Paris-Nice *SPOILER*

[mondobongo]

Did you see Contador's face on the finishing straight he was almost grinding his teeth in pain at how hard he was pushing it am not a fan but that was a big effort. Thought Millar sat up early for that left turn towards the end of the course. Yes I know it was pretty nasty and wet but I think he dropped precious time there. Hoping he's on form as I would like to see him on the podium as well.

 

[Skip Madness]

And 7 seconds is a lot when Wiggins' ride was already so fast.

Both Contador and Wiggins averaged faster speeds in the final time-trial of last year's Giro, and that was over 28.5km.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Well, Haussler today - that boy is on fire this season! Otherwise a pretty uninteresting stage marred by a crash in the last 3km... the real fun starts tomorrow.

 

[softpeadals]

Well Contador is either a supreme athlete or...

Or possibly a bit of both.

Or what?
Do you really think he would risk his season on what in the real world of the pro cyclist is a very minor objective?

 

[Keith Oates]

Cervélo TestTeam are certainly getting their riders in the results and mustt be well pleased with the results and exposure they've had so far. So far no real suprises in the race so we will have to wait and see how it develops!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rich p]

. So far no real suprises in the race!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not sure Wiggins would agree with that, Keith!

BTW, my pick Gerdeman to get on the podium is highly unlikely as he's not in the race after all. I'll have him as a top 3 pick in the Tirreno if he does it!

 

[yello]

Do you really think he would risk his season on what in the real world of the pro cyclist is a very minor objective?

He's got to get every aspect of the preparation correct hasn't he? It's training isn't it?

 

[Flying_Monkey]

All pretty boring today too - small breakaway of four which will be caught in the final kilometres... bunch sprint and victory for...

who? Haussler again perhaps? The specialist sprinters won't like him getting two in a row on them. Brazil's Murilo Fischer hasn't won anything for a while... perhaps I should be supporting him at the moment.

 

[yello]

Pretty wet out there so I'm content to watch it on tele. I'm surprised how many of them haven't got rain jackets on, hardy lot these cyclists...

It's quite cool watching them ride the kind of roads I ride though. And following it on the map. They're around 150km due east of me as I type.

They're starting to stretch out a bit now, Rabobank taking charge, so it'll be interesting to see how it pans out in these conditions. It'll be a sprinters finish so pick one really.

 

[yello]

Contador might not be in yellow at the end of this one... he's looking pretty isolated at the mo!

Haussler working hard...

Contador back in the peleton.

Chavenel in yellow on the road, in a group of 8 40sec up on the peleton, that could change with 15km to go.

Gap up to 1m with 12 to go. Flecha in the lead group - his stage perhaps??

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Contador might not be in yellow at the end of this one... he's looking pretty isolated at the mo!

Haussler working hard...

Contador back in the peleton.

Chavenel in yellow on the road, in a group of 8 40sec up on the peleton, that could change with 15km to go.

Gap up to 1m with 12 to go. Flecha in the lead group - his stage perhaps??

Yes, I was wrong - it is now very interesting indeed. Rabobank showing that the Dutch teams know all about how to ride in the wind!

There's some strong riders in that new front group - I don't think they will be caught. As to who wins... well I would love it to be Flecha. But there's Burghardt, Chavanel, Auge, Garate, Langeveld.... they are all capable of taking it. Burghardt would be my bet if I had to, but please let it be Flecha...

 

[Flying_Monkey]

... although Burghardt is isolated and Flecha has two team mates there... and Burghardt has just got a puncture! Bad timing!

 

[yello]

Great finish! It looked like Flecha... then, at the death, stage and yellow to Chavanel.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

The way Flecha tried an escape... but got caught. I guess he knew he wouldn't win in a bunch sprint, he went again... a long way out... and Chavanel took it off him on the line. Devastating.

 

[Keith Oates]

It has made the race interesting and with Contador missing the break he has some work to do getting that time back. The hills are coming but over 1 minute is a lot of catching up to do. Millar's aim for a podium also looks less likely but he's doing well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!