Cycling fans with pay TV have seen some brilliant racing in the past week with live coverage of both Paris-Nice and Tirreno Adriatico.
Watching one after the other, often with little sleep, has sometimes left me struggling to remember which race I’m looking at, and the juggernaut that is Team Sky hasn’t helped my confusion.
An overall win in Paris-Nice and – at the time of writing – potentially another victory in Tirreno-Adriatico would be a remarkable week for the British super team.
Don’t think for one minute I’m not delighted by Richie Porte’s historic victory, but to be honest I’ve found Sky’s domination of Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico a little alarming.
In Paris-Nice, Porte used his mountain goat teammates Xabier Zandio, David Lopez Garcia, Kanstantsin Siutsou and Vasil Kiryienka to smash the race to pieces on the decisive climb up Le Montagne de Lure, before delivering the knockout blow in the final kilometre.
Meanwhile, in Italy, Chris Froome ascended to the race lead on the back of what Vincenzo Nibali described as “an infernal tempo” set by Dario Cataldo, Sergio Henao and Rigoberto Uran.
Granted, Froome lost the blue jersey the next day on the vicious climbs of stage six, but no team could’ve controlled a race in those conditions on those roads, not even Sky.
Minus Brad Wiggins and their Classics riders, both Sky teams for these races were packed with climbers, so maybe their results shouldn’t surprise us.
But to see them so organised and well prepared, in two races at the same time, so relatively early in the season was somewhat startling.
When you add in the memories of last year, in terms of performance, the comparisons with Armstrong’s Postal Service machine are too easy to make.
Cadel Evans admitted to “switching to training mode” midway during Tirreno Adriatico when, despite being dropped off perfectly at the bottom of the final climb on stage four, Sky’s uncomfortable tempo and rhythm was a little too much for him.
Evans, who won Tirreno in 2011, seemed optimistic ahead of the race after encouraging results in Strade Bianchi and Tour of Oman. But sitting in 22nd place at 9:25 going into the final stage, he’ll just have to settle for clocking some solid training kilometres.
Last year Sky racked up 51 wins, 44 seconds and 48 third place finishes, which of course included victories in the Tour de France, Dauphine, Tour de Romandie and Paris-Nice.
They have eight already this year and that will become nine if Froome can make up 34 seconds on Nibali (unlikely) in the final 9km time trial (raced overnight Australian time).
None of those eight has been as well received as Porte’s in Paris-Nice.
The first Australian winner of the ‘race to the sun’, Porte grabbed the opportunity to ride as team leader and devoured his opposition.
Porte’s final day individual time trial victory up Col d’Eze (19:16) was only four seconds slower than Brad Wiggins’ time last year (19:12), but it was a remarkable one minute 40 seconds faster than his effort in 2012.
No doubt, his regular training on this climb helped Porte to the 23-second triumph over Garmin-Sharp’s exciting young American Andrew Talansky.
The unassuming Tasmanian was quick to play down his chances of getting further team leader opportunities at Team Sky this year, but it clearly adds to their already tricky Wiggo/Froome juggling act.
Tasmania’s other cycling superstar is also breathing a huge sigh of relief after his breakthrough win on stage two of Tirreno Adriatico.
Last week I suggested the racing gods didn’t appear to be on Matt Goss’ side after his sputtering start to 2013.
Goss even mentioned the reason he ditched Paris-Nice for Tirreno was for the generally better weather. Well, he also lucked out there, but maybe that was a blessing.
The weather on stage two, when Goss powered off Peter Sagan’s wheel to surge past him, was dreadful, like a Tassie winter’s day even.
Maybe that was what Goss needed. No train, just a dirty, wet and cold fight to the line followed by one serve of humble pie to yours truly.
It capped off a great day for Orica-GreenEDGE as Goss’ victory followed on from Michael Albansini’s win in stage four of Paris-Nice.
The climax of Tirreno notwithstanding, Milan San Remo is almost upon us.
Hopefully Goss hasn’t suffered too much in the rain-drenched Tirreno Adriatico when incredibly he was one of 54 riders to abandon during stage six.
A clean bill of health is exactly what he needs for the showdown on the Cipressa.
Fancy a wager on your favourite sport? Head on over to PlayUp for great odds and friendly customer service and pick a winner. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Australia's Jai Hindley has said he is "lost for words" after a shock stage victory at the Tour de France earned him the leader's…
Australia's Jai Hindley has said he is "lost for words" after a shock stage victory at the Tour de France earned him the leader's…
Tadej Pogacar has won a drama-packed Tour of Flanders, winning in a breakaway with Matieu van der Poel second, Mads Pedersen third and Wout…
Women are not allowed to compete in the Tour de France. However you choose to re-read that sentence, the fact remains: the most famous…
The jam-packed month-by-month quiz full of 2022 sports trivia!
Australian Grace Brown has won silver in the women's time trial, the first event at the world road cycling championships.
