Monte Paschi Eroica Preview

Just as the Northern Classics kicked off last week with Omloop Het Volk and Kuurne-Brussles-Kuurne, the Italian season really starts this weekend with the second edition of the Monte Paschi Eroica. RCS, also organizers of the Giro d'Italia, held the first edition last fall, but moved the race to its new early spring date to attract more riders preparing for the cobbled classics. It already has a nickname - The Italian Paris-Roubaix - and a reputation as one of the most demanding semi-classics. 56.1 of the race's 181 kilometers are on strade bianche - the Italian name for dirt roads. While the Eroica does not have true cobblestones, the length of the dirt sectors (almost equal to the total amount of pave' in Paris-Roubaix's 260 kilometers) make the race very difficult. Many of the Italian "big guns" will be there on Saturday, including the World Champion Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step), Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital), Gilberto Simoni (Serramenti PVC), Daniele Nardello (Serramenti PVC), and Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval-Scott).

Race Map:



Race Profile:



The Eroica is, as the profile shows, not a flat race by any means. It is quite undulating, especially on the srade bianche sectors, which can make for very tricky descents. All of the riders out to win this year's Eroica will need a bit of luck to go with some solid early season form and good tactical abilities, which are all key to winning semi-classics and classics.

Predictions:
Two riders who have, in my opinion, the best chance of winning the Eroica are Paolo Bettini and Alessandro Ballan. Both are strong men in the classics, although Ballan has the edge in the cobbled classics following his win in de Ronde last year. Their team support will be about equal; Bettini will have Steven De Jongh, winner of KBK last week, and the big Belgian Kevin van Impe, while Ballan's all-Italian squad will be vice-captained by the experienced Ventian Fabio Baldato, who has finished on the podium in Paris-Roubaix, Milan-San Remo, Ghent Wevelgem, and de Ronde.

However, there are several riders and teams who have a very good shot at winning the Eroica. The ever-present Team CSC will have the defending champion of Paris-Roubaix, Stuart O'Grady, leading a squad which includes Kurt Asle-Arvesen, Lars Bak, and the young Dane Matti Breschel. Serramenti PVC has sent out two of its best riders in the climbing specialist and twice Giro winner Gilberto Simoni and their team sprinter Daniele Nardello. Between the two of them Serramenti PVC will be a serious threat. We can't forget about Riccardo Ricco either; the revelation of last year's Giro could well be looking to deliver a warning of his strength to Simoni in particular before the big mountain tests in May.

My pick is Alessandro Ballan. I think Bettini will be looking ahead to Tirreno-Adriatico and two weeks hence to Milano-San Remo, and keep his powder dry. More importantly, though, Bettini has never, in his 11-year career, finished on the podium in a cobbled classic or semi-classic. Ballan has finished on the podium in two Monuments in his 4 years as a professional (Roubaix in '06 and de Ronde last year).

Forza Petacchi e Ballan!
-Ben