2011 Tour de France Stage 1: Passage du Gois - Mont des Alouettes 191.5 km

[The Hitch]

No. The rule makes sense and you've got to draw the line somewhere. Not crashing is part of winning a GT too.

Also that proves exactly why the rules dont make sence.

Samu didnt crash.

Gesink did.

So if not crashing is part of a gt why is the guy who crashed getting the huge time bonus??????

 

[Ramira]

Give me the location and date of your next ride and ill throw a spectator into you and then well see what your opinions about not crashing are.

While you make a good point. There is also the fact that AC and Samu were less then 30 seconds behind after the crash and ended over 1'20" behind. Saxo didn't exactly break their necks in order to limit the gap.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

it would be really really unfair if they get 0:06. like seriously.

really fair that a spectator causes them to lose time ey.

I bet if cadel was in reverse situation you'd be pretty ****ed.

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Give me the location and date of your next ride and ill throw a spectator into you and then well see what your opinions about not crashing are.

Sanchez didn't hit the spectator. He was just bad positioned. Losing time today is his very own fault.

 

[jobiwan]

Hushovd or Kloden in yellow tomorrow!

 

[Havetts]

Sorry Hitch but if Samu fell in the 2KM crash you would be happy to scream for the 3km rule.. Im sorry for Samu & Contador but they fell at 8km to a fan, its really messed up but it wasnt like one of the other contenders planned to throw in a supporter..

 

[spalco]

Give me the location and date of your next ride and ill throw a spectator into you and then well see what your opinions about not crashing are.

Yes, it sucks. I'm not happy about the Tour being possibly decided by something that stupid either, although I do want Contador to lose. But what are you gonna do, just give GC contender a free pass on losing time due to crashes?

 

[Spine Concept]

Give me the location and date of your next ride and ill throw a spectator into you and then well see what your opinions about not crashing are.

Don't take it out on Gesink though, it wasn't his fault the spectator did what he did. He did what he had to do and was in front, with a bit of luck too of course.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

While you make a good point. There is also the fact that AC and Samu were less then 30 seconds behind after the crash and ended over 1'20" behind. Saxo didn't exactly break their necks in order to limit the gap.

There is this. Unlike the guys who crashed in the last few km they had a lot more time to get organized and at least limit the damage.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

So th question is: How much of a threat is:

Evans,

A decent sized one, but I'd expect Contador to take a minute out of him on a properly selective mountain stage every time

Martin,

None whatsoever - though the top 10 could be more realistic now.

Horner,
Kloden,

The old men are not a threat to win, but could both find themselves 5th-8th or so.

Cunego,

None whatsoever

VDB

Only a small one. He hasn't seemed explosive even en route to 5th last year. He may be able to podium but I can't see him winning the race even with these advantages.

Frank Scleck

Very little of one, he's nothing like as good as people think he is because of his brother.

and
Vinokurov

?

Vino will certainly look to maximise the gaps, but he's getting older now.

 

[Jamsque]

Hushovd or Kloden in yellow tomorrow!

Or Geraint Thomas or Tony Martin

 

[dlwssonic]

really fair that a spectator causes them to lose time ey.

I bet if cadel was in reverse situation you'd be pretty ****ed.

I meant for the situation like they still got caught up in the previous crash and now they get to jump to the same time as the leading group. come on. and its their fault they were badly positioned.

 

[Kwibus]

1'14 lead. Not 2 minutes.

And it's not a joke, Gesink was in front.
The joke is the supporter who knocked half the peloton down.

lol indeed.. What what that guy doing.

 

[spalco]

You can't enforce it in this case because we don't know who was where at which point.

You can enforce it for those riders you can definitely identify. And with all the HD cameras I would guess that's pretty much everyone.

 

[valentius borealis]

Wiggins was caught up in the second crash.

 

[jobiwan]

Or Geraint Thomas or Tony Martin

Yeah, them too.

It'll be a good show.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Yes, it sucks. I'm not happy about the Tour being possibly decided by something that stupid either, although I do want Contador to lose. But what are you gonna do, just give GC contender a free pass on losing time due to crashes?

Fabian Cancellara did last year.

 

[hrotha]

You can't enforce it in this case because we don't know who was where at which point.

That's a different matter altogether. Even if they can't sort it out (which I think they can, reviewing the footage or whatever), the rule itself is not the problem, but it's what Hitch is complaining about.

 

[saganftw]

But how are they going to do that? They can't know who was in the first group and who wasn't. And they can't give the few ones that missed out for sure a different time. So it will be interesting to see what they end with. Maybe put everyone at 19 seconds?

it sure seems like there is no chance to say who was caught in first and second crash,i wouldnt be surprised if they were all given "general pardon"

 

[auscyclefan94]

Go Cadel! Great ride. Even though it was slighly unlucky for Schlek and Contador they were both riding way too far back.

Excellent work by BMC!

 

[Havetts]

Fabian Cancellara did last year.

Damnit Libertine, that was the first thing that sprung to my mind when I read that.

 

[Sophistic]

i think its most likely that they will give everyone behind the 0:06 time as its gonna be impossible to determine who was where

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

I love Susan!

Don't tell my husband.....

Susan

 

[dlwssonic]

Go Cadel! Great ride. Even though it was slighly unlucky for Schlek and Contador they were both riding way too far back.

Excellent work by BMC!

yes they did great positioning themselves well early. cadel was super today.

 

[Winterfold]

cheers valentius

at what point will we know for sure about the 3km rule?

Looks like it should be in place but CN are reporting as though it isnt (despite Susan's comments) - although I guess the current report is the real rush job