Paris - Tours 2014 (1.HC), 12.10

[Dazed and Confused]

Official website: http://www.letour.fr/paris-tours/

Startlist: http://www.cyclingfever.com/editie.html?detp=view&_ap=startlijst&editie_idd=MjU1Mzk=

Degenkolb, Chavanel, Boom, Demare, Debusschere, Ciolek, Voeckler, Van Asbroeck, Nizzolo, Leukemans, Terpstra, Petit, GVA, Vanmarcke etc.

This will be live on Eurosport on Sunday at 15:30 (local)

 

[Libertine Seguros]

This has been a strange race over the years in that it is a race that by rights should end in a sprint in modern cycling (note for Echoes, as per San Remo, which went through a phase of being a sprinters' race unlike its traditional status) yet is frequently far more interesting than its parcours would let on. Certainly in a stage race this would end in a sprint 9 times out of 10, but as a standalone classic there's just much more at play. Sure we've had a few sprint finishes over the years, but 2009, 2011 and 2012 were all good races and we can definitely hope for something like that again. 2012 in particular I remember rather fondly for Marcato finally getting the win and Degenkolb trying to chase the leading trio down solo when he wasn't getting enough co-operation from riders who knew he'd beat them in a sprint.

 

[Bushman]

Thar was such a good ride from Degenkolb. I clearly remember cheering for Marcato but watching the race again it would have been epic had Defenkolb caught the leaders on his own.

 

[trevim]

This race tell us a bit of how amazing San Remo could be if ridden in October. It would be weird to see La Primavera in the Fall though
I want a Virenque kind of win tomorrow!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

This has been a strange race over the years in that it is a race that by rights should end in a sprint in modern cycling (note for Echoes, as per San Remo, which went through a phase of being a sprinters' race unlike its traditional status) yet is frequently far more interesting than its parcours would let on. Certainly in a stage race this would end in a sprint 9 times out of 10, but as a standalone classic there's just much more at play. Sure we've had a few sprint finishes over the years, but 2009, 2011 and 2012 were all good races and we can definitely hope for something like that again. 2012 in particular I remember rather fondly for Marcato finally getting the win and Degenkolb trying to chase the leading trio down solo when he wasn't getting enough co-operation from riders who knew he'd beat them in a sprint.

I think the date plays into the hands of the race during these times.
Many support riders (on contract for next year and beyond) just wants to go on vacation. Very little motivation and probably limited form.

And then perhaps a bit oddly, the overall pace of PT is often pretty brutal.

Then at the critical business end around the two hills, the roads are narrow and twisty iirc.

That adds up to a better balance between the really strong riders (and there are always some around) and the peloton even on a parcours which really doesn't look "tough".


So tomorrow, boom or bust? 50% I think.

edit: similar to trevim's view.

 

[roundabout]

Don't forget the occasional wind as well.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Don't forget the occasional wind as well.

yep, plays a role too. Avg speed in '12 was 48,6 km/h.

 

[search]

Sure we've had a few sprint finishes over the years, but 2009, 2011 and 2012 were all good races and we can definitely hope for something like that again.

I was confident it had something to do with the route change as we had two good races instantly after it happened (in 2011 and 2012) - but last year was nearly as boring as it can get.

so...yeah, lets hope it'll be better tomorrow, the parcours does allow successful attacks, but someone needs to try...

 

[manafana]

hutarovich perhaps to upset those big two he has gone close twice recently, otherwise can see tommy v trying something late on.

 

[hfer07]

This race alone is becoming the one that I'm truly cheering for at the end of the season, because of the performances displayed in previous editions , adding the scenery and that touch of nostalgia inherited to the end of the season.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Demare is confident.

Twicker: https://twitter.com/ParisTours

Race starts in 5 minutes.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Hmm he doesn't really look confident in that picture. Degenkolb must be the huge favorite here.

 

[pastronef]

Demare is confident.

Twicker: https://twitter.com/ParisTours

Race starts in 5 minutes.

if I were Alpina owner, I'd come to the races and be so pi$$ed about FDJ still using Uvex helmets, not even hiding with some tape

 

[luckyboy]

100km gone, 7 in the break - Voeckler (EUR), Wallays (TSV), Van Melsen (WGG), Benedetti (TNE), Paillot (LPM), Gouault (BIG), Duval (RLM) #ParisTours

4:30 gap, down from max of 6:30

 

[bicifan]

Follow the race here: https://twitter.com/bicifanatico/lists/bike-racing
Eurosport at 15:30 CET

 

[Netserk]

Boonen y u no ride today?

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

PLI better finish this off quickly in this tennis.

 

[Flamin]

Follow the race here: https://twitter.com/bicifanatico/lists/bike-racing
Eurosport at 15:30 CET

Great. I opened that link and the first thing I see is a tweet about what's happening in the cyclocross race that I wanted to watch later on

 

[Ryongsyong]

Great. I opened that link and the first thing I see is a tweet about what's happening in the cyclocross race that I wanted to watch later on

He dies at the end of the film.

 

[trevim]

Boonen y u no ride today?

Yep one of the biggest gaps in his record alongside San Remo and Het Volk.

 

[Flamin]

Crash caused by a motorbike

 

[Bushman]

Will the front group make it?

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Will the front group make it?

No, not with these riders.

 

[jaylew]

hutarovich perhaps to upset those big two he has gone close twice recently, otherwise can see tommy v trying something late on.

Well, you were kinda right about Tommy V, though he went early. We'll have to see about your Huta prediction. I'd like to see Voeckler take it. Really, anyone other than Démare or Degenkolb.

 

[MrKangaroo]

Crash caused by a motorbike

http://gfycat.com/BiodegradableIllfatedKingfisher