2012 Tour de France; Stage 1: Liège → Seraing (198km)

[Trofinios]

Yates -

“It’s suitable for ‘Eddie’ and we’d like him to have a go but there are other things to consider: mainly keeping Bradley out of trouble but also allowing ‘Cav’ to fight for positioning.”

So I'm guessing Cav will be in Eddy's wheel, with a faint presumption he gets dropped at some point, but he can go for it if he survives.

And what will EBH do if there is an attack on the steep section? Wait for Cav, trying to get him back on the flatter part before the final 300-400m. That could be a dangerous tactic.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

And what will EBH do if there is an attack on the steep section? Wait for Cav, trying to get him back on the flatter part before the final 300-400m. That could be a dangerous tactic.

Yates also said he hoped Eddy would be patient if someone attacked early.

So it sounds like you're not far off.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

if anyone lost there live feed here's one in english that works:
http://www.sportlemon.tv/v-4/2/12/v-421331.html

 

[Rocksteady]

Off topic, but anyone used one of those video game trainers? looks like fun.

 

[goggalor]

Someone should really tell Fabian he hasn't earned the right to wear the prestigious Yellow Helmet.

lols

For those who don't know, the yellow helmets is ASO's new thing. From @inrng:

 

[Trunnions]

Didn't Montfort get the same chance to roll off the front to hug his Missus in 2009?

Actually, I recall, he ignored his wife and slobbered his baby instead.

Nice human touch though.

 

[Fetisoff]

Cav is slow. Might as well retire now

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Cav is slow. Might as well retire now

Well, the Greenedge fans have had their Goss win in the first sprint of the Tour.

All went a bit mental there, leadouts at 1km to go were quicker than many stage finishes.

Bit of a fail for Lotto to throw 5 men at it and **** it up so badly.

Early insight in to why I'm not convinced about Sagan for green - there are too many sprinters here to take points off him on the flat sprints.

 

[Trunnions]

Cav is slow. Might as well retire now

Before the Olympics eh, to give the rest of the hopefuls a chance.

 

[Frosty]

Phil still called it as Greipel coming 7th though...

Sagan was 12th.

 

[Fetisoff]

Well, the Greenedge fans have had their Goss win in the first sprint of the Tour.

All went a bit mental there, leadouts at 1km to go were quicker than many stage finishes.

Bit of a fail for Lotto to throw 5 men at it and **** it up so badly.

Was Kittel up there at all or he didn't even bother? I didn't see him at all, but my stream just had to put a big semi-transparent add across the screen right around the time of the sprint, so I might have missed him

 

[CobbleStoner]

well, we know the definitive answer to the question now, is Sky gonna help Cav get the green jersey this year? nooooo
that sprint for a couple points 80 k from the finish was hilarious

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Was Kittel up there at all or he didn't even bother? I didn't see him at all, but my stream just had to put a big semi-transparent add across the screen right around the time of the sprint, so I might have missed him

Kittel didn't bother - clearly has no hope for green with his lack of climbing, but surprised they didn't take the chance for some practice given he'll be rolling in at the finish today.

 

[Frosty]

7 Goss
8 cav
9 greipel
10 ?
11 Van Hummel
12 sagan

 

[Mellow Velo]

Cav is slow. Might as well retire now

It's the first orad day of the Tour, the whole thing is slow.
At this rate, if it rains, Canc won't even have to bother to neutralize the stage.

 

[Frosty]

FWIW The sprint was a little uphill. Graphic on the letour website shows roughly a 20 metre climb in the last kilometre = 2%

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

well, we know the definitive answer to the question now, is Sky gonna help Cav get the green jersey this year? nooooo
that sprint for a couple points 80 k from the finish was hilarious

Certainly a nice reminder than Eddy has some serious issues with positioning - but Sky did try to give him 2 helpers.

Solid result for him anyway. Think the amount of competition this year is going to work in his favour - might not win as often, but he's very consistent and there are lots of riders who will take it in turns doing well one day and finishing 8th the next.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Cav is slow. Might as well retire now

It's the first road day of the Tour, the whole thing is slow.
At this rate, if it rains, Canc won't even have to bother to neutralize the stage.

That looked like a half a*s sprint all round.

 

[Winnen]

7 Goss
8 cav
9 greipel
10 ?
11 Van Hummel
12 sagan

Renshaw, I think.

 

[Flamin]

7 Goss
8 cav
9 greipel
10 ?
11 Van Hummel
12 sagan

10 Renshaw
...
13 Rojas

 

[stazzy]

Yates -

“It’s suitable for ‘Eddie’ and we’d like him to have a go but there are other things to consider: mainly keeping Bradley out of trouble but also allowing ‘Cav’ to fight for positioning.”

So I'm guessing Cav will be in Eddy's wheel, with a faint presumption he gets dropped at some point, but he can go for it if he survives.

Yates needs to let eddy go for the few shots he gets this tour. Especially if hes feeling form like hes said he is. Just stupid to let a rider like that try to keep "cav" in position when hes clearly gonna drop anyway.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

well, we know the definitive answer to the question now, is Sky gonna help Cav get the green jersey this year? nooooo
that sprint for a couple points 80 k from the finish was hilarious

Even before the Tour talk was that Cav would not be going for green this year. What we are seeing now sort of confirms that. I'd still expect him to go for a stage win before abandoning ala Cipo.

 

[CasperVg]

Any chance for Valverde in this stage? He hasn't really shown much since TdUnder, but these are the kind of stages he can make a difference, no?

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Even before the Tour talk was that Cav would not be going for green this year. What we are seeing now sort of confirms that. I'd still expect him to go for a stage win before abandoning ala Cipo.

Not quite sure how Cav sprinting for points which are only of any value if he is going for green is evidence that he's not going for green.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Unzue expects Valverde to do well here...so I guess so