Tirreno Adriatico, 6-10 March 2013 [Spoilers]

[smutchin]

I think we've seen the best of Schleck. For a combination of all the reasons mentioned. But especially the last one.

 

[rich p]

Never count Schleck out. In previous years his form has been bad early on in the season and he's come to the TdF with a game face. However saying that, I don't think I ever seen him as bad as he is right now. I think he's maybe a little lost without his brother, as they are so close and have trained and raced together since they were young. Plus the whole pelvis thing has probably put him back at least 18months in form, not to mention seriously knocking his confidence. Maybe 2014 is a more realistic goal for him, and just to use 2013 to get back in form.

Always count Schleck out and wait to be surprised, nay shocked, when he turns up, competes and finishes a race.
Remind me again, someone, who used to be relatively rubbish in races until the TdF came around?

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Looks like a stellar line-up from the sprints to the GC. Definitely a stronger field than P-N.
Greipel, Cav, Degenkolb, Ciolek, Goss, Bennati, Bole, Ferrari of the swerve, Sagan - could be interesting.

Yes, it makes Paris-Nice look distinctly secondary this year.

 

[beastie]

Yes, it makes Paris-Nice look distinctly secondary this year.

Which is a shame, coz it's such nice race. I just like the whole "race to the sun" thing.

 

[Lee_M]

Yes, it makes Paris-Nice look distinctly secondary this year.

although it's been quite good so far, even if a lot of big names are missing, its still been great to watch

Well apart from all the crashes

and the crashes

 

[Noodley]

Paris>Nice is a great example of how a bike race can still be interesting without the "big" names and riding at drug-induced high speeds, and that is after a short prologue and 2 flat stages!!

 

[Flying_Monkey]

A Tony Martin-powered OPQS take the opening TTT over Movistar, which puts Cav in the lead - Sky some way down, which considering they have both Froome and Wiggins in the squad must be disappointing.

 

[jifdave]

A Tony Martin-powered OPQS take the opening TTT over Movistar, which puts Cav in the lead - Sky some way down, which considering they have both Froome and Wiggins in the squad must be disappointing.

wiggins wasnt there

 

[Flying_Monkey]

wiggins wasnt there

That might have something to do with it then - I only saw the squad lists not the final line-up.

 

[thom]

To be fair, wet conditions may have caused a few teams to hold back their efforts.
RSNT well back with Cancellara too - they may just consider some risks are not worth it in the grand scheme of things.

 

[rich p]

Looks like our mate, Andy Schleck did make the start line after all. Will he make it to the finish?

 

[oldroadman]

Schleck dropped early in the opening TTT - he has a serious problem between his ears I think, and not great condition either looking at the way he had no power and just surrendered.
Wiggins rides Volta a Catalunya next. This has some challenging terrain, good preparation for the Giro.

 

[jifdave]

Schleck dropped early in the opening TTT - he has a serious problem between his ears I think, and not great condition either looking at the way he had no power and just surrendered.
Wiggins rides Volta a Catalunya next. This has some challenging terrain, good preparation for the Giro.

i think the serious problem with his head is he knows all his good results have been with a little help and now he just cant pump out the power he used to.

 

[oldroadman]

i think the serious problem with his head is he knows all his good results have been with a little help and now he just cant pump out the power he used to.

You might say that, I couldn't possibly comment (Dr E Fuentes).

 

[beastie]

A Tony Martin-powered OPQS take the opening TTT over Movistar, which puts Cav in the lead - Sky some way down, which considering they have both Froome and Wiggins in the squad must be disappointing.

Sky have flattered to deceive in quite a few TTT. Which is slightly surprising considering the team pursuit experience of some riders and staff.