Milan - San Remo (spoiler)

[Keith Oates]

Both raindog and FM have posted on another thread regarding their forecasts for MSM. I hope you don't mind but I've copied them below and made them the first two posts in a new thread to cover this race.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





raindog
Member

Don't know about bluffing, but he's certainly keeping himself to himself. Building up to MSR next week-end?
Any fearless predictions guys? The Poggio doesn't seem to break the riders up the way it used to so I expect one of the big sprinters will take it, but I'm going to be old-fashioned and go for a three man break which makes it to the finish and one of the riders will be Boasson-Hagen. That's my offer.
oops, should've waited for a thread to get started, sorry......



Flying_Monkey


Cav is not going to be competitive in the MSR. I expect a completely different podium this year as Haussler is also out of it.

The form guys are Boonen, Scarponi and maybe Cancellara. But don't rule out Boasson-Hagen, Flecha or Gerdemann.
__________________
Not looking back.

 

[Skip Madness]

Pip Gilbert is almost certain to attack hard on the Poggio, and the way he rode at the end of last season I certainly wouldn't write him off.

 

[raindog]

Thanks Keith, that was right daft of me to post that where I did.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Boonen is saying Bennati is the one to watch. Bluff, diversion or honest prediction?

 

[raindog]

Bluff more than likely, but then they're all at it. Didn't Boasson-Hagen say that Boonen was the one to watch?

 

[monnet]

I think Boonen looks like the one to watch, not sure if Boasson-Hagen is mature enough to still have a kick in his legs after 300km. He's sure to be close by though.

No mention of Pozzato, I don't know why but I have a feeling he could do well.

I definitely think it will be very a different race to last year - I'd certainly like to see some more definitive attacking on the Poggio to break things up a bit. It'd be nice to see big Fab have a go like he did a couple of years ago.

 

[Noodley]

Everyone is gonna be so busy watching everyone else it'll allow Alan Davis to steal it....or, better, a FdeJ rider.

...but if not FdeJ, then I'd like to see Gilbert win.

 

[Keith Oates]

With Cav presumably out of the picture, I think I'll plump for Boonen, but I wouldn't put money on him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[raindog]

Armstrong's out
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/447481/armstrong-out-of-san-remo-with-stomach-bug.html
Excuse my cynicism, but did anyone really expect him to ride this?

 

[Keith Oates]

I must admit I was surprised to see his name on the start list but in this case if he says he has a tummy upset, so be it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Noodley]

My dislike of Armstrong is well documented on this and other forums - I had however thought he might have come up with a better reason/excuse.

Did he get a note from his mum?

 

[rich p]

I have feeling Boonen hasn't got it in him to win it. I was more surprised at the stages he didn't win in the early stage races when he would haave done year or two ago.
Mind you, I could be wrong

I'd like to see Gilbert do it but I'm not sure now that everyone knows his tactics.

 

[raindog]

I'm still sticking with Boasson-Hagen, but obviously that's only if he get's up the Poggio in a group ahead of the sprinters.
But then I bet a mate a bottle of champagne that England beat France tonight so I'm in the poo anyway.

 

[rich p]

But then I bet a mate a bottle of champagne that England beat France tonight so I'm in the poo anyway.

Blimey, raindog, I hope they're doing a special offer down at Intermarche!

 

[raindog]

LOL my mate says, just in case I win the bet, he's got some really cheap cr@p he can get rid of on me.
Some last minute predictions here from super mario
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cipollini-picks-his-san-remo-favourites