2012 Tour of Qatar (5th - 10th February), 2.HC

[El Pistolero]

No, he wasn't. Boonen is wearing the leader's jersey, remember Michele?

He was taking turns, I saw the whole race. Short turns mind you, but turns. So yeah, I can confirm

 

[El Pistolero]

Hopefully not Cav man

 

[auscyclefan94]

Shimizu and Bak in the break

 

[Boardslide]

Thats good to hear. I like to know who has made the front group.

2 man break Lars Bak (Lotto) & Shimizu (Bridgestone) @ 4.40

 

[Boardslide]

Today's finish has a roaring tailwind on a dead straight 2 lane road, should be fast & furious.

 

[Kwibus]

He was taking turns, I saw the whole race. Short turns mind you, but turns. So yeah, I can confirm

I can confirm it as well. Since nobody would believe you anyways
He didn't take turns all the time ofcourse, but there was period were he was taking his turns as well. Sprinters like Farrar, Cavendish, Renshaw ofcourse didn't.
I think there was another sprinter who took some turns, but my memory fails me. Atleast there was another rider of which I was rather surprised he took turns.

 

[Kwibus]

Today's finish has a roaring tailwind on a dead straight 2 lane road, should be fast & furious.

Nice. Boonen might as well win it again. yesterday he was at the front too early with an headwind.

More important is if this roaring wind will hit the side of the peloton withing 50km to go. I certainly hope so. Forgot to turn on the recorder this morning, but I just checked and it seems that Eurosport2 will show a replay at 1700 CET again. Wooo!

 

[hatcher]

Riders all over the place.

 

[Ragerod]

Looks like 26 riders are in the leading group.

 

[El Pistolero]

Boonen wins the intermediate sprint over Farrar. Cav didn't make the cut!

 

[hatcher]

Michael Barry crashed hard, and is out of the race.

 

[Ragerod]

Big second group 20 seconds back. Contains Cav, Renshaw & Gilbert.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Luvin' the echelons.
Looks as if the 2nd group might regain contact????
The Barracuda+Boonan boys are sure stirring this race up.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Looks as if the 2nd group might regain contact????

I don't think so.

 

[Mellow Velo]

I don't think so.

No, because it is splitting further.
Not sure who Sky are playing for, today.

 

[Winterfold]

Cav and Eisel separated?

 

[Ragerod]

Second group looks like they've sat up.

 

[craig1985]

If this was a TDF stage there would be three or four threads on why Sky are riding in the front group when Cav is stuck in the back group. Mutiny in the ranks? (Nah clearly a lack of communication)

 

[hatcher]

No, because it is splitting further.
Not sure who Sky are playing for, today.

Eisel is not taking turns. Gotta be him.

 

[Zoncolan]

Tommeke has the overall in the bag.
Canc might have a go inside the last couple of km.

 

[craig1985]

Front group is 1'10 clear.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Eisel is not taking turns. Gotta be him.

Seems nuts to me, given the finish.
Didn't Leaky have Oss in the front group earlier, too?
If they did, he's gone back..........which would also be daft.

 

[El Pistolero]

Tommeke has the overall in the bag.
Canc might have a go inside the last couple of km.

Farrar can still win. One flat tire at the wrong moment and it's over as well. But it's looking good for his fourth overall victory in the Tour of Qatar.

 

[hatcher]

Sky must not have known Cav was in the 2nd group. Or maybe they figured having 3 of the front 16 are good enough odds.

 

[Zoncolan]

Farrar can still win. One flat tire at the wrong moment and it's over as well. But it's looking good for his fourth overall victory in the Tour of Qatar.

Yes, if something untoward happens, Farrar might steal it. He didn't show much form though in the sprints thus far. Tommeke outsprinted him easily each time.
Canc for the stage here if it's not a sprint. Even if it's a sprint, they might not be able to hold his wheel