2013 Tour de France Stage 1: Porto Vecchio -> Bastia, 213km (29/06/13)

[Afrank]

The big question, which I think we all want to know, is which greenedge bus was it?

GreenEDGE has two buses. The riders refer to one as the “good bus” and the other one is apparently not as desirable. The first bus is new (as of last year) and the second bus came from Rabobank.

 

[spalco]

The best thing to have done would be not to have moved the finish line, but if the bus could not be moved in time just neutralised stage within last 3k.

Yes. I agree. Tough call, but it would have been the right one.

 

[Poursuivant]

Crash was caused by Greipel pushing through a gap that wasn't there and catching OPQS rider

Agree. Definitely Greipels fault.

 

[CraZyCaLL]

No, it was Kwiatkowski.

P.s. Great pic from the bus driver. Just epic.

It was german champ, not polish

 

[Warhawk]

Yes. I agree. Tough call, but it would have been the right one.

In hindsight, yeah. It's not an easy decision for them to make on the fly though.

 

[Linkinito]

Yes. I agree. Tough call, but it would have been the right one.

I think, instead of the 3 km finish, I would have put it at the flamme rouge. That would have given time for the peloton to slow down in case the bus wasn't out of the finish line. And it wouldn't have changed so much things in case it was changed at the very last time like what happened.

Also the 3 km finish was just UNDOABLE. It was way too dangerous. The flamme rouge was in the straight line.

 

[bolingbroke]

No. They should have neutralised the whole thing and let the intermediate sprinters take the green jersey. Any and every change after the 10k mark would have been equally dangerous.

 

[JimPanzen]

I think, instead of the 3 km finish, I would have put it at the flamme rouge. That would have given time for the peloton to slow down in case the bus wasn't out of the finish line. And it wouldn't have changed so much things in case it was changed at the very last time like what happened.

Also the 3 km finish was just UNDOABLE. It was way too dangerous. The flamme rouge was in the straight line.

It had to be 3k or nothing since they have additional timing equipment only at 3k.

 

[babastooey]

The road at 3km to go was insane for a finish line, but someone here already mentioned that they must have timing technology built into the 3km to go arch to help with the crash in the last 3km rule. They were going to use the tech there to judge the finish.

 

[cocteau_ireland]

take a look at the bus driver

Hardly surprising if he's driving like that

 

[Afrank]

Dam, Tony.

 

[T-Nielsen]

Hardly surprising if he's driving like that

Well that made me lol.

 

[Bavarianrider]

!!!Tony has no broken bones!!!
He's currently operated on the arm were he has big wound and lost blood, but nothing seems to be broken!!!

 

[JimPanzen]

!!!Tony has no broken bones!!!
He's currently operated on the arm were he has big wound and lost blood, but nothing seems to be broken!!!

So not out of the Tour?

 

[bolingbroke]

It did seem a bit strange when one person was saying he had a broken collar bone then theres a pic posted of him riding back to the tour bus.

 

[Bavarianrider]

So not out of the Tour?

No final decision yet, but apparently there's achance he can go on!!!

 

[Bavarianrider]

Ok, seems like Tony is receiving a blood transfusion.
Would that mean he is not allowed to go on???

 

[bolingbroke]

Geraint thomas has no breakages either, just been confirmed.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Mollema says he is ok, he said he had way too much speed and already knew he couldn't brake in time so he tried to go past them and ran into a lampre rider. He says he only has a few minor wounds but doesn't feel really hurt. His bike is ruined though

I think I understand why Giant wants to leave... Belkin/Blanco/Rabo keep breaking their bikes

 

[JimPanzen]

Ok, seems like Tony is receiving a blood transfusion.
Would that mean he is not allowed to go on???

Where do you get the Tony updates from?

 

[theyoungest]

Mollema says he is ok, he said he had way too much speed and already knew he couldn't brake in time so he tried to go past them and ran into a lampre rider. He says he only has a few minor wounds but doesn't feel really hurt. His bike is ruined though

I think I understand why Giant wants to leave... Belkin/Blanco/Rabo keep breaking their bikes

Yeah, breaking bikes, that never happens at other teams

Look at today's winner, then you'll understand why Giant wants to leave.

 

[l.Harm]

NOS interviewed the one who's responsible for the finish zone. According to him every bus driver has to ask permission to drive through the finish. The bow at the finish is adjustable and they can adjust it if a bus drives there. He was already late and got permission to drive on the roads, but he didn't ask for permission at the finish line.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Where do you get the Tony updates from?

Tourgottforum (german)

 

[LaFlorecita]

Ok, seems like Tony is receiving a blood transfusion.
Would that mean he is not allowed to go on???

Think it's allowed if medically necessary

 

[spalco]

Ok, seems like Tony is receiving a blood transfusion.
Would that mean he is not allowed to go on???

Not to dampen your optimism, Bavarianrider, but if Martin's doctors decided his injuries necessitate a blood transfusion, he's definitely not starting tomorrow.