2013 Tour of Oman (11th-16th February), 2.HC

[Vino attacks everyone]

Yes. And yet Alberto came here to inspire others.

His presence allwyas oes that Airstream

 

[Bumeington]

I'm also very surprised by how bad Sky was today. Only 1 guy in the top 40. With their line-up, they should've had at least 6. Perhaps they used up all their climbers on the flat?

Or perhaps all the guys who went to their Mallorca training camp (Froome didn't) are completely burnt out already? I heard that training camp was like riding a GT...Except that it was longer. So far this season, only the guys who didn't go to Mallorca, have done well (G, Froome, Henao).

Froome was in Mallorca (e.g. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/21190544)

 

[barmaher]

A lot of conclusions are being drawn about the Tour of Oman.

Only things I have gleamed for sure this week is that Sagan is indeed a beast and that J-Rod and Evans are written off at your peril.

We all know how good Froome, Nibali and Contador can be. Neither will be peaking at the Tour of freaking Oman. And Froome is not for sure the king in waiting because he beat the other two in the Tour of freaking Oman.

 

[manafana]

People will always hold a little hope Sagan will have a big climb, but once he cracks hes a broken man and sits up like a sunday cyclist.

Froome is alot more exciting than wiggins hes proven that before.

 

[Lance Armstrong]

I think after today we can conclude (once again) that Sagan can't climb at all when the climbs are of considerable length

He can if he tries. TdF 2012 Stage 14

According to his FB, he woke up with sore throat today and he can barely speak. He's considering withdrawal so be careful with tomorrow's bets

 

[the asian]

WTF has happened to Mr Bilharzia. He wasn't supposed to be in form this early.
Hope Alberto builds up his form by July, so that his attacks stick.

Dr Pozzo 1.10 behind on a climb that suits him. He better be in good shape for the giro.

 

[Dedelou]

Outch!

Man does it hurt not to be able to follow such a race pedal stroke by pedal stroke.. For an early season battle this one sounded like a delight. Alberto did what Alberto does and that did not score the result , us fans, love to to see.. dommage. I think those who try to hard to predict future results based on this one might be surprised. There is a long season ahead and one thing is certain: If it continues this way , it will be exciting. Long live racing that does not fear the "train"

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Very nice result for Elissonde!

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

A lot of conclusions are being drawn about the Tour of Oman.

Only things I have gleamed for sure this week is that Sagan is indeed a beast and that J-Rod and Evans are written off at your peril.

We all know how good Froome, Nibali and Contador can be. Neither will be peaking at the Tour of freaking Oman. And Froome is not for sure the king in waiting because he beat the other two in the Tour of freaking Oman.

Well said, some reasoned perspective.

It's early in the season. We don't know their form. Contador finishing 4th on a hill where j rod etc are generally better. It's may be the start of some Froome years but AC will still win more GT's.

 

[barmaher]

I wouldn't think that Sagan is a broken man when he cracks. Just a man thinking of future battles.

EDIT: Just saw the sore throat thing...another reason not to go mad.

 

[serfla]

Promising results today.
Didn't expect to see the pair (that much) in front of Contador. Great to see that Evans is on the right path again.
Looking forward to rest of the season.

 

[barmaher]

Well said, some reasoned perspective.

It's early in the season. We don't know their form. Contador finishing 4th on a hill where j rod etc are generally better. It's may be the start of some Froome years but AC will still win more GT's.

We won't really know much until Ax 3 Domaines or even later.

 

[Lexman]

Froome apparently admitted that whenever there was an attack he had to let them go but was always able to get back on


http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/wielrennen/130214_romde_oman_rit_4

 

[LaFlorecita]

Well said, some reasoned perspective.

It's early in the season. We don't know their form. Contador finishing 4th on a hill where j rod etc are generally better. It's may be the start of some Froome years but AC will still win more GT's.

Why is this a "JRod hill"? And how can you say Alberto will win more GTs than Froome if this is the start of some Froome years?

 

[Arnout]

It's funny how when Contador doesn't win, it makes all the times he did win suspect, for some people. I guess he's just that good.

No, not in my eyes. However, it makes the discussions about Contador being the best based on 2009 a bit... what's the word... irrelevant for cycling today.

 

[danlindfield]

Tomorrow should be interesting but those 3 climbs although a decent gradient aren't long enough to put anyone under real pressure. Descending will be as important as the climbing and that last 2k of flat may eradicate any gaps which open. Dare I say it but Sagan may be able to hang on. Not sure the climbers can do much damage to each other.

 

[LaFlorecita]

No, not in my eyes. However, it makes the discussions about Contador being the best based on 2009 a bit... what's the word... irrelevant for cycling today.

Actually we always argue that he was also magnificent in 2011

 

[Arnout]

Actually we always argue that he was also magnificent in 2011

Fair enough. Personally, I don't know how to value his achievements, which is why I tend to argue against the "Alberto was the best so when he is not anymore he must be out of shape" reasoning.

 

[Froome19]

Nice by Froome, but then I would expect him to do a Wiggins like peak this year and dominate most of the pre-Tour races.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Nice by Froome, but then I would expect him to do a Wiggins like peak this year and dominate most of the pre-Tour races.

And then dominating the tour winning by 8 minutes or so

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

So, still no footage available?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Fair enough. Personally, I don't know how to value his achievements, which is why I tend to argue against the "Alberto was the best so when he is not anymore he must be out of shape" reasoning.

Tbh it makes sense. He's been the best for so many years so when he doesn't do well he is either out of shape (or had a bad day) or past his prime.

 

[Telmisartan new]

Good racing today but i learned absolutely nothing.We already know Froome and Rodriguez are close to winning a GT and Alberto simply didn't have the legs/sensations today.If i learned anything of interest its that Evans is far from finished.

Apart from that i think the talk of Alberto on the wane and future Froome dominance after a week long February stage race with one mountain stage is a tad premature but we'll see at the Tour.

Where have i heard this Alberto isn't what he was and Froome is the main man talk before,oh that's right,it was during the first week of last year's Vuelta.

 

[Miburo]

Nice by Froome, but then I would expect him to do a Wiggins like peak this year and dominate most of the pre-Tour races.

You do realise Contador is in these races too?

Ok sounds bad after today's stage I know but it's only 1 climb.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Where have i heard this Alberto isn't what he was and Froome is the main man talk before,oh that's right,it was during the first week of last year's Vuelta.

And he wasn't really himself now was he?