2013 Tour of Qatar (3rd-8th February), 2.HC

[Afrank]

2013 Tour of Qatar (3rd-8th February), 2.HC

Stage 1: Sunday, February 3, 143 km
Katara Cultural Village → Dukhan Beach
Stage 2: Monday, February 4, 14 km TTT
Al Rufaa Street
Stage 3: Tuesday, February 5, 143 km
Al Wakra → Mesaieed
Stage 4: Wednesday, February 6, 160 km
Camel Race Track → Al Khor Corniche
Stage 5: Thursday, February 7, 154 km
Al Zubara Fort → Madinat Al Shamal
Stage 6: Friday, February 8, 116 km
Sealine Beach Resort → Doha Corniche

Stage Profiles: _________________________________

Startlist: http://www.cyclingfever.com/editie.html?detp=view&_ap=startlijst&editie_idd=MjM3ODk=

Other route and race info: http://www.letour.com/2013/TQA/COURSE/us/le_parcours.html

 

[gruppeto993]

Apart from the TTT this race is a sprinter snoozfest. But the wind adds some drama. A sandstorm during one of the stages would make it exciting too

 

[Orbit501]

Ha ha, love your stage profiles info _____________________

I'll be wearing the KOM jersey for this one then

 

[gruppeto993]

Radioshack just announced the team they're sending and they can be considered favourites. They have Cancellara, Devolder, Gallopin, Irizar, Oliveira, Rast and Roulsten. The time trial isn't that long, 14Km.

LOL. King of the mountains jersey

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Radioshack just announced the team they're sending and they can be considered favourites. They have Cancellara, Devolder, Gallopin, Irizar, Oliveira, Rast and Roulsten. The time trial isn't that long, 14Km.

LOL. King of the mountains jersey

TTT is far too short to prevent whichever sprinter makes every eschelon from winning.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

EBH or Cav FTW overall.

Please do a gravel style stage in the future ffs.

 

[Afrank]

Way to quiet here today.

Who do people think will win the TTT?

How do people think Cance will do?

Who will win the race?

No Boonen this year, so which sprinter will win most? Cav? Guardini? Modolo?

If we get some good crosswinds, which sprinter can make the selection and survive to take the win?

Discuss.

 

[Pentacycle]

Way to quiet here today.

Who do people think will win the TTT?

How do people think Cance will do?

Who will win the race?

No Boonen this year, so which sprinter will win most? Cav? Guardini? Modolo?

If we get some good crosswinds, which sprinter can make the selection and survive to take the win?

Discuss.

Cav of course, on all questions, just getting ready for his MSR victory. And Fabian will do great.

 

[El Pistolero]

I remember Cancellara won a stage here once, but that was years ago. Qatar was still live on Flemish TV back then lol.

 

[Orbit501]

Way to quiet here today.

Who do people think will win the TTT?

How do people think Cance will do?

Who will win the race?

No Boonen this year, so which sprinter will win most? Cav? Guardini? Modolo?

If we get some good crosswinds, which sprinter can make the selection and survive to take the win?

Discuss.

1) Sky or Radioshack

2) Top Ten, no podium.

3) EBH or G.

4) Cav or Modolo.

5) Degenkolb.

 

[maltiv]

This race should be significantly less exciting now that OPQS are riding for Cavendish, which means they'll want an easy race. Hopefully some of the other teams are up to the task of splitting the field.

 

[El Pistolero]

This race should be significantly less exciting now that OPQS are riding for Cavendish, which means they'll want an easy race. Hopefully some of the other teams are up to the task of splitting the field.

Lol, teams don't split the field here.

 

[maltiv]

Lol, teams don't split the field here.

Yea they do. One team has to start, or nothing happens. Depends on the wind though, if it's insanely strong then there will be splits anyway.

 

[El Pistolero]

Yea they do. One team has to start, or nothing happens. Depends on the wind though, if it's insanely strong then there will be splits anyway.

Lol, that's not how it works.

If there are heavy crosswinds teams will want to keep their best riders in the front. This will automatically increase the pace and cause splits. Everyone who doesn't want to be thrown out the back has to co-operate in an echelon, that includes Cavendish. Why else do you think Leipheimer and Bradley Wiggins were actively taking turns during stage 2 in Paris-Nice last year?

Considering Qatar is a flat country, in the middle of a desert, close to the sea, there will be the risk of crosswinds where ever they go. It's not just one specific location like in some European races, but the entire race is windy.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Radioshack just announced the team they're sending and they can be considered favourites. They have Cancellara, Devolder, Gallopin, Irizar, Oliveira, Rast and Roulsten. The time trial isn't that long, 14Km.

LOL. King of the mountains jersey

More like King of the Sand dunes.

 

[blaxland]

More than likely Cavendish showing off his new team kit with a few stage wins,maybe an upset stage for Modolo/Degenkolb?TTT will be won by either Radioshack/Sky.As others have posted im hoping for a couple of really windy days to help make the race more exciting.Im happy just to see some more racing really"

 

[Der Effe]

As for Blanco, aren't they invited or are they just ignoring this race? I hope for the latter, as European and US based teams (Aussie teams too tbh) should be ignoring snoozefests like these. Wanna race on the other side of the world? Then give Australia some more races, they actually have been producing top cyclists for some time now. I can't imagine one team being really happy about having just to cycle this race knowing they're Pat's b**tch.

 

[greenedge]

Who do people think will win the TTT?

How do people think Cance will do?

Who will win the race?

No Boonen this year, so which sprinter will win most? Cav? Guardini? Modolo?

If we get some good crosswinds, which sprinter can make the selection and survive to take the win?

Discuss.

OGE, Sky, OPQS or RS. I think RS are most likely to though.

I think he could top 5 and he will attack at some point.

Cav. I expect Bouhanni, Degenkolb and Guardini to also challenge.

Degenkolb- though Cav and Bouhanni might be able to as well.

Some riders i expect to go well include Thomas/EBH, Kreder, Haussler, Viviani, Blythe and Haller- not just for the overall.

 

[will10]

It's amazing how many people take one glance at the profiles and assume it's a dull race. You have to go back a long time to find no echelon racing in Qatar. Go ahead, see if you can find me an edition where every stage was a bunch sprint (and a sprint from a group of 20 when the rest of the race is in about nine other groups doesn't count of course )

 

[theyoungest]

As for Blanco, aren't they invited or are they just ignoring this race? I hope for the latter, as European and US based teams (Aussie teams too tbh) should be ignoring snoozefests like these. Wanna race on the other side of the world? Then give Australia some more races, they actually have been producing top cyclists for some time now. I can't imagine one team being really happy about having just to cycle this race knowing they're Pat's b**tch.

Not invited. They'd have loved to ride probably, they need all the publicity they can get (which of course is not much, in Holland).

 

[ingsve]

In the past one team that was very keen on keeping a high pace and creating echelons was Cervelo Test Team with Haussler. Perhaps Haussler and IAM can bring a similar attitude now. Sky have been a bit unsteady in the past in cross winds but perhaps Rasch who is a cross winds expert can bring some steadyness to them now.

 

[UncleTupelo]

Like Taylor Phinney for a podium, not sure of BMC TTT ability though.

 

[wheelie1977]

seems to be confusion as to Stage 2. Some say Team Time Trial, others say Time Trial.

I think it's the latter.

 

[janraaskalt]

seems to be confusion as to Stage 2. Some say Team Time Trial, others say Time Trial.

I think it's the latter.

Official site says Team TT.
http://www.letour.com/2013/TQA/COURSE/us/le_parcours.html

 

[MADRAZO]

seems to be confusion as to Stage 2. Some say Team Time Trial, others say Time Trial.

I think it's the latter.

First rider/team starts

14:45

Last starts:

15:36

And estimated 14 kms in 16 minutes

It can only be a TTT