Weekend Review: L'Eroica, Paris-Nice Prologue

The 2nd Monte Paschi Eroica ran this Saturday past, and was won by a super-strong Fabian Cancellera, who rode away from several other riders to take the emerging Italian Classic. Cancellera continues to post impressive results, after a successful Tour of California where he wore the yellow leader's jersey after taking the prologue in the eight day stage race. At the Eroica, Cancellera wasn't sure of his form, as reported on cyclingnews.com. "I did not feel good this week. I was not 100 percent. Above all, I came here to see how I am going for Belgium." Indeed, with Flanders and Paris-Roubaix around the corner, Cancellera should feel good about his chances at the two Belgian monuments.

For second-place Alessandro Ballan, the race was a successful one. The tall, lanky Italian made the decisive attack on the way to the finish line, taking both himself and Cancellera away from a break of six. Unfortunately, Ballan lacked a finishing kick to take the day, but still showed that he is once again going strong heading into his biggest targets of the season.

Cancellera and Ballan fight for position at the front of the race

Photo © Fotoreporter Sirotti

On the American front, Slipstream's Steven Cozza "marauded" himself into a solid 16th place, a scant one minute and ten seconds off Cancellera's winning pace. Cozza loved the "le strade bianche" ('the white roads'), and showed off his enormous potential. "This race is made for me, it's perfect." After a very strong first attempt at the Eroica, Cozza will be back one day soon to contend for the win. Perhaps sooner rather than later.

Cozza placed 16th in his first attempt at L'Eroica

Meanwhile, over in France, the Paris-Nice stage race began with a prologue time trial. Thor Hushovd, the big Norwegian of Credit Agricole, was the fastest, earning himself his third win of 2008. Moral is high for Hushovd, who according to cyclingnews.com explained, "Last year, I waited with the idea of peaking for Milan-Sanremo, but I got sick and I was always in search of my form. I've have had no problems this year. I also trained with more intervals earlier than usual. I did it again this week and it pays off now." He'll be one to watch at "La Primevera," Milan-San Remo.

Thor was mighty once again in a prologue, taking the leader's jersey at Paris-Nice

The favorites for the overall Paris-Nice title experienced varied results, as Caisse d'Epargne's Luis Leon Sanchez was only thirteen seconds off the winning pace, while Cadel Evans was further back at seventeen seconds. Damiano Cunego and Frank Schleck, considered contenders by many, did not have great rides, and each trails Hushovd by more than thirty seconds. However, with all the climbing to come, the climbers in the race will have their chance to gain time back throughout the rest of the week. On a side note, American Tyler Farrar finished in last place after crashing out on the course. He wasn't too happy about the wreck, but he should be OK to continue the "Race to the Sun."