2012 Tour de France: Stage 4: Abbeville → Rouen (214.5km)

[Trunnions]

Great to see Yukiya Arashiro in today's break. He came third in a Giro breakaway 2 years ago, and pulled the victor to the line.

He won many friends for his attacking style. He's a sprinter, about 2 bike-lengths slower than the old Cav.

He trains during Winter in the mountains where I live, and thrilled us all by turning up unannounced to our local UCI Criterium in a sleepy village. He brought most of the top Japanese riders with him too.

We "let him win" of course.

Very humble Chap.

Sorry he missed the squad last year.

 

[SetonHallPirate]

Yes, I want that money too I think he just want to test his legs, because as I remember he always lost contact on in the previous stages.

Well, Moncoutie has gotten his start towards the KoM...

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Finished by 6pm local?

This is stupidly slow.

 

[Panda Claws]

When is the next interesting stage?

 

[happychappy]

Finished by 6pm local?

This is stupidly slow.

Anything as long as it stops them crashing in straight lines constantly.

 

[vcampbell]

When is the next interesting stage?

August 18, Stage 1, Pamplona TTT.

 

[Trunnions]

Here we notice the benefit of having a man in the break.

Cycling eyeballs of the world are transfixed by sponsor's advertising which would otherwise cost a fortune in TV and print media.

In case you were unaware:

Europcar: Recycle clapped out Fiats and Renault 5s.
Cofidis: Sell cough mixture.
Saur-Sojasun: Manufacture high quality men's underwear, and athletic supports.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

The subforum.

too much information...

 

[Mellow Velo]

Finished by 6pm local?

This is stupidly slow.

So far, this Tour is more reminiscent of an old fashioned Giro.
Tootling along, then eyeballs out for the last hour or so.

 

[The Joker]

A boring prediction for a boring stage...
1. Cav
2. Greipel
3. Renshaw
4. Goss.

I can only hope there is a bit of action on the descent of the final little bump. It seems to be a sharper descent then the ascent is, and being more than 3km from the end, crashes here will cost time.... (not that I hope there are any crashes, but realistically, I think there probably will be)

 

[Hawkwood]

A boring prediction for a boring stage...
1. Cav
2. Griepel
3. Renshaw
4. Goss.

I can only hope there is a bit of action on the descent of the final little bump. It seems to be a sharper descent then the ascent is, and being more than 3km from the end, crashes here will cost time.... (not that I hope there are any crashes, but realistically, I think there probably will be)

Which of 2,3 or 4 above will be Cav's main lead-out man?

 

[The Joker]

Which of 2,3 or 4 above will be Cav's main lead-out man?

Renshaw of course

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Which of 2,3 or 4 above will be Cav's main lead-out man?

Greipel did a good job earlier this week, i see no reason to change

 

[will10]

I'll go for a heavily crash affected finale, resulting in only one or two leadout trains surviving, resulting in an all ex-HTC top 10

1 Cavendish
2 Greipel
3 Goss
4 Renshaw
5 Hagen
6 Henderson
7 Eisel
8 Bak
9 Hansen
10 Velits

Libertine Seguros might actually self-combust.

 

[Bala Verde]

Is "Griepel" Greipel's new nickname?

 

[LaFleur]

Renshaw struggled with allergies yesterday, is he okay today to sprint for the win?

 

[BoxCoppi]

A boring prediction for a boring stage...
1. Cav
2. Griepel
3. Renshaw
4. Goss.

I can only hope there is a bit of action on the descent of the final little bump. It seems to be a sharper descent then the ascent is, and being more than 3km from the end, crashes here will cost time.... (not that I hope there are any crashes, but realistically, I think there probably will be)

You should have punted for Renshaw in TOP3 @ 8:1 then

Bookies only look at Goss/Cav/Greipel for these flat stages. I agree with them that these are currently the three favourites [at least when Kittel is sick, and Goss/Greipel have the best trains]

Sprints are never that predictable though. At least not this year with Cav lighter and without train.

Do anyone think that Veelers can replicate his fourth place now that Kittel is sick?

 

[El Pistolero]

Is "Griepel" Greipel's new nickname?

It's what Cav fans use to show their disdain towards Greipel.

 

[wirral]

Intermediate sprint?

 

[The Joker]

You should have punted for Renshaw in TOP3 @ 8:1 then

I have never bet on cycling and have no plans to start now

The way my predictions turn out, I'd quickly go broke

 

[Bala Verde]

It's what Cav fans use to show their disdain towards Greipel.

Highly inventive....

Will Kittel become Kietel, Kettil, or Skittel

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Highly inventive....

Will Kittel become Kietel, Kettil, or Skittel

Apparently he's had a nasty dose of the Eartha Kitts this week

 

[El Pistolero]

Highly inventive....

Will Kittel become Kietel, Kettil, or Skittel

I'm going for Skittel.

 

[The Sheep]

Nice weather for skittel to recover

 

[Bala Verde]

Hmm the weather radar doesn't forecast any rain at all. Or it will be too little too late.

The last 1k is straight and the roads are wide. Although from satellite imagery it looks as if there might be traffic islands on that section. 4 lanes, 2x2 separated by islands. I wonder if those are still there.