Kittel & Co. on Yorkshire recce ...

Kittel & Co. on Yorkshire recce ...

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JEA1K

Original Poster:

2,485 posts

222 months

Thursday 24th April 2014
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Looks like they're appreciating how tough Yorkshire riding can be.smile

linky

Emley

352 posts

245 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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Yeah right...

Discipline & respect in the peleton has been deteriorating over recent years, especially in the opening stages.
The "Everybody in the front, everybody in the front" mentality, resulting in big crashes were everybody in the front doesn't work.

Kittel & Co claiming the dry stone walled roads we have here in Yorkshire will make it even more dangerous...

I suspect they are more worried about the time gaps that could open up if they are caught behind a crash, and can't get round because of the walls, rather than actual rider safety.

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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I'd be surprised if Kittel cares about losing time on GC and Giant dont really have a particularly strong GC man so for them its all about the sprinter and I doubt either stage will end in a bunch sprint given the elevation profile. More likely that as he is the form sprinter in the pelotont, he is concerned that he gets caught up in someone elses accident in Yorkshire and injures himself before they hit French soil... I'm surprised more teams have been for a recce, I cant imagine Yorkshire roads are that much better than the rest of the UK and some teams will be surprised!

Emley

352 posts

245 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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Yeah your probably right about Kittel and any chance of a bunch sprint on either day.

DAY 1.
I was hoping the long run back into Harrogate after the final climb out of Reeth might offer an opportunity for the peleton to bring back a break for a bunch sprint. But that was when I imagined the finish being on the flat up on The Stray.
The finish actually looks to be up Parliament Street, top of Montpellier Hill. So a nasty kick up to the finish from the lights, after a bit of a lump a couple of km out.
It will be good exiting viewing though.
What do we reckon Sagan, Gilbert ?

DAY 2.
As regards Day 2, the majority of the route in West Yorkshire is epic.
Addingham, Silsden, watch out for morons in Keighley, Oxenhope to Hebden Bridge wow, perilous descent through Pecket Well into Hebden Bridge.
Then right in Mytholmroyd and up Crag Vale to the top at Blackstone Edge, then the descent into Ripponden is going to be blindingly fast.
I hope they keep the sheep off the road yikes ,
And sweep the bends of loose gravel by Baitings reservoir.
Then Barkisland, then Holmfirth and we havn't even got to Holme Moss yet.
Utterly, utterly epic.

However, who in gods name came up with that finish route in Sheffield?
Apologies to folk from Sheffield, but that finish up Attercliffe Common is bloody awful.
Not to mention all the road furniture around there.
After a spectacular two days in Yorkshire, the "grim up north" face of Attercliffe Common is the last place on earth I would finish up.
Sorry.

No idea of who to call for Day 2?
What? an early break of strong guys, unlikely threats to the GC, staying away for a stage win?
If they get to High Bradfield with 5 minutes they won't be caught.
Roche ? Kreuziger ? could be loads of guys.


Edited by Emley on Friday 25th April 21:55

TheFungle

4,069 posts

205 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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From the top of Grinton Moor it's going to be very very fast to Harrogate. I'd suggest that the 'Betty's kick' will pose no problems for a raging peloton.

I'd suggest a lone group attacking through swaledale could cause a little bit of chaos, especially with the narrow sections at Gunnerside and indeed the start of the climb from Reeth.

okgo

37,859 posts

197 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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I doubt there is much doubt in anyone's mind that the first and likely second stage will be sprint stages. The first certainly looks like a sprint to me. Those hills are nothing to these boys

TheFungle

4,069 posts

205 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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okgo said:
I doubt there is much doubt in anyone's mind that the first and likely second stage will be sprint stages. The first certainly looks like a sprint to me. Those hills are nothing to these boys
Have you been to Yorkshire before?

okgo

37,859 posts

197 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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The first three stages are 'flat' on steephill - are you suggesting these are going to smash the bunch to bits?

Emley

352 posts

245 months

Saturday 26th April 2014
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I would agree day 1 is flat, They won't even notice Buttertubs
Betty's kick (like it) won't stop a raging peloton, but it will favour different guys in the pack.

Yes the day 2 hills are nothing to the guys and won't smash the peloton, but flat it ain't.
The organisers will no doubt hope the long straight to the finish at Attercliffe Common would favour a bunch sprint.
I hope so, but still put money on a break

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 26th April 2014
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The hills won't be an issue but I'd guess the narrow roads might be the issue as a small group can navigate country lanes far quicker than a peloton of nearly 200 riders. Good small group breakaway riders like Slagter, Bakelants, van Poppel and Chavanel will be the ones to watch in Yorkshire.

Did NetApp Endura get a wildcard entry? There may be one or two Brits there looking for a big day out too.