Upcoming: 2nd Monte Paschi Eroica, March 8, 2008

The Monte Paschi Eroica runs for only the second time this weekend, but it is already attracting attention for its unique lay out. Touted as a Parix-Roubaix-type event in Italy, the Eroica features seven sections of unpaved roads throughout the course, accounting for better than 50 kilometers of the total distance. Under poor weather, treacherous conditions would surely meet the peloton on these rough rural roads. Similar to the cobbled Belgian Classics Het Volk, Flanders and Roubaix, L'Eroica will no doubt be on the pro schedule for a long time. Over the total 181 kilometers, the race is a rolling affair throughout, but not hilly enough to be won by a pure climber. The winner instead will be someone who possesses great power, tactics and the determination to make the race.

The field will tackle over 50 kilometers of gravel roadways

Many Italian riders are clamoring to line up in 2008 to contest the fledgling race, as Paolo Bettini, Gilberto Simoni, Giovanni Visconti, Alessandro Ballan, Marco Velo, Fillipo Pozzato, Riccardo Ricco, and Danilo Di Luca are all confirmed to take the start line. Additionally, many non-Italians will contest the "Heroes" race, among them Australia's Baden Cooke and Stuart O'Grady, Germany's Fabian Wegmann, Russia's Mikhail Ignatiev and Pavel Brutt, and Americans Mike "Meatball" Friedman and the "Mustached Maurader," Steven Cozza, both of the Slipstream team.

The dirt-paved roads lend an "old school" feeling to the Eroica

Weather for the event calls for light rain throughout the day, which could turn the dirt sections of the race into a slippery, muddy, dangerous mess. The race was run in October last year, which took many Classics-style riders out of the competition. Slotted before such monuments like Milan-San Remo, Flanders and Roubaix this year, the Eroica will provide great training miles for the aspiring hard men of 2008.

"Pippo" Pozzato rode well in last year's edition, and should show well again as he builds his form for Milan-San Remo

Look for riders with big engines and bigger hearts to prevail in the race's second edition. Riders to watch will include Alesandro Ballan, last year's Flanders winner, Pozzato, who took Het Volk ion 2007 and Milan-San Remo in 2006, Mikhail Ignatiev, 22 years young and a rising star of cycling, "il grillo" Bettini (if he races, as he is recovering from his crash at KBK), Italian national champ Giovanni Visconti, former french national champ and 7th place at Roubaix in 2005 Florent Brard, former Luxembourg national champ Kim Kirchin, or possibly former world champ and Liege-Bastogne-Liege winner Igor Astorloa.

Pagliarini already has one win in 2008 (Tour of California stage 6) and should be in with a chance at the Eroica

For dark horse candidates, consider the CSC duo of the two Matties---Goss and and Breschel. Both riders are young and hungry, and will be eager to try for an early season result before putting their heads down to work for the team leaders the rest of the year. Another wild card could be Luca Pagliarini of Saunier Duval. The Brazilian is riding well after the Tour of California, and will be one of the best sprinters entered in the race. If it finishes in a bunch kick, the 2nd ever Eroica could be his. With its new slot in the calendar and a top-flight field, expect the L'Eroica to gain in popularity by leaps and bounds in 2008.

Euro Peloton's Pick: Luca Pagliarini

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