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

[williamp78]

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

I was thinking the same thing. He only needed to gain one second to take the white jersey and since it was so close if he had taken a turn at the front when sagan continued to refuse he may be in white tonight but he knew he would have had no chance at the stage win.

I also suspect that having just bridged across he had nothing left to give; the fact canc beat him in the sprint would seem to confirm this

 

[Dr.Sahl]

I don't understand the venom against Sagan for the win. He waited, followed the winning move and won. Why would he work with Cancellara? Makes no sense. He was going to blast by whomever broke for the line.

I agree and unlike many others on this forum, I think Sagen showed some real IQ, he did what he needed to do for the win (no I am not from slovakia)

It was a good stage today, I sure had fun watching it.

 

[MrRoboto]

what happened to froome btw??

Still trying to get those plugs out of his nose.

 

[superconfex]

and what a great VICTORY salute to boot

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Crap display from Sky.

Broken apart by the nervousness at 15km to go, and didn't have the presence of mind to pull themselves together, but instead rode home as individuals from that point onwards.

I hope they learn from the experience before Tuesday.

 

[dlwssonic]

Still trying to get those plugs out of his nose.

trolololol.

 

[Froome19]

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

He couldnt pull, he was totally gone in that finale.

 

[Zoncolan]

The only thing you can blame Sagan for is the celebration after the finish.
Not taking a pull? Nobody takes a pull behind Spartacus. Usually people are at their limit when in his wheel.
Good work by Gesink and Menchov. Two days in and still no time lost. Could be a year to remember.

 

[Trofinios]

All this criticism of Sagan is kind of tragic. Kid is 22 years old and in his first TdF and first non-TT stage he wins by being the only one who could follow a monsterattack by Canc and then plays it smart to maximize his chance of winning the sprint.

It was just an amazing performance by Sagan.

 

[Silhouette]

EBH told Norwegian television that he hesitated for a moment when Cancellara attacked, and then (obviously) had to spend too much energy covering the gap.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Actually he has two choices, he can try to drop Sagan, but failing that he can also just stop pulling, at that point either Sagan takes a pull or they get reabsorbed. I can't really blame Sagan for doing his best to win, but I don't see why Cancellara had to let him, IMO Cancellara doesn't need a second place that much.

Or he can keep going, to secure for himself the best result he can. Is that so radical a suggestion for a sportsman?

And, just sometimes, the sprinters won't beat him. EBH didn't today. Only 4 managed to do so in the World Champs. Cancellara is no mean finisher.

 

[dlwssonic]

Crap display from Sky.

Broken apart by the nervousness at 15km to go, and didn't have the presence of mind to pull themselves together, but instead rode home as individuals from that point onwards.

I hope they learn from the experience before Tuesday.

TBH BMC were also quite disorganised today with TJVG and Gilbert being on their own and being badly positioned. Although Hincapie did an amazing job to bring cadel right to the front before the foot of the hill. Should have stuck as a team though. But every team was quite broken up today before the hill. Expect for greenedge and lotto who had absolutely crap results for all the work they put in

 

[Mellow Velo]

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

With luck and bar accidents or incidents, until the stage finish.
After that, all bets are off and it becomes troll central.

 

[red_flanders]

I agree and unlike many others on this forum, I think Sagen showed some real IQ, he did what he needed to do for the win (no I am not from slovakia)

It was a good stage today, I sure had fun watching it.

I thought it was a great stage. Great efforts by the top guys (EBH, Sagan, Cancellara), with a vicious attack by Canc, easy follow by Sagan who had done everything right to put himself in the position to cover, and great effort by EBH to try and get in on things.

That hill was amazingly steep, gawd it looked painful.

I don't care for Sagan's victory salute myself, pretty ******-like and contrived. I prefer honest displays of emotion. But I can't take a thing away from his ride, it was perfect. I had to laugh at Cancellara waving him through. Why on earth would anyone come through in that situation, hilarious. Canc just trying to bully a kid into doing something stupid, but Sagan is far too self-aware to fall for it.

He's just got the goods to be in the right place and take advantage of everyone else. There's not much anyone can do if he can bridge up to an attack like Cancellara's as easily as he can. He's top-flight sprinter fast, and top flight puncheur strong.

 

[Trofinios]

EBH told Norwegian television that he hesitated for a moment when Cancellara attacked, and then (obviously) had to spend too much energy covering the gap.

Haven't we learned by now, can't ever hesitate when Canc attacks because then you probably won't see him again.

Easy to forget, EBH still did great today.

 

[Froome19]

Actually he has two choices, he can try to drop Sagan, but failing that he can also just stop pulling, at that point either Sagan takes a pull or they get reabsorbed. I can't really blame Sagan for doing his best to win, but I don't see why Cancellara had to let him, IMO Cancellara doesn't need a second place that much.

If you were watching carefully you would have seen that Canc did turn around and go to the side and see what was going on behind him but when he saw how close the bunch was he went full steam ahead as it was obvious that he wouldnt have made it to the finish unless he went full steam with no hesitation or contribution from the hesitant and weaker Sagan, who didnt mind waiting for the bunch either.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Strong comeback from Monfort, made it back and finished in the first group. I hope they ditch Horner and pull for Monfort instead, or at least give him a free pass.

Gesink & JVDB already around 30th position in GC.

Impressive by Cancellara. Sagan did what anyone would have done being able to keep Fabian's wheel. But flexing his muscles was really not necessary as he crossed the line. Good to see Gilbert coming through. With a better position, he might have stood a chance.

 

[jens_attacks]

jens_attack said that sagan would not even win a stage this tour.
lol

that's because i don't like him

probably he'll win another 5 here in france

disappointing stage for me.at least rolland was there.

 

[red_flanders]

Can anyone explain what Lotto were doing in the run up to the finale? They all sacrificed and were out before the hill. Could not figure it out.

 

[burning]

that's because i don't like him

probably he'll win another 5 here in france

disappointing stage for me.at least rolland was there.

I'm not trying to be aggresive but if he's caught doping, will you like him?

 

[dlwssonic]

Feel bad for gilbert, BMC should have done better to help him get to the front.
He could have had a chance if he was positioned well.
Stage 3 will be a good chance for him though.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Can anyone explain what Lotto were doing in the run up to the finale? They all sacrificed and were out before the hill. Could not figure it out.

Same as the intermediate sprint.

Some comic overestimation of their abilities going on in that team.

 

[Froome19]

that's because i don't like him

probably he'll win another 5 here in france

disappointing stage for me.at least rolland was there.

Poor by Kern dont know where he finished but he didnt look good, he just had a baby though so...

 

[El Pistolero]

Can anyone explain what Lotto were doing in the run up to the finale? They all sacrificed and were out before the hill. Could not figure it out.

Me neither, clueless those guys...

 

[dlwssonic]

samu sanchez finished in the front group. His form is not that terrible.