So Far (mainly about the Hour)
All told, there have been 40 races around the world already this year that received some level of UCI ranking. The biggest of these were the TDU, Tour de San Luis, Dubai, Qatar, Oman, probably Sun Tour and Volto ao Algarve. Rohan Dennis took the TDU, right before getting on the track and posting an impressive new distance for the Hour record (52.491 km). Seriously, he averaged over 32 mph for an entire hour. I go 32 mph if I have a nice downhill, before I have to break for a corner. This is sure to be challenged a few times this year, as the Jensie sparked an Hour frenzy. A Jensie Frenzy. Sir Wiggo is expected to take a shot in June, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him break it yet again.
Tour de San Luis was taken down by Daniel Diaz (who?), with solid showings by Nairo Quintana and Joe Dombo. I don't put much in to the fact that they were several minutes down, they're working on finding their form before the Grand Tours.
Upcoming
Two big races start this weekend, the young-but-fresh Strade Bianche in Italy, and the biggest early test on the calendar, Paris-Nice. Though Strade Bianche hasn't been around, the single-day race has become a proving ground for the Classics riders. Fabian Cancellara will be present, along with Peter Sagan and a host of classics specialists. It's a 200km route, with a lot of dirt. And props for the organizers for putting in a women's race this year, too. The women of the sport have so few big stages on which to perform, I hope it garners them the attention they deserve. My money is on Sagan, even though Fabian aka Spartacus aka Mr Classic is present. I expect him to peak for Milan-San Remo or Paris-Roubaix.
Paris-Nice is definitely the jewel of first quarter of the year. In it's 73rd edition, the 7-stage race (8 counting the prologue) will really test the legs, and give us good insight to how the offseason went for these guys. Michael Kwiatkowski, Richie Porte, Andrew Talanksy, Bradley Wiggins and Tejay VanGarderen are all expected to compete. Richie Porte should be the team lead for Sky, with Wiggo looking ahead (Paris-Roubaix may be a goal this year). Stage 4 should set the tone, with over 200km and 8 categorized climbs, ending at the top of the worst one.
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Following right on the heals of those 2 is the Tirenno-Adriatico, which periodically gives us some spectacular viewing by torturing the riders with blizzards. A lot of the top riders are choosing this over Paris-Nice, including Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali, and Chris Froome among others. Still, some of these big contenders might take it a bit easy, but it's exciting to see them all on the same course in March. And I'm perfectly ok having them split between the 2 races right now, because it allows me to still speculate and get excited for them all being together in a HUGE race later in the year.
Dear USAPCC
I don't want this to get too awkward or anything, but I love you, USAPCC/USPCC/USAPC/Totally not the Tour of Colorado. Last year, I sang your praises and the race turned out to be the most exciting yet. The TT on the penultimate stage left it wide open, while the course design allowed for maximum fan viewing. Bravo.
And this year, I believe you've done it again. A circuit race on the first day in the beautiful and bike-crazy town of Steamboat Spring is going to be a riot. Adding in a finish in A-Basin was a brilliant way to find another uphill finish (if not summit) without being too far from anything. I've ridden that section from Keystone to A-Basin a lot, and while not terrible, it's a grind and should create some separation. Of course, that's after coming all the way from Steamboat which I can only imagine will start over Rabbit Ears (going the other route would involve Vail Pass which isn't real suitable for a race).
Stage 3 is Copper to Aspen, and if it's the expected route we'll hit Fremont Pass straightaway and then work in Indy Pass again (I'm hoping it's that, because I did that exact route a couple years ago). Then Aspen back to Breck, which keeps making for some great finishes. The real shakeup this year is the Breck TT on Friday. I, for one, have no problem with occasionally switching out the Vail TT. Especially when they've worked Independence back in to the mix (need a few iconic features every year!) I don't know what the TT will involve, but I expect it to be less climbing than the Vail TT, which could potentially open the door for a wider range of riders to make a mark.
Then, it's Loveland to FoCo, which means any of a number of the terrible climbs up here in the foothills (terrible for them, good for us). It brings the race to the Front Range for the weekend which is vital. And then finally Golden to Denver. Which means another trip up Lookout, which I applaud for being both iconic and leaving the KOM up for grabs until the last day. It's important to still have that to watch, when you know the overall will be decided by the previous day. Another thing I don't have a problem with, because I think the finish NEEDS to be in Denver, and the TT in LoDo was kind of a shrug for me.
All in all, I think they've once again worked in a great mix of challenging climbs, spectator involvement, a race that will still be up in the air until stage 6 (well, probably 5, but we'll see...), and highlighting Colorado. I know people were upset it didn't make it further south or east (sorry plains, you're not that interesting), but you can't hit everywhere every year. I love this course, and I can't wait for the final course announcement. USAPC, if you're bored sometime, you know, give me a call, I'll buy you a drink. Smooches.
Parting Thoughts: You can't not whistle to The Walker. Oh! Here we go!
