Today’s route is very scenic and passes tourist destinations, restaurants and vineyards. There’s no time for riders to stop but perhaps some will have a rest today.
Paris-Nice Stage 5: the moment the race was won
Lieuwe Westra heads for the finish line whilst a select group led by yellow jersey Bradley Wiggins chases.
The Spin: Paris-Nice Stage 5
Five climbs and then the vicious uphill finish above Mende. Today should see a big change in the overall classification with the heavier riders from the prologue and Monday’s 21 rider group dropping out of the top places thanks to the selective climb.
But it’s not just about the final climb. It’s could be windy, one climb listed as 4.5km long is actually twice as long and the race uses roads described in Tim Krabbé’s novel The Rider.
Rodania ring tone
Last Friday’s piece on the Rodania jingle that comes before almost every major race in Belgium was a popular read and there talk in the comments about ringtones.
The Spin: Paris-Nice Stage 4
A great day for a breakaway. Today’s stage lends itself to an escape move but team tactics could rule the day.
Paris-Nice Stage 3: the moment the race was won
Stage 3 was 194km long and took four hours 36 minutes and 19 seconds. The difference came down to a matter of centimetres and milliseconds. After leg pedalling for hours the race was won thanks to a throw of the arms.
Game over for Super Mario?
You almost have to check that it’s not 1 April with this morning’s news that Mario Cipollini is talking of a comeback in order to help young sprinter Andrea Guardini in the Giro. Nevermind that Cipollini is 45, nor that he’s weighing 90 kilo – no flab, extra muscle we are assured – there’s a simple reason why he can’t ride the Giro this year: the UCI rulebook.
The Spin: Paris-Nice Stage 3
Up, up and away. It’s tempting to see today’s stage getting progressively hilly before a final climb with third category “summit” finish at 700 metres above sea level in the Massif Central range but it’s not so simple.
The moment the race was won
Everyone knew crosswinds could blow the peloton to pieces. But when it happened most could only watch as the others rode away.
The story of the Hinault photo
Last week’s look at the history of Paris-Nice proved a popular read and the photo of Bernard Hinault taking a swing was a talking point in the comments.
Like all images it captures a moment on camera but it was only one instant in the day and there’s a whole story behind the picture. And video footage too.