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Milan San Remo Preview
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| Smowz |
Posted on 03-09-2011 17:58
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La Primavera - the first of five cycling monuments the race has become known as the sprinters classic. However is that really the case? The last five years we have seen a punchaer win it with Pozzato (twice), Sammy Sanchez, Pellizotti and last year it was Sony Ericsson's Ballan taking the crown denying the sprinters.
But the sprinters are getting closer, last year a developing Sam Bewley took second and the year before it was small group sprint with punchaer/sprinter Pozzato out kicking Steegmans.
Positioning on the Capi climbs, Cipressa and of cource the Poggio hills is crucial with a small 3km of straight coming out of the last climb. Stamina also comes heavily into play here with the race distance just shy of a whopping 300 kilometres:
Let's have a look then at the main contenders this year and lets start with
The Italian punchaers:
 Alessandro Ballan
Last years winner but that little bit older, still will be a top threat here and little doubt that he is Sony's team leader. Couldn't quite live with the other punchaers in the very hilly Tirrano Adriatico but Milan San Remo course is more to his liking.
 Simone Ponzi
Wiggle's ever improving punchaer with a very decent finishing kick, didn't pick up the stage win in the Tirrano Adritico and seems to be attacking at the wrong times. A very strong hilly team behind him is the race a bit too long and flat for his liking?
 Filippo Pozzato
Former two time winner, capable of winning with an attack or from a bunch kick. Racing strangely at the Paris Nice, his team have a strong dual threat here. This race clearly suits him, how will his team play this one out?
 Francesco Ginanni
One of Vespa's best races last year and this year they are fully behind Ginanni with Steegmans having departed. Talented punchaer has looked good in the CTour already this season, this is obviously a step up but took 5th place last year so has a chance.
Diego Ulissi
Festina have a good tradition with this race and have a second gun here with Ulissi who raced determinedly if at times niavely at the recent Tirrano stage race. Lost time due to an early crash there but looked the equal of all but Schleck and Bakelandts there.
The foriegn punchaers
 Jan Bakelants
Well and truly now a superstar after two stage wins and going toe to toe with Frank Schleck at Tirrano Adritico. This race needs the attack to come at the right moment and will want to be at the right place at the right time on the Poggio climbs. That seemed to be this strong Belgians only weakness at the moment. Sprints well too.
 Philippe Gilbert
Very strong in his season opener and looks hungry for Protour success. Wears the Belgian champion colours and brings a wealth of winning and tactical knowledge with him from the last couple of years in the CTour. Certainly a contender.
 Edvald Boasson Hagen
With Pluchkin in brilliant form, what an earth has happened to Hagen. In appalling form at the Tirrano Adriatico and showed nothing in Qatar. About time last years Amstal Gold winner showed something. Climbs and sprints well, finished 9th here last year.
 Patrik Sinkewitz
One of a dual hill climbing threat along with Schreurs which Spyker have invested a lot of finances into for this season. Sinkewitz seems to pop up with unexpected podiums here and there and as he may be unexpected to get a podium here may we actually expect something?
 Stefan Schumacher
Is Schumacher a climber who can TT or a very good hill climbing TTer? Does not seem to show himself in classics as often as he ought too, may be waiting for the big hilly classic next month in Koln. But really ought to be aiming for something here.
 Aleksandr Efimkin
Efimkin needs to be mentioned but perhaps like Nestle's Rodriguez will be working for the big sprinter on his squad. Was the lynchpin for Milka last year so working for someone else may prove difficult for the Russian rider.
 Tejay Van Garderen
As World champion TvG needs a mention and had a happy knack of getting in a big solo attack in a number of big classics last year as well as the Worlds. Some people say a lucky rider is better than a good rider and there may be a suggestion that TvG leads a charmed life. Can he show the World champions colours here? Wikipedia may just gamble on their sprinter Matthew Goss instead.
Sprinters who can climb
 Tom Boonen
Boonan has a gaping hole in his palmaires with the Milan San Remo, the last five years he has avoided it completely. A change of teams see's the cobblestones/sprinter enter the fray perhaps swooping in to steal a trophy off of Ballan (who stole Boonans RvV last year). If a decisive move hasn't stuck on the Cipressa or Poggio Boonan will be short odds for the win.
Sam Bewley
Boonan has a headache in that there is a big time Kiwi Cobbler/Sprinter around. Was close last year in his first attempt, memories of that second place will surely give the youngster confidence this year.
 Gert Steegmans
The third cobbler/sprinter tough man Steegmans like Bewley has survived the Poggio climbs before to contest a sprint and if he can get in the right place may just challange once more this year.
 Jurgen Roelandts
Came under criticism at the Tour of Oman before finally getting it right on the last day. Used the Paris Nice to prepare for the Milan San Remo and looks there and abouts at that race. Probably a little down the pecking order here but a decent top 5 shout nonetheless
 Ben Swift
Frank Schleck has been left out of this one with Vesuvio throwing their massive early season momentum behind sprinter Swift. Though this race is perhaps asking too much of the Qatar stage race and Paris Nice stage winner. Climbs and sprints as well as anyone but this may be a year of learning for the Brit.
 Francisco Ventoso
Santander often talk of only adoring mountains but we all know they hope to nick a sprint win here and there. They would be over the moon if this was the sprint win they could nick, may well be outclassed here but who knows with the right composition of riders making the decisive moment?
The startlist in full
Spoiler Nestlé
1. T. Boonen
2. S. Caldeira
3. J. Fiedler
4. P. Fédrigo
5. N. Hoffman
6. J. Rodriguez Oliver
7. M. Schär
8. D. Vitoria
Milka
11. S. Bewley
12. T. De Gendt
13. A. Efimkin
14. J. Forero
15. L. Howard
16. R. Kreuziger
17. Z. Stybar
18. E. Verbist
Festina
21. F. Pozzato
22. D. Holloway
23. J. Ljungblad
24. V. Reynès
25. R. Sentjens
26. G. Steurs
27. D. Ulissi
28. P. Voss
Bacardi
31. G. Steegmans
32. I. Abakoumov
33. M. Burghardt
34. M. Heijboer
35. J. Kocjan
36. M. Mugerli
37. M. Perget
38. M. Van Stayen
Vesuvio
41. B. Swift
42. C. Betancourt
43. S. Einsle
44. B. Gastauer
45. J. Hoogerland
46. D. Mehr-Wenige
47. M. Paterski
48. J. Wallays
Carmeuse
51. J. Roelandts
52. A. Aulas
53. R. Di Gregorio
54. J. El Fares
55. T. Gallopin
56. G. Levarlet
57. J. Libert
58. S. Vandousselaere
Wikipedia
61. M. Goss
62. B. Bookwalter
63. R. Cleaver
64. E. King
65. G. Lejman
66. D. Rollin
67. T. Van Garderen
68. T. Vangheel
Santander
71. F. Ventoso
72. D. Allonca
73. A. Durán
74. F. Echarri
75. A. Galdos
76. J. Gallego Martin
77. O. Guerao
78. P. Merino Criado
B&O
81. E. Hagen
82. J. Drucker
83. R. Guldhammer
84. D. Klemme
85. T. Riber-Sellebjerg
86. J. Sagan
87. A. Steensen
88. T. Vinter
Webeffect
91. O. Avelino
92. D. Appollonio
93. K. Boeckmans
94. S. Ghisalberti
95. A. Mironov
96. R. Nelson
97. S. Nooytens
98. R. Zingle
Colombia
101. L. Duque
102. S. Bennett
103. J. Castañeda
104. S. Ivars
105. H. Machado
106. W. RodrÃguez Parra
107. M. Rogers
108. C. Sarmiento
Sony
111. A. Ballan
112. S. Anza
113. K. Fouquet
114. P. Grillo
115. M. Mortensen
116. D. Muravjev
117. M. Reihs
118. A. Wetterhall
Wiggle
121. S. Ponzi
122. L. Bertagnolli
123. G. Bole
124. D. Caruso
125. T. Diggle
126. R. Nocentini
127. M. Pavarin
128. T. Zaini
Pearl
131. J. Bakelants
132. W. De Vocht
133. E. Franzoi
134. J. Guarnieri
135. G. Nizzolo
136. E. Popov
137. J. Vastaranta
138. W. Walker
Jack Wolfskin
141. M. Kreder
142. S. Chavanel
143. X. Florencio
144. W. Jallays
145. P. Martens
146. M. Sieberg
147. L. Ten Dam
148. J. Van Emden
Spyker
151. M. Pedersen
152. N. Edet
153. M. Reimer
154. M. Schreurs
155. P. Sinkewitz
156. D. Teklehaimanot
157. E. Weiss
158. A. Zeits
Pendleton's
161. B. Bozic
162. R. Downing
163. S. Duret
164. P. Gilbert
165. M. Ladagnous
166. P. Mertens
167. G. Thomas
168. B. Wiggins
UBS
171. S. Schumacher
172. M. Albasini
173. S. Barrio
174. R. Bertogliati
175. K. Lalouette
176. D. Lelay
177. F. Stalder
178. D. Vorontsov
Vespa
181. M. Carrara
182. L. Ascani
183. A. Cappelle
184. F. Ginanni
185. A. Pagoto
186. D. Pozzovivo
187. M. Quinziato
188. R. Traficante
Warner Bros
191. G. Coletta
192. A. Castro Rodriguez
193. D. Gallego
194. C. Le Mével
195. I. Mayo
196. S. Perez Fernandez
197. T. Pinto
198. J. Redondo
Comments and predictions welcome!
Edited by Smowz on 03-09-2011 18:16
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| mb2612 |
Posted on 03-09-2011 18:05
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Team Leader
Posts: 5535
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Is Santander wait for Guerao I will go spare. Strangely this is my strongest monument line up, so a top 10 is probably required.
 [url=www.pcmdaily.com/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=33182] Team Santander Media Thread[/url]
Please assume I am joking unless otherwise stated |
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| niconico |
Posted on 03-09-2011 18:08
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3926
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Very nice as always Smows! One little tweak though, Hagen won Amstel and not Fleche Wallone 
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| Smowz |
Posted on 03-09-2011 18:17
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Posts: 6386
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Agh yes that certainly makes more sense Hagen winning that one and Cunego taking the Wallonie race.
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| ember |
Posted on 03-09-2011 18:25
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Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 900.00
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Great preview! This should be one of the more exciting classic of the season, there's so many possible winners. And will it finally come down to a bunch sprint? Do you have any clue which day you will have the race report up? And will it be with a "live ticker" on twitter/like last stage of Tachira in CT? |
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Posted on 07-12-2025 07:52
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 03-09-2011 18:49
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The Management-Game Issue #8
The classics season is finally on with Milano - San Remo, the first monument of the year. The Classicissima has always been considered the classic of the sprinters; however the results of the last 5 editions show that the victory often goes to someone which isn't particularly known for his sprinting skills. Will we testify another affront to the fast men of the peloton? Festina - Conec's DS, SotD, will help us find out:
Q. Your team has been one of the unluckiest so far along with Jack Wolfskin. Does the beginning of the classics season do any favour to your squad's morale?
We feel that our misfortune must stop at some point, and why not make it the first monument? We are pretty confident that we can put pressure on the other captains with Pozzato and Ulissi in top shape. Diego already showed that he is where he needs to be in the Tirreno where he, despite crashing, finished in the frontgroup several times. If he manage to position himself well he could fight for the win, and in case the power runs out on him, then he can help positioning Pozzato, whom I feel very confident in. We are not shaken in any way, and the morale to do well is higher than ever.
Q. Festina took the 2nd step of the podium last year with the loanee Sam Bewley. Who'll lead the team this year?
Like mentioned above we actually have two cards to throw. Ulissi in case the race is ridden very hard, and Pozzato in case of a smaller group making it to the finishline. No matter which we feel ready to give a good show.
Q. Milano - San Remo can always have two different outcomes: a sprinter, or a puncheur. How will the Cipressa and the Poggio interfere with the outcome of the race this time, in your opinion?
It will definately shake up the pack, dropping or displacing the sprinters without that diesel needed to be in the front 10-20 riders up a hill. There are several riders who doesn't stand a chance in the final sprint, and those will have to try from way out, and those hills are ideal to get a good jump. We are looking to keep a good leash on Gesink, Efimkin, Gilbert, Sinkewitz and Schleck who are all bound to make a move sooner or later. When that happens we have to be able to keep up with either Diego or Filippo.
Q. Festina has had a very successful run since its return to cycling in 2009, setting very high standards year after year. This season you have been tipped, once again, to be one of the PT contenders. Do you believe that your team has what it takes to seize the top of the ProTour this year?
No, we have already thrown away our chances to keep up with Vesuvio. We needed to be much much stronger in the first 3 races, and we also needed some luck for them not to perform or overperform in those. So we are now looking to settle for top 3, and be happy with that. I can see no team competing with Vesuvio...
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 03-09-2011 18:52
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mb2612 wrote:
Is Santander wait for Guerao I will go spare. Strangely this is my strongest monument line up, so a top 10 is probably required.
Surprised you picked Guerao really - why risk the team not working for Ventoso?
Im curious to see how well Swift does. On the couple of occasions Ive picked Schleck in the past, he never bothered to do much, so time for the alternate approach!
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 03-09-2011 18:57
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4726
Joined: 06-12-2006
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Should be a good race - some riders are going to get caught out on the narrow roads. Just hope they aren't Vespa riders.
Duque should be the best rider for Colombia - though I would love for someone like Rogers to get himself in a break. |
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| mb2612 |
Posted on 03-09-2011 19:15
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Team Leader
Posts: 5535
Joined: 18-05-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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SportingNonsense wrote:
mb2612 wrote:
Is Santander wait for Guerao I will go spare. Strangely this is my strongest monument line up, so a top 10 is probably required.
Surprised you picked Guerao really - why risk the team not working for Ventoso?
Im curious to see how well Swift does. On the couple of occasions Ive picked Schleck in the past, he never bothered to do much, so time for the alternate approach!
Partially because I didn't think it through, partially because he had spare race days.
[url=www.pcmdaily.com/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=33182] Team Santander Media Thread[/url]
Please assume I am joking unless otherwise stated |
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| Smowz |
Posted on 03-09-2011 19:20
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Posts: 6386
Joined: 09-04-2009
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ember wrote:
Great preview! This should be one of the more exciting classic of the season, there's so many possible winners. And will it finally come down to a bunch sprint? Do you have any clue which day you will have the race report up? And will it be with a "live ticker" on twitter/like last stage of Tachira in CT?
I would quite like to give a live Tachira last stage ticker a go though I am busy on Monday evening. Though possibly could be done tomorrow evening or even Tuesday evening depending on what happens elsewhere. I want to wait for Paris Nice and KBK to be reported before this goes up. Wanted to get startlist up and preview as this is such a nice race though!
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| SotD |
Posted on 04-09-2011 08:21
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World Champion
Posts: 12631
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PCM$: 2980.00
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Already had a race without bad luck, so I don't expect anything from this race. I reckon it's my time again some time in the next 3-4 races.
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| p3druh |
Posted on 04-09-2011 18:21
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2388
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A puncheur here is a always a gamble in PCM so I really don't know what to expect.
Nice preview Smowz.
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| Smowz |
Posted on 05-09-2011 06:43
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I will post the report the usual way tonight over 50 screens and my first monument!
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| SotD |
Posted on 05-09-2011 06:59
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World Champion
Posts: 12631
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Great job Smowz. Looking forward to that - They are always a real thrill to read 
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| CountArach |
Posted on 05-09-2011 09:06
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Grand Tour Champion
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Can't wait smowz!
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 05-09-2011 10:30
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Sounds great, I hope Phillipe can replicate his real-life results here or maybe even go two better!
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| roturn |
Posted on 05-09-2011 10:44
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Really looking forward for the first monument.
Boasson Hagen and Pozzato maybe the biggest favourites, but also Boonen and Bewley with good chances here.
These for sure my biggest favourites. |
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| ember |
Posted on 05-09-2011 13:39
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Smowz wrote:
I will post the report the usual way tonight over 50 screens and my first monument!
That's great, can't wait for it! Will be very exciting to see who grabs the first monument of the season, and with more than 50 pictures from it, I sense a great report |
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 05-09-2011 21:09
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Nice ride by Sieberg and Chavanel.
But Kreder, what the f?
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| Kami |
Posted on 05-09-2011 21:11
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3386
Joined: 19-06-2009
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3th and 9th, not bad, i guess i might be the second best scoring team here. This looks promising for the cobbled classics though.
Edited by Kami on 05-09-2011 21:11
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