On the Rivet

A look at who's riding hard this week.

Tirreno-Adriatico

A special mid-week shortened version of On the Rivet today as stage one of Tirreno Adriatico should wrap up in a few hours.  The race of two seas can be a big goal for some riders others, especially the sprinters, use it as a springboard into Milan San Remo.  The race is sprinty and climby and should make for some good all-around action. Let’s see who we have in the race.

Patrick: Team Volpe brings the reigning champ in Cadel Evans.  Once again he says he isn’t necessarily looking to win, but the course suits him and he is not going to pass up an opportunity.  This could be a good chance to see how well the new BMC does in protecting their champion.  Last weekend’s big winner Fabian Cancellera takes the line today as well.  Look for him to hone his fitness for Milan San Remo yet never discount him as he says  “I race to win”.  Also, he won it in 2008, however on a very different course, one that featured the TT.  After missing out of the opening weekend Patrick’s wunderkind Edvald Boassen-Hagen finally makes a showing this week.  Don’t know if this course suits him and his sprints will be taken up by teammate Cavendish.  However, we all know how good this guy can be and maybe this is the year we start to figure out just what kind of rider he really is.

Greg: Gregario is tied with me in bringing the most riders, four.  Gilbert may benefit from some of the uphill finishes, but in my mind they will be for more seasoned climbers.  Speaking of seasoned climbers, Scarponi and Nibali, part of Greg’s Italian trifecta, probably come into today as two of the race favorites.   Nibali is a natural climber and Italians love Italian races.  I tip Scarponi it make a push this week.  Not just because his name sounds like he could be the underworld boss in The Dark Knight, but because he has won here before in 2009.  What to expect from Gregario’s last rider Chris Horner, is a bit of a mystery to me.  This is his first race since the horrible Tour de France crash and subsequent blood clot.  Does he look to get the feel back or try to make up for lost time.  We’ll see.

Bill: Once again the Neo-Pro puts his hopes in one rider, Roman Kreuziger.  This rider has been tipped by a few as a possible favorite.  The climbs should be selective enough to weed out some but should be right in this rider’s wheelhouse.  Is he in good form?  Hard to tell.  He made the break at Strade, but then crapped out at the bottom of the climb.  If this is one of his early season goals then he may have a chance.

Mike: David Millar continues to be along for the ride with team Garmin.  I still don’t know his goals this season.  This race does have a team TT so maybe Millar is hoping to take the leader jersey this way.  I am being a bit harsh on this rider and thus he will probably come out guns a blazing and make me look stupid.  No questions about Mike’s other rider, Mark Cavendish.  Still the best sprinter in the world, Cavendish will look to get in form for Milan San Remo with a few stage wins here.  Can anyone challenge him?  I say yes.

Luke: Team Wiskota Dynamic has got the answer to the Cavendish question: Andre Greipel.  The Gorilla really wants to beat this guy and I think he has the form to do it.  He will have a few opportunities to give it a shot as will my other sprinter, Tyler Farrar.  Can he do something with his early season form?  I hope so.  While I’m talking about sprinters I guess I ‘ll mention Peter Sagan.  His team looks to get him a lot of experience this year seemingly entering him in every race.  Can he win a sprint? Sure. Can he win a punchy finish? Sure. Is this the race for him? Probably not, too extreme, but maybe he sneaks out a few points for me.  Finally, my first round pick Joaquin Rodriguez takes the line today.  I hope the team TT doesn’t hurt him too much as JRod has a chance to make an impact here. More of a punchy climber the finishes may be a bit steep, but JRod has shown in the past the kind of all-around form that it takes to win a race like this.

Wiskota Fantasy Podium: Evans, Nibali, Scarponi

Spoilers: Visconti, Talansky, Garzelli, Iglinskiy