2012 Tirreno -Adriatico, Stage 5:Martinsicuro - Prati di Tivo: 196 km

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

An mtf always has the potential for more attacks, groups on the road etc. Had Nibali not attacked and it came down to a bunch sprint, would have been more exciting than this.

think we've seen enough mtf with this sort of gradient in the past years to not hope for too much at least their were some attacks. Plus I always find riders dropping off the back the most entertaining part of climbing myself, just as much as attacks.

 

[BillytheKid]

An mtf always has the potential for more attacks, groups on the road etc. Had Nibali not attacked and it came down to a bunch sprint, would have been more exciting than this.

True enough, a subdued finish....

 

[dlwssonic]

I've always considered bmc a fail tho

Yeah they were pretty much failing in a lot of races last year too. Though TDF and PN were HUGE wins and their season was a big success in the end.
anyway their failing makes me await a BMC win so much more.
Wouldnt have been that fun if BMC was winning every race.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yeah, and in the end, how many riders were really left? The pace was high enough to drop riders all over the place.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

anyway their failing makes me await a BMC win so much more.
Wouldnt have been that fun if BMC was winning every race.

as a dutch supporter I can most certainly sympathize with this thought

 

[El Pistolero]

I thought papy Horner was the second or even the best climber in the world? News flash to Horner, Contador would have won with a minute here.

Gratz to Nibali, makes Sagan's move all the more stupid.

 

[Arnout]

A MTF this early in the season will never create big gaps IMO. The riders just don't want to spend energy before the last few km. That's why organizers should mostly be looking for shorter and steeper climbs, like TA normally is doing.

Still, today's stage wasn't bad at all, also because I only dropped in after PN was over.

I thought papy Horner was the second or even the best climber in the world? News flash to Horner, Contador would have won with a minute here.

Thanks man, that's really relevant to bring Contador in. At least you almost never mention him.

 

[movingtarget]

Great he didn't crash. Hope BMC will do much better tomorrow.

He didn't have a lot to ride for but good training all the same.

 

[dlwssonic]

as a dutch supporter I can most certainly sympathize with this thought

Yes haha! The feeling of such surprise and disbelief when you see your favourite team the first one to cross the line after so many fails and races. I guess I better enjoy while I can before gilbert goes bonkers in the ardennes.

 

[dlwssonic]

He didn't have a lot to ride for but good training all the same.

Yup. He could do well tomorrow.

 

[Poursuivant]

What is the matter with Evans? Just not fit yet?

 

[will10]

If this is the best Coldeportes can do, then I think its time to consider giving their Giro invite to some other team. I know people love them here but lets be realistic, they have done nothing so far to justify their invite. So much hype and so little results.

Nice rant. You'd best check again who got the Giro invites though.

 

[Escarabajo]

To be fair most of their build-up races were cancelled. Some of the guys on the team haven't raced in Europe before this season so to be thrown in at the deep end to some extent in Tirreno with little race rhythm.

Nonetheless, especially disappointed with Duarte. Forget the TTT, he should've been able to do something yesterday and today's stage.

+1.

No Racing Days+ Long Stages+ Racing in European Peloton+ Cold Weather (most of the time)+Food Changes

These are some of the reasons many of these riders fail. So in a way I feel is a little unjust with them. Let's give them more time to adjust to all these things.

As for Duarte is concerned. He should have been better today or yesterday. But just like the rest of them, probably he is out of shape now. I am worried about something that Ryo said about him that he is a little lazy. Is that is true then there is no hope for Coldeportes. Because the other riders are working for him. In that case I hope one of the other riders come forward to take leadership.

Oh well, time will tell.

Good job Nibali and Grandpa Horner.

 

[El Pistolero]

What is the matter with Evans? Just not fit yet?

A real mountain is the matter. He would have failled last year as well if he had to ride Prato di Tivo. His shape is also slightly worse compared to last year.

 

[dlwssonic]

A real mountain is the matter. He would have failled last year as well if he had to ride Prato di Tivo. His shape is also slightly worse compared to last year.

yup like I said evans can only be competitive in big mountains when he is on his peak.

 

[Escarabajo]

If this is the best Coldeportes can do, then I think its time to consider giving their Giro invite to some other team. I know people love them here but lets be realistic, they have done nothing so far to justify their invite. So much hype and so little results.

I am surprised that you are saying that. It is way to early to make a good judgement. It has been more than 20 years since we have had a 100% Colombian team in Europe. They still have to adjust to many things. Let's give them more time.

 

[jens_attacks]

I thought papy Horner was the second or even the best climber in the world? News flash to Horner, Contador would have won with a minute here.

very clever.horner just came back after 8 months with no racing and he took blood thinners until january.
it's one of the most impressive come backs i've ever seen.
he definitely didn't look too god in the last kms but it's time to improve until july.

 

[BillytheKid]

Horner's out of the saddle style, pushing a large gear looks more passive. I thought he might get swamped in a bunch sprint. Clearly, now, he and Kreuziger were putting the hurt on that group. Kreuziger is a fairly good TTer, on the same level as Horner?

 

[movingtarget]

A real mountain is the matter. He would have failled last year as well if he had to ride Prato di Tivo. His shape is also slightly worse compared to last year.

Him and a certain Belgian have started the season slowly. It won't continue much longer ........I hope !

 

[Escarabajo]

Do we have to talk about Contador in every race even he is not in the race???

Can we enjoy the race with riders in hand at least?

I hope is not going to be like that the rest of the season. Life goes on and we have to accept it as it comes.

 

[The Hitch]

think we've seen enough mtf with this sort of gradient in the past years to not hope for too much at least their were some attacks. Plus I always find riders dropping off the back the most entertaining part of climbing myself, just as much as attacks.

14.4km at 7.2%

Thats hc at the tour worthy. Harder than Luz Ardiden. Slightly easier than Puy de Dôme.

In a 1 week race one could expect more.

Though of course its location - between 2 other important stages, ruins it a bit. I didnt expect much either.

 

[movingtarget]

Do we have to talk about Contador in every race even he is not in the race???

Can we enjoy the race with riders in hand at least?

I hope is not going to be like that the rest of the season. Life goes on and we have to accept it as it comes.

Amen. As for this race I hope Horner hangs on and I think he will.

 

[El Pistolero]

Do we have to talk about Contador in every race even he is not in the race???

Can we enjoy the race with riders in hand at least?

I hope is not going to be like that the rest of the season. Life goes on and we have to accept it as it comes.

I barely mentioned him this year, don't overreact lol. I think we're all allowed to talk about who we want. After all, I hear a lot more Ricco talk in race threads yet no one complains about that.

 

[El Pistolero]

14.4km at 7.2%

Thats hc at the tour worthy. Harder than Luz Ardiden. Slightly easier than Puy de Dôme.

In a 1 week race one could expect more.

Though of course its location - between 2 other important stages, ruins it a bit. I didnt expect much either.

It's in March, you shouldn't have expected much more. In fact, Luz Ardiden was even more boring than this.

 

[BillytheKid]

very clever.horner just came back after 8 months with no racing and he took blood thinners until january.
it's one of the most impressive come backs i've ever seen.
he definitely didn't look too god in the last kms but it's time to improve until july.

Horner should do the Vuelta with it's massive climbing stages this year and steer clear of the Schleck's and the Tour. There no room for him there. His age does becomes more of a factor in a GT. He could do well the Espana this year stage hunting.