Strade Bianche 2024, March 2, one-day classic (men's)

[Blanco]

I will have to check but your description of the 8 top races doesn’t fit what I’m remember going back to the ‘80s. Gent was just as big or bigger race than Flèche, and Championships of Zurich were also close to that level.

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.

 

[Armchair cyclist]

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.

 

[tobydawq]

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.

 

[Jungle Cycle]

World is not ready for blonde Pogacar

https://twitter.com/x/status/1762918669863055776

View: https://twitter.com/klusmaan/status/1762918669863055776

 

[Lequack]

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.

He's decided to race the Paris Nice on the day after:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1763190541104083392

View: https://twitter.com/INEOSGrenadiers/status/1763190541104083392

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Didn't Samson lose all his Watts
by messing with his hair?

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

He's decided to race the Paris Nice on the day after:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1763190541104083392

View: https://twitter.com/INEOSGrenadiers/status/1763190541104083392

Ok, I forgive Egan and remain a fan.

 

[Netserk]

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.

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.

 

[proffate]

He could be mentally stronger, but one can not control the psychological reaction entering a gravel section.

take cold showers daily, it will train you to remain rational when your body is full of adrenaline

 

[Lequack]

What about Daniel Martinez.

 

[sevenall]

Looks like straight from the late 90ies...

Frosted tips à la Val Kilmer (Iceman) in the first Top Gun movie.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

He's decided to race the Paris Nice on the day after:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1763190541104083392

View: https://twitter.com/INEOSGrenadiers/status/1763190541104083392

It could also be the team that has decided it, because Rodriguez doesn't seem to be in a shape where he can contest the GC.

 

[sam6]

Anyone know how muddy it will be? Are there any pics of current conditions? Will it be more or less muddy than 2018?

 

[veganrob]

Didn't Samson lose all his Watts
by messing with his hair?

Actually I think his "girlfriend" cut his hair. But yeah, it still applies.

 

[Rob5091]

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.

Yep, you would be hard pressed to be find two different guys. Why Martinez is doing it is a mystery to me.

 

[Sciatic]

O ok

Yep, you would be hard pressed to be find two different guys. why Martinez is doing it is a mystery to me.

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.

 

[Samamba]

Anyone know how muddy it will be? Are there any pics of current conditions? Will it be more or less muddy than 2018?

Seems fine on some of the recon video's I've seen.

 

[Lequack]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1762918669863055776

View: https://twitter.com/klusmaan/status/1762918669863055776

 

[Lequack]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIrjU1--M9g

 

[Il Gatto]

But has any other rider copied the Virenque steel-grey hair dye?

 

[Escarabajo]

What about Daniel Martinez.

Wait for Tirreno.

 

[Wyndbrook]

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.

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,

 

[Bolder]

Yep, you would be hard pressed to be find two different guys. Why Martinez is doing it is a mystery to me.

Bernal did really well the year that Mvdp won, as did Bardet, so a climber has a chance.

 

[Didinho]

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.

 

[Sciatic]

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,

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.
“An enduring thing, especially a thing that by its survival commemorates a person, action, period, or event.” Also “A thing surviving as a symbol of or witness to a process or activity.”
Obviously the language of cycling culture changes meanings from common usage; regardless the key elements are that is old, or commemorates the past, and that it doesn’t need to mean “the absolute best”.