2012 Tour of California May 13 Stage 1: Santa Rosa - Santa Rosa 186.5 km

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Ok fair enough, but going to 1 GT with 3 GC contenders isn't too much?

Well maybe not since last year they went with 2 and both of them failed

radioshack went with 4 and all of them failed

 

[will10]

radioshack went with 4 and all of them failed

Their Tour was a success anyway, Zubeldia was 15th

 

[Don Johnson]

All true, but put it into perspective. Who did Sagan crush? A guy who has suffered a total loss of form over the past 2 years and a second tier sprinter who is as long in the tooth as Chris Horner.
Certainly a pity that Boonan flatted and Matthews was busy inspecting Bavarianrider's wonderful tarmac, but they too are not on the same level as the GT sprinter boys.

Sagan would be found wanting when up against the Cav, Griepel, Goss and Kittels of the pan flat Tour stage, stage.
(I see El P went Cav fishing again, but failed to secure a bite.)

I see the Liquigas man as the natural successor to Gilbert, but with more versatility and pace.

What we are seeing in Sagan is a young LeMond, or Merckx. Sagan is an all arounder just like those two individuals.
It is very unfair to compare Sagan to the ultra quick sprinters, who are travelling 5ks quicker at the end of a flatish stage.
It is also unfair to dismiss Sagan, sprinting against a non tour field(the best of the best.) Remember, the focus of Liquigas in yesterdays stage, and Sagans timing, definetely world champion material Sagan.
What did he have yesterday about 7 minutes on the high powered sprinters,(excepting fast freddy.)

 

[GIBO SIMONI]

Sucks, could've won again today.

Good to see all other sprinters being dropped, all "flat" stages should be like this. Sprinters needing to work for their victory not just in the final 5km, but during the whole race.

lol thats like saying less chuck alpe d huez at the start of a hilly stage lol i noticed you shown alot of interest in the stage isit because boonen's riding lol if it was up to you every stage would be like roubaix or liege(GT>Classics),at the end of the day you get flat stages mountain stages etc.....

 

[El Pistolero]

lol thats like saying less chuck alpe d huez at the start of a hilly stage lol i noticed you shown alot of interest in the stage isit because boonen's riding lol if it was up to you every stage would be like roubaix or liege(GT>Classics),at the end of the day you get flat stages mountain stages etc.....

I'm interested in this stage because all the pure sprinters were dropped.

And no that's not what I'm saying(bolded).

 

[El Pistolero]

What we are seeing in Sagan is a young LeMond, or Merckx. Sagan is an all arounder just like those two individuals.
It is very unfair to compare Sagan to the ultra quick sprinters, who are travelling 5ks quicker at the end of a flatish stage.
It is also unfair to dismiss Sagan, sprinting against a non tour field(the best of the best.) Remember, the focus of Liquigas in yesterdays stage, and Sagans timing, definetely world champion material Sagan.
What did he have yesterday about 7 minutes on the high powered sprinters,(excepting fast freddy.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2tD0idnkYE

Sagan is faster than some Velos seem to think

 

[Don Johnson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2tD0idnkYE

Sagan is faster than some Velos seem to think

Thank you for sharing the video. Sagan is awesome, I know people like to put down the ToC, but being able to see him race here, is a privilege.