Paris-Nice 2018 ***spoilers***

[smutchin]

Quite a few big names missing this year - Tirreno-Adriatico seems to have overtaken PN as the most important early season (European) stage race - but the course has been designed for maximum racing excitement and it should be a very open contest with a good number of genuine contenders for the overall victory.

Live coverage is just about to start on Eurosport - Juan-Antonio is doing his stage preview at the moment...

 

[roadrash]

Costa and tvg cought in that little crash

 

[roadrash]

tvg abandons

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

TVG really is a hopeless nobber

 

[smutchin]

TVG ought to have been a contender for this, but putting himself out of the running early on is at least true to form.

Rolland, Roelandts and Perichon have a one minute gap on the peloton with 30km to go. Looks like being a bunch finish - albeit a reduced bunch, assuming the final climb is tough enough to rule out the pure sprinters.

 

[smutchin]

In other news, Porte is already out of Tirreno-Adriatico before it has even started. Some people really are bad luck magnets.

 

[roadrash]

Why is porte out ??

 

[smutchin]

Chest infection.

 

[smutchin]

Boo-hoo-hanni not even trying to contest this one. Feckless idiot.

 

[roadrash]

hes a fekin nob ed

 

[roadrash]

feck a few down there

 

[smutchin]

Were they close enough to the finish to get the same time? If not, Zakarin is already fecked.

 

[roadrash]

it was inside 3k

 

[smutchin]

That was very close. Looks like Haussler edged it over Demare.

Impressive late surge by Wellens and Laporte too.

 

[smutchin]

No, Demare gets it!