2012 Tour Down Under Stage 3: Unley → Victor Harbor, 135km, 2.WT

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

So did something happen to Matthews?

probably the genius tactics of rabo

 

[greenedge]

I thought Robbie could have done better if GE fully commited to the stage win ( rather than riding for Gerrans/ Meyer ).
Nice work by Lotto/ Greipel again. Huta and EBH did well. I am wondering whether EBH could end up going well overall.

Today i got a lot of autographs.
Meyer's on my new GE hat, Neil Stephens, Jack Bauers', Davide Vigano, Michael Matthews, Jos Van Emdens', Jussi Veikkanens' and Rohan Dennis ( which was great ) as he explained to me what it meant with Will Clarkes' win and how they would try leadout Von Hoff all on my notebook.

I also got Hausslers' in the Hiton Hotel. I was so nervous and i meant to say good luck in MSR but instead i just asked whether he was ok after the crash. I also got Matteo Montagutis' autograph. Since he was Italian he did not understand when i asked will you target the Vuelta KOM next year. I then very slowly said Vuelta KOM and his face broke into a smile ( that i knew who he was ).

It was a great atmosphere in Unley, seeing all the "stars" of procycling not just for me but everyone.

 

[greenedge]

I highly doubt he can.

I think ebh will have the goods tho.

valv-ebh 1-2

I understand that EBH has the goods but Valverde might not. As everyone complains that Gerrans is not a great Ardennes spescialist he did beat Valverde ( maybe because he is in better form ) but that is the way it is for the moment. I would still like to be surprised.

I don't get why Oscar said that stage 1/2 were not har enough in terms of pace. He has deviated from being a pure sprinter but he would still place highly on stages that are easy enough. And he did try on stage 2 ( but was beaten on an easier course ) by stronger all round riders ( Valverde/ Gerrans )

 

[Gloin22]

Boasson Hagen finished the stage with a flat tyre.

http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,24270_7441414,00.html

 

[Tragic]

I was at 250 to go, Sky had 3 on the front but looked confused.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I was at 250 to go, Sky had 3 on the front but looked confused.

Gee, even when they do get a leadout right they are clueless.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Boasson Hagen finished the stage with a flat tyre.

http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,24270_7441414,00.html

pretty good result considering. I think they gotta lead him out tomorrow.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Just seeing the TDU snippet on Nine news I must say that Hooters was really close to Greipel in that finish.

 

[Kwibus]

So did something happen to Matthews?

I haven't seen or read anything yet besides Renshaw getting 4th.
Since it was a flat finish I'm pretty sure Renshaw was the nr.1 for today and Matthews had to help him.
Perfect Rabo tactics

 

[Kwibus]

Boasson Hagen finished the stage with a flat tyre.

http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,24270_7441414,00.html

Hmm. Cyclingnews wrote he had a flat tire during the race, but according to EBH it didn't influence his result at all.

 

[Tuarts]

Damn that Gorilla is quick.

Don't think Goss is anywhere near peak form (which may be a worry for MSR?) which is why McEwen went for the sprint, 5th place for a guy retiring is not so bad.

 

[Ruudz0r]

I haven't seen or read anything yet besides Renshaw getting 4th.
Since it was a flat finish I'm pretty sure Renshaw was the nr.1 for today and Matthews had to help him.
Perfect Rabo tactics

They rode for Matthews. Matthews tweeted after the race:

The team was awesome for me today I just wasnt good enough to hold @Mark_Renshaw wheel in the last 2 k not happy

 

[just some guy]

They rode for Matthews. Matthews tweeted after the race:

The team was awesome for me today I just wasnt good enough to hold @Mark_Renshaw wheel in the last 2 k not happy

That makes sense Renshaw hit the front very early.

 

[ingsve]

pretty good result considering. I think they gotta lead him out tomorrow.

EBH tends to have that advantage that eventhough they might have a more specialized sprinter in Sutton since he is often in the running for an overall spot he gets the leadout anyway to get some bonus seconds. Must be frustrating if you're the specialized sprinter.

 

[Ferminal]

Highlights starting shortly:

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/livestreaming.aspx?id=8403278

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Highlights starting shortly:

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/livestreaming.aspx?id=8403278

double click on the video for FullScreen mode

 

[woodie]

Damn Renshaw went early, what the hell was he thinking?

Awesome sprint from Griepel

 

[will10]

Damn Renshaw went early, what the hell was he thinking?

Awesome sprint from Griepel

Erm, read the thread.

 

[theyoungest]

Damn Renshaw went early, what the hell was he thinking?

Awesome sprint from Griepel

Renshaw was leading out Matthews, who couldn't hold his wheel, and then he tried to make the best out of it. Don't know if this was the way to do it, he seemed pretty quick actually but obviously went much too early.

I haven't seen or read anything yet besides Renshaw getting 4th.
Since it was a flat finish I'm pretty sure Renshaw was the nr.1 for today and Matthews had to help him.
Perfect Rabo tactics

Lol, you're pretty frustrated, aren't you? They actually chose the right tactic today, didn't work out though.

 

[maltiv]

EBH tends to have that advantage that eventhough they might have a more specialized sprinter in Sutton since he is often in the running for an overall spot he gets the leadout anyway to get some bonus seconds. Must be frustrating if you're the specialized sprinter.

With all due respect to Sutton, but even if he's specialized he is not really a better sprinter than Edvald...

Anyway, really happy to see Hutarovich in 2nd, that guy has some serious speed and could become a really great sprinter if he gets everything right.

 

[will10]

Renshaw was leading out Matthews, who couldn't hold his wheel, and then he tried to make the best out of it. Don't know if this was the way to do it, he seemed pretty quick actually but obviously went much too early.


Lol, you're pretty frustrated, aren't you? They actually chose the right tactic today, didn't work out though.

So the sprinter can't follow his leadout man but that's the right tactic? Is this some kind of Rabospeak I don't understand?

 

[theyoungest]

So the sprinter can't follow his leadout man but that's the right tactic? Is this some kind of Rabospeak I don't understand?

It's the right tactic to try and get Matthews some bonus seconds... if he can't hold Renshaw's wheel that's his own fault.

 

[gerundium]

So the sprinter can't follow his leadout man but that's the right tactic? Is this some kind of Rabospeak I don't understand?

The tactic was to have Renshaw lead out matthews. That is a correct tactic.
Execution of said tactic is where it went wrong.

 

[search]

With all due respect to Sutton, but even if he's specialized he is not really a better sprinter than Edvald...

additionally Sutton was the designated sprinter for Sky both at the crit on sunday and at stage 1 - he just didn't deliver.

So no need for Sky to waste the bonus seconds anymore.

 

[maltiv]

additionally Sutton was the designated sprinter for Sky both at the crit on sunday and at stage 1 - he just didn't deliver.

So no need for Sky to waste the bonus seconds anymore.

Exactly, they gave Sutton a chance and he didn't manage to take it. If EBH is out of the overall after Willunga he will surely try to give Sutton a leadout on the final stage anyway.