Bike Racing

[Witton Park]

Pog, Pidcock or WvA

sticking your neck out there a bit

[Llani Boy]

sticking your neck out there a bit

If he sticks it out any further he'll lose his balance and fall off the fence

[Marco]

It's almost impossible to predict this race, as it's such a lottery.

For those not familiar with cycling, it's a one-day, 183 miles, linear race between Milan (sort of) and Sanremo. It's likely to be won in a time of around 6hrs 30mins, although weather and wind speed and direction will have a big effect on the time.

Looking back over the last 15 years, it's been won by a top time-triallist (Fabian Cancellara), two pure sprinters (Cav and Demare), a climber (Nibali), an opportunistic break specialist (Alaphilippe) and a hard-man all rounder (Van Aert). Basically, any type of rider can win this race, although it's always won by either a good, or a great, rider.

Much as I'd like to see Pidcock win, I think it could come down to a successful solo attack on the Poggio - just like the old days. On current form, I think there's only one person good enough, and brave enough, to do this - and that's Pogačar.

[PeteS]

sticking your neck out there a bit

I can't see past Pogacar TBH but my heart says Pidcock after a great Stradi Bianchi and a disappointing Tirreno Adriatico. You can never discount WvA - he has it all so why not?

[Witton Park]

Much as I'd like to see Pidcock win, I think it could come down to a successful solo attack on the Poggio - just like the old days. On current form, I think there's only one person good enough, and brave enough, to do this - and that's Pogačar.

If Pidcock's around, the descent could be more important than the ascent.
Looking forward to it.
Might not watch live though - maybe full replay Monday morning.
Just become a grandad for the 5th time

[PeteS]

Pidcock out. Suffering with concussion presumably as a result of his coming together with Wout in TA.

[Graham Breeze]

It's almost impossible to predict this race, as it's such a lottery.

For those not familiar with cycling, it's a one-day, 183 miles, linear race between Milan (sort of) and Sanremo. It's likely to be won in a time of around 6hrs 30mins, although weather and wind speed and direction will have a big effect on the time.

Looking back over the last 15 years, it's been won by a top time-triallist (Fabian Cancellara), two pure sprinters (Cav and Demare), a climber (Nibali), an opportunistic break specialist (Alaphilippe) and a hard-man all rounder (Van Aert). Basically, any type of rider can win this race, although it's always won by either a good, or a great, rider.

Much as I'd like to see Pidcock win, I think it could come down to a successful solo attack on the Poggio - just like the old days. On current form, I think there's only one person good enough, and brave enough, to do this - and that's Pogačar.

Good MIlan - San Remo today.

Meanwhile my cycling comic tells me that the fishing reel company is dumping Tiagra, Sora and Claris for one new range called Cue. Dura-Ace, Ultegra and 105 will remain.

[Marco]

Much as I'd like to see Pidcock win, I think it could come down to a successful solo attack on the Poggio - just like the old days. On current form, I think there's only one person good enough, and brave enough, to do this - and that's Pogačar.

Ok, I got the winner wrong - but I was correct in my prediction of the winning tactics.

Haven't seen any footage yet, but sounds like it lived up to expectations.

Meanwhile my cycling comic tells me that the fishing reel company is dumping Tiagra, Sora and Claris for one new range called Cue. Dura-Ace, Ultegra and 105 will remain.

This 'news' has been floating around since the end of February. It's an announcement rather than a hard fact, presumably to test the water

For those of us that worship the creator of STI, SPD, cassettes, and a whole lot more, this is a make or break thing. I don't particularly want electronically shifted gears, or 12 sprockets on my cassette, and I certainly don't want the expense of buying an electronic gear-shifting set up.

If they do merge the ranges, and end up with re-inforced sprockets, chainrings and chains to be e-bike friendly (that is how it has been reported by some sources), then I will turn to the dark side - SRAM. (Forgive me Father Graham for thinking such a thought )

Shimano are a massive company and they know that bike companies could easily source their components from SRAM and it could finish them. I suspect this 'news' is to test what the opposition is like to such a move, more than anything else.

https://www.cyclist.co.uk/news/shimano-cues

[PeteS]

Ok, I got the winner wrong - but I was correct in my prediction of the winning tactics.

Haven't seen any footage yet, but sounds like it lived up to expectations.

It most certainly did. An audacious attack on the Poggio and then a fine descent to hold a stellar chase group at bay to emulate his grandfather's achievement from 60 years ago.

[PeteS]

Btw I noticed that WvA was running a (SRAM) single chain ring today.