So, the season is dying down. Sad, but that means the spring classics are getting closer and closer!

In the meantime we have 3 big races in the next 3 weeks, starting off with Zurich. Once you get past the absurdity of racing in the alps in october, this race could be pretty exciting. The start list is up on [http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/oct05/zurich05/?id=startlist]cyclingnews[/URL]. Who is everyone picking to win and be on the podium? I'm thinking that it will come down to a reasonably sized breakaway, 20-25 riders. There will be a lot of attacking though, so only the strong climbers will survive.

1. Paolo Bettini - He's super fit and should be given a ton of support by his team
2. Micheal Boogerd - Showed some form at World's and is due for a decent result.
3. Fabian Wegmann - Made some good efforts at world's and will make the selection.

What does everyone else think?

Silas

Don't forget Valverde and Di luca. I'm going with Valverde

I'd have to say Bettini, he's still pissed about the World's. Him or DiLuca.

I'd look for something from Bettini, but I'm sort of rooting for Wegmann because I saw him win here in SF a few weeks ago.

Don't forget Valverde and Di luca. I'm going with Valverde

Valverde certainly has a shot. I'd like to see him do well.
I wouldn't bet on DiLuca though. He hasn't showed much form lately.

I'm adding onto my selection, no disco riders will finish in the top 20.

Silas

So, the season is dying down. Sad, but that means the spring classics are getting closer and closer!

In the meantime we have 3 big races in the next 3 weeks, starting off with Zurich. Once you get past the absurdity of racing in the alps in october, this race could be pretty exciting. The start list is up on [http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/oct05/zurich05/?id=startlist]cyclingnews[/URL]. Who is everyone picking to win and be on the podium? I'm thinking that it will come down to a reasonably sized breakaway, 20-25 riders. There will be a lot of attacking though, so only the strong climbers will survive.

1. Paolo Bettini - He's super fit and should be given a ton of support by his team
2. Micheal Boogerd - Showed some form at World's and is due for a decent result.
3. Fabian Wegmann - Made some good efforts at world's and will make the selection.

What does everyone else think?

Silas

Valverde!
It's a hard course so it'll be a small group and Valverde has a kick like a frickin track sprinter, if he's there nobody else stands a chance. The guys a mutant, if he'd a left it a little later he may have beaten Boonen at World's.

I'll be rooting for the Cricket. If him and Vino could have worked together, he'd be wearing the rainbow jersey this weekend :D

Bettini. I believe I picked this one. (among others, but I'm not usually right so I get to gloat!)

wins by three full minutes. Bravo! Bravo! I can't help being a Bettini fan. He's fun to watch and he seems like a really nice person.

Good picks by most of you.

Correction 2:57

crossed the line kissing his gold medal which he wears as a good luck charm - bless.

really brilliant win in foul weather - and a pretty good week for QS what with the Worlds and now Zurich. There's a lot of talk here and elsewhere about what great DSes Riis and Bruyneel are but Patrick Lefevre is something else and today's tactics were perfect.

Gotta love Eurosport...

By the way, I asked Manolo on Friday and he said Bettini. Manolo was right ;-).