Sat 5th of March: Montepaschi Strade Bianche (was Monte Paschi Eroica) 1.1

[Ryo Hazuki]

Just Italian teams, 10 in total, it's all fine! I think people here are just frustrated there is no live coverage
Seriously, why should tradition mean every year since somewhere before 1940? Even the races we see as traditional change too, look at the discussion about Flandres for instance. It's good this race excists, but it's a 1.1 race. If you want more international attention go to the UCI and convince them to make it HC.

Maybe, just maybe, some international teams did not want to bring their stars and the organisers decided that they didn't want those teams. But instead of screaming everything out loud and offend those teams they didn't communicate their reasons?
Or maybe hope 14 teams provide more attacking racing instead of 16 or 20 teams?
Or maybe without ears it's safer too have only a small amount of riders on these roads?

you do know right that only reaosn uci upgrades your race is when you pay a x amount of money, has nothing to do with anything else but money

 

[sublimit]

14, 15 doesn't really matter too much. maybe surprising they didn't invite sky as number 15 but must have had a reason I think.

In the end its their race so they can please themselves. Maybe some of the Italian Pro-Conti teams get a hard deal in other races so trying to redress the balance, but its a bit odd that Sky are not there though.

 

[joy118118]

In the end its their race so they can please themselves. Maybe some of the Italian Pro-Conti teams get a hard deal in other races so trying to redress the balance, but its a bit odd that Sky are not there though.

the defending champion is still not there. so it is not weird no sky

 

[mewmewmew13]

I'm checking in with you guys and hoping to hear/see live feed tomorrow....may be dreaming
My two faves are riding-----Spartacus and Gilbert...hmmm who to root for?? Both! ---would like to see Philippe roll on this one and take the win! Wish I was there live!

 

[sublimit]

the defending champion is still not there. so it is not weird no sky

Astana not there true, But Sky could of supplied some decent riders like ex champ Lovqvist, Cioni, Possoni, Appolonio, Gerrans, Rogers and a couple of others.
They could of had a very strong team but its not to be alas.

 

[joy118118]

Astana not there true, But Sky could of supplied some decent riders like ex champ Lovqvist, Cioni, Possoni, Appolonio, Gerrans and Rogers and a couple of others.
They could of had a very strong team but its not to be alas.

not see sky will be any different from astana. in fact the Italian in sky are even less than astana

 

[sublimit]

not see sky will be any different from astana. in fact the Italian in sky are even less than astana

Still good riders though. Lovquist, Rogers, Gerrans backed by the Italian riders would be very strong but yeah Astana should be there too.

 

[jaylew]

Cunego has decided to race as well.

 

[Ryaguas]

Serpa wasn't listed by Androni
He should be there... his form is excellent...

 

[Parrulo]

you do know right that only reaosn uci upgrades your race is when you pay a x amount of money, has nothing to do with anything else but money

exactly if it was cus the race is good or has potential or history how on earth would the volta be less important then the tour of california or tour of turkey or tour o poland or all those races no1 cares about but apparently are better then the volta(a race older then the vuelta)

 

[Barrus]

It might sound odd. But I really hope Evans can win this

 

[Barrus]

Shall we, before this gets out of hand, get back to the Strade Bianchi?

 

[The Hitch]

Shall we, before this gets out of hand, get back to the Strade Bianchi?

Or could you transfer those posts to another thread? Id hate to see them get deleted.

 

[Barrus]

Or could you transfer those posts to another thread? Id hate to see them get deleted.

I don't know what I should call the thread. If you open a thread, I will move these posts ( I wasn't about to delete them either way). Just do keep it civil, the discussion appeared to have the capacity of turning real ugly, real fast.

 

[The Hitch]

I don't know what I should call the thread. If you open a thread, I will move these posts ( I wasn't about to delete them either way). Just do keep it civil, the discussion appeared to have the capacity of turning real ugly, real fast.

Since im feeling generous, and the Volta thread has so few posts in it, you can move it to that so that Parrulos race can have more posts in it

Or alternatively to the thread i just created.

 

[Barrus]

Since im feeling generous, and the Volta thread has so few posts in it, you can move it to that so that Parrulos race can have more posts in it

Or alternatively to the thread i just created.

Too late. HaHa (please don't take me serious )

Anyway, I'll be rooting for Evans during the race.

 

[El Pistolero]

1. Phillipe Gilbert
2. Cadel Evans
3. Fabian Cancellara

Would be a cool podium. Cancellara's sprint sucks, so that's why I moved him to third. Cuddles probably can't sprint as well, but w/e.

 

[The Hitch]

1. Phillipe Gilbert
2. Cadel Evans
3. Fabian Cancellara

Would be a cool podium. Cancellara's sprint sucks, so that's why I moved him to third. Cuddles probably can't sprint as well, but w/e.

If it looks like a sprint, and Fabu wants to win, he just does this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng82khcwkQ0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJNLMYpr2TM

 

[auscyclefan94]

I think not inviting the reigning champ was insulting, and not invited Lofkvist who has podiumed the last two years was out of order as well.

That said, its still a beautiful race. I hope it chucks it down with rain.

So it was the organisers fault? I am sure they would of invited the defending champion if they wanted to race.

It might sound odd. But I really hope Evans can win this

I am not sure if Cancellara, Evans or Gilbert will really feature in this. NOt sure if they have the form.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

exactly if it was cus the race is good or has potential or history how on earth would the volta be less important then the tour of california or tour of turkey or tour o poland or all those races no1 cares about but apparently are better then the volta(a race older then the vuelta)

vuelta colombia is 2.2 while tour langkawi is h.c. only one reason... money

volta portugal is 2.1 on purpose or else there couldn;t be a national portugese team in the race since there are so few teams left

 

[jaylew]

If it looks like a sprint, and Fabu wants to win, he just does this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng82khcwkQ0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJNLMYpr2TM

Sometimes you forget how impressive the guy really is until you watch clips like these again. That one from E3 is amazing. He makes B & F look like club riders. The gap is small and Boonen is giving it everything he's got, bouncing all over the place like he does in the sprint and he just can't close. Sometimes Cancellara just makes it look so easy.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

vuelta colombia is 2.2 while tour langkawi is h.c. only one reason... money

volta portugal is 2.1 on purpose or else there couldn;t be a national portugese team in the race since there are so few teams left

Well, and that not too many Colombian teams are willing to fork out for UCI licences. If it were 2.HC, you could only have ProTour, ProContinental teams plus Movistar Continental, EPM-UNE and Orgullo Paísa.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Yes, I don't think Fabian is too worried if he feels good and sees a sprint finish...punch the TT gear and that should do it....the others can race for 2nd! According to CN he is feeling rested and ready to race! ha.
Regardless of who wins, it will be a great race...

I never get tired of watching those clips...thnx for posting links again.
cheers

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Well, and that not too many Colombian teams are willing to fork out for UCI licences. If it were 2.HC, you could only have ProTour, ProContinental teams plus Movistar Continental, EPM-UNE and Orgullo Paísa.

yeah but it could be 2.1

it is a known fact I always thougth that an organiser pays for high his race is ranked.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Yes, but there's always the consideration of the crowd and teams. It makes more business sense to have all the Colombian teams and be at a lower UCI ranking than to have more prestige via the ranking but less public interest.