2012 One Day Races

[mcgarnacle]

So LLS takes out the penultimate one-day classic of the season and his second San Sebastian victory, proving that great form leads to winning. the mid-week scheduling and little sleep over the weekend meant I didn't end up watching it but it appears LLS attacked in the final 10km and used his TT ability to hold off the field. Gerrans led the large chase group over the line for 2nd.

 

[Bond.ShaneBond]

If anyone did see it would they mind sharing their thoughts?

 

[mcgarnacle]

currently watching vattenfall. last 10km

http://sports-livez.com/sopcast/sop-1.php

 

[mcgarnacle]

sagan not going to win it. missed the break. boasson hagen in good pos.

 

[Bond.ShaneBond]

Eurosport have been showing a bunch of Grand Prix's, but the just label them "Grand Prix." Didn't really realise what the races were until the other night. There have been a couple in Canada and one in Belgium, which I managed to watch. Good race, plenty of tough hills. Boonen looked strong until fading at the end, realised while watching this that Boonen and Gilbert will both be riding for Belgium in the Worlds. Bit of an ego battle there, lets see if they can sort out who will be leader. Hoogerland rode well, blew the race up on the final climb. Simon got the chocolates.

 

[Quigley]

Gerrans rode the Canadian ones very well picking up a win with some very smart riding. The different formats over the three races was a good idea as well I thought. It gave a bit of something for all the riders. Greenedge having a great finish to the season.

 

[Bond.ShaneBond]

2012's final Monument, the Giro di Lombardia rolls around on Saturday and it looks a beauty with the re-introduction of the mythical Muro di Sormano.

Gilbert has to go in as favourite, and if he doesn't get dropped on the Sormano or Ghisallo it is hard to see him losing. Fortunately in Contador and Nibali, we have some riders who aren't afraid to go big early. Also look for the likes of Valverde, Sagan, Evans, Purito, Samu and Pozzovivo to give a good show.

 

[Bond.ShaneBond]

I have had an Italian morning, watching the Milano-Torino and Giro di Lombardia races finally. Add in a dash of Spain as well witht he winners being Contador and Purito respectively. Starting with the returning Milano-Torino, and it was an exciting finish on the Superga, and finally finishing under the basilica. It was an amazing win from AC, he had to climb back up to Purito, Ullissi and Kessiakoff in the final 2km while towing Nibali. He managed to get back, recover for a few moments before launching a devastating attack that the leading group could not respond to.

The Lombardia was ridden in atrocious conditions, with much of the decisive final 10km not captured due to picture breakup caused by the heavy rain. Purito's decisive move was unfortunately not captured on camera. It was a treacherous course, with Gilbert unfortunately crashing out early and even Nibali hitting the deck on a descent.