It's not that I don't like sprints It's just races like this that have no interest except that last climb.
The last solo victories we've seen this year are not better either, I want to see a bit of competition and alternatives. Last stage of the Itzulia was nice.
It's not the best race as it is reduced always the last climb's sprint.
Just to say a name, I believe that Hirschi could win, he has won the race in the past and knowing the tempo of the climb is definitely important. And he was very strong on the climbs last Sunday.
Of course pidock is strong too, Teuns won too, but I don't see him so strong.
Let's see.
It had it's moments, I didn't expect Mathiu attacking in that sector, I thought he would do in the next. I believe that he take them by surprise and then he was too strong and Pedersen did not have any help.
There where not more actual contenders than Mads.
But the last 60Km or so were just wait until the finish.
Impressive the new visma boys. They produce raiders too easy.
Next, the Ardennes with different race profiles. Will Van der Poel be strong enough to be a rival in LBL? I don't see other contenders for Pogacar.
Glad to see Roglic back. I was a bit worried about his performance after leaving Visma. Paris-nice didnt help much, but I believed that he wasn't on his peak.
Also surprised by the "bad" performance of Evenepoel. I don't know where will he be able to gain time to competitors like Roglic or Vinegaard.
Otherwise, a strong UAE with Vine, Ayuso, McNulty and del Toro.
Depending on how the race goes, sometimes the unexpected can happen on these roads, maybe a hidden one can surprise the rest.
Let's see along the week.
Watching it now, I don't know what happened, maybe the weather, but UAE and INEOS are completely out.
We'll know the outcome in a few minutes.