rider himself maybe. But now riders think that by ending 7th in PN they actually got a good result. In the Tour it is even worse. Riders at all cost defending their 14th place instead of trying to move into the top 10. And there is nothing you can do about it. Radios or no radios isn't going to change that.

Yep. Fair point that.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Richie Porte finished 22nd overall, definitely one to watch in the Grand Tours this season.
Or maybe not.

 

[Mellow Velo]

No idea. But I agree entirely.

Constant whinging about races really is tiresome.

I guess some people must be relatively new to the sport and/or have never competed themselves.

You can't expect a race to be a constant attackfest.

I assume this is directed at me.
What Libertine has already pointed out, goes for me.
Followed the sport for decades.
Maybe that's the problem. Becoming a grumpy old bloke.
For me, this race has consistently been the season stage event highlight.
It is simple a comparison.
This year simply failed to deliver the level of racing seen in '07, '08, '09 and '10.
Also, Dutchsmurf makes a valid point. You don't risk a decent placing by taking a gamble that has little chance of success.

 

[Christian]

Inevitable as soon as Sky decided to help HTC rather than wear out Martin's helpers. Once you realised the whole podium were going to hold a ceasefire, all we had was 'would Sánchez manage to climb up to 4th'.

We also had a ceasefire between L.L. Sanchez, F. Schleck and S. Chavanel a couple of years ago. On the other hand they had united against Contador the day before so that was fun.

Unfortunately I missed this stage, didn't realize it was this short

 

[Benotti69]

for the guys moaning about the racing, i would be blaming the DS rather than the riders. If you look at websites for the teams they highlight a 2nd, 3rd all the way down to tenth as a result so maybe its the DS who has to take the blame for consolidating these positions rather than letting riders ride as hard and take the gamble that they might blow up before the end. they have to please sponsors in the result driven game. that's why the radios have to go. give the riders the responsibility to race again and we should see more attacks

 

[joy118118]

The fact is that the debate interrupted others watching and discussing races especially when the races were on.

If you dont like it, going out and openning a new thread to discuss it is better. At least not at the time all others want to enjoy the race.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

The fact is that the debate interrupted others watching and discussing races especially when the races were on.

If you dont like it, going out and openning a new thread to discuss it is better. At least not at the time all others want to enjoy the race.

No one forces you or others to read these posts, you can still have race related discussions. Forums are for opinions, deal with it.