The professional cycling thread
Discussion
DeltonaS said:
Cav isn't as strong as he used to be is more appropriate conclusion, for shure ;-)
NoI think he went way too early because he only had one team mate with him he did what he could but it was a strong mans sprint and Griepel is a beast.Fascinating stage today crosswinds destroyed some of them.
Great programme about leMond and the Badger tonight on ITV4 .
It was a brute of a finish. Cav went about 450m I think, his lead out was gone and Greip sat there till 250m and just pulled out and went. It says everything that Spartacus and Sagan went past Cav also, but I think he basically knew at 500m that it was the only option. Tony Martin had done so much on the front, Cav essentially didn't have a train - it was a strong man finish.
Etixx didn't get it organised well enough. There was a point about 1k to go when there were 3 Etixx guys on the front with the Lotto Soudal guys behind, but Renshaw had to bring Cav around all of them to get onto the front. One of the other Etixx guys should perhaps have seen Cav wasn't in the right place and dropped back earlier?
The Times has the dirt on Cav, Renshaw, Martin and the boss today. Ooooooo some words were being said behind closed doors last night!!! I don't think calling your boss an idiot when you just blew the stage and then sat up letting Spartacus pip you so enabling him to wear yellow and not Tony your team8 is a smart move. Especially when you have a £2.1 m contract on the line!
Etixx-QS did seem to blow that quite badly, not sure there is much Cav could have done once he hit the front with so many metres left. Maybe in his HTC prime, but I doubt it.
Already some reasonably major splits between the GC contenders. I hope things don't spread too much further over the coming days, so we can be treated to a battle royale in the mountains.
Already some reasonably major splits between the GC contenders. I hope things don't spread too much further over the coming days, so we can be treated to a battle royale in the mountains.
DJRC said:
HUUUUGE crash! Spartacus utterly fked by it.
Race neutralised for 2nd time in stage I think.
What is it with this guy?? He's had so many set backs.Race neutralised for 2nd time in stage I think.
I'm very disappointed at the outcome of today's stage.
He needs to get in a better team where he has quality riders all around him.
Dr Imran T said:
DJRC said:
HUUUUGE crash! Spartacus utterly fked by it.
Race neutralised for 2nd time in stage I think.
What is it with this guy?? He's had so many set backs.Race neutralised for 2nd time in stage I think.
I'm very disappointed at the outcome of today's stage.
He needs to get in a better team where he has quality riders all around him.
Did you watch the stage? Did you watch the crashes? Did you watch the battle up the 19% gradient at the end?
DJRC said:
Seriously? It was a 20 man pile up at 20-30mph. Men and bikes were cart wheeling around, most were lucky not to hit the lamp post. The race was neutralised twice, they had to use both choppers to help sort out the medical situation. What exactly do you think ANY team members around or none at all would do there?
Did you watch the stage? Did you watch the crashes? Did you watch the battle up the 19% gradient at the end?
some people have very different ideas I thought the finish was brutal and fantastic sport.Did you watch the stage? Did you watch the crashes? Did you watch the battle up the 19% gradient at the end?
DJRC said:
Seriously? It was a 20 man pile up at 20-30mph. Men and bikes were cart wheeling around, most were lucky not to hit the lamp post. The race was neutralised twice, they had to use both choppers to help sort out the medical situation. What exactly do you think ANY team members around or none at all would do there?
Did you watch the stage? Did you watch the crashes? Did you watch the battle up the 19% gradient at the end?
A very good and well sorted team can ensure that there main man is at the right end of the Pelton. Did you watch the stage? Did you watch the crashes? Did you watch the battle up the 19% gradient at the end?
Of course today's stage was tough no doubt. I'm just gutted to see cancellara lose the yellow jersey.
He also had quite a few big crashes in the last few years. Sure some is unavoidable ut part of me thins he needs a better team.
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