Gen Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 I definitely didn't see Tinkoff'Surely they'll be thereI also didn't see Trek.. Maybe you lot should wait before you make predictions [emoji6]
'Dale Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Degenkolb looking in fine form at the moment, so firm favourite I would say. My top 3: (Because 5 is waaayyy to difficult) DegenkolbBoonenEBH Huez, do you think MTN are going to ride for Ciolek?I think MTN will keep their options open on the day and enhance their chances for success.I've read that in earlier reports.
T-Bob Posted February 24, 2015 Author Posted February 24, 2015 No Tinkoff, Trek, Movistar, Garmin or Orica by the looks of it. Not a World Tour Race (it's a Euro Tour Race) so not every WT team has to put in. First of the season, notoriously bad weather... spend another week in Majorca. Not very big ring if you ask me. Full list from the Nieus' site: Here Start list for the Ladies Here World Tour Classics are: Milan – San RemoTour of FlandersParis–RoubaixLiège–Bastogne–LiègeGiro di LombardiaE3 HarelbekeGent–WevelgemAmstel Gold RaceLa Flèche Wallonne
Cheese Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Degenkolb looking in fine form at the moment, so firm favourite I would say. My top 3: (Because 5 is waaayyy to difficult) DegenkolbBoonenEBH Huez, do you think MTN are going to ride for Ciolek?From the results so far Ciolek not on good form, EBH looking better as well as Farrar. Gerald looking towards MSR.
tombeej Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 My prediction: Option 1 - the win comes from a solo break from a puncheur:van Avermaet / Terpstra / Stybar / Stannard / Chavanel / Vanmarcke Option 2 - sprint finish:1st: Kristoff2nd: Degenkolb3rd: Farrar / Démare
Cav' Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 ChavanelEbhBoonenGilbertStybar Just feeling those 5 names
Cav' Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 My prediction: Option 1 - the win comes from a solo break from a puncheur:van Avermaet / Terpstra / Stybar / Stannard / Chavanel / Vanmarcke I see option 1 happening.(Degenkolb's not riding)
Nibali Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 I think MTN will keep their options open on the day and enhance their chances for success.I've read that in earlier reports. Makes sense. Let's hope they make an impression!
Gen Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 No Tinkoff, Trek, Movistar, Garmin or Orica by the looks of it. Not a World Tour Race (it's a Euro Tour Race) so not every WT team has to put in. First of the season, notoriously bad weather... spend another week in Majorca. Not very big ring if you ask me. Full list from the Nieus' site: Here Start list for the Ladies Here World Tour Classics are: Milan – San RemoTour of FlandersParis–RoubaixLiège–Bastogne–LiègeGiro di LombardiaE3 HarelbekeGent–WevelgemAmstel Gold RaceLa Flèche WallonneSee I am not blind.
T-Bob Posted February 24, 2015 Author Posted February 24, 2015 Predictions are hard but here goes... Anyone from Etixx! The squad the've put up for this minor race so strong, they have most of it covered, keep an eye on Van Keirsbulckis and Stybar I think everyone else might be focusing on the bigger classics down the line. After that you're looking at Kristoff as he's carrying great form towards MSR, Stannard because he's been riding well so far and is the defending champ, GVA because he's always there (behind the winner) and Farrar / EBH are a good combo to have to cover small break wins and a bigger sprint. So basically, anyone.
Nibali Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Since my predictions won't materialise, what helloclour said! Hopefully Etixx-Quickstep will bring it big time this season
tombeej Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 (Degenkolb's not riding) Ah ok, I see now - my bad.
tombeej Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Predictions are hard but here goes... Anyone from Etixx! The squad the've put up for this minor race so strong, they have most of it covered, keep an eye on Van Keirsbulckis and Stybar I think everyone else might be focusing on the bigger classics down the line. After that you're looking at Kristoff as he's carrying great form towards MSR, Stannard because he's been riding well so far and is the defending champ, GVA because he's always there (behind the winner) and Farrar / EBH are a good combo to have to cover small break wins and a bigger sprint. So basically, anyone. I agree, it's wide open. And looking at the jagged tooth race profile, the tight little country lanes they race on, the tricky cobble sectors, the inevitable bad weather, it's a perfect race for the powerful breakaway specialist to get away for a win. And even more perfect for those teams that have multiple options of these riders. One big name on a team will get marked out of a race like this. It's very difficult (almost impossible) for sprint teams to control the front of these races. A team with a number of big names all making the right guerilla attacks at different times becomes very difficult to control. While you're trying to mark one, the other disappears up the road. So I think someone like Kristoff may be marked out of the race. Other teams won't just let it come down to a sprint. So it comes down to the teams like BMC, Quick Step and even MTN. Watch all these teams make sure they've got at least one option in the early break, then in late in the race, a series of big attacks from very small groups of riders going off (even just in pairs). That's why for me, this is the absolute pinnacle of bike racing. The classics season is unmatched for excitement and intrigue. Bring it on!
Nibali Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 That's why for me, this is the absolute pinnacle of bike racing. The classics season is unmatched for excitement and intrigue. Bring it on! There is absolutely no way I'm concentrating on work for the rest of the day after this post! I'm literally imagining the attacks happening already! Bring on the classics
Gen Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Quick step will probably get the win, but I will cheer for Eddie B Eddie B Eddien B... and I hate to bring this up, I really really do, cause it pains me, but what is Wiggins form like?
'Dale Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Quick step will probably get the win, but I will cheer for Eddie B Eddie B Eddien B... and I hate to bring this up, I really really do, cause it pains me, but what is Wiggins form like?Yeah, Ettix has defined themselves as a Classics team.They'll wanna dominate as this is their main objective.Will be tough to topple.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.