Great, setting up another season of Quickstep self-sabotage!

Gaudin! “ a massive steam engine of a man”

Gilbert could’ve taken a pull or two before dumping him. It was like 2 lions tag teaming a water buffalo.

It was interesting, terpstra clearly offered his wheel when attacking but Gilbert sat on and waited forcing Gaudin to counter. At the same point Gilbert is seen shaking his head looking annoyed, who knows what was going on?

I think Strada is the Sagan vs Kiwato show. Possibly Stybar as well, he clearly sat up today saving energy. I would think Valverde would do well at strada, no clue why he is not racing.

Was thinking the same about Strade. It will be more open with Kwiato and Sagan, not to mention GvA and Stybar. Bet Van Aert will be up there too.

I’m not going with Sagan quite yet. Early season, new baby, etc. I’m betting he’s not ready now. And generally, I think they’ve got him programmed for Flanders.
All that said, he can podium off the couch.

Start list for Strade Bianche

this could be the best Strade yet. an embarrassment of riches:

Kwiatkowski, Gilbert, Stybar, Oss, GVA, Sagan, no Fabian ... plus Sep and Phinney and Stuyven thrown in for fun.


Can Tom D ride this race? I am surprised to see him on the roster.

That is a safe bet, Sagan said his two primary objectives are MSR and Roubaix, well that is what his trainer said.

Yeah, that's a good point. Nice that at such a young age you've achieved so much that winning a race like Strade is a shoulder shrug.

That said, tough to be against him.

I don't think it's a shrug at Strade as much as an intentional choice based on winning zero Monuments last year.

I’m really looking forward to watching van Aert. That cadence is cool to watch relative to the others and theoretically at least, he should have some punch left at the end.

Dumoulin finished fifth last year. As long as his derailleur doesn't go kaput, he should be okay

What, no love for Nibali???

I think the finish is too steep for Sagan to win right now but as demonstrated at GP Quebec last year, he can get off the couch and make his mark. Kwiatkowski is looking really good, while Gilbert and GvA not so great last week. My picks:
Kwiatkowski, Stybar, Sagan
GvA, Dumoulin

didn't realize that Nibbles was starting. and speaking of Nibbles and Sagan, anyone recall that one stage of Tirreno where Sagan blasted past Nibbles on a really steep finish? Not sure if Sagan is still capable (I would think he is), but i don't think it's overly steep.

Dark horse pick is Brambilla. Dude bossed the 2016 Giro stage on the white roads. Van Aert is another dark horse pick for superior bike handling in mud

That was an awesome stage. I think Purito was there too, and they basically all gave up when cresting summit and Sagan was still there. Prob the easiest sprint he's ever won.

I don't think Wellens is riding SB.

You're right, don't see him on any start lists. Thanks for pointing that out.

some obvious, some not.

Kwiatkowski, Stybar, and Oss
Gilbert and Phinney. yea, Phinney.

Bold Phinney pick. But I can’t cuz he’s a Boulder dude and bad weather harshes his mellow.
I gotta go with the mudders.

Van Av, Stybar, van Aert.
Sep, Moscon

LMAO
that was good

Almost everything harshes his mellow, especially if it doesn't involve denim.

Kwiatkowski, GvA, Gilbert
van Aert, Dumoulin

Sep, Stybar, Gilbert
Greg VA, Kwiatowski

Sep! Would love to see it happen.

Valverde will be racing. Late addition