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Paris - Nice Discussion
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| sgdanny |
Posted on 07-08-2016 22:18
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Welcome to the 10th edition of the annual PT event that is Paris - Nice, in this 8 stage long stage race we will see the best Clilmbers in the world fight it out in both Mountains, Hills and Time Trials. The often discussed race clash that comes with this years event shouldn't have left much doubt, that this is the race where Climbers will get to dominate fully. Interesting enough this years route includes a Mountain Time Trial and as the Mountain stat puts heavy on the winner of that one, the GC will most likely be decided there.
As mentioned we have a top notch startlist to behold off and we can enjoy the presence of a World Champion, who also is the favorite, to grab his first GC win wearing the World NC. As in TA we have an opening Prologue and is followed by a sprint stage, where the lucky field will have to fight it out before we go into the first Hill stage. Stage 5 is the key to the GC surely and that is the day where the winner of the stage, might actually be the wiinner of the whole race.
| Rider | MO | HI | TT | Rider | MO | HI | TT |  Madrazo | 85 | 76 | 77 |  Lecuisinier | 81 | 75 | 77 |  Schleck | 85 | 75 | 74 |  Van den Broeck | 80 | 75 | 74 |  Dombrowski | 84 | 75 | 71 |  Quintana | 80 | 74 | 71 |  Tenorio | 84 | 76 | 80 |  Kiserlovski | 80 | 75 | 72 |  Amador | 84 | 75 | 78 |  Nerz | 80 | 72 | 73 |  Velits | 83 | 76 | 75 |  Olivier | 79 | 75 | 69 |  Taaramäe | 83 | 78 | 81 |  Galta | 79 | 72 | 71 |  Gesink | 83 | 81 | 80 | König | 79 | 75 | 74 |  Kritskiy | 83 | 75 | 80 | Solis | 79 | 60 | 59 |  Morton | 82 | 76 | 73 | Brambilla | 79 | 76 | 70 | | Sicard | 82 | 78 | 76 |  Kudus | 79 | 74 | 70 | | Keizer | 81 | 71 | 81 | Samwel | 79 | 70 | 61 |  Abal | 81 | 70 | 77 | Keinath | 79 | 76 | 75 |
As usual this race marks an interesting POV for how the first GT will turn out, as the starting lineup features quite a few of those. The best climber and the best overall rider here is Angel Madrazo for sure and he has something to prove for his new manager. His time in Quickstep marked a lot of ups and downs and now is the time to make a main chapter, that will take the readers on a great adventure. Another one with the pressure on his shoulders are World Champion Andy Schleck, but as a former GT winner this is right up his alley, so he should be the clear favorite here.
Young prospects are inexperienced until proven otherwise and same applies to the great Joseph Dombrowski, that finally seems to be right up among the very best, now is the time for him to shine. Same applies to Justo Tenorio, that long has sought to win a GC again. He is on a new team and their experience in the PT, should create a strong backdrop for the big Spaniard. Overall a really strong lineup here!
| Rider | FL | SP | AC | Rider | PR | RS | MO | | Enger | 73 | 81 | 78 | Durbridge | 81 | 74 | 58 | | Boeckmans | 73 | 81 | 83 | Keizer | 81 | 79 | 81 | | Coquard | 73 | 81 | 83 |  Chavanne | 80 | 74 | 58 | | Demare | 73 | 80 | 81 | Gesink | 80 | 80 | 83 |  Holloway | 78 | 80 | 82 | Viennet | 80 | 75 | 54 | | Groenewegen | 71 | 80 | 79 | Coquard | 79 | 74 | 58 | | Meyer | 72 | 80 | 76 | Hansen | 79 | 73 | 59 |  Guardini | 72 | 80 | 82 |  Dempster | 79 | 74 | 54 | | Stallaert | 77 | 79 | 76 | Kritskiy | 79 | 76 | 83 | | Moser | 70 | 78 | 77 | Dennis | 79 | 74 | 72 | | Van Avermaet | 78 | 78 | 78 | Taaramäe | 79 | 80 | 83 | | Nepomnyachsniy | 74 | 78 | 76 | Fraile | 79 | 76 | 74 | | Stepniak | 70 | 77 | 77 | Tenorio | 79 | 76 | 84 | | Feillu | 74 | 77 | 78 | Meyer | 78 | 65 | 57 |
With a tame sprinting lineup obviously it can always be nice with a stage win and same even applies to the Prologue Specialists. However we see a great influx for the GC contenders for each stage, so they only get one chance each. There are GC contenders in this field, but these stages happen before the terrain has influence on it. With best sprinter being only of 81 in sprint, it gives a chance to some of the sprinters, often left out of the usual names taking all the glory.
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| Shonak |
Posted on 07-08-2016 22:23
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Tour de France Champion
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Can't wait to see the world champion in his jersey!
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 07-08-2016 22:39
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World Champion
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Hopefully there will be some gaps in the hilly stages.
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| CountArach |
Posted on 07-08-2016 22:53
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Grand Tour Champion
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This is a great opportunity for Boeckmans, who has a decent train with him. Van den Broeck may have the chance for a top ten if he can ride consistently and maybe gap one or two better climbers on the hillier stages. No big expectations, however.
I imagine Madrazo will win this.
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 07-08-2016 22:58
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Directeur Sportif
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surprising that the sprinters here are much worse than at T-A
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 07-08-2016 23:09
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Stacked climbing field will make anything better than a top 20 a good result for Kudus. Other than that we shouldn't have too much here except maybe Meyer who can get involved in the sprints and the prologue. |
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| SotD |
Posted on 07-08-2016 23:15
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Wow, I guess I should have brought Tzortzakis here... Will be very interesting to see if Coquard will be getting a train here or try his own chances. On paper he could do well getting in the top 10 on the prologue and then spring for seconds. But I dont trust sprinters that are not top top level, so we'll see.
Lecuisinier should be happy if he can get a top 10, and 3rd in the U25 competition. It's too bad that he cant even fight for the U25 jersey win. I look forward to see what this race can produce, but quite a different type of lineup than Tirreno.
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| Bikex |
Posted on 07-08-2016 23:20
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Team Leader
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My first PT race this season. Wanted to send Denifl here but that wasn't possible as it clashes with Catalunya. Seeing Amador here is great as that means he won't race in Spain. 
Looking forward to see what Kiserlovski will do, it probably won't be enough for a top 10. |
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| matt17br |
Posted on 07-08-2016 23:42
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Schleck won't lose against Madrazo guaranteed, but considering the field the Spaniard might still take a podium.
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| knockout |
Posted on 08-08-2016 06:25
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Grand Tour Champion
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It's all about stage wins for Evonik.
Greg is one of the best hilly sprinters here and Chavanne one of the best Prologue specialists so I have a few chances on the first stages.
Schleck as obvious favourite.
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Posted on 22-11-2024 13:48
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 08-08-2016 07:00
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Schleck should end and battle of two big boys but battle for minor places will be interesting. Also looking forward to the stage hunting, especially tough stages like stage 7 and 4 and maybe 3 depending on the percentages, and as Shonak said looking forward to Schleck putting his jersey to use. Nice preview Danny!
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| ember |
Posted on 08-08-2016 07:13
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Not much hope here for an overall result, but looking at the sprinters present, I'm excited to see Holst Enger in the sprints. Hopefully he can grab a top 5, eventhough I suspect he won't a train.
Schleck is the obvious favourite, but I fancied Taaramäe when betting. Stage 4, 6 and 7 don't look that difficult, meaning the hill stat will hopefuly come into play to challenge the GC riders in more than "just" climbing.
Nice preview, sgdanny! |
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| Smowz |
Posted on 08-08-2016 07:40
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Yes it's wierd that there are at least 4 better PT sprinters in T-A (Swift, Ciolek, Cav and Howard, Lo Cicero is wildcard). Dan Holloway would likely have no chance in T-A, but here he definately has some chance of being in and around any sprint decision. Stage 3 is short so that lip at the end could be quite difficult. But stage 2 is certainly in range for all your would think.
RB also have Hansen here to have a go at the Prologue, these are always a complete roll of the dice depending on draw. No ambitions on GC of course, I will grab the popcorn as ever hoping for Pendlefluke type breakaway points. Though I have XP grinders in the main, so Diaz would have to be the man.
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 08-08-2016 07:56
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Durbridge should finally begin to deliver in TTs..
Morton.. not sure. Top-10 would be fine.
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 08-08-2016 08:00
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World Champion
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Interesting startlist, with many great GC guys and lesser sprinter field. I wonder if Madrazo can challenge Andy, i doubt it though.
Young gun Karnulin is our GC leader here and he will hopefully try to fight for top15.
Guardini could use lesser field to his advantage and attack top5 or even podium in one of the flat stages.
Good luck to all!
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| OlegTinkov |
Posted on 08-08-2016 09:15
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First race for Kritskiy, top-10 would be a good result considering this very strong field of riders.
Thanks for the preview sgdanny
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 08-08-2016 14:20
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Tour de France Champion
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Hoping to see Jesper Hansen being a good domestique for Red Bull here, and a breakaway would be nice too.
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| beagle |
Posted on 08-08-2016 15:03
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Very tough competition. However, I expect nothing less than podium from Tenorio in his first start in our colours. With best possible support I have (Keinath/Faiers) and mountain TT in the end, I´m quite optimistic. Hopefully my feelings won´t be opposite within several days 
With lack of the very best sprinters, I´m curious if Coquard will show something special with his excellent SP/PR combo. I believe he could wear leader jersey into first hills.
Thanks for the preview!
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 08-08-2016 15:46
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Grand Tour Champion
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Dombrowski is by far our most important rider for this season so I'm hoping he can fulfil his potential. Will struggle on the hills but if he's not top 5 in the mountains then I'll be disappointed. Looking forward to this though, great line-up.
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| Margh Norway |
Posted on 08-08-2016 17:32
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Curious how Manfredi (Orange) will do in his first Pro Tour race. Hope to see him or Penasa (Jayco) cause furore in the second half of the race.
Great preview, sgdanny!
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