Who will win in Suisse?

[Velolover2]

Wanted to make a parallel thread to BigMac's "Who can win the Dauphiné?" My guess is that route will be harder than excepted. The middle section of individual time trial is according to MapMyRide constantly 10-12%+/10-12%-. Up and down all the time for with short steep climbs. The Rettenbachgietscher is about as hard as Zoncolan and Angliru, if not harder and more gradual.

Full route here

Bonus info: Quintana will ride Route du Sud instead of Suisse. http://www.tio.ch/News/Sport/Altri-Sport/1029453/Niente-Tour-de-Suisse-per-Nairo-Quintana/

 

[Velolover2]

Poll doesn't work. >__<

Edit: Now it does, took out Chaves off the poll.

 

[SafeBet]

I'm hoping Pozzovivo can make it.

 

[Miburo]

Sagan should be an option

Sergio henao.

 

[johnymax]

I see Pinot and VDB are on the startlist at PCS. If they ride both should be an option in the poll.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Miguel Angel Superman Lopez! #Hype (no idea if he is going to ride this)

 

[Velolover2]

I see Pinot and VDB are on the startlist at PCS. If they ride both should be an option in the poll.

If Pinot is riding, I'd include him for sure. VDB? No freaking way. I don't even think he will be in top 10. That's like adding Gesink.

 

[Velolover2]

Edit: Fuglsang is now replaced with Pinot.

You can always change your vote if you like.

 

[Red Rick]

Wasn't Quintana gonna do Suisse? Could be a good option then, with that huge MTF.

 

[Velolover2]

Wasn't Quintana gonna do Suisse? Could be a good option then, with that huge MTF.

No, he changed his mind. Will battle with Contador instead.

http://www.tio.ch/News/Sport/Altri-Sport/1029453/Niente-Tour-de-Suisse-per-Nairo-Quintana/

 

[Asero831]

easily Spilak because of TT

 

[gregrowlerson]

Go Kwiatkowski!!

I know that climb is tough, but how many 'climbers' will actually be racing here?

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

easily Spilak because of TT

Yes, but bear in mind that it's not a regular ITT. It's very hilly with short, steep climbs and fast descents. But it's not like it would favor Spilak any less. He will probably win it, but a guy like Pinot could do very well.

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

Go Kwiatkowski!!

I know that climb is tough, but how many 'climbers' will actually be racing here?

All the "lieutenants". The GC guys seem to prefer Dauphiné. Normally, Pozzovivo, Majka and Pinot should be able to take a couple of minutes (maybe more) on Kwiatkowski on that brutal climb. I included him because there might be bonus seconds and the TT is tailor-made for him. But it's gonna be hard. Maybe he should just focus on stage wins.

 

[qwer]

Quintana fears Froome...

 

[Asero831]

How about Amador or Izaguirre?

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

How about Amador or Izaguirre?

We really don't know who Movistar will choose. Don't know about Amador. It's more of a punchy race than it's for riders who prefer long gradual climbs with lower gradients.

I'm predicting Anacona to be there. Suisse 2015 is a magnet for Columbians. Perhaps Intxausti too.

 

[Asero831]

Sagan vs Degenkolb vs Kristoff vs Cavendish vs Demare for Sprint stages

Kwiatkowski vs Sagan vs Van Avermaet for Hilly stages

 

[qwer]

prologue will be decided between sagan and kwia... stage 1, the same thing... sagan will win 3 stages!!!!

 

[Asero831]

There are no strong domestique climbers to make the race hard. Expect Sagan to be there until the end.

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

prologue will be decided between sagan and kwia... stage 1, the same thing... sagan will win 3 stages!!!!

Nah, stage 1 is 3,5k with 9%. And it's climbed twice. I wouldn't be surprised if the pure climbers drop Kwai too. It's that kind of stage that Valverde has a wet dream about. With no Valverde or Rodríguez, this is Henao's best chance to get a stage win. Maybe his best chance this year.

But you never know with Sagan's new climbing form.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Here's a weird idea:

JvdB is apparently sucking this last week in the Giro because he is a bit sick (apparently since the 2nd rest day he's had diarrhea and stuff, according to the Sporza commentators). But with his new found TT skills and coming out of the Giro he might be able to limit his losses on the Rettenbachgletscher, considering we don't have people like Quintana riding this. The idea of JvdB winning a prestigious stage race is kind of weird, but I can see it happening somehow

I mean, Rettenbachgletscher is the only seriously selective stage where he could lose a substantial amount of time I think? There's a 38km TT to compensate for that and considering he did very well in the Romandie and he Giro TT he should be able to get a lot of time against the likes of Henao, Pozzovivo et cetera who are likely to put some time into him in the mountains.

 

[BigMac]

I'm still baffled Costa isn't riding this. Even with the Rettenbachgletscher, the rest of the parcours would allow him to smoke the competition. No bias. Plus 4th Suisse in a row would be 4th Suisse in a row, not to mention equaling Pasquale Fornara.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Spilak/Majka. Where's the Fuglsang option?

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

Spilak/Majka. Where's the Fuglsang option?

Replaced him with Pinot. The parcours favor him more.

Fuglsang is a strong climber both in mountains and hills, great on cobbles and with a good TT, but he is missing something important: explosiveness, punch and a sprint. He is one of the slowest guys in a finish. That's why he never has won a WT stage or race.