2012 Tour of California May 18 stage 6: Palmdale - Big Bear 186.3 km

[offbyone]

Garmin has to control the peloton today being as though they have the race lead along with 2 other additional contenders.

I don't think a true selection can be made, it just isn't very steep, but I do think there will be a mini selection of 30 riders. Tomorrow should be exciting though.

 

[Anonymous]

Okay... Just about ready to head to Big Bear for the finish. I just looked at the weather report. 70 degrees, full sun, BUT there is wind predicted at 20 to 25mph from the North West.

Not sure the wind will be a big factor as it will mostly be a side/tail wind. However, the wind tends to swirl up there so it might make it more difficult.

See you at the finish line.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Paul Sherwen ‏@PaulSherwen
This is the trophy awaiting the winner if @AmgenTourofCali finish in Big Bear Lake today - locally made http://pic.twitter.com/fkoQj9KF

 

[ooh_25mm]

Paul Sherwen ‏@PaulSherwen
This is the trophy awaiting the winner if @AmgenTourofCali finish in Big Bear Lake today - locally made http://pic.twitter.com/fkoQj9KF

Well that's is an accurate depiction of the final's profile.

Sagan comes around Nibali for the win a la T-A.

 

[ooh_25mm]

Not sure why RSNT has put Rast in the break.

To make Garmin work before RSNT puts the hammer down?

Or are they laying down until tomorrow where Horner will attempt the stage win, but lose to Gesink?

 

[WindLessBreeze]

K.A.

Giro people. RCS. It's a shame you do not utilize that world class platform to showcase women's cycling. Pro. They've been all over the world in order to seek an opportunity to RIDE. Thanks ToC.

 

[theyoungest]

Not sure why RSNT has put Rast in the break.

To make Garmin work before RSNT puts the hammer down?

Or are they laying down until tomorrow where Horner will attempt the stage win, but lose to Gesink?

Why should Garmin work to bring Rast back? This is the ideal situation for them. No GC threats in the break, just ride tempo.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

It may be stupid for them not to attack today but that's modern tactics. They're all waiting for the finish on Baldy, and even then I don't think we'll see to many fireworks, just a bunch of guys watching each other.

then you have no idea about duarte and atapuma

 

[Museeuw]

Other teams will do all the work and Liquigas will win with Sagan. Someone should fire all the DS and hire someone with some tactical/strategical skills.

+1

There is bunch of idiots and sagan. After stage 2 bells should have been ringing. And no one didn't do or even tried anything.

They all should ride against sagan. It's so simple as that. Why they let him keep winning?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

 

[Bala Verde]

Okay... Just about ready to head to Big Bear for the finish. I just looked at the weather report. 70 degrees, full sun, BUT there is wind predicted at 20 to 25mph from the North West.

Not sure the wind will be a big factor as it will mostly be a side/tail wind. However, the wind tends to swirl up there so it might make it more difficult.

See you at the finish line.

Can you live uptweet us with your adventures...?

Some special requests:
1) what beer are you drinking?
2) what's your personal view of the tarmac today (not for me, others might be interested)?
3) can you share pics if you have them?

cheers

 

[Rocksteady]

At least Boily and Salas trying to keep our interest until the finish with some KOM sprints. Both in the break today... Nice.

 

[patrick767]

Not sure why RSNT has put Rast in the break.

To make Garmin work before RSNT puts the hammer down?

Maybe, but they'll probably be cautious and boring with Rast out there just to have a shot in the unlikely event that the break stays away.

 

[RHRH19861986]

Giro people. RCS. It's a shame you do not utilize that world class platform to showcase women's cycling. Pro. They've been all over the world in order to seek an opportunity to RIDE. Thanks ToC.

Not sad about that... I love women, no matter if blonde or brunette, but absolutely dislike women´s pro cycling. It has no tradition, and somehow doesn´t fit. It´s like male ice dancing.

 

[md2020]

then you have no idea about duarte and atapuma

I would love it if one of those guys could provide some excitement today. Considering how aggressively the Colombian team has raced I'd say at least they're likely to try something. The problem is that today isn't hard enough. Plus, I think the rest of the teams are going to be riding negatively, thinking that either tomorrow is going to be their big day or that they don't want to risk their top 10 standing.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Giro people. RCS. It's a shame you do not utilize that world class platform to showcase women's cycling. Pro. They've been all over the world in order to seek an opportunity to RIDE. Thanks ToC.

The Giro Donne is the biggest race on the women's calendar.

 

[theyoungest]

Kittel abandons, and so does an important helper for Gesink, Ten Dam.

 

[patrick767]

Anyone know what happened with ten Dam? He was 6th last year.

 

[theyoungest]

He hurt his knee in that uphill crash a few stages ago with Sagan and Sutherland.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Kittel abandons, and so does an important helper for Gesink, Ten Dam.

Damn that's really too bad for Gesink. Now Kelderman and LL Sanchez will be the most important. That's nto the same level uphill...

 

[theyoungest]

Damn that's really too bad for Gesink. Now Kelderman and LL Sanchez will be the most important. That's nto the same level uphill...

Yeah, it reduces the tactical options for Rabobank. Ten Dam proved last year he's better on Baldy than Van Garderen and Danielson.

 

[kukiniloa]

I would love it if one of those guys could provide some excitement today. Considering how aggressively the Colombian team has raced I'd say at least they're likely to try something. The problem is that today isn't hard enough. Plus, I think the rest of the teams are going to be riding negatively, thinking that either tomorrow is going to be their big day or that they don't want to risk their top 10 standing.

The break could stay away, or not....probably not...

in any case, Van Garderen will win the GC tomorrow, as Gesink doesn't have enough punch to drop him.

 

[kukiniloa]

Yeah, it reduces the tactical options for Rabobank. Ten Dam proved last year he's better on Baldy than Van Garderen and Danielson.

last year...

this year may be different and no one wants to win more than Van Garderen.

 

[Moviefan1203]

Ten Dam proved last year he's better on Baldy than Van Garderen and Danielson.

I'm pretty sure Van Garderen will show much better this year on Baldy.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

The break could stay away, or not....probably not...

in any case, Van Garderen will win the GC tomorrow, as Gesink doesn't have enough punch to drop him.

lol last year even Ten Dam had enough punch to drop him. Baldy is so hard you don't need punch, you need to be a good climber