Quote:
Originally Posted by MattTuck
Gaviria, while capable, is still very young (as far as MSR winners go). Yes, he looked strong last year, but he is only 22 years old, and the last 300m of a 290km race are where the difference is made in Milano Sanremo. In other words, a lot of people get to 300m looking like they could win. That is where the race for victory actually begins.
Winning a 168km stage after your teammate tired out Sagan with a feigned attack is a good tactical win, but doesn't exactly presage victory on the Via Roma.
Just a cursory look at the results, and Gaviria was way down in the two other stages that Sagan won. Not sure if he was sand bagging at the end of those stages, had a mechanical, etc. I just don't know. I wouldn't bet on him for Sunday, but that is just me.
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Well yeah, but the 300m was because he touched wheels. It wasn't anything due to youth or inability. He was the strongest of the group running into that final sprint. And yes, luck always plays a part, but there was no better pure sprinter in that final last year than him.
MSR is always weird and unpredictable, but if he's in the lead group in that last 1.5k, I doubt anyone wants a sprint at the line.