"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - 2008 Milan San Remo

I am a "Northern Classics" type of guy, but any one-day that exceeds 290km is alright in my book.

Prediction = Freire

Lots of corners in the last k this year, plus the extra climb. Cagey and quick gets the nod.

Petacchi

this race doesnt do it for me. im sure one day i will grow to appreciate it

Love Sanremo, Freire FTW!

I am a "Northern Classics" type of guy, but any one-day that exceeds 290km is alright in my book.

Prediction = Freire

Lots of corners in the last k this year, plus the extra climb. Cagey and quick gets the nod.

Freire is definitely a good bet. Also a good course for McEwan. Is Valverde on the start list?

Freire is definitely a good bet. Also a good course for McEwan. Is Valverde on the start list?

By his own admission, McEwen isn't in great shape just yet.

And for a sprinter with very limited climbing ability, he's not going to enjoy his time going up the mountains, particularly with the new addition. And the Poggio ain't friendly to tired legs.

Freire, or Ricco if he breaks legs up the Poggio. Depends on how well he can descend.

Zabel, if he's racing, isn't a bad bet either. I'd love to see him get this one, after looking like a fool and getting pipped at the line by El Gato a few back.

Is Boonen not racing?

Fabian Cancellara, the guy is riding great right now. that's what he told me.

Pozzato, Gilbert, Popovych...the animators take it

Ballan.. ?

Would love to see someone like Gilbert/Cancellara/Ballan take it.... but doesn't it almost always come down to the sprint?

Just looked at the start list - the commentators must love 'Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli'

Would love to see someone like Gilbert/Cancellara/Ballan take it.... but doesn't it almost always come down to the sprint?'

Tchmil took it on a solo flier in the final kilometers in 1999. Colombo took it out of a break in '96 too. It can happen but it isn't very often, which makes it kind of special :)

Everybody is saying Freire but he has peaked too early. The finale is also complex this year and I don't believe Pettachi will get the controlled finish he is looking for. I hope for an attacking rider like Ballan or Gilbert. Nocentini (sp?) is also going well as is Rebellin.

I'm going to pick Cancellara though. He's just got too many watts, it's sick.

An extra kilometer has been added after the Poggio descent which helps the sprinters and their teams. Maybe Cancellera can take a flyer from 1-1.5 km out but I think Petacchi or Freire.

The obvious pick is Oscar Freire. Hushovd as second favourite if its a sprint. Ballan or Gilbert as my choices for a breakaway win.

Does anyone know why Bennati isn't riding?

i was just going to guess hushovd since he really seemed to be working on his climbing at paris nice

I'm picturing Cancellera pulling of a finish similar to that at Compiegne during last years TdF.

I don't like Freire.

Don't like Freire? What's not to like about Freire? I love Freire!!! But I must admit, Hushovd looks primed to have a much better season than last.

Don't like Freire? What's not to like about Freire? I love Freire!!! But I must admit, Hushovd looks primed to have a much better season than last.

how can anyone not like a guy who, when asked by michael boogerd, if he was coming along for the rest day bike ride, during the tour, says "no bike today."

I'm picturing Cancellera pulling of a finish similar to that at Compiegne during last years TdF.

I don't like Freire.

How can you dislike Freire?

The dude just wins, and can do it in a variety of ways.

And he's cagey. Climbs better than McEwen and Petacchi, is smarter than Zabel. Can hit you from a kilo+ or pip you at the line.

He's the man.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL3jQmkj3uI

How can you dislike Freire?

The dude just wins, and can do it in a variety of ways.

And he's cagey. Climbs better than McEwen and Petacchi, is smarter than Zabel. Can hit you from a kilo+ or pip you at the line.

He's the man.

This is a must watch for Freire fans - fast forward to about minute 7 for a real treat.
http://dms-cl-015.skypro-media.net/tds2006/tds_2006_06_16_la.wmv

OF FTW MSR.

I'll go with Thor.

I hope it's Gilbert. But it will be Freire.

I think we should just turn this into a "Freire is the man" thread.

M-SR winners wearing the Rainbow Jersey:

Merckx 1972
Gimondi 1974
Merckx 1975
Saronni 1983

http://www.cyclinghalloffame.com/riders/pics/Merckx-Milan-San%20Remo.jpgM

http://www.colnago.com/colnagogallery/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Del-Tongo-06.jpg

Gilbert beating the sprinters with a balls to the wall crazy attack...

Wow, that was quite the crazy finish, drama till the end!

Fabian Cancellara, the guy is riding great right now. that's what he told me.

Not to say i told you so, but "I told you so"

damn i love cancellara, he is a beast... anyone got a link to a video of the finale? please please please

I'd like to see Gilbert win it with a late break.

I'd like to see Gilbert win it with a late break.

based on how he's raced MSR the past few years - so would he.

I'd like to see Gilbert win it with a late break.

you do realize that the race has already taken place?

Hi, has anyone found a link yet showing the last few km's of the finish?

ditto ave it, i want...

to get the video, just had to stop checking the cycling sites and start google searching...

msr
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/milano-san-remo-2008/1382311214
cancellara cancellara brovo brovo canceellara!!!!! 2km cancelllara brovo!!!

The pic of Merckx.....I can't imagine anyone doing those descents with no helmet. Those guys are the original HTFU crowd.

What a finish by FC. You can't give the guy any ground.

it was on versus today from 5-6 pm central time. so happy for a DVR.

Cancellara now says he wants Flanders. Who can stop him? Who else can hold his wheel from 5, 3, 2 km's out if he decides to go? I guess Millar, Zabriskie, Rogers, etc. but none of them (Rogers is ill I believe) can last the cobbles. I think Cancellara has Flanders unless the weather is good. Hushovd is an interesting adversary for Cancellara, because he has proven himself a great prologue rider, but at the end of a race? I am not sure.

you do realize that the race has already taken place?

I was waiting to watch it, but thanks :rolleyes:

Hey, he make the podium though.