Paris-Tours

[riobonito92]

In my opinion, nothing after the worlds should be taken seriously. It reminds me of people hunting down late season races to get a licence upgrade after everyone else has packed it in for the winter.

 

[AngusW]

Historically, there was no such thing as a monument or a semi-classic. All the one day races were known as classics. However, the eight original orthodox classics (back in Rik Van Looy's day anyway) were:

Milan - San Remo
Tour of Flanders
Paris - Roubaix
Fleche Wallonne
Liege Bastogne Liege
Paris - Brussels
Paris - Tours
Giro di Lombardia

The unorthodox classics (both now no longer run):

Bordeaux - Paris (run for part of the distance behind Derny pacers)
Grand Prix des Nations (described as the only classic to be run as a time trial)

Rik Van Looy is so far the only cyclist to win all the original orthodox classics.

But that's history. Things change. Paris Brussels was originally run during the spring, I believe, but disappeared during the late 60s and early 70s and reappeared as an Autumn classic and gradually lost its status. Fleche Wallonne was originally run on the same weekend as L-B-L as part of the "Weekend Ardennais"; there was a separate prize for the rider with the best combination of placings in both races. It got moved to a mid-week place in the calendar and so was not included in the World Cup competition of the 90s and early 2000s and its status also suffered.

Paris Tours is one of the oldest races on the calendar and despite several name changes during the 70s and 80s did actually make it onto the World Cup competition. For some, it is the sixth monument. But like I said, things change. 20 years from now, the list of monuments may be less or more than five, depending mostly on who "owns" them and their commercial viability.

I still think of Paris Tours as a classic race and despite being known as a sprinters' classic, it has produced some unexpected winners over the past 15 years. If it does end in a sprint this year, I hope that Cavendish wins it. If nothing else, it will make for a good rainbow jersey photograph.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

In my opinion, nothing after the worlds should be taken seriously. It reminds me of people hunting down late season races to get a licence upgrade after everyone else has packed it in for the winter.

Lombardia!

Also Emilia, while it doesn't have the same prestige as a monument, is a great race.

 

[Kvinto]

Historically, there was no such thing as a monument or a semi-classic. All the one day races were known as classics. However, the eight original orthodox classics (back in Rik Van Looy's day anyway) were:

Milan - San Remo
Tour of Flanders
Paris - Roubaix
Fleche Wallonne
Liege Bastogne Liege
Paris - Brussels
Paris - Tours
Giro di Lombardia

The unorthodox classics (both now no longer run):

Bordeaux - Paris (run for part of the distance behind Derny pacers)
Grand Prix des Nations (described as the only classic to be run as a time trial)

Rik Van Looy is so far the only cyclist to win all the original orthodox classics.

But that's history. Things change. Paris Brussels was originally run during the spring, I believe, but disappeared during the late 60s and early 70s and reappeared as an Autumn classic and gradually lost its status. Fleche Wallonne was originally run on the same weekend as L-B-L as part of the "Weekend Ardennais"; there was a separate prize for the rider with the best combination of placings in both races. It got moved to a mid-week place in the calendar and so was not included in the World Cup competition of the 90s and early 2000s and its status also suffered.

Paris Tours is one of the oldest races on the calendar and despite several name changes during the 70s and 80s did actually make it onto the World Cup competition. For some, it is the sixth monument. But like I said, things change. 20 years from now, the list of monuments may be less or more than five, depending mostly on who "owns" them and their commercial viability.

I still think of Paris Tours as a classic race and despite being known as a sprinters' classic, it has produced some unexpected winners over the past 15 years. If it does end in a sprint this year, I hope that Cavendish wins it. If nothing else, it will make for a good rainbow jersey photograph.

it's very useful information, thank you!

Volk's a semi too... Imo you have the 5 Monuments, then you have Paris-Tours, Scheldeprijs, Fleche, Amstel, San Sebastian, Emilia and Piemonte or so as classics... I'm prolly forgetting some though...

EDIT: Libertine has put it quite well imo

Wikipedia lies again I won't post my evaluation list of one day races because it's pretty similar to your's or Libertine's (with some inclusions like Tre Valli Varesine) but in the end i will treat all them the way i used to which means - one day race = classic race, letting the evaluation alone

 

[El Pistolero]

It is, just a boring one

It's never been part of any season long competition like the World Cup or World Tour and it's not viewed as prestigious even in Belgium.

It doesn't have anything special which makes it impossible to be called a classic. MSR has its Poggio and Cipressa(and used to have a great finish at the Via Roma), Ronde van Vlaanderen has cobbled hills(and used to have the Muur), LBL has famous hills like the Saint Nicholas and La Redoute(Roche aux Faucons will take some more time to get really famous), FW has an uphill finish at the famous Mur de Huy, Paris-Roubaix has famous cobbled sectors like Carrefour de l'Arbre and Lombardia has the Madonna del Ghisallo. All of them are longer than 200km and were at one point part of a season long cometition like the World Cup.

 

[boomcie]

It's never been part of any season long competition like the World Cup or World Tour and it's not viewed as prestigious even in Belgium.

It doesn't have anything special which makes it impossible to be called a classic. MSR has its Poggio and Cipressa(and used to have a great finish at the Via Roma), Ronde van Vlaanderen has cobbled hills(and used to have the Muur), LBL has famous hills like the Saint Nicholas and La Redoute(Roche aux Faucons will take some more time to get really famous), FW has an uphill finish at the famous Mur de Huy, Paris-Roubaix has famous cobbled sectors like Carrefour de l'Arbre and Lombardia has the Madonna del Ghisallo. All of them are longer than 200km and were at one point part of a season long cometition like the World Cup.

I have to agree with you Pistolet.
Scheldeprijs is definitely not a classic ánd a piece of ****.

I would include San Sebastian though. It has the Jaizkibel, it was part of season long competitions and it's longer than 200k. Only thing is it hasn't been around for that long. Same goes for Amstel.

 

[WillemS]

I don't really care what distinctions are made, as long as a demoting UCI-status does not lead to the financial extermination of a race. I know what races I like, whether it has the label of monument, classic, semi-classic or even criterium. I'm a fan of spring and autumn one-day races, especially when there are obstacles involved (hills, cobbles) and preferably distance. A race shattered in groups with favorites or a, fantasy-like, hero that smashes the competition on an impossible course (Gilbert this year).

I don't care if a race is old, although I like the mythical stories and know that a race's mythical status attracts good riders like a neodymium magnet. I care about a good race. About the new stories that one day will turn into myths, as I am sure Gilbert's victories will if he has another few strong years (or even without the latter). I would love to be there as he claims the worlds on the Cauberg next year.

Great races are great races. Titles are just titles.

 

[Anonymous]

Paris Bourges today (doenst merit its own thread)
Live ticker from 12.30 cet

http://www.directvelo.com/direct/2011-2091-paris-bourges-paris-bourges.html

 

[Matthijs]

It's never been part of any season long competition like the World Cup or World Tour and it's not viewed as prestigious even in Belgium.

It doesn't have anything special which makes it impossible to be called a classic. MSR has its Poggio and Cipressa(and used to have a great finish at the Via Roma), Ronde van Vlaanderen has cobbled hills(and used to have the Muur), LBL has famous hills like the Saint Nicholas and La Redoute(Roche aux Faucons will take some more time to get really famous), FW has an uphill finish at the famous Mur de Huy, Paris-Roubaix has famous cobbled sectors like Carrefour de l'Arbre and Lombardia has the Madonna del Ghisallo. All of them are longer than 200km and were at one point part of a season long cometition like the World Cup.

The Scheldeprijs regarded highly as sprinters-classic as far as I know. Together with Gent-Wevelgem, Paris-Brussel.

Strange to call Lombardia just for people who want to make up their season. It's a big thing for most Ardennes-like poeple. Off course the Italians toppers (cunego, nibali, scarponi, basso, visconti) but also from other countries (Lastras, Rui costa, Uran, Gesink normally, dan martin). Like Gilbert has to make something of his season at this point

 

[Andy99]

For those in the UK, P-T is live on Eurosport HD, with highlights on normal ES in the evening....

 

[greenedge]

The strongest teams will be Sky, SBS and HTC. Sky dominated P-B yesterday. Saxo Bank has got Cooke in good form and he has good resillience. HTC have Cav and Goss, proponents at the WC. Do they have the legs though.

Robbie McEwan could also go well.

 

[online-rider]

Is it on this sunday?

 

[L'arriviste]

Yes it is.

Blah 10 chars.

 

[Swabian Lass]

I don't really care what distinctions are made, as long as a demoting UCI-status does not lead to the financial extermination of a race. I know what races I like, whether it has the label of monument, classic, semi-classic or even criterium. I'm a fan of spring and autumn one-day races, especially when there are obstacles involved (hills, cobbles) and preferably distance. A race shattered in groups with favorites or a, fantasy-like, hero that smashes the competition on an impossible course (Gilbert this year).

I don't care if a race is old, although I like the mythical stories and know that a race's mythical status attracts good riders like a neodymium magnet. I care about a good race. About the new stories that one day will turn into myths, as I am sure Gilbert's victories will if he has another few strong years (or even without the latter). I would love to be there as he claims the worlds on the Cauberg next year.

Great races are great races. Titles are just titles.

Totally agree with this.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Well if the amount of excitement and anticipation on this board is anything to go by, this race is less noteworthy than pretty much anything on the WT and a lot mor eraces besides. Less than 24 hours before the start and we have had one anticipation, one enquiry about the date, and that is it in terms of looking forward to tomorrow.

I'm surprised looking at CN's start list to see 10 man teams: is this normal for P-T? Does any other race have a 10 man team? Or has CN simply failed to distinguish between starters and those in reserve?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Paris Tours - I'll try to get some discussion about the actual race going.

The profile is kinda crappy, the finale could be described as rolling/hilly.

Official Startlist

Favourites: Freire, Petacchi, Goss, McEwen, Cavendish, Bennati, Felliu, Hutarovich, Gilbert, Cooke & Sutton.

Paris Tours Official Site

 

[Kvinto]

Goss ftw, Cav will get dropped

 

[auscyclefan94]

Would like Gossy to get a win after him missing out at the Worlds though I think Cav will survive the climbs especially with his form at the moment.

 

[sublimit]

Well if the amount of excitement and anticipation on this board is anything to go by, this race is less noteworthy than pretty much anything on the WT and a lot mor eraces besides. Less than 24 hours before the start and we have had one anticipation, one enquiry about the date, and that is it in terms of looking forward to tomorrow.

The person enquiring about the date was probably planning some DIY or an excursion to coincide with this particular race so as to avoid watching it. So that leaves 1 interested person.

It'll be dull like Beijing but without the concrete and smog probably.

 

[Kvinto]

Would like Gossy to get a win after him missing out at the Worlds though I think Cav will survive the climbs especially with his form at the moment.

imo this time Cav doesn't have a team to control the race like it was at Worlds

CAVENDISH Mark, BAK Lars Ytting, DEGENKOLB John, EISEL Bernhard, GOSS Matthew Harley, RABON Frantisek, VELITS Martin

it doesn't equal one Wiggins (not talking about Millar or Thomas). So it will be definitely a lot harder for him regardless of his really great form

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

imo this time Cav doesn't have a team to control the race like it was at Worlds

CAVENDISH Mark, BAK Lars Ytting, DEGENKOLB John, EISEL Bernhard, GOSS Matthew Harley, RABON Frantisek, VELITS Martin

it doesn't equal one Wigging (not talking about Millar or Thomas). So it will be definitely a lot harder for him regardless of his really great form

I'm not sure what immense team is required - the climbs on that profile have a vertical climb of 40m and 20m respectively - it's almost embarassing to name them.

 

[Kvinto]

I'm not sure what immense team is required - the climbs on that profile have a vertical climb of 40m and 20m respectively - it's almost embarassing to name them.

anyway Gilbert won two times there thanks to this hills

 

[Morbius]

There are seven man teams

It's Kurt-Asle Arvesen's last professional race. Possibly a few others as well

 

[auscyclefan94]

I'm not sure what immense team is required - the climbs on that profile have a vertical climb of 40m and 20m respectively - it's almost embarassing to name them.

The hills are no doubt hard enough to make a selection especially after a long race. There is often plenty of crossinwds and you get some attacking racing as well right up to the finish. Riders can get away and stay away to the finish in this race.

 

[Morbius]

Cav FTW to respect the stripes and sign off from HTC in style