2011 Volta a Catalunya

[Moondance]

It's been like that for many years. I remember Hushovd winning several stages in Catalunya over the years with Credit Agricole by being one of very few sprinters there.

It is indeed rather weird. Especially since there really are only 2 stages which are 'sprinter unfriendly'.

 

[ingsve]

It is indeed rather weird. Especially since there really are only 2 stages which are 'sprinter unfriendly'.

I think it probably has to do right now at least with it being parallell with the cobbled classics that many sprinters are doing instead but there should still be room for more sprinters one would think. Don't remember what races it was up against before it moved though.

 

[Moondance]

I think it probably has to do right now at least with it being parallell with the cobbled classics that many sprinters are doing instead but there should still be room for more sprinters one would think. Don't remember what races it was up against before it moved though.

It used to be in June. Then in the early years of the ProTour it was in May against the Giro. This is probably a better spot for it.

Even still, there's no excuse that a team like HTC or Rabo, who have plenty of sprinters who won't be active in Belgium this weekend, to have brought none with them to Catalonia.

 

[theyoungest]

It used to be in June. Then in the early years of the ProTour it was in May against the Giro. This is probably a better spot for it.

Even still, there's no excuse that a team like HTC or Rabo, who have plenty of sprinters who won't be active in Belgium this weekend, to have brought none with them to Catalonia.

Some of these fast guys are riding the track worlds (Howard, Bos).

 

[Moondance]

Some of these fast guys are riding the track worlds (Howard, Bos).

True....

Now that I think about it, this used to be the week when the Setmana Catalana was ridden before that race imploded a few years back. No wonder this seems like the perfect date to organise this race.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

it's the organisers fault for making such a ****ty sprinters parcours when you know there are going to be climbers. look at yesterdays top ten and tell em you don't wish to see them more in this race. ridiclous!

 

[El Pistolero]

Sprinters rather go to Gent-Wevelgem.

 

[will10]

Not an avid fan of football I presume?

Erm....this is a cycling forum? If I wanted to read about football I'd go to a football forum.

 

[boomcie]

Considering how weak the sprinting field is here it's a wonder that someone like Andre Greipel, who loves winning "small shit races", is not here.

Andre mainly had to race those smaller races because lord Cavendish didn't want him around in the big ones...

 

[Spine Concept]

Erm....this is a cycling forum? If I wanted to read about football I'd go to a football forum.

Well, now that we have a firm grasp of the obvious maybe you can see that I was kidding.

 

[will10]

Well, now that we have a firm grasp of the obvious maybe you can see that I was kidding.

Doesn't get past the two pages of football....

 

[The Hitch]

Perhaps he should consider sharing his win bonus with riders from all other EU nations in anticipation of the billions other EU states will be sending to Portugal this time next week.

Euro 2004 was horrifically boring, despite it being well organised.

As for Portugal, when your 10-year bond yield hits 7.63% (as it has today) you know your country is done for. It's pretty much impossible for a modern country to finance itself when it has to pay over 7% on its debt. You'll see.

EURO 2004 was a feast of horrible defensive football. I can barely remember any entertaining match.

Dude.
Did your girlfriend break up with you or something?



In the event that she did, sorry for the joke. Oh and Portugal2-2 England was match of the decade.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

This race needs the Coll de Pal instead of Vallnord Sector Pal. Totally different - and better - climb. The Setmana used it so it's absolutely fine to use at this time of year.

Here's the Coll de Pal stage that Contador won in 2005:

Don't say we couldn't do with something like this now.

Or we could have gone straight from Vallnord Sector Pal on a shorter second climbing stage to finish here for a Pal - Pal double.

 

[Moondance]

Dude.
Did your girlfriend break up with you or something?



In the event that she did, sorry for the joke. Oh and Portugal2-2 England was match of the decade.

Match of the decade? Pah. I could list many games that were far superior, but off the top of my head Milan-Liverpool EC Final 2005 is one, just for starters.

Secondly the only reason why there isn't more clarity on Portugal getting bailed out right now is because Chancellor Merkel isn't ready to commit today, but she'll be ready as soon as the crucial Baden-Wurttemberg State election has passed this weekend. Saying, "Zo Stuttgarters, ve arr zending many billion of your tax-euros to ze Portuguese right now... VOTE CDU!!!!" isn't exactly brilliant campaign material.

 

[c&cfan]

i apologize for my post dutchies. still, i think that it was obvious that i was kidding.

(it isnt my fault. god wanted me to be handsome.)

BTW

if there's sprinters:

-sh+t.. another sprinter's stage. this stage is going to be boring.

if there isnt sprinters:

-sh+t..were are they? this stage is going to be boring.

whats your problem? do you like altitude and montains? do a stage in northern india..that ends in tibete.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Holland-Portugal was entertaining. Horrible, but entertaining.

Boula-Boula-Boulahrouz!

The c.rep v ned was a pretty good game.
3-2 come back. If i remember correctly.

Greece were a rubbish winner.

Then I hope Advocaat returns as our national coach. This Robben guy is just too good, we need more Bosvelt.

bring back Rijkaard plz.

@ hitch; i hope your joking .

 

[pugdog]

The c.rep v ned was a pretty good game.
3-2 come back. If i remember correctly.

Greece were a rubbish winner.



bring back Rijkaard plz.

@ hitch; i hope your joking .

Thanks for the compliment.

 

[Spine Concept]

Doesn't get past the two pages of football....

Whatever floats your boat mate, just let it go.

i apologize for my post dutchies. still, i think that it was obvious that i was kidding.

(it isnt my fault. god wanted me to be handsome.)

BTW

if there's sprinters:

-sh+t.. another sprinter's stage. this stage is going to be boring.

if there isnt sprinters:

-sh+t..were are they? this stage is going to be boring.

whats your problem? do you like altitude and montains? do a stage in northern india..that ends in tibete.

You're a funny guy, I'll give you that.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Whatever floats your boat mate, just let it go.



You're a funny guy, I'll give you that.

if that's your sense of humor then you must be german

 

[boomcie]

if that's your sense of humor then you must be german

I think you both sound pretty bitter most of the time. Are you Statler and Waldorf?

 

[The Hitch]

@ hitch; i hope your joking .

A lot of the time on this thread, yes. But which post are you reffering to. If its the England Portugal one, then no it wasnt match of the decade and me saying it was was hyperbole, just like when someone says that postl x is post of the decade they dont mean theyve seen every other post in that decade just that its very good. Figure of speech

But come to think of it it probably was match of the decade for me because back then i really really wanted England to lose, and it was a great match which was so tense with great goals and the penalties decided by the goalkeeper. It just meant a lot to me at the time. As a kid, it meant so much more then then it could ever now.


But i digress

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Thanks for the compliment.

no worries

@hitch, that I understand, I remember PSV vs milan in the ... 05 CL? semi final, what a match it was, and man it hurt
Holland VS Spain is still painful. I love watching the english lose in football

 

[hrotha]

Holland VS Spain is still painful.

Indeed.

 

[Anonymous]

GUys, for crying out loud, Barrus has already posted twice on this thread asking it be kept on topic.

This thread has gone completely to pot, i cant even find yesterdays stage discussion.

Mods, can you shut this lot up for 24 hours while those of us who care about the race try and get this back on topic.

 

[Moncoutie]

Indeed.

Terrible tackle, but strangely never tire of seeing it!