The phrase ‘you wait for one bus, and then two come at once’
might not be popular with Cycling fans but if there’s any sign that we are well
and truly back in the swing of things it’s two quality stage races taking place
at the same time, with Paris-Nice approaching its conclusion rapidly and Tirreno-Adricatico
moving onto the second road stage.
In the grand scheme of things, today’s stage of Paris Nice
is the most pivotal, with the one and only summit finish of the race coming
today on the Montague De Lure, the ‘smaller sister’ of Mont Ventoux and 13.8km
at a gradient of 6.6%, flattered by a softer section in the middle before the
final four kilometres rise at over 7% to the line. Kept short and simple, this
is part 1 of 2 in the battle to decide the overall winner. With 22 riders
within 26 seconds of Andrew Talansky, and given the time bonuses available,
many will have the American in their sights, and with that in mind it’s surprising
to see Nario Quintana and Robert Gesink – both of whom lost crucial time earlier
in the week – as favourites to the exclusion of all others. Both are capable of
winning today’s stage, but it’s really quite surprising to see riders such as
Tejay Van Garderen – supported by a very strong BMC team – and Lieuwe Westra, who won last year’s Mountaintop
finish, at double figure prices on a climb that should suit them down to the
ground. Talansky is seen as vulnerable by many but he’s been there and done it
on many ierece climbs and there is no obvious reason to oppose him strongly
today; The 18/1 with Stan James seems overly dismissive.
In Tierrno Adritaco, Mark Cavendish will be sure to give his
all so that he can keep the Blue jersey for another day, but the uphill inclines
close to the finish lend the advantage to Peter Sagan more than him and 3/1
looks a fair price for a stage win.
Advice – Paris Nice
1 pt win Tejay Van Garderen (16/1 Ladbrokes)
1 pt win Lieuwe
Westra (16/1 Ladbrokes)
1 pt win Andrew Talansky (18/1 Stan James)
Advice – Tirreno-Adriatico
1 pt win Peter Sagan (3/1 general)
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