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

[phanatic]

Their was some rumours that it was a propganda thing with the Oman government wanting to filter what we get to see.

I think the post-Orwellian term for propaganda may be at work here: marketing. The live stream would narrow an already small audience, and I think all of us who would have watched live are going to watch highlights just the same. And they get to make high quality reels like we saw above.
--

On the race: J-Rod was awesome. He would destroy the Giro field if he went.

 

[gizzajob]

Interesting racing already

Sagan didn't start due to a throat infection.

After 25km a strong break of Stybar/Trentin (OPQ), V.Avermaet (BMC), Irizar (RLT), Hernandez (TST), Grivko (AST), Schillinger (TNE), Minard & Kuchynski (KAT) have over 2 mins

EDIT: 2:40 after 37km

 

[airstream]

Haha, yeah, if one hopes for participating for money one really hurts. 10 minutes trolled you much.

 

[airstream]

I dont think its short at all. More than half of Mortirolo. Harder than the Peyresoudes they climbed last year. 6 at 10% is no joke.

That is why we see attacks from big pelotons on MTF's extremely rarely. It is not about 5 km. Making a move early, an attacker more often hits a strong well-coordinated pursuit. In order to drop all the people, one should be waaaay stronger than others. Is it possible among Oman field? I don't think so. Contador simply overrated himself, attacking too early. No matter how you deify his previous feats and they are worth of it, but that's the thing everyone is doomed to make mistakes because general level is very high.

Despite on Angliru, I think overly steep climbs suit Contador less than usual ones. There were 14% long pieces without tornante. Real bloodbath for power guys.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Little Jesus won't be very helpful

 

[jens_attacks]

alberto will give sky some headaches today

 

[RHRH19861986]

Schillinger in the break second day in a row...

Was also in the break in Flanders last year, and is really showing nice performances in high quality races. Being German, I followed him since his Team Köstritzer U23 days, and would never have expected that he´d develop so well.

 

[will10]

Nice group but Stybar is too close in GC.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Nice group but Stybar is too close in GC.

Looks ideal. Sky can't let the group get away for a cheap break win and the situation sets up some GC movement.

Profile reminder:

Break about to hit the first KOM.

 

[vicentechaigneau]

I am sure that Froome is in a very advanced form over the likes of Purito, Contador...

The spaniards are far from their in-form weight

Team Sky training camps have been really hard and their men are on top form, see Wiggo, Swifty, Thomas... Froome is really fit too.

I see Contador has probably 3 or 4 kilos to lose for big events which isn't the case of Froomy obvisouly.

 

[danlindfield]

Sagan is out so Cannondale content to sit at the back. Astana and Saxo both have men in the break. Looks like its down to Sky to reel this back in alone - shame they've got their climbing team not Eisel, Stannard etc.

Will Wiggo break his "I'm just base training" and help pull for Froome?

 

[jens_attacks]

of course alberto isn't in top shape

but neither is chris

wiggo:
I think Chris will be the first to admit he’s nowhere near his best yet, so for him to do that [on Thursday] shows he’s well on track.”

 

[BlenJones2]

The front group is down to 25 riders with gilbert dropped

 

[LaFlorecita]

of course alberto isn't in top shape

but neither is chris

wiggo:
I think Chris will be the first to admit he’s nowhere near his best yet, so for him to do that [on Thursday] shows he’s well on track.”

Not good news.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Situation:

Going up the second KOM.

9 in front with 1:30 to

group of about 22.

Brutal action.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Tour of Oman - LIVE ‏@TourofOman_live
Nibali (AST) and Contador (TST) have attacked the chase group. 50 metres ahead of group with Froome (SKY). Still behind break. #TOO13

 

[BlenJones2]

Contadors attacked and trying to bridge to hernandez

 

[LaFlorecita]

Tour of Oman - LIVE ‏@TourofOman_live
Contador has jumped solo. Remember that he has a teammate in the break. Hernandez will bury himself for Contador. #TOO13

 

[Netserk]

Tour of Oman - LIVE ‏@TourofOman_live
Contador has jumped solo. Remember that he has a teammate in the break. Hernandez will bury himself for Contador. #TOO13

As predicted

Vamos Velasco _O_

 

[Ferminal]

Contador has an unhealthy obsession with Cat IIs.

(Unhealthy for anyone else in the race).

 

[LaFlorecita]

Jesus by far the best climber wins second KOM as well

Tour of Oman - LIVE ‏@TourofOman_live
KOM 2: 1. Hernandez (TST) 2. Stybar (OPQ) 3. Van Avermaet (BMC) #TOO13

Go Styby go Jesus!

 

[LaFlorecita]

Tour of Oman - LIVE ‏@TourofOman_live
Contador is 15" behind break over KOM 2. #TOO13

 

[Netserk]

Jesus by far the best climber wins second KOM as well

Tour of Oman - LIVE ‏@TourofOman_live
KOM 2: 1. Hernandez (TST) 2. Stybar (OPQ) 3. Van Avermaet (BMC) #TOO13

Go Styby go Jesus!

Why Jesus no wait for Berto

 

[LaFlorecita]

Tour of Oman - LIVE ‏@TourofOman_live
Nibali (AST) and Pozzivio (ALM) have been dropped from the first chase. #TOO13

 

[LaFlorecita]

Why Jesus no wait for Berto

No need to wait Berto is just that good

Edit: break + Alberto caught