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

[dlwssonic]

If froome really flatted he should have had the tactical savvy to call for a tire change or something like that to gain the same time as the peloton.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

He still has a lot to learn.

One thing he has figured out is that if someone is going to do all the work for him then let them.

 

[la.margna]

Your national pride is showing...

No, it's really not about nationalities. Had it been another rider in front of Sagan, I'd say the same. I can't stand wheelsuckers, in particular if they are clearly the faster rider... But that's just my view. I don't say I'm right. Everybody has his view and the right to have his view. I just want to share my one, which obviously many might not like... But I still like you all and also cycling

 

[Froome19]

If he did would he get the same time as the front group?

Sky seem to be claiming so and the comisseurs cant see everything instantenously in such a finish.. so there is a chance but we will see
If he did though his time will be the same indeed as the front group..

 

[Maxiton]

And sagan actually had the presence of mind to mute his celebration at the end - hence the bird-like gesture, instead of throwing his arms up and screaming. Nothing wrong with that win, imo, or his style.

 

[Trofinios]

Cancellara makes cycling attractive and thrilling with his style. Which unfortunately can't be said yet of Sagan. But he will grow up, I'm sure. He still has a lot to learn.

Speak for yourself, Sagan is in my book one of the most exciting riders - without a doubt.

 

[myrideissteelerthanyours]

great stage today, great win by sagan

 

[gjb483]

you guys knocking sagan are absolutely clueless, that was a great finish!

amazing effort from canc to create the separation, chapeau to sagan for being able to find that wheel follow it and EBH for being able to claw his way back.

 

[gerundium]

lol at people getting mad at sagan not taking a pull. even funnier is people who claim Cancellara had to sit up and force a pull by sagan. What do you think happens if Cancellara sits up? Sagan sits up as well, waits for the group to reach him and gambles on (a.k.a wins) the field sprint. He is never going to take a pull there -_-
If you think it reflects badly on sagan you don't have the killer instinct.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

If froome really flatted he should have had the tactical savvy to call for a tire change or something like that to gain the same time as the peloton.

Surely that depends on how far he was when he got the flat?

 

[Unkown]

I can understand why people are angry at Sagan for wheelsucking Canc, but you have to understand that is his best chance to win, every other rider would of done the same thing in that situation. Taking a pull would of blown Sagan up, any rider for that fact would have probably blown trying to help Canc there.

 

[williamp78]

lol at people getting mad at sagan not taking a pull. even funnier is people who claim Cancellara had to sit up and force a pull by sagan. What do you think happens if Cancellara sits up? Sagan sits up as well, waits for the group to reach him and gambles on (a.k.a wins) the field sprint. He is never going to take a pull there -_-
If you think it reflects badly on sagan you don't have the killer instinct.

Thats a fair point. If it all came back together who would have won from the group? Sagan!

It was an exciting finish; fast, furious, tactical nous displayed and GC contenders losing time. I don't think you can really ask for too much more for a first stage on le tour

 

[More Strides than Rides]

Heres a thought that occurred to me: the trio had a large gap behind them. If EBH kept pulling in front, would they have found the 3 seconds he needs to get the White Jersey?

Of course, he was riding for the win (as he should), but just a thought to ponder until the next stage

 

[dlwssonic]

Surely that depends on how far he was when he got the flat?

He should have had that flat within 3km right??

 

[Bala Verde]

Like many you still don't understand Cancellara. He does not just want to win. He wants to win ALLA GRANDE. He wants to win spectacularly and that people will remember him how he won a race not that he won a race. That's why many who don't know him sometimes think he is stupid or tactically not savy.

Cancellara makes cycling attractive and thrilling with his style. Which unfortunately can't be said yet of Sagan. But he will grow up, I'm sure. He still has a lot to learn.

Thanks for enlightening me. I had no idea.

To quote/paraphrase Cancelara from his post race interview:

"I had two choices. Stop riding, which would mean I'd be absorbed by the peloton and without a chance to win. Or continue riding and hope for the best, or otherwise a good result."

He rode tactically as well (like Sagan) in pursuit of his stated goal, namely to win or get a good result.

 

[K-0tic]

He should have had that flat within 3km right??

Normally yes

 

[Bavarianrider]

Sagan won a stage, but he lost his pride.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

He should have had that flat within 3km right??

No idea but I assume he would have changed tire regardless and if it is within 3km then Sky will petition for a change of time if it was missed.

 

[dlwssonic]

Fetisoff are you gonna put on the evans avatar?
Evans tried to lead out gilbert today but was confused with what to do at the front as gilbert was really far back.
Things did not work out great for them today hopefully it will be better for them on stage 3 with a reduced peloton.

 

[AtletiSK]

Sagan won a stage, but he lost his pride.

I am sorry but the one who lost his pride is YOU by making this ridiculous comment

 

[El Pistolero]

I remember earlier in the season after Sagan came second in G-W, Boonen said he needed a more experienced head around him to learn off as he was a bit naive at times. Now that Sagan shows a more experienced head today he gets criticised for it which is something I think is very unfair.

Experience? Everyone knows you can wheel-suck Cancellara and if you hang on(which is by no means an easy feat) you basically win... That's not tactical skill what so ever, it's Cancellara being a bit stupid...

I don't mind the wheel-sucking of Sagan, but I did find his victory salute to be ridiculous. As if he was acting like a big man after wheel-sucking someone for a km.

 

[phanatic]

Sagan won a stage, but he lost his pride.

win, win

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

I thought this was a forum with people who know something about cycling

 

[saganftw]

the guy won yesterday prologue by 7 seconds which is a whole different universe

nobody would pull with him...nobody could even respond to his attack,he is the strongest guy in the peloton

i like what sagan did,he didnt go with chavanel,waited for next attack and gave it all instead of attacking prematurely and blow in final 50m like he did in amstel...i like it even more that victory itself,it shows he was in control and learned from his mistakes

 

[AtletiSK]

I did find his victory salute to be ridiculous. As if he was acting like a big man after wheel-sucking someone for a km.

I agree with this, he could´ve avoided that gesture, but he didn´t mean it like that, it was a pure instinct celebration... he is only 22 and is enjoying it sometimes too much