Milan-Sanremo - preparations meet tactics meet luck



La classica di Primavera

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On Saturday the 103rd edition of the Milan-Sanremo will take place, a race often referred to as "la classica di Primavera". I wrote a post last year including some of the race history, you can find that here. 

Shorts
As the Italian name suggests, Spring is finally here, at least in countries close to the Mediterranean. At 298 kilometres long, Milan-Sanremo is the longest race in the season, normally the longest races don't cap 280 kilometres, like the worlds. Some have criticized the race for being boring with the action only taking place the last 20 kilometres with the Cipressa and Poggio as the ultimate pinnacles the riders deal with. I see this as a beautiful race going through a nice part of Italy. However, I can relate to the fact that the race is on fire the last 30 kms.


One for the sprinters?
The race is also called sprinters' classic but I find the race as not always living up to this name. It is difficult to pinpoint one single reason for this but 298 kilometres is very demanding any day of the week, not to mention this early in the season. The distance makes even the smallest climb difficult, which is why the Cipressa and/or Poggio often determine the winner or at least define the decisive break. Normally, the fastest sprinters doesn't win. Actually I don't like this term, as the fastest guy is the one to cross the finish line first, right? The ones who have prepared the best as well as being lucky, will be there in the final. Often those two go hand in hand, just read what Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer, said about luck:

"Victory awaits him who has everything in order — luck, people call it. Defeat is certain for him who has neglected to take the necessary precautions in time; this is called bad luck."


Wide open for the opportunists
As I often repeat it is impossible to predict the future and guessing the winner is difficult. It is easy to name ten-fifteen riders who can be among the winners on a given day, but that does not impress anyone right? So let me just name some of the riders I expect to rock the race, and quite frankly, I see them all up there. But remember, this is racing and anything can happen. Last year Hushovd was in great shape but found himself caught behind a crash just before the Cipressa. I guess he won't be that far back on Saturday.

Ready for the long haul?

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I have narrowed it down to these five riders. There are many more, but what fun is it to mention they all? The list is based on form, capacity and former achievements. Of course, choice of tactic play a part here too.

Peter Sagan
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Oscar Freire
Fabian Cancellara
Tom Boonen


Tactics and strategy
How do you control all the different outcomes in a 298 km long race?

Normally a break takes off early, often gaining a significant lead. One thing is certain though, the ones in that breakaway will never make it to the finish line first. This Monument in cycling is so prestiguos to win that teams have brought their very best hoping to win, making sure a breakaway will not survive. The ones in this breakaway will be riders from teams getting a wildcard, who will honour the sponsors as well as the race itself by being in the front. Teams with a favourite might also sneak in a rider or two as well, for two reasons. 1) having an exuse not to use strength rallying the break in later 2) the possibility of having a rider up there who can provide cover if the lead man comes up or just to be a free asset.

The last 30 kms - who will be the strongest?

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Watch closely 10-15 kilometres or so prior to the Cipressa, riders slip backwards to get bottles and food from team cars, as well as receiving final advice/orders from the DSs. Some riders will try to help their leaders to the front in hope to avoid any chaos that might occure in the peloton. The sprinters will fight for their lives to stay near the front, to avoid sliding too far back on the climb. All this while the riders who picked up fluids and food try to make their way to the front to support to their leaders with some crucial food or drinks. The pro teams have own nutrition experts, like Team Sky's Nigel Mitchell, who have sorted a menu suited to each rider on every step of the way.
We'll have the usual attack on the Cipressa or the Poggio by Nibali and Garzelli or other punchy riders. In addition to this, the Italians will try to snatch a win on home soil. Count among them Pettachi, Viviani (evil tongues will say Sagan will ride him in like Nibali if he can) and Sacha Modolo, remember his 4th place last year?

Radioshack-Nissan could use Italian star Bennati or Fabian for a late attack whilst BMC could do the same with GVA or Gilbert.

Summary
The first of cycling's five monuments is here, and the strong men will battle it out. I'm excited to see how the different teams play their tactics. Having just one egg in the basket can bring a devostating result as the peloton is tired, teams not all that organised this early and everybody wants to secure a place in the spotlight. We will see if Roald Amundsen's words is valid still on Saturday.

Let's have a look at the frenzy in the last kilometres Milan-Sanremo 2011 where Matt Goss won.

The unsung heroes II

Is there no I in team?

Riders always get the most attention, at least in most teams. During the Grand Tour TV-viewers, at least the most eager ones, turn on at 11:30, just in time to see Christian Prudhomme waving the flag to the riders. Then of course, you don't think about the riders' freshly washed bibs and jerseys, the perfectly balanced food and liquids you see the riders receive food in he feed zone. You probably don't use much energy thinking of the soigneurs who prepared it in the morning under the chef's watchful eye.
In the last blogpost I stated that cycling indeed is a teamsport. This post is about them you don't often see, but their role in the team is of most importance.

Who are these people? 

Gerard Vroomen's Cervelo Test Team consisted of 85 individuals, whereas 39 of them were riders including men and female riders. That is 46 soigneurs, masseurs, mechanics, race engineers, marketing people, chef(s), bus driver(s), sports directors (DS), doctors, physiotherapists, coaches, sponsor liasons and the list goes on. 

These guys work when the riders are sleeping. Everything from washing bikes and jerseys to mixing liquids for the next day, that's their job. Do you think riders carrie their own luggage to the hotel room? At least not after 5 hours on the bike in hot conditions mid-summer. Riders are still responsible to pin their own number before start, most do so on the actual race day, some do so because they are superstitious, others because that is just how their ritual is.

Before the race, some soigneurs prepare their rider's legs, a rub down with oil, softening the muscles while the riders cope with their own nervousness their own way. The strokes are unique to each rider, the soigneurs know exactly how each rider prefers his massage. After a race, the soigneurs take care of the riders, making sure they are well hydrated and fed a small meal to help recuperating. Later the they put up their massage table and works the knots and stress out of the rider's bodies, making the muscles regain their softness. Basically, a soigneur makes sure that the rider only has to think of the upcoming race. Everything else the soigneurs take care of.  

The chef along with the soigneurs have prepared today's meal which will be handed out to the riders in the feed zone. There will also be a back-up some kilometres up the road if a rider would miss the bag. Carefully put together founded in nutrition but put together to the different riders' best. Also some bags are placed in the DS' cars along with coke and cookies in addition to the bottles, spare bike parts, wheels and other necessities.    

Picture by clarkmaxwell

During the race, the DS governs the team using the two-way radio as well as the pre-planned tactics ruled out earlier that day, giving information to the riders of breakaways, any obstacles ahead of the peloton like a narrow brigde, how long to the next climb and so forth. In the team car he follows the live television feed as well as the official race radio if there are any.

Immediately after a race or stage is over, the rider's bike is taken from him, hosed down and thoroughly examined by the mechanic responsible. They work efficiently while the riders walk stiff and sore to the teambus. Most times a rider doesn't even see his bike before the next day, unless there is a discussion about whether to use a different chainset for the next stage. Every detail counts, from seat height and type of saddle to distance saddle behind braquet are important as every rider have their own opinion of how this should be and the mechanics have the data on each rider stored. If they experience a problem or wish to discuss a matter, they might call for support from the i.e SRAM or Shimano, they of course are present at every race. 

Dinnertime

After the riders have received their massage, the mechanics have stored the bikes in the truck there is time for dinner. Normally they all eat together, sharing a large meal with perhaps a very small glass of wine. 

People following a team during a GT will see the difference as time goes by. The happy, nervous chatter will not be there at the end of a three week tour, the riders still eat but they "force" the food down rather than enjoying the taste.

Sponsors are circulating the team constantly, trying to get a picture and a few well ment words with the stars.

The riders turn into a team on the bike. The sporadic chatter amongst the riders bring them together, their weaknesses as well as their strengths are invertible revealed during the training rides together at camp. There is no way of hiding, and the riders can after the first camp figure out those who will sacrifice their chances for the team benefit and those who will not.

The team hiding behind the spotlight turn into a team off the bike. Having devoted their life to other's well being, they rarely are given appreciation for what they do. But one thing is clear; a good soigneur will be missed.

Leading a professional cycling team today is difficult. A dynamic, complex structure, lots of logistics and tiny details people normally don't even think of, become critical in order to succeed. After all, a team win together, but loosing is still something you do on your own.