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

[Froome19]

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.

Along with Greipel who has also said he isnt going for green

 

[wirral]

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.

Money$£:::?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

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?

Except for the 1st and 2nd (and 1st overall) at the Ruta del Sol on short steep finishes (but not against an especially tough field), and the 1st and 2nd on short steep finishes at Paris-Nice, of course.

Fwiw I think Valverde can be up in the mix on this, but it's not difficult enough for him to win it; the last km is false flat territory, and unless there are some serious positioning issues the steep bit isn't long enough to dislodge some of the people I see being stronger than him.

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

Along with Greipel who has also said he isnt going for green

I doubt he will be now after that effort.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Along with Greipel who has also said he isnt going for green

Cav has not said he isn't going for Green (if that was the import of your 'also'). He's been non-committal, which is hardly new for him.

Not sure why Yates would say they need to worry about his position today, whilst also saying Eddy is going for the win, if he's not at least keeping the door open for it.

 

[Froome19]

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?

Probably not hard enough... but maybe hasnt shown much since just before the Ardennes specifically when it comes to these finishes and the finishes he has won this year seem to have been a bit harder imo but he is still a bit of an unknown factor imo.

 

[180mmCrank]

It's fun to speculte about Sky and their tactics ... or Cav and what his intent might be. THe reality is at this stage any good team would be trying to keep as many of their options open as they can. They will make choices/decisions only when they need to.

It's fun to speculate

 

[Fetisoff]

Money$£:::?

I'm sure the amount of money you get for one of these is laughable, especially for someone like Cav.

On the other hand what these are - a good way to test the legs a little bit against some of your opponents, who'll be right up there sprinting against you in the finale

 

[the asian]

Along with Greipel who has also said he isnt going for green

Then why the hell has Lotto a sprint train dedicated to him.

 

[Froome19]

When asked why he sprinted if not going for green "You never know what can happen over the course of three weeks and he didn't need to use up too much energy to contest the sprint, so it was worth going for it," Yates answered from the car

So there is your answer...

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Money$£:::?

Yeah, TeamSky's bonus pot needs the big 7th place intermediate sprint wonga.

Just looked it up and there is non.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

When asked why he sprinted if not going for green "You never know what can happen over the course of three weeks and he didn't need to use up too much energy to contest the sprint, so it was worth going for it," Yates answered from the car

So there is your answer...

I.e. He is going for green tentatively, but does not want to announce it.

There is absolutely 0 reason to contest that sprint if you are not going for green.

 

[Froome19]

Money$£:::?

Nope, 7th in an intermediate means nothing for Cav

Then why the hell has Lotto a sprint train dedicated to him.

Exactly my question...

 

[Pippo_San]

Those yellow helmets are a total disgrace. Someone should do something for this embarassment.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Those yellow helmets are a total disgrace. Someone should do something for this embarassment.

Agree, Canc just looks like a total wannaby, wearing such a prestigious emblem of the sport without having earnt it.

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

Hopefully Cancellara will be punished heavily for this. Imagine the uproar if Wiggins had come out today with a yellow jersey on. Spartacus should have respect for the traditions of the sport.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Kelly should interview Roche. Guaranteed sleep session.

Even the inevitable Sky bashing is third rate, today.
Very weak.

 

[the asian]

Stephen Roche speaks more like a Frenchman than a Irishman.

 

[180mmCrank]

Hopefully Cancellara will be punished heavily for this. Imagine the uproar if Wiggins had come out today with a yellow jersey on. Spartacus should have respect for the traditions of the sport.

I have it on good authority that Wiggo has yellow underpants on today

 

[Bavarianrider]

 

[Fetisoff]

What are you guys talking about? This is the best interview ever. I wish I could understand more than 20% of it, but great nonetheless

Sounds to me like a slowed down versios of Scatman John song

 

[Froome19]

Urtasun attacks with Morkov

No need to worry only mountain point getting it seems.

 

[icefire]

The moto stays behind the group in the KOM sprint and then overtakes to ask the riders who won

 

[180mmCrank]

What are you guys talking about? This is the best interview ever. I wish I could understand more than 20% of it, but great nonetheless

Sounds to me like a slowed down versios of Scatman John song

I can understand as much as 'turty tree' %

 

[cineteq]

Stephen Roche speaks more like a Frenchman than a Irishman.

French I understand, I thought he was speaking Gaelic.