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

[LaFleur]

Leipheimer, Pinot, Kruisjwijk, all lost about 20 seconds

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Who won the sprint for 4th?

I think Gilbert, and Mollema crossed him right after the line?

So Boasson Hagen gets Green?

Nah, Sagan wears it on behalf of Fabian

 

[Ramira]

Big Phil was pretty decent at 4th. where the hell was he all along

It's decent for most cyclists, but considering the season he had last year it seems to me he's still not on top form. But for someone with his class it's only a matter of time before the true Phil comes out again.

 

[Bala Verde]

Menchov right at the back of the leading group, but managed not to lose time

Bottle lost time though. So did COppel

Was looking for Menchov. Never saw him but i saw GC hadn't changed so he had to be in the lead group.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

where is vino?

He had a puncture 5 kms before the finish

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Why is Sagan pathetic. For riding tactically smart?

 

[Kazistuta]

It always looks a bit like a steal when a rider wins like Sagan did today, but he was absolutely at max (which you also could see in his effort a bit earlier on the hill), and nice to see he has learned from his tactical mistakes in the spring, where he spent his energy to soon in the finals.

Great from all three - Cancellara the strongest, Sagan the smartest.

 

[franciep10]

I don't know what people are complaining about he's a better sprinter than cancellara and ebh was already tired it was the smart thing to do.

 

[Froome19]

Who won the sprint for 4th?

I think Gilbert, and Mollema crossed him right after the line?

So Boasson Hagen gets Green?

Cancellara should get it, but it should be worn by Sagan tomorow I think

 

[More Strides than Rides]

You don't have to be impressed with Sagan's sprint around Cancellara, but be impressed that he was the only one able to cover his move 800m earlier. Thats were he won the stage today.

 

[The Hitch]

Froome lost time?

 

[Panda Claws]

Gilbert was just awfully placed all the time.

The final km was not steep enough to try and ride to the 3 ahead by himself, so he had no choice but to wait for the sprint.

But of course we cannot be sure if he could have followed Cancellara or not.

 

[Cerberus]

Got to agree with this. He did exactly what someone with his sprint should do to win the stage, and it worked out for him. But the victory celebration took quite a bit away from the performance though, then again the kid is only 22 he has plenty of time to grow up.

Seems to me Cancellara should have just given up and let the peleton catch up when Sagan refused to pull through. When Sagan knows that Cancellara pulls through in the end there's no need for him to do any work

 

[Fetisoff]

Was looking for Menchov. Never saw him but i saw GC hadn't changed so he had to be in the lead group.

Came in with Goose and Vorganov, I think 3 of them were among last 5 to finish in leading group

 

[lostintime]

What's Sagan supposed to do .... not win ?
That's why they pay him, yes ?
Cancellara knows the 411 of how cycling works ..... if you want to win you gotta cross the line first... no gimmes for leading anyone to the line.

Hey, when I saw Sagan cross the line ... I said ... .geeze ... Do you have to act like a butter-head to be a talented sprinter ? But, I realized that's just my own dislike and has nothing to do with HIM really. So ... celebrate however . .. lol

 

[Lance Armstrong]

Why is Sagan pathetic. For riding tactically smart?

That's right. Everyone could suck Canc wheel but only Sagan was able to.

 

[slowoldman]

Sagan looks really exhausted...

As well he should! To follow that effort by Cancellara is amazing. Cracks me up all the talk about Sagan not deserving it. He was the ONLY one who could follow Fabian, he is a deserving winner.

Completely incredible riding by the first three. GREAT racing.

 

[Bala Verde]

What happened to Kruiswijk?

 

[ChewbaccaD]

Canc magnificent, Sagan should have put a better effort, not a well deserved win for him!

??? There isn't another rider in the peloton who would have pulled through in that situation. None.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Sagan, how good is he. He let Cancellara and Hagen do all the work, and then he easily bosses the sprint. What a BOSS.

He'd be a boss if he had actually done any work. This way he is simply the fastest guy being dragged to the finish.
Considering how much he has won already this year, a little more style than this can be expected. At least not such a childish celebration at the end.
I'm somewhat disappointed as I actually do like the rider a lot. But celebrating like this after he didn't do any work is lacking style entirely.

 

[Frosty]

1. SAGAN Peter
2. CANCELLARA Fabian
3. BOASSON HAGEN Edvald
4. GILBERT Philippe
5. MOLLEMA Bauke
6. VALVERDE Alejandro
7. GESINK Robert
8. MARTIN Daniel
9. HESJEDAL Ryder
10. DEVENYNS Dries
11. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen
12. CHAVANEL Sylvain
13. GERRANS Simon
14. DUMOULIN Samuel
15. NIBALI Vincenzo
16. WIGGINS Bradley
17. BRAJKOVIC Janez
18. ROCHE Nicolas 79
19. ROLLAND Pierre
20. EVANS Cadel
21. VAN GARDEREN Tejay

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Froome lost time?

Yep, a minute'10

 

[LaFlorecita]

Wow that was pretty awesome, would've preferred a steeper hill though.

 

[ChewbaccaD]

As well he should! To follow that effort by Cancellara is amazing. Cracks me up all the talk about Sagan not deserving it. He was the ONLY one who could follow Fabian, he is a deserving winner.

Completely incredible riding by the first three. GREAT racing.

+1 This!!!!!!!

 

[Winnen]

Surpised by Gesink and Froome. Hope Lulu can start tomorrow. Anybody seen Vanendert?