Dennis and Ganna and WvA can blow a race up with their ability to climb with their GC guy for a stretch. Fun to watch. Dennis seems to have calmed down and embraced his various roles. A nice pick up.

It's a great role for Dennis, at which he's proven capable of excellence. Tony Martin provides a good example of a former TT world champ transforming into the ultimate workhorse. Part of me wonders if the emergence of Ganna perhaps accelerated this transition for Rohan. Not that I'm willing to write him off as a TT guy or anything, but I wonder if being the favourite to win the big TTs, and the pressure that came with that, wasn't all that great for him as he does seem to be a bit of a head case. Now that Top Ganna is clearly top dog, I feel like there's perhaps less pressure on Dennis to be that guy, and he's perhaps more willing to embrace the super-domestique role.

So who is ready to throw in some MSR picks?

I'm having a nervous breakdown trying to make my picks. GC guys? Sprinters? Puncheurs? Kinda rando guy like last year?

I have no idea.

Edit: I'm guessing though that Pogacar has no intention of going over the climbs at a pace that any sprinter has a chance of matching.

Man, Trek Segafredo gets less respect than Rodney Dangerfield does

It'll be quite windy, with cross-tail wind on the climb. Positioning will be key at the speed they are riding.

In the past, the sprinters relied on teammates to do steady chasing go close gaps, but I think the gap will be too large this year.

Mostly puncheurs with a few GC guys. Leave in one sprinter who could climb (Ewan).

I'll go:
Wout, Mads, Crockatelli
Pogacar, Alaphilippe

I wasn't sure if Crockatelli is over the bug he had last week, or if Alaphillipe is in shape yet - clearly hasn't been quite at 100% yet. But he seems to come around pretty quick.

Gonna hold off my picks a bit until the startlists are more clear. I don't even see EF at all on the PCC start lists, which are usually pretty up-to-date.

Didn't realize Crockatelli was sick. Might need to swap that one.

Ton of guys sick last week. I think ISN was down to one rider in one of the stage races.

Is Mads racing?

I'll get in early too, just for fun, and unencumbered by the thought process:

Ewan, Van Aert, Ganna

Pogacar, Asgreen

I hope they will be more selective with MvdP...he doesn't have the resilience of WvA. And there is no way he can beat WvA over a 3 week race...unless WvA is forced to waste energy doing domestique work for Primoz.

20.02 - 26.02 UAE TourPOGAČAR Tadej2.UWT26.02 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad MEVAN AERT Wout1.UWT05.03 Strade BianchePOGAČAR Tadej1.UWT06.03 - 13.03 Paris - NiceROGLIČ Primož2.UWT07.03 - 13.03 Tirreno-AdriaticoPOGAČAR Tadej2.UWT
I'm sensing some kind of pattern here.......can't put my finger on it..........

Didn't we finish one stage races last week with 58 riders? PN or TA. Awful GI thing going around here.

I am curious to how Wout and the team work this out. I don't think they have any shot at beating Pogocar if Wout is trying to also win Green.

If he wins Flanders, is that enough for him this year to be fine fully committing to Roglic. And then rest/rally for Worlds.

Wout is always the answer.

My wife told me Ala is sick and won't be racing at all. Not sure who told her that, but I assume it is correct. She always knows what's up with the French crowd.

Ewan
Pee Wee Vivianl
WvA


Sagan (I know)
Laporte

seems Ala, Crocatelli, and Mads are all out

Pog, Wout, Asgreen

Sagan, Ganna

Looks like I need to considerably rework my picks. Revised:
Wout, Asgreen, Monoric
Pogacar, Pidcock

Michael Special Delivery Morkov once again drops Cav off perfectly.

Monoric. 9.5

Wanted to keep everyone guessing and leave room for interpretation.

Gonzaga, Arizona...

Sorry. Doing too many things that aren't work at once

Pogocar, Wout, Ewan
Kristoff, Coquard

Decided to make my WC fun in the spirit of a 12 beating a 5

Kristoff looked good today, cagey pick.

Wout, Pog, Pidcock
Bling, Coquard