On the Rivet

...a look at who's riding hard

Wiskota Event 

Let's do this

Racing on tv, in prime time.  It doesn't happen often, so let's make the most of it.  Sure the race will have been long over and really we are watching a replay but this is about as good as it gets.  Looks like we get an hour of coverage starting at 6 pm. We're planning to meet at the Nomad and try to talk them into showing the race with sound.  Still looking for an official Wiskota pub so if you have any good suggestions throw 'em out there.  

What to Watch

It's all about La Madone

L'etape Reina, Il Tappone, The Queen Stage. With the earlier "decisive" stage having been cancelled this is the only uphill finish of Paris - Nice.  The winner on Saturday probably is the overall winner.  The final climb is steep and after 6 categorized climbs this mountain will be a leg breaker. 

How to Watch

West Bank is full of greasy bike messengers

Wiskota events in full effect.  They've turned the race on for us before so hopefully we get some good coverage again.  Sure I would rather be watching from the balcony of this french hotel, but a pub with friends will do just fine.  Provence and Nice in particular are known for their Rose wines.  Still a bit chilly here for this refreshing drink but a nice cognac with my beers might suffice.  Sure Nice is known for seafood and of course nicoise salad, but this flat bread street food called socca looks pretty tasty.  Being on the Mediterranean perhaps our best chances are to order some North African food from a nearby West Bank eatery.  

Who to Watch

Argy Bargy

With only a short prologue to break up the leader board its still really anyone's game.  The favorites going in still remain: Contador, Porte, Costa, Majka,Wilco and company, with a slight advantage to Iziaguirre and Geraint thanks to strong TTs.  Will someone go early or will it be a dash to the line?  With such close times and it being so early in the season we could easily have a surprise winner.  

  

Predictions

That's where we're going

How it could happen:  The race has reached the sun and the riders peel out of Nice faster than Grace Kelly in a Hitchcock film.  The race is close and every scrub and his brother thinks this is his chance for glory.  The breakaway is a who's who of second tier riders.  The break holds out till the foot of La Madone when a few climby riders give it their all.  Can the peloton catch up?  Not this time and Luis Angel Mate soars to his biggest victory ever.  

How it might happen: The race has reached the sun and the riders peel out of Nice faster than Grace Kelly in a Hitchcock film.  The race is close and every climber feels like they have a chance.  The breakaway is kept on a short leash.  What's left of the peloton reaches the foot of La Madone together when riders with teammates begin to attack.  Can an attack stick?  Not this time.  Most of the favorites come in close together and Ion Izaguirre saves enough time to take the overall victory.  

How it will happen:  The race has reached the sun and the riders peel out of Nice faster than Grace Kelly in a Hitchcock film.  The race is close and the favorites know it's their race to lose.  The breakaway is doomed from the start as the climbers set a blistering pace.  A select group of climbers reaches the foot of La Madone together when Contador unleashes his attack.  Can Porte and company pull him back?  Not this time.  Contador takes a minute out of his rivals embarrassing Porte and securing overall victory.    

Wiskota!