Monsieur Remings
Guru
- Location
- Yatton UK
Is this the most anticipated race ever? What a line-up...or in the words of a waxing lyrical Chuck D, is it a case of 'Don't believe the Hype'...?
It's hard not to, I've been excited for at least a day and kick-off is tomorrow. There's an incredible line-up and it's understandable that Prudhomme was so annoyed at Porte's switch over to the Italian race, given the big names in attendance already. Basically, come Wednesday the 'Race to the Sun' is very likely to be overshadowed by the race to the Adriatic.
Peloton tells us that it '...promises to be an open and exciting race, not least due to the absence of the dominant Chris Froome.' And I agree with them, however obvious it may seem. It's a shame that we'll miss the African's talent (as well as his monotone post-race reflections) but the race will be more open as a result.
So, with Nibali headed for Nice and with Froome out this leaves the Columbian Conquistador - already a victor overall in San Luis earlier this year - to destroy the peloton in the mountains - stages 5 and 6 by the look of things where the Sant 'Elpidio a nightMare is revisited even after the slippery apology from the organisers last year and a whole host of articles running something like 'When is a hill too steep?' Remember? But it's not the only gradient-gripe, there's also the Muro di Guardiagrele the day before! Best of luck lads...and particularly Quintana.
So what about Team-Sky? Sure, Porte and Wiggins are both likely to gain some time on Quintana via the ITT whilst watching over their shoulders for Dowsett, but something tells me that the TTT might not go Sky's way. And who could leave out Bertram in all this? What may be interesting is how well team-mate Kreuziger does and whether he'll be happy to play second-fiddle to Contador again given his undoubted talent and overall placing in last year's tour.
Not to mention Kwiatkowski, victor already at the Algarve overall and fresh in the legs from leaving Sagan behind at the Strade
. You couldn't write him off and I can't see anyone doing that throughout the various examples of punditry regarding this year's race.
And then there's the sprinters - Cavendish, as well as Herr's Kittel and Greipel respectively. But it only looks to be Stage 2, given that Stage 3 looks more like Sagan territory given the last deliberate km, but then there's Cancellara and Gilbert too! Take your pick of the puncheurs.
All in all, it looks like it's going to be a great race but I'm slightly disappointed with the gradients. I just don't think a 27% should be tackled only twice...the organisers need to think about doing the right (Italian) thing and finding something a bit steeper (circa 50%) which can be ridden at least 3 times, maybe backwards?
It's hard not to, I've been excited for at least a day and kick-off is tomorrow. There's an incredible line-up and it's understandable that Prudhomme was so annoyed at Porte's switch over to the Italian race, given the big names in attendance already. Basically, come Wednesday the 'Race to the Sun' is very likely to be overshadowed by the race to the Adriatic.
Peloton tells us that it '...promises to be an open and exciting race, not least due to the absence of the dominant Chris Froome.' And I agree with them, however obvious it may seem. It's a shame that we'll miss the African's talent (as well as his monotone post-race reflections) but the race will be more open as a result.
So, with Nibali headed for Nice and with Froome out this leaves the Columbian Conquistador - already a victor overall in San Luis earlier this year - to destroy the peloton in the mountains - stages 5 and 6 by the look of things where the Sant 'Elpidio a nightMare is revisited even after the slippery apology from the organisers last year and a whole host of articles running something like 'When is a hill too steep?' Remember? But it's not the only gradient-gripe, there's also the Muro di Guardiagrele the day before! Best of luck lads...and particularly Quintana.
So what about Team-Sky? Sure, Porte and Wiggins are both likely to gain some time on Quintana via the ITT whilst watching over their shoulders for Dowsett, but something tells me that the TTT might not go Sky's way. And who could leave out Bertram in all this? What may be interesting is how well team-mate Kreuziger does and whether he'll be happy to play second-fiddle to Contador again given his undoubted talent and overall placing in last year's tour.
Not to mention Kwiatkowski, victor already at the Algarve overall and fresh in the legs from leaving Sagan behind at the Strade
. You couldn't write him off and I can't see anyone doing that throughout the various examples of punditry regarding this year's race.And then there's the sprinters - Cavendish, as well as Herr's Kittel and Greipel respectively. But it only looks to be Stage 2, given that Stage 3 looks more like Sagan territory given the last deliberate km, but then there's Cancellara and Gilbert too! Take your pick of the puncheurs.
All in all, it looks like it's going to be a great race but I'm slightly disappointed with the gradients. I just don't think a 27% should be tackled only twice...the organisers need to think about doing the right (Italian) thing and finding something a bit steeper (circa 50%) which can be ridden at least 3 times, maybe backwards?
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