2012 Volta ao Algarve

[hatcher]

Lol at these reactions. It's February guys, at best we can make predictions about Milan-San Remo...

Are you tipping Porte for it?

 

[El Pistolero]

Really? Where did you read that?

Quick Step site. He'll be ready for Paris-Nice though and will probably win the time trial here in Algarve.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Quick Step site. He'll be ready for Paris-Nice though and will probably win the time trial here in Algarve.

Thanks, that makes his performance today even more solid

 

[JRanton]

By the way, does anyone know what happened to Nordhaug? Did Sky use him really early or what? Considering that he beat Machado etc by almost a minute just a week ago he should've been up there...

Yeah he was used early, from over 50km out from the finish.

The pace that Sky set in those last 25km particularly was probably a big reason why Martin lost 40 seconds (50 with the time bonus) on Malhao so I think their tactics were perfect. If Martin had only lost 20 seconds then he's the clear favourite for the overall. I still think that even with a 50 second deficit that Martin has a decent chance of beating Porte by that margin in the time trial.

 

[Gloin22]

Yeah he was used early, from over 50km out from the finish.

The pace that Sky set in those last 25km particularly was probably a big reason why Martin lost 40 seconds (50 with the time bonus) on Malhao so I think their tactics were perfect. If Martin had only lost 20 seconds then he's the clear favourite for the overall. I still think that even with a 50 second deficit that Martin has a decent chance of beating Porte by that margin in the time trial.

Last year with similar distance at Paris Nice where Martin was in perfect shape ( better than Porte anyway ) he only won by 27 seconds And now he isn't in good shape, so I think people over estimate his chances .

Paris - Nice, Stage 6 : Rognes - Aix-en-Provence I.T.T. (27 km)

1. MARTIN Tony THR 33'24"
2. WIGGINS Bradley SKY 20"
3. PORTE Richie SBS 29"

 

[JRanton]

Porte seems to have lost weight though and he didn't ride a particularly good time trial at the Aussie nationals (was a month ago mind).

This is Tony Martin we're talking about here. You have to say he has a chance.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Martin is never getting 50 seconds on Porte in this form on this distance.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Thanks, that makes his performance today even more solid

Yeah. Only losing 50 seconds to a so-so climber over 3kms when you are defending your title is truly excellent.
Well on schedule to hit his climbing peak at Le Tour.

Porte will need a Schleckanical to lose this now.

 

[saunaking]

Wonder what Riis has to say about today?

Not surprised, I think he had to let him go because Saxo Bank doesn't want to cough up the $$

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yeah. Only losing 50 seconds to a so-so climber over 3kms when you are defending your title is truly excellent.
Well on schedule to hit his climbing peak at Le Tour.

Porte will need a Schleckanical to lose this now.

40 seconds, not 50.. 50 in the GC because of 10 boni secpnds, but you get the point

 

[Richeypen]

Yeah. Only losing 50 seconds to a so-so climber over 3kms when you are defending your title is truly excellent.
Well on schedule to hit his climbing peak at Le Tour.

Porte will need a Schleckanical to lose this now.

Wouldnt go that far. Even out of form Martin is able to put time into anyone in the TT

 

[hektoren]

I reckon your thinkint of the one on the final climb of a dauphine stage he reduced the bunch to 12 elite climbers and christoph Kern

Yeah, you're right, of course. Thanks!

 

[JRanton]

I still can't believe that GreenEDGE failed to get Porte. He should have been their second priority signing, just behind Goss.

 

[jens_attacks]

actually,i'm with bavarianrider on this one.sky's ride before and on the climb was supersonic.
so tony martin....

 

[MartinGT]

Impressive stuff from SKy on the final climb. Wiggo attacked hard and was finished off nicely by POrte.

 

[JRanton]

I thought Froomey looked very strong today too. I'm interested to see how he goes in the time trial. Him and Porte are both targeting Paris-Nice where Wiggins will ride in support again.

 

[Mellow Velo]

40 seconds, not 50.. 50 in the GC because of 10 boni secpnds, but you get the point

Yes, I do. I stand corrected.
Fact is that Martin fans can't have it both ways.
No point in saying he's taking the climb easy, then expect him to go all out in the ITT, for the win.
Tony's ITT capability isn't in question, but his climbing certainly is.
Ignoring a fundamental problem will not make it go away.

 

[Midnightfright]

Yeah. Only losing 50 seconds to a so-so climber over 3kms when you are defending your title is truly excellent.
Well on schedule to hit his climbing peak at Le Tour.

Porte will need a Schleckanical to lose this now.

He's already ahead of last years tour de france climbing form

 

[jens_attacks]

i can't read into tony martin's climbing ability after this stage(it seems like last year honestly which is not bad)
i also think a uk postal will win the time trial and not panzerwagen,this is not a 1.10 bet of course.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Last year with similar distance at Paris Nice where Martin was in perfect shape ( better than Porte anyway ) he only won by 27 seconds And now he isn't in good shape, so I think people over estimate his chances .

Paris - Nice, Stage 6 : Rognes - Aix-en-Provence I.T.T. (27 km)

1. MARTIN Tony THR 33'24"
2. WIGGINS Bradley SKY 20"
3. PORTE Richie SBS 29"

Tony didn't need to go all in at Paris Nice.

 

[Midnightfright]

Tony didn't need to go all in at Paris Nice.

Wasn't that the opening stage? How would he know.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Wasn't that the opening stage? How would he know.

It was the last stage. He was cruising for the second part of the TT as he knew he had the Gc easily in his back

 

[Richeypen]

Wasn't that the opening stage? How would he know.

No it was stage 6. But this was the stage that put him in yellow and won him the race. Why wouldnt he be going all in?

 

[Midnightfright]

Ahh my bad

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

No, after the ITT there were still 2 stages to go.

You all have amnesia