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

[LaFlorecita]

Looking at the finish photos, I think there was some decent gaps in the field where time gaps could have been given.

Check the results there were time gaps

 

[Captain Kirk]

Cadel Evans to win on his birthday???

Green Mountain will be a cake walk on his birthday ACF

 

[il_fiammingo]

Stage 6 will probably be a sprint. Stage 5 has Bousher Alamrat which they climb 3 times before a descent to the finish, might provide a good springboard for a break. Not sure how hard the climb is though, so it might be another Sagan win, it'll be enough to drop Kittel though.
The profiles are on the first page.

Bousher Alamrat: 2.2mi @10%avg.

He should be able to stay in the front group.

http://www.strava.com/segments/climb-of-bousher-alamrat-998559

 

[xrayvision]

Will be a battle between Berto and Nibsy, Berto ftw.
Froomey and Evans 3rd and 4th.

 

[jens_attacks]

i hope pozzovivo takes the win today.i'll cheer for him but it will be very difficult to beat alberto

 

[xrayvision]

Five riders have a 2:15 gap at km 16. Bookwalter (BMC), Rast (RLT), Smukulis (KAT), Voss (TNE) and Friedeman (CSS)

Saxo and Astana to do all the work today.

 

[wirral]

Five riders have a 2:15 gap at km 16. Bookwalter (BMC), Rast (RLT), Smukulis (KAT), Voss (TNE) and Friedeman (CSS)

Saxo and Astana to do all the work today.

We've been here before in Qatar, haven't we?

 

[del1962]

Just as interesting to see how Nibs and Evans and maybe JRod go as well.

A man who flatters to deceive, a man who is showing his age and a man who has no form at the moment

No it will be Contador versus Froome

 

[Sofa Rider]

Five riders have a 2:15 gap at km 16. Bookwalter (BMC), Rast (RLT), Smukulis (KAT), Voss (TNE) and Friedeman (CSS)

Saxo and Astana to do all the work today.

Does anyone have a link to a live ticker?

 

[Publicus]

Does anyone have a link to a live ticker?

No live ticker. Best to follow @TourofOman_Live or search for #too13 on twitter

 

[Cyivel]

https://twitter.com/TourofOman_live

 

[wheelie1977]

good morning cycling fans

Day of truth and they're on the road. I see there's a wide variety of opinions on today's winner. I had a long think about it last night and I'm certain the stage will be won by a climber.

Here's my top 5

Chris Froome
Vincenzo Nibali @ st
Alberto Contador @st
Domenico Pozzovivo @ 15 seconds
Peter Velits @ 35 seconds

I think Alberto may attack all he likes this time but will find it difficult staying away from a tag-team effort of SKY driving from the bottom to almost 1 kilometre to go and then Froome and Nibali chasing him down. Froome to win the uphill sprint

Nibali attacked from the bottom last year. That won't work this year so he can save energy by following wheels. He knows the hill which works in his favour. Froome has a strong enough team to do real damage on the climb and Contador, well I just want him beaten, no offence to any of his fans.

 

[Sofa Rider]

https://twitter.com/TourofOman_live

Thank you to Publicus and Cyivel.
It seems they have problems updating from the stage due to bad cell phone coverage. But hey, it's better than nothing.

 

[theyoungest]

good morning cycling fans

Day of truth and they're on the road. I see there's a wide variety of opinions on today's winner. I had a long think about it last night and I'm certain the stage will be won by a climber.

Here's my top 5

Chris Froome
Vincenzo Nibali @ st
Alberto Contador @st
Domenico Pozzovivo @ 15 seconds
Peter Velits @ 35 seconds

I think Alberto may attack all he likes this time but will find it difficult staying away from a tag-team effort of SKY driving from the bottom to almost 1 kilometre to go and then Froome and Nibali chasing him down. Froome to win the uphill sprint

Nibali attacked from the bottom last year. That won't work this year so he can save energy by following wheels. He knows the hill which works in his favour. Froome has a strong enough team to do real damage on the climb and Contador, well I just want him beaten, no offence to any of his fans.

Contador can just attack the Sky train at 2 k to go, Wiggo isn't going to keep him from doing so

Why would you want him to be beaten, he's the best climber in the world, and a very aggressive one at that.

 

[wheelie1977]

because he's tainted. no other reason than I don't believe him or trust him.

 

[LaFlorecita]

good morning cycling fans

Day of truth and they're on the road. I see there's a wide variety of opinions on today's winner. I had a long think about it last night and I'm certain the stage will be won by a climber.

Here's my top 5

Chris Froome
Vincenzo Nibali @ st
Alberto Contador @st
Domenico Pozzovivo @ 15 seconds
Peter Velits @ 35 seconds

I think Alberto may attack all he likes this time but will find it difficult staying away from a tag-team effort of SKY driving from the bottom to almost 1 kilometre to go and then Froome and Nibali chasing him down. Froome to win the uphill sprint

Nibali attacked from the bottom last year. That won't work this year so he can save energy by following wheels. He knows the hill which works in his favour. Froome has a strong enough team to do real damage on the climb and Contador, well I just want him beaten, no offence to any of his fans.

At least you're honest lol

 

[UncleTupelo]

Wiggins has been a spare part in this race. Pretty sure he'd rather be alone training elsewhere. Sky have made a mistake bringing him here.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Contador can just attack the Sky train at 2 k to go, Wiggo isn't going to keep him from doing so

Why would you want him to be beaten, he's the best climber in the world, and a very aggressive one at that.

very good point theyoungest

 

[Publicus]

good morning cycling fans

Day of truth and they're on the road. I see there's a wide variety of opinions on today's winner. I had a long think about it last night and I'm certain the stage will be won by a climber.

Here's my top 5

Chris Froome
Vincenzo Nibali @ st
Alberto Contador @st
Domenico Pozzovivo @ 15 seconds
Peter Velits @ 35 seconds

I think Alberto may attack all he likes this time but will find it difficult staying away from a tag-team effort of SKY driving from the bottom to almost 1 kilometre to go and then Froome and Nibali chasing him down. Froome to win the uphill sprint

Nibali attacked from the bottom last year. That won't work this year so he can save energy by following wheels. He knows the hill which works in his favour. Froome has a strong enough team to do real damage on the climb and Contador, well I just want him beaten, no offence to any of his fans.

Sky driving the pace hasn't stopped Contador from successfully attacking them on 2 prior occasions, why do you think they'll be successful now? I think Pozzovivo, at 52kg, has a real chance to slip away for the victory as the big guns watch each other.

 

[wheelie1977]

just a real shame there are no pictures. apparently it costs €50,000 per day to cover a race!

when I win the Euromillions I'll set up a broadcasting company for cycling races. direct competition to ASO

First race will be around the roads in ireland I grew up in - De Ronde van Ireland. Belgium shouldn't have all the good races !

 

[wheelie1977]

i'm only hoping by the way - i see Contador as the man to beat on everything we've seen this week and in San Luis. When he attacks, Im hoping that the 2 riders Nibali and Froome have ridden into form overnight

 

[RedheadDane]

Bit late but, jeez! Traksel really want that polka-dot jersey!

 

[One Eyed Aussie]

Can't believe this race has no live coverage given the range of talent there.
Anyway, hope anyone but Sky take the stage.

 

[Sofa Rider]

Can't believe this race has no live coverage given the range of talent there.
Anyway, hope anyone but Sky take the stage.

I sure would have loved to be able to watch the final climb to the Jabal Al Akhdhar. I'm sure that Contador will attack...and win the stage!

 

[Lance Armstrong]

Keep us updated!

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