Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 03/20/2019 09:53 AM |
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The signal that we have once again survived Winter.....la Primavera is Saturday. It is, without a doubt, my favorite finish of any of the Classics....nothing matches the spectacle of a huge peloton speeding towards the Cipressa and then full-on racing for the next 30K.
After Aliphalippe's sprint victory in Tirreno-Adriatico, he has to be the #1 favorite going into the weekend. Deceunick's gameplan will likely be to send him on the Poggio and let Viviani ride wheels in case he gets caught.
Sagan appeared to be struggling all week in T-A...some reports that he was sick. This is acourse that is tailor-made for him, but he ahs yet to collect the flowers. Doesn't look like it will be his year now either... |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 03/20/2019 10:14 AM |
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| Sagan is sooo marked in a finale like this. |
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79pmooney
Posts:3189
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| 03/20/2019 11:11 AM |
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The first photo of the Velonews article (https://www.velonews.com/2019/03/news/sagan-and-valverde-headline-preliminary-milano-sanremo-lineup_489584), wow! Just the thought of laying a road along that near cliff.
Spectacular racing - for the ("m guessing very few) spectators. I can imagine it being pretty miserable for the riders if it was cold, wet and a headwind.
Ben |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 03/20/2019 11:47 AM |
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Posted By Frederick Jones on 03/20/2019 10:14 AM
Sagan is sooo marked in a finale like this.
So was Cancellara....he managed a win. 
I think Sagan lacked the tactical skill to win it in the past....the last few years, however, he should have gotten a win. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 03/21/2019 07:16 AM |
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| Two years ago when Kwiatkowski beat Sagan in a three up sprint Sagan did all the heavy lifting in the last few k's including the long slightly uphill Via Roma to the finish line so it was not a surprise that he couldn't cash in. To Ck's point, I think he's been so strong in the past he relied on strength over tactics and the field won't give him the leash as they've done in the past. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 03/22/2019 10:44 PM |
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This year Sagan can race more tactical with Bennett as fall back for group sprint. Much like the Deceuninck duo of Alaphilipe and Viviana.
MSR is a true lottery though so no prediction is warranted. But Gilbert may be the secret card that will be played. He still wants to win all the monuments. |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 03/23/2019 11:56 AM |
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The podium from two years ago finished 1st, 3rd, and 4th this year.
I didn't watch today... I was busy getting my rear end handed to me on a windy 40 mile group ride.
My only consolation is there were people in worse shape than me out there today
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 03/23/2019 07:00 PM |
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| I thought this was tomorrow. Anyways...did a killer snow hike in Zion so no time anyways. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 03/24/2019 08:42 AM |
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Has Sagan ever really fully recovered from his high speed crash in the Tour las summer?
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 03/24/2019 02:26 PM |
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| Sagans current somewhat lacking form is due to stomach flu on training camp. But he's getting closer. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 03/24/2019 06:48 PM |
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| Yes, aware of the GI bug, good point. But still, haven't seen him at his old level at any time since July. He might have some permanent muscle and/or nerve damage from that crash. I'll hold the thought through PR. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 03/24/2019 10:00 PM |
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Overall, it wasn’t the best finale for MSR. The pace up the Cipressa was somewhat blunted and they were shoulder to should at one point.
Then when they hit it Poggio, it started slow. Once the action got started, I thought Deceunik had screwed if royally....Stybar was pulling, Alaphilippe was in his wheel and Gilbert was behind him. Stybar pulls over and JA sits up and motions to Gilbert, who just shook his head. “Uh-oh....that ain’t good.” Though JA was gonna be completely exposed....but the best option is sometimes to just rely on your own strength and attack, which is exactly what he did.
Coming off the descent I expected Oss to just get to the front to try and set Sagan up, but he never did. Maybe was too gassed catching on the descent, dunno....
Sagan eventually blew it when he kept looking right before th sprint and the move went to the left. Wasn’t a huge gap, but it was enough for JA to win easily. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 03/25/2019 08:40 AM |
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Hey...whaddya know...I was right!
“I got a little stuck on the front for the sprint. It was a sprint from a low speed. When we opened the sprint, I was looking for Valverde and they passed me on the left and I was on the right. Alaphilippe had two bike lengths and it was hard to get him back.”
While Sagan may or may not had the legs after his stomach problems last week, he made a crucial error by not riding on the barriers so he could control where an attack came from. If you are against the barriers, the attack can only come from one side and you can better respond. Once again, his tactics let him down. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 03/25/2019 08:47 AM |
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Another thought...Wout Van Aert is a stud. Managed to amke the final break, do some (ill-advised) chasing and still finish 6th.
Once he gets some more mileage / enduracne in his legs, he is gonna be a great all-rounder for the Classics. If I am Jumbo-Visma, I am getting him in a GT as soon as possible. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 03/25/2019 11:33 AM |
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...back to one of the earlier points-- Sagan's pure speed, muscle, and acceleration can't compensate for bad tactics.
And no joke about WvA, he's a freaking beast!
Guess all those off-season, 60 minute, all-out training efforts appear to be paying off 
You headed to NW ARK this month or next? |
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