2011 Tour de Suisse, Stage 3: Brig-Glis - Grindelwald, 107.6 km

[kurtinsc]

the hardest climb has yet to come so I don't see tjvg stand any chance.

Why?

Only Cunego from the main group finished ahead of him in today's stage, right? The rest were all from the break who stayed away, right?

I'm not saying he can hang on in stage 6 and 7, but so far he's lost 1:28 to Cunego and 36 seconds to Soler on the two climbing stages. (gaining 19 seconds back from the prologue and losing some time bonification)

It's not impossible with how he's climbed so far that he may be able to limit the losses to an amount he can make up in a 32km ITT.

 

[Kwibus]

3 dutch riders in the top 10 after a prologue and 2 mountain stages.

Who would've though that 5 years ago.

 

[jobiwan]

Matter of personal opinion. My favorite thing regarding cycling is climbing, and thus I like to see climbers win.

But Like I said I enjoy the descending also, but too many is not good balance.

I also would rather see more MTFs then descent finishes, but still these descents can be awesome.

EX: Today, Madeliene in Tour last year, 09 TdF off Colombiere, come to mind.

Still I agree that these stages are best enjoyed in moderation! I think a 2:1 MTF to Descent ratio is good.

What a great stage though, Congrats to Sagan and Cunego. Sagan is just fun to watch!

Also I was pleased with Andy's performance today!

 

[Moondance]

Wow... 3 Dutch guys in the Top-10 after a prologue and two mountain stages.

6 years ago that was completely unthinkable. Dutch cycling has come a long way.

3 dutch riders in the top 10 after a prologue and 2 mountain stages.

Who would've though that 5 years ago.

Double-post much?

 

[just some guy]

Damn, Sagan seems to have no limits at all.. can't wait to see him challenge Gilbert in the classics within a few years.

De Greef also strong again. Altho I honestly have no clue what he's aiming for. The guy has pretty huge GT/GC potential, but still carries 78kg over the mountains

Throw in EBH after last week he is back - will be fun to watch

 

[Parrulo]

All 3 are probably capable of finishing top 20 in the final TT if the GC is up for grabs especially considering there is a hill in it. Cunego and Soler finished top 20 on stage 1 this year, Schleck top 20 in the decisive TT last year

they are able to defend themselves. but compared to some1 like TJVG and leipheimer if they don't get enough time in the mountains they would get toasted.

ofc chances are they will get more then enough time without any real trouble

 

[Flamin]

He seems more like a guy for the cobbled classics to me.

He at least has the body for it. Don't think he has ever ridden one though.

A famous Belgian doctor (don't remember who) once said he can top 5 a GT. Not that he will, but he was already 21th in his first GT. So there must be some climbing potential, especially with +10kg extra in comparison to most climbers.

 

[Flamin]

Throw in EBH after last week he is back - will be fun to watch

For RVV yes. But Sagan should be able to really challenge Phil soon in RVV, Amstel AND LBL (especially the last 2 ofc)

 

[Michielveedeebee]

For RVV yes. But Sagan should be able to really challenge Phil soon in RVV, Amstel AND LBL.

not yet next year, but in 2 years he'll be Frank Vandenbroucke revisited.
(maybe not as good a climber we'll see about that)

 

[luckyboy]

Really good stage, good to see Cunego doing well.

 

[Jamsque]

Whoever said Froome was inconsistent was dead right, he lost 10 minutes today. Hopefully he can spend a few days resting and then get in the break on stage 7.

 

[lanternrouge]

And to think Sagan almost quit cycling because Quickstep refused to give him a contract after a test.

Nearly up there with Decca and The Beatles that. Okay not quite up there but what a blunder by Quickstep!

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Nearly up there with Decca and The Beatles that. Okay not quite up there but what a blunder by Quickstep!

Lefevere must be soooo pis'd right now

 

[The_Z_man]

Why?

Only Cunego from the main group finished ahead of him in today's stage, right? The rest were all from the break who stayed away, right?

I'm not saying he can hang on in stage 6 and 7, but so far he's lost 1:28 to Cunego and 36 seconds to Soler on the two climbing stages. (gaining 19 seconds back from the prologue and losing some time bonification)

It's not impossible with how he's climbed so far that he may be able to limit the losses to an amount he can make up in a 32km ITT.

This is my point. He's been climbing good enough to limit his losses. If he can hang in there, and that's a big if, he is so much better in the TT than anyone in front of him.

As it stands today, he's looking OK. Is he still going to be a contender by the time they get to the start ramp on Sunday? Well, that's why they ride the races.

 

[Sophistic]

Has anybody Cunegos Performance numbers from today?
As impressive as it looked, distancing TJVG by 40s on such a difficult climb is hardly AC stuff.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

exactly

imo cunego soler if nothing bad happens to him (knocks 3 times on the table) and frankie boy will fight for it. if it comes to the itt it will be hilarious, cus it will be more of a who is the worse itt'r then who is the best

soler will most likely win this because of the itt. he's better than schleck and cunego leipheimer and tjvg would be his only opponents but they aren't in his league on the mountains

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Van Garderen lost almost 40 seconds on Crans Montana.

On Malbun that's likely going to be 1'30/2'00
Best he can hope for is top 5 imho

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Van Garderen lost almost 40 seconds on Crans Montana.

On Malbun that's likely going to be 1'30/2'00
Best he can hope for is top 5 imho

Not so good on Crans, but still not bad for a 22-YO. Still top 5 would be good for him. Maybe if lucky a top 3 as he's just 5 seconds out of that right now. So...
Goooooooo TeJay!

 

[hfer07]

soler will most likely win this because of the itt. he's better than schleck and cunego leipheimer and tjvg would be his only opponents but they aren't in his league on the mountains

I'm kind of glad he let go of the Jersey, so he can be in the top 5 before the final MTF stages when he can take the race title by the horns & limit his losses in the final day ITT-because I honestly don't know how much has he improved in that department...

 

[kurtinsc]

Van Garderen lost almost 40 seconds on Crans Montana.

On Malbun that's likely going to be 1'30/2'00
Best he can hope for is top 5 imho

He lost 36 seconds on Crans Montana to Soler and 0 seconds today.

He lost 24 seconds on Crans Montana to Cunego and 1:04 today (20-25 seconds on the descent?)

I'm not saying it's going to happen or even that it's likely... but he could still possibly not be too far back after the remaining climbs.

Would a scenario where he loses 2 minutes to F. Schleck, 1:30 to Soler and 1 minute to Cunego over the two remaining climbing stages be unimaginable? 2:21 down on Cunego, 1:57 to Soler, 1:56 to Schleck... that MIGHT be doable in the ITT (it would make it exciting at least).

 

[krismtb]

Is Sagan riding the TDF? If not, I could understand how he might let it all hang out in this race while others ride a more conservative style. Still, good job for a sprinter ... showing more all-around capabilities for sure.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Is Sagan riding the TDF? If not, I could understand how he might let it all hang out in this race while others ride a more conservative style. Still, good job for a sprinter ... showing more all-around capabilities for sure.

Sagan has never been a sprinter... Have you seen his paris-nice victories last year? those were hardly flat stages

 

[Scansorial]

Is Sagan riding the TDF? If not, I could understand how he might let it all hang out in this race while others ride a more conservative style. Still, good job for a sprinter ... showing more all-around capabilities for sure.

Sagan has never been just a sprinter. He's not a great climber but he's always been good on tough, uphill finishes.

 

[Oreknan]

Is Sagan riding the TDF? If not, I could understand how he might let it all hang out in this race while others ride a more conservative style. Still, good job for a sprinter ... showing more all-around capabilities for sure.

i readed that he will not do tour de france, maybe the vuelta says in a article but i cant found it

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

He lost 36 seconds on Crans Montana to Soler and 0 seconds today.

He lost 24 seconds on Crans Montana to Cunego and 1:04 today (20-25 seconds on the descent?)

I'm not saying it's going to happen or even that it's likely... but he could still possibly not be too far back after the remaining climbs.

Would a scenario where he loses 2 minutes to F. Schleck, 1:30 to Soler and 1 minute to Cunego over the two remaining climbing stages be unimaginable? 2:21 down on Cunego, 1:57 to Soler, 1:56 to Schleck... that MIGHT be doable in the ITT (it would make it exciting at least).

van garderen would be lucky to get back 1 minute in final timetrial, definetely no 2 minutes