2013 Tour du Haut Var (16th-17th February)

[Dazed and Confused]

Hushovd looks lean and pretty mean here. Well done.

 

[Pentacycle]

lol, Hushovd, Pozatto etc, all wheelsuckers no question. It will be up to others to make the race now that these will hang around like dirt on a CX bike.

At least Pozzato attacks once in a while, like on the Kwaremont last year. Boonen was the 'Shadow' there.

 

[RHRH19861986]

Tomorrow's stage is rather easy, isn't it? So Hushovd should have the overall in the bag, more or less?

No, it´s 50k longer and much harder than today... Romain Hardy didn´t survive last year, a rider like Hushovd could possibly. It also doesn´t finish uphill this time.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

At least Pozzato attacks once in a while, like on the Kwaremont last year. Boonen was the 'Shadow' there.

well, I have both in the same category. There are moments of action (Hushovd in TdF a few years back), Pozzato last year, but these are rare. Maybe this year they will be inspired. Lets see.

 

[Pentacycle]

well, I have both in the same category. There are moments of action (Hushovd in TdF a few years back), Pozzato last year, but these are rare. Maybe this year they will be inspired. Lets see.

In the TdF he attacks because his flat sprint has become weak, but in the classics I can't remember him ever taking the initiative.

 

[maltiv]

In the TdF he attacks because his flat sprint has become weak, but in the classics I can't remember him ever taking the initiative.

He initiated the attack in P-R 2009 which left him alone with Boonen (everyone else fell, though). Then Hushovd fell too.

He also attacked in RVV 2011 (before he was dropped straight afterwards) and P-R 2011 (Cancellara countered and attacked 250 times in a row). So yeah, let's not exaggerate. Hushovd is not nearly as strong as Boonen and Cancellara, you can't expect him to attack as much as they do. That would be ridiculous.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

No, it´s 50k longer and much harder than today... Romain Hardy didn´t survive last year, a rider like Hushovd could possibly. It also doesn´t finish uphill this time.

Is it though? It's got more difficult climbs in it, but far away from the finish......

 

[pastronef]

well, I have both in the same category. There are moments of action (Hushovd in TdF a few years back), but these are rare.

Thor stage win in Lourdes 2011 after the attack, alone, over Soulor and Aubisque was one of the best I've seen

 

[Carols]

Wow Thor is Back!!!! He showed briefly in San Luis(?) but this is real--a Win!!!

BMC coming good....Evans, Phil, Thor and Phinney all showing form early

 

[afpm90]

Thor is aiming for the Ardennes instead of cobbles this year.

That doesn't make any sense.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Full Result

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Is it though? It's got more difficult climbs in it, but far away from the finish......

Stage 2 profile recap:

so 20km to the finish line from the last KOM?

It will require serious racing to get rid of Hushovd. Big break needed early to put pressure on the BMC team.

 

[RHRH19861986]

Gilbert´s brother hasn´t really arrived at the pro´s yet...

DNF in stage 1 at Tour Med, DNF at stage 1 Haut Var, last year wasn´t great either.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I think that might be the profile of today's stage and the mtf is for tomorrow.

 

[RHRH19861986]

I think that might be the profile of today's stage and the mtf is for tomorrow.

No, no MTF this year... Start and finish in Draguignan.

Last year, though, it was a MTF, in Fayence, I think.

 

[hfer07]

wow- Congrats to Hushov-finally leaving behind the obstacles. hope to see from him some good performances like the ones back in the Tour 11.

 

[jens_attacks]

from velowire:

tomorrow's stage:

 

[LaFlorecita]

No, no MTF this year... Start and finish in Draguignan.

Last year, though, it was a MTF, in Fayence, I think.

Thought the OP said today was a mtf but that doesn't make sense with 90 guys finishing together.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Thought the OP said today was a mtf but that doesn't make sense with 90 guys finishing together.

If a 1.7km climb counts as a mountain, then today was a MTF.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Here's tomorrows finish. The climb is roughly 2.5km @ 7%.

 

[LaFlorecita]

If a 1.7km climb counts as a mountain, then today was a MTF.

Uphill finish, mtf it's all the same

 

[ingsve]

Thought the OP said today was a mtf but that doesn't make sense with 90 guys finishing together.

Ya, it's a bit surprising that there wasn't more gaps in the field. The first 56 or so on the same time but after that it looks more like an uphill finish with riders coming in in smaller pockets a few seconds apart.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Stage 2 race info:

after 93km riders will hit Pied du mur de Montauroux (300M @ 22%) and then again after 141km.

at 151km race organizer have found a nice little puppy called pied du mur de Fayence (200m @ 25%)

Last KOM is located after 193km with only 13km to go.

Plenty of opportunities to get things moving GC wise.

So why would anyone want to see this live?

 

[trevim]

My favourite win of the season right here Yeahhhhhhhhh Hushovd!

 

[theyoungest]