CYCLING:AS PREDICTED by himself, Nicolas Roche's disrupted early-season preparation saw him perform below his usual level in the mountains of Paris-Nice yesterday. Twelve months ago Roche rode strongly and took 10th overall in the race; this time round, the effects of the knee issue he experienced during the winter meant he was not in the same condition.
Roche finished the mountainous stage to Vernoux en Vivarais in 39th place, having lost contact with the main contenders on the tough final climb of the Col de la Mûre. He conceded two minutes 51 seconds to a group of eight riders which went clear towards the summit, and who continued to gain time on the descent to the finish.
German rider Andreas Klöden (Team RadioShack) was first to the line, surprisingly outsprinting Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Matteo Carrara (Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team). Fellow German Tony Martin (HTC-Highroad) drove the pace in the closing kilometres, sacrificing his chance of a stage win in order to gain as much time as possible over the big names who missed the move.
Martin has been tipped by many as a possible winner of the race, and will make his bid for yellow in today’s 27kms time trial in Aix en Provence. Klöden is also strong in the race against the clock, but on the basis of their performances last season, Martin is thought likely to overcome his 10-second deficit. Two mountainous stages will follow before the race ends on Sunday on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice.
Roche is 37th overall but stated before the race he was neither expecting, nor focusing on, a strong overall performance. His main goal is to build form for important events later this season, including the Tour de France. If he gets the chance, he is likely to try to get into a breakaway move Saturday or Sunday and chase a stage win.
Elsewhere, Irish Giant-Kenda riders David McCann and Ryan Sherlock are competing in the Jelajah Malaysia stage race. Both finished in the main bunch yesterday and are 21 seconds behind the overall leader Hariff Salleh (Terengganu Cycling Team). They will aim to ride aggressively in the three remaining stages.
Former mountain-bike rider Sherlock is in his first year with the team.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday: Rás Naomh Finan, Clonard Hall (R148), starts 11am. Sunday: Newbridge Credit Union GP, first races at 11.10am; Gerald Long Memorial, Coalisland, starts noon; Mayo League race, Ballinrobe, 9.30am.
