Spoiler : Paris - Nice. 3-10 March

[smutchin]

So, Voeckler is already on the attack today. There's a surprise. Not.

 

[Lee_M]

Yes, SKY made that one happen coming over the top of the penultimate climb, when they had 4 guys on the front. Takes a bit of guts to do that through the wet. Kiryenka in particular went balls out on the final descent, closing to then passing Grivko (I think it was), before his fall.

was good to see JTL not being overawed and pushing up that climb, doing a proper team job

 

[Noodley]

JTL has a very distinctive and elegant climbing/riding style. Here's hoping we see more of it.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

JTL has a very distinctive and elegant climbing/riding style. Here's hoping we see more of it.

Yes, he's one of those riders who simply look right on a bike.

 

[Herzog]

Yes, he's one of those riders who simply look right on a bike.

Yes, the polar opposite to Chris Anker Sørensen!

 

[PpPete]

Tomorrow's stage looks like it could really shake up the GC standings and filter out the contenders from the also-rans - I don't think there's a metre of flat in it from the off. Three Cat 3 climbs and four Cat 2 climbs. An exciting day's racing in prospect.

Just looked at today's stage. Not sure if it's those exact roads but I once drove westwards through those hills from St.Vallier. I think I might just have averaged 30mph on the road, but as the crow flies it was less than half that. When I told folks at my destination, they said it would have been quicker to do the other three sides of the square on the motorway... down to the coast, back up via Toulouse. Over three times the distance - but still quicker!

Be lovely touring country if you were not in a hurry.

 

[PpPete]

TV, gurning champion of France, in the break and in virtual yellow.

 

[raindog]

Romain Sicard is in the seven man break today - seems to be back in shape after his two "lost years" - hope he has a good season.

 

[smutchin]

Romain Sicard is in the seven man break today - seems to be back in shape after his two "lost years" - hope he has a good season.

He's already been in a break on one of the earlier stages too. Obviously up for it.

 

[montage]

No live feeds on this?

 

[Noodley]

Anyone got an English-language live video feed? I can only find a French-language link from steephill, despite it being on the "English" links...strange

 

[Noodley]

No live feeds on this?

In French
http://88.80.5.80/w00t/20130304/vv51345463e8c12759197170-536511.html

 

[thom]

BMC blowing it apart - cross winds

 

[smutchin]

One more cat 2 climb to go. Looking like it'll be a good finish. Quintana has been dropped by the lead group.

Edit: Gilbert and Basso have also been dropped.

 

[smutchin]

Roche, Porte, Chavanel, Monfort, Talansky, Scarponi all going strong in the very select lead group at the moment... This is the stuff to give the troops.