Paris - Tours, October, 11th 231 km

[Tonton]

Re:

Richard Virenque 2001.

Probably the most unbelievable and greatest ride we ever seen.

last 10km Alone, against the best in the world , after 230km on the attack.

Please point me to any greater ride

Agree. What a thrill. Up the road with Durand all day, acceleration in that climb, solo ride to the line, the peloton completely miscalculating. Virenque returns from his ban with a huge win. Chapter 2 of his career can begin. It doesn't get better than that. Dekker's win was epic too.

 

[Jagartrott]

Durand and Virenque, no thanks.

 

[Tonton]

Re:

Durand and Virenque, no thanks.

Certainly not the two most popular riders . But it doesn't take away that Virenque's '01 win, or Durand's Ronde win for that matter are up there in the list of great accomplishments.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

Little chance that this will end in a mass sprint, if you ask me.
Many teams will send strong riders up the road in the finale. Wind should be in the riders favour also.

I can't see it being a sprint either. The strongest teams in the race - Etixx, BMC, Lotto, LottoNL & Tinkoff - all have little interest in a bunch sprint. The teams with the fastest sprinters - Cofidis, Bora, MTN, Trek - just don't look strong enough to keep it all together until the finish.

 

[sir fly]

From some reason, I like this race. Liked it even when was before Lombardia.
Vanmarcke.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Doesnt mind it has been relegated, never a race I liked. A much more dull affair that MSR.

Have you even seen an edition of Paris-Tours lately? It's a much better race than San Remo.

I haven't, no. Doesnt interests me at all

 

[burning]

Re: Re:

Doesnt mind it has been relegated, never a race I liked. A much more dull affair that MSR.

Have you even seen an edition of Paris-Tours lately? It's a much better race than San Remo.

I haven't, no. Doesnt interests me at all

So, how do you know that it is worse than MSR?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Doesnt mind it has been relegated, never a race I liked. A much more dull affair that MSR.

Have you even seen an edition of Paris-Tours lately? It's a much better race than San Remo.

I haven't, no. Doesnt interests me at all

So, how do you know that it is worse than MSR?

Okay, what I meant to say: I havent watched it for several years and dont intend to this year either

 

[Alexandre B.]

What a break !

 

[Jagartrott]

Echelons!

 

[Walter Morgan]

Sob Trek!!

 

[Jagartrott]

52.5 km/h first hour of racing...

 

[saganftw]

surprised to see GvA and gallopin in a break,i thought they would attack later

 

[DFA123]

Re:

surprised to see GvA and gallopin in a break,i thought they would attack later

It almost looks more like a split in the race than a break. So many riders up there from different teams that there might not be much will to bring them back.

 

[roundabout]

Re:

Sob Trek!!

Nizzolo has already crashed out.

Oh well, the race is delivering like so often.

 

[Walter Morgan]

Re: Re:

Sob Trek!!

Nizzolo has already crashed out.

Oh well, the race is delivering like so often.

I know, but in a 30 riders breakway Trek has 0...

 

[Jagartrott]

Nearly 5 minutes, 110 km to go. Without any really strong teams in the peloton chasing, this should be for one of the men in front. Lotto-Soudal with 4 riders ahead, all of whom can sprint. Etixx also a couple of fast guys.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

Nearly 5 minutes, 110 km to go. Without any really strong teams in the peloton chasing, this should be for one of the men in front. Lotto-Soudal with 4 riders ahead, all of whom can sprint. Etixx also a couple of fast guys.

The Lotto guys can all sprint, but you wouldn't rate their chances too highly against Demare, GVA or the Etixx duo. It's going to be a great last 10-15km to see how they play it.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

GvA Yeayyy

 

[TMP402]

van der Sande *should* win since he's taking no turns.

 

[Bushman]

Trentin looks really strong. Van der Sande should play the tactical game I think, he probably can't beat neither of the two in a tough sprint and Lotto have numbers in the chase group.

 

[BigMac]

Gougeard is trying to liven up the chasers with no success.

D&C faints.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Go Greg!
Edit: Trentin wins because GVA punctured...

 

[Billie]

Greg with a mechanical inside the final K

Leegloper

 

[jsem94]

GVA unlucky as hell.