Reallyyyy???!!?
that's like winning 3 stages (compared to his previous years' form)
Paris-Nice *Spoilers*
- Thread starter thom
- Start date
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that's like winning 3 stages (compared to his previous years' form)
Flying_Monkey
Recyclist
- Location
- Odawa
To be fair, this is not your normal P-N. I'm really not a fan of the course this year. Tirreno-Adriatico looks so much better.
Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
Stage races have flat stages, get over it.
As to the parcours, I think it is a brave attempt to do something different. To make every stage race into a mini-version of the GTs isn't necessarily a great idea.
The T-A, the Dauphiné etc are always won by the climbers; the Oman, Dubai ones by sprinters and I welcome Prudhomme's attempt to provide a course that could be more open to the rouleurs, puncheurs and the risk takers.
Whether or not he's got it right only time will tell.
The T-A, the Dauphiné etc are always won by the climbers; the Oman, Dubai ones by sprinters and I welcome Prudhomme's attempt to provide a course that could be more open to the rouleurs, puncheurs and the risk takers.
Whether or not he's got it right only time will tell.
Actually, you often do get quite some stage races won by TT/prologue-specialists as well
But indeed punchers (like e.g. Gilbert) don't really stand much of a chance to ever win a stage race
Then again... there are some stage races where it's possible, if you focus on them (Down Under, Arctic Race, Eneco Tour, Tour of Belgium, ...)
Yes, there are some I know but I was quoting a couple for brevity. The P-N is more prestigious and usually has the best riders which can't be said of Arctic, TdU and Eneco
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
I was going to say the same. TA seems to have taken over from PN as the main warm-up for Giro contenders. Most of the big names riding PN are doing the TdF instead.
PN still offers some good racing in my book. And the terrain starts to get more interesting from today...
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
Flying_Monkey
Recyclist
- Location
- Odawa
A bit unecessarily rude, don't you think? It's not the flatness, it's the lack of serious variation in terrain. You've basically got flat stages and lumpy stages and that's it. No TT, no serious mountains. When even most of the top sprinters are at the T-A along with the top climbers, you have to at least question the route selection.
As I said above, I'm not sure they've got the route right but I don't disagree with the idea of making something slightly different to the norm, but hey ho.
I think they've erred in making too many sprinter friendly stages so far though!
OP
OP
thom
____
- Location
- The Borough
From here on in its lumpy though - I'm happy to see some variation from the norm and maybe see a different GC race dynamic.
Geraint Thomas may well benefit.
Geraint Thomas may well benefit.
Yes exactly. I'm waiting to see what the next few days bring. it's extremely hard to predict what's going to to happen. I mean there are names you can put in the frame but there could also be some surprises and the field is full of younger riders who might want to make a reputation from this. need to get that first coat of paint on the door so I can watch this.
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
I wonder if OPQS could really start to boss this race from here on in - even without Meersman, they've got several potential winners in their team.
