Martinez, Gregoire and Madouas. Strong. Exciting times for FDJ, looking forward to see how they use them in this race.
The problem is that Madouas seems to be in really bad shape.
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Martinez, Gregoire and Madouas. Strong. Exciting times for FDJ, looking forward to see how they use them in this race.
Can't overstate my disappointment at WvA , VdP ,and Remco for not racing this.
And et tu, Egan? You join Team Charmin as well?
Best one-day race. But ok, you guys go race through some industrial park in Flanders instead.
Ok, I forgive Egan and remain a fan.He's decided to race the Paris Nice on the day after:
View: https://twitter.com/INEOSGrenadiers/status/1763190541104083392
SPP is of course a very French perspective (relevant for G-W vs. F-W). And if Paris-Tours suffered from routes changes, I'd assume that Flèche suffered too from a lack of identity. No Mur until the 80's, constantly changing start and finish before then.In the 80's yes, they're maybe close, but I would still give the edge to Fleche in that period. Fleche Wallonne was included in Desgrange Colombo right from the start (3 years before Liege), and since then always been a part of premium cycling competitions, until beginning of the World Cup in 1989. Gent on the other hand, although had great roll of honor, wasn't included in Super Prestige Pernod until 1980. Later, same as Fleche, wasn't part of the World Cup, but from 2005 both races were in the World Tour, and I would say that today they're pretty equal in prestige and significance.
Zurich was mainly domestic affair up until mid 60's, with some flashes right after the WWII when Bartali and Coppi attended. In the 70's race was held mid-week in May after Frankfurt, and gained some quality field. From 1979 race was included in SPP, and then it's significance rose, especially after date was moved to mid August in 1988 and from next year was part of the World Cup. In that period you could say that Zurich was bigger race then both Fleche and Gent.
take cold showers daily, it will train you to remain rational when your body is full of adrenalineHe could be mentally stronger, but one can not control the psychological reaction entering a gravel section.
Looks like straight from the late 90ies...
He's decided to race the Paris Nice on the day after:
View: https://twitter.com/INEOSGrenadiers/status/1763190541104083392
Actually I think his "girlfriend" cut his hair. But yeah, it still applies.Didn't Samson lose all his Watts
by messing with his hair?
Yep, you would be hard pressed to be find two different guys. Why Martinez is doing it is a mystery to me.Putting Martinez in the race in place of Kung is about as non-like-for-like as is possible: it's replacing your prop-forward with a fly-half, or a head it or boot it clear centre-back with a nifty little winger.
maybe he’s always wanted to ride it and his current good form makes it a good time to try? Total conjecture —I have no idea.Yep, you would be hard pressed to be find two different guys. why Martinez is doing it is a mystery to me.
Anyone know how muddy it will be? Are there any pics of current conditions? Will it be more or less muddy than 2018?
But has any other rider copied the Virenque steel-grey hair dye?
Wait for Tirreno.What about Daniel Martinez.
Interesting comments by Dan Lloyd on GCN.SPP is of course a very French perspective (relevant for G-W vs. F-W). And if Paris-Tours suffered from routes changes, I'd assume that Flèche suffered too from a lack of identity. No Mur until the 80's, constantly changing start and finish before then.
Bernal did really well the year that Mvdp won, as did Bardet, so a climber has a chance.Yep, you would be hard pressed to be find two different guys. Why Martinez is doing it is a mystery to me.
I think credence needs to given to linguistics here: monument in English, is from the French “monument” of the same spelling, from the Latin root monere = to remind. Varying definitions have in common age or history and commemoration.Interesting comments by Dan Lloyd on GCN.
Seems we or anyone else wants to call a race a monument and it gains traction we create one, there is no official recognition by UCI.
The points increase this year is the first time there has been even any oblique recognition,
Van Eetvelt did 194km (6h30) on the course today, wants to know everything. A real training beast.
With his form I expect him in the top 10, maybe top 5.