2012 Giro d'Italia, May 7th, stage 3: Horsens → Horsens, 190K

[El Pistolero]

Well, there goes his chances of a good GC, at least if they do the same on the remaining flat stages...Kinda ridiculous really, considering how close Navardauskas is on GC Sky should've just asked for more help from BMC instead of using up their GC contenders on the flat.

No one should help Sky. They have the fastest sprinter, so they need to do ALL the work. In fact other teams should be attacking constantly at the beginning of the race to put Sky under pressure. Can't believe some riders still think they can beat Cavendish. He's been dominating for 4 years now and they're not even making it hard for him.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Haha, is anyone surprised at this?

Back in the US, Bob Stapleton nods his head in approval. His legacy lives on.

 

[hatcher]

Uran definitely took some pulls

He didn't. He was in formation with the rest of the team, but never went to the front.

Yes, actually. He can only help so much in this kind of stages (read: not much), and what if something happens to Urán? Seems like a waste of his talent, even as a helper.

If something happens to Uran they go back to the original goal of winning as many stages as they can.

 

[DominicDecoco]

Radioshack rider falling asleep crashing earlier today:
Can't see who it is though. Looks nasty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NGvmHUsXTA

Is it Frank? It could be Frank.

 

[Richeypen]

I thought Sky were only there for stage victories?

 

[hatcher]

I thought Sky were only there for stage victories?

They were. Then Uran decided to have a go, so they changed tactics.

 

[hrotha]

If something happens to Uran they go back to the original goal of winning as many stages as they can.

But that means they'll have sacrificed any chances of doing a good GC, and more importantly of seeing how well Henao handles himself in a GT, just for the sake of some very minor help in controlling a flat stage.

The whole team except for Urán and Henao is built around Cav, for god's sake. Must *they* work too?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Uran definitely took some pulls

he definitely did not. he was never in the firts 5 anyway. but henao I saw

the sheer arrogance. as if cav would help them in the mountains. saturday next week he will be out of the race

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

But that means they'll have sacrificed any chances of doing a good GC, and more importantly of seeing how well Henao handles himself in a GT, just for the sake of some very minor help in controlling a flat stage.

The whole team except for Urán and Henao is built around Cav, for god's sake. Must *they* work too?

exactly. they have stannard, flecha etc to do that

 

[Pippo_San]

he definitely did not. he was never in the firts 5 anyway. but henao I saw

the sheer arrogance. as if cav would help them in the mountains. saturday next week he will be out of the race

At around the 70 kms mark. He was in second, and just behind him was Henao.

 

[hatcher]

But that means they'll have sacrificed any chances of doing a good GC, and more importantly of seeing how well Henao handles himself in a GT, just for the sake of some very minor help in controlling a flat stage.

The whole team except for Urán and Henao is built around Cav, for god's sake. Must *they* work too?

Well firstly I think a few, not overly hard kilometres on the front, 3 days into a race, and before a rest day, isn't going to do anyone any harm.

I don't think the plan was ever for Henao to ride GC. He'll ride GC, but there's a difference between riding GC, and riding GC, if you see what I mean. It was always a secondary target.

 

[Havetts]

Back in the US, Bob Stapleton nods his head in approval. His legacy lives on.

.

10charsohyeaaaaa

 

[hrotha]

Well firstly I think a few, not overly hard kilometres on the front, 3 days into a race, and before a rest day, isn't going to do anyone any harm.

I don't think the plan was ever for Henao to ride GC. He'll ride GC, but there's a difference between riding GC, and riding GC, if you see what I mean. It was always a secondary target.

Of course it's not a big deal if it's a one-off thing. Although it kind of emphasizes how pointless it is, since it's such a minor help. But this is Cav's team we're talking about (and I'm not blaming him, but his DS's), and it's a bad sign if it happens so early in the race. More often than not that's a sign that it's going to happen again.

 

[therhodeo]

Who was the Shack rider who went down?

 

[stefrees]

One could argue uran is just keeping out of trouble

 

[PedalCastro]

Who was the Shack rider who went down?

No idea... Looked painful

 

[DominicDecoco]

Basso is really here to win the Giro, isnt he.

 

[will10]

NetApp on the front.

Remember this folks, we won't see it too often this month.

 

[Pippo_San]

everytime I see the Rabotrain come to the front...SHIVERS

 

[Mellow Velo]

I woke up just in time.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

everytime I see the Rabotrain come to the front...SHIVERS

they are working for Renshaw it seems. So destined for 14th place

 

[vcampbell]

This will JJ's great day, everone will see!

 

[goggalor]

Sky is looking like the reincarnation of HTC atm.

Edit: Oops, they just got swamped a little bit.

 

[Lexman]

only 4 sky's and still 4 km....

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Here's hoping for a Cav v Demare battle.