Paris-Nice, March 7, Stage 1: Condé-sur-Vesgre/Vendôme ***SPOILERS***

Melodeon

Date: Monday 7th March
Type: Flat
Distance: 198Km
Start/Finish: Condé-sur-Vesgre/Vendôme


Stage map:



Profile:



Last 5km:



The General Classification after the Prologue:



Preview (© www.letour.com):

Given his sprinting prowess and his impressive prologue win in his season debut on Sunday, Michael Matthews seems ideally placed to retain his yellow jersey in the long 198-km ride between Condé sur Vesgre and Vendome on Monday. But there remains a question mark about the Paris-Nice first stage or, more accurately, four question marks. The race finale will be partly held on four dusty and hardly paved country lanes requiring skills and attention. How much will they affect the outcome of the stage is the big unknown. But “Bling” Matthews has often displayed enough riding know-how to appear reasonably safe even though caution will be the key. While his lead over Dutchman Tom Dumoulin and New Zealand's Patrick Bevin is minimal, the finish on a rough third-category hill 3.5 kilometres from the line might suit attackers better than sprinters or team leaders. Matthews has strong and experienced team-mates around him like Daryl Impey and Michael Albasini to help him out in those tricky sections. As for the stage win, it could go to the boldest rider on the day while mountain bike skills could be required!

LIVE TV:
Eurosport 1 - 2.15pm

HIGHLIGHTS:
Eurosport 2 - 6:00pm
Eurosport 1 - 9.00pm

MPFGLB

well done...with these previews you are spoiling us

MPFGLB

A video of tomorrow stage finish roads ....looks tricky ...some riders already complaining

https://twitter.com/ParisNice/status/677436921543454720

MPFGLB

Nico's Diary : http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/cycling/nicolas-roche-the-spider-bite-had-eaten-into-my-arm-like-a-bullet-hole-34516697.html

And its snowing at the start
https://twitter.com/SamBewley/status/706764875041783808

MPFGLB

https://twitter.com/blaisou85/status/706769142708379649

ThisRegard

If that was my team car, I'd be changing teams before the season even gets started if he doesn't change those wiper blades.

Finish looks interesting alright, I thought the they were going to continue straight on that road, not take the left up that dodgy track.

MPFGLB

You could just change wipers and not teams ......
Yes they are on that dirt road ....how they'll all fit heaven knows

Maybe one for a strong man like Lars Boom or such to put the power down and go away

MPFGLB

De Gendt, Quemeneur, Tronet & Hupond have 7'00" on the peloton.

Pa8301

I don't understand why De Gendt has gone from podium finisher at the Giro to regular breakaway fodder. You would think he would have more ambition than that.

MPFGLB

Pa8301 wrote: »

I don't understand why De Gendt has gone from podium finisher at the Giro to regular breakaway fodder. You would think he would have more ambition than that.

He got his podium from a breakaway result ...ie he made up so much time in a breakaway

Plus being in the breakaway is not fodder ....you can win a stage or at least have a better chance than sitting in the peloton on a stage set for sprinters

MPFGLB

Sean talking about Michael Mat-chews as a sprinter:)

MPFGLB

Nico drilling on the front there to create breaks in the peloton becasue of echelons #ParisNice

MPFGLB

Kristoff & Rui Costa in second group...and it won;t be easy to get back

Pa8301

MPFGLB wrote: »

He got his podium from a breakaway result ...ie he made up so much time in a breakaway

Plus being in the breakaway is not fodder ....you can win a stage or at least have a better chance than sitting in the peloton on a stage set for sprinters

That's fair enough. I just don't know why he doesn't go for GC instead of stage hunting. He's a good climber and can put in a good time trial when he wants to. It's not like Lotto Soudal are packed with GC options either.

MPFGLB

I thought that was an exciting race ....mostly because no one knew what to expect