Cycling
There is currently 1 person viewing this thread.
27 Mar 16
07:09
Joined:
Date Joined:
11 Jul 11
*** Fabian Cancellara Last start here was in 2014, for a 38th-place finish. Best recent result was a 13th in 2012. Admittedly, he has a very poor strike-rate in this race, never even making the podium, with a 4th in 2005 being his best finish, but he looks up to this on present form.
Has been winning from the start of the season in Spain, but his most impressive result came on the white gravel roads in Strade Bianche when beating Stybar in the finale after holding court with Stybar, Brambilla and Sagan in the race-winning breakaway, and actually looked like he could motor-away at one point early on in the break if not for Stybar's attentiveness. Then rode out Tirreno, using it as a training ride for his cobbled classics campaign, and where notably he won the short ITT on the last stage, easily. Was in the race up to his ears in MSR when bridging to Kwiatkowski, however was caught-up badly when inexperienced 21yo rider Gaviria crashed, holding up his momentum and ending his run, ultimately with a 31st-place finish.
Last start in E3 lost contact with the select group after mechanical problems, and completely written off by observers, however he worked his way back into the select group on approaching the Karnemelkbeekstraat (32kms to-go) with devoted assistance from young teammate and impressive KBK winner Stuyven, and took up his position like he was never MIA, and in fact had worked his way to the head of the peloton when Stybar and Trentin attempted to go with Kwiatkowski and Sagan. Would have bridged under normal circumstances of that I have no doubt, but he was obviously still blowing after recently rejoining. Responded late to Stannard's sprint in the finale for third place, however worked his way home doggedly to finish 4th and second-best in the select group.
Race fit, smart, experienced, and will be going all out on the Kemmelberg on the second ascent from the steeper side -- which looks like it will prove to be the staging ground for the 34km-range attack to the finish -- where he can form a breakaway or drive a chasing group to rejoin, and will still have something in a possible bunch sprint to the line, if the latter is an outcome.
Opened 14/1 and tumbled into 9/1 swiftly before easing out into 12/1, which represents good E/W value.
Rated near top on (SP) 'timeform'. One of the main contenders. Solid claims. Must be respected.
* Niki Terpstra 2nd here last year in very tough, wet and windy conditions.
Already a winner over 200kms this season when beating-up a bunch of bruisers in Le Samyn in very tough conditions, after coming off a slow start to the Flemish opening weekend with a 56th-place finish in KBK, and 30th in OHN. Never figured on any stages in Paris-Nice and was slightly disappointing in DDV when after having clear opportunities to make prominent moves throughout the race he became withdrawn, finishing in 35th-place. Nevertheless, showed last start in E3 (13th-place finish) that he is approaching a very high condition when lifting his brilliant pace throughout parts of the race, most notably on the Oude Kwaremont, and doing a heap of work on the front for EQS.
He may be aiming himself for the two approaching Monuments of Flanders and Roubaix, however he is close to his peak and will find the second ascent of the Kemmelberg much closer to his characteristics than perhaps only Spartacus and Sagan, particularly the latter.
Opened at 22/1, however he quickly tumbled into 12/1 before settling at 18/1, which looks about acceptable on an E/W basis.
The testing material. Treat warily.
1/16* Florian Senechal 22yo from FRA was a Roubaix Junior Champion in 2011, and will be better suited in Roubaix. Has been going along nicely this season in Flanders: 17th OHN, 31 KBK, a 3rd in Le Samyn, top-10 on GC in 3 Days of West Flanders, and then notably a 25th last start in DDV.
Opened at 150/1, low of 100/1. Place claims best.
Big step up in class. One for the multiples.
--- --- ---
Good luck to all,
SP
Has been winning from the start of the season in Spain, but his most impressive result came on the white gravel roads in Strade Bianche when beating Stybar in the finale after holding court with Stybar, Brambilla and Sagan in the race-winning breakaway, and actually looked like he could motor-away at one point early on in the break if not for Stybar's attentiveness. Then rode out Tirreno, using it as a training ride for his cobbled classics campaign, and where notably he won the short ITT on the last stage, easily. Was in the race up to his ears in MSR when bridging to Kwiatkowski, however was caught-up badly when inexperienced 21yo rider Gaviria crashed, holding up his momentum and ending his run, ultimately with a 31st-place finish.
Last start in E3 lost contact with the select group after mechanical problems, and completely written off by observers, however he worked his way back into the select group on approaching the Karnemelkbeekstraat (32kms to-go) with devoted assistance from young teammate and impressive KBK winner Stuyven, and took up his position like he was never MIA, and in fact had worked his way to the head of the peloton when Stybar and Trentin attempted to go with Kwiatkowski and Sagan. Would have bridged under normal circumstances of that I have no doubt, but he was obviously still blowing after recently rejoining. Responded late to Stannard's sprint in the finale for third place, however worked his way home doggedly to finish 4th and second-best in the select group.
Race fit, smart, experienced, and will be going all out on the Kemmelberg on the second ascent from the steeper side -- which looks like it will prove to be the staging ground for the 34km-range attack to the finish -- where he can form a breakaway or drive a chasing group to rejoin, and will still have something in a possible bunch sprint to the line, if the latter is an outcome.
Opened 14/1 and tumbled into 9/1 swiftly before easing out into 12/1, which represents good E/W value.
Rated near top on (SP) 'timeform'. One of the main contenders. Solid claims. Must be respected.
* Niki Terpstra 2nd here last year in very tough, wet and windy conditions.
Already a winner over 200kms this season when beating-up a bunch of bruisers in Le Samyn in very tough conditions, after coming off a slow start to the Flemish opening weekend with a 56th-place finish in KBK, and 30th in OHN. Never figured on any stages in Paris-Nice and was slightly disappointing in DDV when after having clear opportunities to make prominent moves throughout the race he became withdrawn, finishing in 35th-place. Nevertheless, showed last start in E3 (13th-place finish) that he is approaching a very high condition when lifting his brilliant pace throughout parts of the race, most notably on the Oude Kwaremont, and doing a heap of work on the front for EQS.
He may be aiming himself for the two approaching Monuments of Flanders and Roubaix, however he is close to his peak and will find the second ascent of the Kemmelberg much closer to his characteristics than perhaps only Spartacus and Sagan, particularly the latter.
Opened at 22/1, however he quickly tumbled into 12/1 before settling at 18/1, which looks about acceptable on an E/W basis.
The testing material. Treat warily.
1/16* Florian Senechal 22yo from FRA was a Roubaix Junior Champion in 2011, and will be better suited in Roubaix. Has been going along nicely this season in Flanders: 17th OHN, 31 KBK, a 3rd in Le Samyn, top-10 on GC in 3 Days of West Flanders, and then notably a 25th last start in DDV.
Opened at 150/1, low of 100/1. Place claims best.
Big step up in class. One for the multiples.
--- --- ---
Good luck to all,
SP
sort by:
Show
per page
Replies: 9
|
By:
Usually have a wee look at your write up's. Your on a good run of form, well done.
Lars Boom was interesting for me at the E3, but for his poor positioning on the climb Sagan and MK went on I think he could have maybe hung on to them, he looked good all day. If there is a group of half a dozen or so of the usual suspects up the road for this one I'd expect he will have a good chance of being involved. He will doubtless have it all against him though with the numbers game against Sky, Etixx and Lotto but the 80/1 and 66/1 is far too big. I am one for the big outsiders when it comes to cycling so will take a chance on Sonny Colbrelli, he has not had much experience on the cobbles but I think he could grow into a good rider in the shape of a slightly poor mans Kwiatowski. He will be out to avenge his Milan Sanremo chance being taken by Gavira falling. 250/1 |
|
By:
Cheers fedaralski81 -- always nice to convert some research into wins, but I think this forum would be better served if there was more active engagement and debate. And MC sorting out posting issues would help, (get your act together you lazy sod;-) he picked-up two 25/1 pops recently. Demare in Paris-Nice and Stybar in Tirreno, from memory.
I've been looking at Colbrelli since when he had that promising season in 2014, podiumed Roma Maxima, but he just hasn't gone on with it, which has been disappointing. Don't know why exactly without digging him out from my files, but he is one who would definitely figure in the finish on best 2014 form -- nice price! I agree on Boom, had an excellent ride in E3, and was considering him for here, in the end discounting him for no other reason than some news about him that he wants quit RR for a return to Cyclo-cross, makes me doubt his commitment a little. |
|
By:
belgium????
wtf did you let happen to your country???  |
|
By:
remember world cup Italia '90 on sega,
you were my bogey team, always knocking me out in the quarters or semi's |
|
By:
Always good when your two bets are down the pan 100km out
 I have been keeping an real eye on Colbrelli since his strong showing at Milan Sanremo a few years back where he still kicked for the line even after attacking at the bottom of the Poggio, I think he is one to score a big result at a big price in a reduced field sprint soon, particularly if the weather is bad. Had a wee go on Jens K for an interest here. |
|
By:
smart from Canc
|
|
By:
let the baby have his bottle
|
|
By:
Sad news out of this race.
They really need to do something about the motorbikes, its not like people couldn't see this coming with the recent near misses. Especially on tricky, narrow roads in the wet. |
|
By:
couldn't agree more
I feel that UCI have cyclist safety during races way down on their priority list RIP Antoine Demoitie |