The hour of Classicissima Once the Milan-Sanremo was the opening race of the cycling season. It was the first World Cup race that opened a circle was closed, again in Italy, the Giro di Lombardia.
is no longer the case. It begins as early as January, in Argentina, then Qatar, Oman. and so on ... Cycling has changed but the charm of certain events remains intact. The Spring Classic once again creates an expectation spasmodic.
The pretenders to the finish line on the Lungomare Italo Calvino (for the fourth year in a row will not get away in Rome) are many and predictions abound. This year the elite of the pedal is on the roads of Liguria. With the exception of Contador, Cunego, Schleck, and Cadel Evans Basso (winner of the Tirreno-Adriatico), are all there.
finisseur I hope to break a taboo. Over the past twelve or thirteen years, with the exception of numbers Bettini, Cancellara and Pozzato, to take up arms has always been a sprinter. The Cipressa and Poggio now seem simple overpass. Rocks easily overcome. The 298 km, with a team equipped, no longer afraid, and the impression is that only a downpour could distort the final race.
Chapter finisseur . The most credited for a coup is Philippe Gilbert . In great condition even earlier in the season than the end to which we had become accustomed. He shot a not insignificant. The comeback in the sprint restricted Castelraimondo impressed. But it will need some assistant to make the selection. Who? First Cancellara. That ended with the victory at the Tirreno stopwatch. Then two Italians. Our Giovanni Visconti , always alive to the Tyrrhenian Sea without finding the winner acute (wearing a tricolor shirt special for the 150th anniversary of Italy). Alessandro Ballan E , which seems to have passed the whims of the seasons post-world championship. They could get together with good will, Boots and why not Nibali, if willing to throw down at breakneck speed. Other outsiders? Pozzato and Gasparotto, Gerdemann, Chavanel and Nocentini.
Chapter sprinters. Even if someone is more than a sprinter. As the world champion Thor Hushovd . What is likely to trigger a particular plot with teammates Farrar, perhaps the most in the form of sprinters, and Haussler , which in 2010 was knocked to physical problems, but in 2009, was in the lead up to a few meters from the finish before being struck by Cannon Ball. The Garmin- Cervelo is the team that has more cards to play. Then Tom Boonen
, which launched a war message to the competition. And who would win this race after so many placings. Also behind that Freire winner in 2010, and first in 2007 and 2004.
The Spaniard did not seem compelling to the Tyrrhenian Sea. But it is better at hiding it to embody the role of favorite, only to come out of nowhere and put the wheels in front of others.
But the list of eligible candidates is not over. Cavendish first. That seems very far from the condition in 2009. Teammate Goss is on alert to replace it but we do not know if he has kept the shape of the Down Under. Petacchi, recovered in extremis after bronchial problems, does not offer great guarantees. The other hope, with less chance, I Davis, Boasson Hagen, Modolo, Sagan, Napolitano (Sicilian third, fourth and Damiano Caruso), Greipel, Bennati and Mc Ewen. (reacts)
