I think it's most important whether or not you'll feel comfortable on the gravel. Arensman does, he has CX experience and Bernal has the MTB experience. Tiberi and Caruso have been riding with a lot of confidence so far, Bilbao is great on these roads and all 3 of them are good descenders
It also depends on the standigs after stage 7. Probably they'll be more concerten with 'not losing' rather than 'winning'. Pidcock is going to try something for sure, so hopefully he will make it an interesting stage
I think it’s really interesting the no one, as far as I’ve gone down the replies, has mentioned Quick Step?? 🤷🏼♀️ it would’ve been automatic 1st choice not so long ago
I have to say I really dislike sector 1. First sector should rather be used to thin the peloton gradually, not have a dangerous gravel descent in it rigth away when the group is likely to be big. I'm worried there will be trouble there.
Ineos (+ Pidcock), how fun that you can't split them even after the departure. Bernal has great history on the gravel (ignoring the crash this year) and Arensman is a former CX rider).
Lidl Trek? EF? Picnic (Bardet yes, but not sure about Poole)?
Didn't see the vision at first, but Caruso + Bilbao could be dangerous, but they need to be in position in the first place and their rouleurs aren't that great really..
My guess is that if any GC rider attacks, it will be in the San Martino in Grania sector, which is the hardest and 34 km from the finish. The first two sectors might be mostly attritional, so positioning shouldn't be a huge issue if most of the peloton is gone by San Martino in Grania
Imo the peloton will split already in first 2 sectors.. if someone paces like ineos did with ganna in 2021, then being outside of top40 positions into the first sector could be detrimental
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Ineos i agree (although i'm not sure this stage is that good for arensman really)
Bahrain.. why do you think it'd be them?
I'm not that worried about this first sector, more the approach to it, which is downhill...
Wouldn't it be easier to just have Mads in the break?
Lidl Trek? EF? Picnic (Bardet yes, but not sure about Poole)?
Also Ciccone doesn't really strike me as a guy to be attacking on gravel either