Montepaschi Strade Bianche (*Spoilers*)

[ColinJ]

A reminder to myself and any of you out there who are interested, that this race is taking place on Saturday, 3rd March!

An hour of coverage is being shown on British Eurosport 2 at 14:30 according to Athletics on tv.

 

[raindog]

I love that race, and it's becoming a real classic. Over the last couple of years, when they're not transmitted on French tv, I've got used to following races on live feeds on the computer, so I'll be following this in Italian I suppose. I can only understand a bit, but it almost adds to the excitement. Followed last weekend's races in Flemish where I can barely even catch the rider's names, but it didn't stop my enjoyment. Season's really getting under way now - isn't it bloody great?

 

[ColinJ]

I only saw the last few kms on YouTube last year after I heard the result, but yes- it's an interesting race!

Season's really getting under way now - isn't it bloody great?

Yep! I have a Eurosport Player subscription so I should be able to watch even more races this season. Now, if only I could find a way of recording the EP stream so I can watch it when it suits me, rather than when they transmit it...!

Oh, and I've just realised that Paris-Nice is starting on Sunday but I'm sure somebody else will start a thread about that soon.

 

[rich p]

BMC have a very strong team out for this one

Philippe Gilbert (Bel)
Cadel Evans (Aus)
Alessandro Ballan (Ita)
Adam Blythe (GBr)
George Hincapie (USA)
Martin Kohler (Swi)
Marco Pinotti (Ita)
Greg Van Avermaet (Bel)

 

[raindog]

I reckon BMC have got a strong team for everything they enter. Gilbert won last year so is probably favourite again?

 

[rich p]

I'll put my virtual money on Sagan this time!

 

[ColinJ]

BMC have a very strong team out for this one

Philippe Gilbert (Bel)
Cadel Evans (Aus)
Alessandro Ballan (Ita)
Adam Blythe (GBr)
George Hincapie (USA)
Martin Kohler (Swi)
Marco Pinotti (Ita)
Greg Van Avermaet (Bel)

Blimey - that little lot certainly gives them a few different options!

 

[Flying_Monkey]

No idea what Gilbert's form is like yet. Sagan has definitely got some right now. I love everything about this race from the gravel roads to the final climb into Siena up those narrow mediaeval streets.

 

[thom]

FYI, from the Steephill TV page you get links to all kinds of live internet streams as well as pre and post race videos and articles.
The Strade Bianchi pade is here. Worldwide coverage by GazettaTV form 2.30 pm CET, so that's 1.30pm in the UK.
Even though I don't understand Flemish or Italian, listening to the passion of the local commentators on some of these streams is quite cool.

 

[raindog]

this is where I find all my live feeds - works 99.9% of the time
http://www.procyclinglive.com/livestream/

 

[lanternerouge]

Watching it live via http://videochat.gazzetta.it/index_StradeBianche01.shtml - really good for my italiano! Have I missed the bit with the strade bianche?

 

[raindog]

The white bits come and go - a bit like the cobbles in PR

 

[raindog]

Fine win for Fab there - just blew 'em away. Took some risks on those fast corners. What a rider.

 

[Paul_L]

awesome display by Spartacus!

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Great ride by Cancellara, but it did have the slight downside of making the last km a bit less exciting than last year. Gilbert (and Sagan) nowhere to be seen. One has the feeling that Cancellara is going to be right up there again in the Classics to come.