Paris-Nice picks

Bro Deal said:

Hard when we don't know who will be there.

I have been thinking we should have a CF contest for picks, perhaps based on the betting odds a few days before the race. Give participants 100 dollars--err, euros since the dollar is headed to peso status--and you can bet up three euros on up to three different riders. Then we can see who has the most money at the end of the season.

There probably would have to be some sort of ante for people who don't make picks for a race to prevent the strategy of winning by not betting at all.

I am in. We would need Lim to stick it, and somehow incorporate a running total and a list of races with a deadline to post your pick.(possibly on another thread) We could have another thread where you could pick. We would have to figure out an edit rule. I would also suggest standard odds for your riders coming in top 3. It would punish picking a long-shot, but be much easier to keep up with as relying on Unibet or something would not be necessary.

Just some ideas.

From those who are on start list so far, Luis Leon Sanchez could be strong choice.
He said Paris - Nice is one of his goals this season.
Let's wait and see who will be riding.

P.S.
Clean generation has to prove itself🙄

I am in. Cranky could give 1,000 Euros to he person with the most points at the end of the season.

My picks for Paris Nice are:

Alberto Contador
Dave Bruylandts
Jesper Skibby

In that order

I don't care about how nice Paris is. Can we talk about bike racing for once?

Frigo's Luggage said:

I am in. Cranky could give 1,000 Euros to he person with the most points at the end of the season.

Yes... entry fee is 100 Euros each. Minimum number of entrants: twenty persons. Any surplus left over will help cover administrative costs... 🙂

Given the current situation of McQuaid now saying that he will terminate any teams UCI license if they choose to participate on Sunday, do we really think the teams are going to risk that?

I cannot imagine the ASO would tell the vast majority of teams, including most of the pro tour teams that if they show up on Sunday morning but choose not to take off at the start line, they would nix them from the TDF.

I am still stunned that nothing has been done to solve this. Frankly, I'd like to stick them in a room and spank the [censored] out of them! Too motherly? 😉

hawkeye87 said:

Given the current situation of McQuaid now saying that he will terminate any teams UCI license if they choose to participate on Sunday, do we really think the teams are going to risk that?

It's an empty threat. How is McQuaid going to sanction more than five or six teams? The UCI would lose power if half the ProTour teams were suspended.

hawkeye87 said:

Given the current situation of McQuaid now saying that he will terminate any teams UCI license if they choose to participate on Sunday, do we really think the teams are going to risk that?

I cannot imagine the ASO would tell the vast majority of teams, including most of the pro tour teams that if they show up on Sunday morning but choose not to take off at the start line, they would nix them from the TDF.

I am still stunned that nothing has been done to solve this. Frankly, I'd like to stick them in a room and spank the [censored] out of them! Too motherly? 😉

One of the big problems here and in the past, is that UCI gains when the existing structure/revenues are harmed. UCI does not partake in those revenues, and to maximize its chance of beating it's main rivals for eventual control of the loot, it has a vested interest in sabotage of the existing set-up.

Either ASO has to bring the UCI in as a revenue sharing partner (assuming UCI want to share... which I doubt) or either party has to be destroyed, or forced to sell out, it seems. The problem with that is that ASO have built up an asset over many years, and UCI want to acquire it, or part of it, for little capital payment.

If ASO is forced to sell out, its in the UCI's interest for the asset of pro cycling as a "show" to be worth less at that time.

Just my 2c.

OK. My pick is one of the Schleck brothers.

I'm going with Bobby Julich or Jens Voigt

Frank is the only one of them racing P-N, I believe.

I would pick Davide. He is certainly in form for it. Unless Sanchez gets some "aid" as a Spanish protected rider, I would say Gerolsteiner should have a winner.

I'll be interested in seeing Millar.

I am not that familiar with him as he was banned when I really started to watch. Is he that much of a climber that he could be a GC threat?

Millar. I hope. He'll probably come unstuck on Ventoux but he looked pretty strong on the climbs in the ToC so I can but hope. Good chance of winning the prologue and wearing yellow though.

Eldrack said:

Millar. I hope. He'll probably come unstuck on Ventoux but he looked pretty strong on the climbs in the ToC so I can but hope. Good chance of winning the prologue and wearing yellow though.

Millar is supposedly targetting this race. The Ventoux will be hard for him, but it's possible. I'll throw my support behind Millar.

Bro Deal said:

Millar is supposedly targetting this race. The Ventoux will be hard for him, but it's possible. I'll throw my support behind Millar.

I'd love to see Millar win. I'm actually starting to like Argyle (as I should, being Scottish) Anyone know what the weather prediction is? the Ventoux has gotta be frickin cold in March (even though they're not going quite to the summit)

kennf said:

I'd love to see Millar win. I'm actually starting to like Argyle (as I should, being Scottish)

I decided I like their current kit. The combination of the colors is nice and distinctive. Last year's was not good and neither were the jerseys they put up for voting.

My pick for the winner would also be Davide Rebellin based on his earlier results in the Paris-Nice. The only uncertainty for him in my opinion would be what kind of support he will be getting from his team.

I'll pick Luis Leon Sanchez for the win.

A bit risky... but why not: Robert Gesink

I pick Sean Kelly for number 8