2014 1st Dubai Tour, 5th - 8th February (2.1)

[Libertine Seguros]

Also when Kittel praises the team work he sounds more honest to me. From Cav it sounds more calculated. Might be just my prejudice though.

I think Cav is genuine in thanking his teammates when it's going well. It's just that somebody - anybody - rather than him had better prepare for the blame when it isn't.

 

[Michele]

Genuine? I have opposite feeling (due to the way he over react when things dont work) but I would be happy to be wrong.

 

[Pentacycle]

Genuine? I have opposite feeling (due to the way he over react when things dont work) but I would be happy to be wrong.

He's very open to his teammates. They'll hear it when they've done a good job, but when they fail Cav will also make that clear to them. He's no actor.

 

[Afrank]

I too think he is genuine to his teammates, many many times (like every time he's won a race) the first thing I see him do is jump off the bike and, smiling, embrace his teammates.

If his reaction after the finish doesn't show he's thankful to his teammates when they deliver him to a win I also remember a couple times when he has decided not to pull through and instead chosen to let Renshaw take the win. In one of his Champs elysees wins where Renshaw was 2nd he said if he had known Renshaw was in 2nd back there he would have sat up to let him take the win.

It's true though, he doesn't handle mistakes (made by him or his teammates) well.

 

[PeterB]

I too think he is genuine to his teammates, many many times (like every time he's won a race) the first thing I see him do is jump off the bike and, smiling, embrace his teammates.

I see that too. But I simply do not see genuine appreciation in it. It's just happiness.

 

[Afrank]

I guess I would have to ask then, what does genuine appreciation look like?

 

[Christian]

He's no actor.

 

[PeterB]

I guess I would have to ask then, what does genuine appreciation look like?

Since this discussion started as comparing Cav to Kittel, take the latter for example. Obviously I can offer just my impression, but in Kittel's words, behaviour and body language I feel honest appreciation for his teammates. Respect and sense of accomplishment of their mutual objective. But I am happy to leave everyone else's opinion on their own impression.

 

[manafana]

Cav in victory always thanks teammates etc rarely says its his own hard work alone, but he tells it bluntly as it is, i remember one time he was left without help and he sure reminded us about it. Kittel is more measured when it doesnt go right and behind scenes is ensuring it goes right next time.

A slight step pitch tommorow maybe more tempted by Sagan or Nizzollo.

 

[PeterB]

A slight step pitch tommorow maybe more tempted by Sagan or Nizzollo.

If Cav or Kittel are still there for the sprint tomorrow,it would mean some teams did not do the homework. So yes, the stage should be for cannondale to control. But it will be also interesting to watch what strategy BMC will come with.

 

[manafana]

If Cav or Kittel are still there for the sprint tomorrow,it would mean some teams did not do the homework. So yes, the stage should be for cannondale to control. But it will be also interesting to watch what strategy BMC will come with.

for me BMC just need to control who goes in the break and keep it within striking distance, the teams of Sagan, Nizzollo and Co will do a fair chunk of work with them.

 

[Sykhrzon]

An aggressive rider like Sagan should attack today which I believe he will. And some of the GC riders should at least test their form.

I don't know if the hills are large enough to appeal to guys like Nibali and J-Rod.

 

[search]

Does anybody know the order over the 2 Intermediate Sprints? The Dubai Tour website (http://dubaitour.com/) shows the combined points for the 2 Intermediate Sprints but doesn't show the order they were each crossed. Thanks! It's for a fantasy competition...

Int. Sprint 1:

1. Smit
2. Mancebo
3. Nunes

Int. Sprint 2:

1. Smit
2. Nunes
3. Mancebo

Source: official press release

 

[Lance Armstrong]

An aggressive rider like Sagan should attack today which I believe he will. And some of the GC riders should at least test their form.

I don't know if the hills are large enough to appeal to guys like Nibali and J-Rod.

It's 1km 10%, and 500m 10%, certainly not a bunch sprint.

Profile: http://www.cronoescalada.com/index.php/tags/view/1/DubaiTour-St3FinalKms

 

[tomorrow]

It's 1km 10%, and 500m 10%, certainly not a bunch sprint.

Profile: http://www.cronoescalada.com/index.php/tags/view/1/DubaiTour-St3FinalKms

well, that looks nice, maybe somebody could try to distance phinney, probably some punchers like sagan, nibali might want to try something too

 

[happytramp]

Just me or anyone else find the QS and Giant-Shimano tops really similar in a bunch?

 

[Christian]

Just me or anyone else find the QS and Giant-Shimano tops really similar in a bunch?

This is true... yesterday on Eurosport they were trying to explain to the viewers that there were two different teams "the black one, and the black one with a little more white". And that was not including Trek Factory

 

[Christian]

Fabio Silvestre at the front pulling for Trek! He seems to only do domestique duties for now (it was the same in San Luis), while Alafaci is assigned a spot in Nizzolo's lead-out. I hope they do give Silvestre some more opportunities in other races, since he seems to have a great instinct and a winner mentality

 

[Christian]

Is the Banco-Bic-Carmim team the former Tavira team? I see they have "Tavira" printed on their shorts

/edit: it seems it is

 

[Pricey_sky]

This is true... yesterday on Eurosport they were trying to explain to the viewers that there were two different teams "the black one, and the black one with a little more white". And that was not including Trek Factory

Yes very confusing, when Trek, Giant and OPQS are up on the front you really do need a HD screen A dodgy stream could have you cheering for the wrong guys!

 

[Pricey_sky]

I see that too. But I simply do not see genuine appreciation in it. It's just happiness.

I don't know what you class as genuine then, Cav will always be extremely grateful for his team when he wins. He rarely forgets to thank teammates in his interview after. Just look at when he won the Worlds, he didn't want to be interviewed or talk to anyone else until he had thanked every single GB rider. Is that not genuine? You could also say he is very genuine in defeat, perhaps too much so. He shoots from the hip and lets people know exactly what he thinks. He's honest and I like that, but understand why other do not.

To call Cav not genuine is almost laughable, he is 100% himself in victory and defeat and unlike some others doesn't hide or pretend to be fake.

 

[manafana]

agreed too much black in those trains, find trek clashes alot with opqs from air, interesting run in here anyway

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Go Valverde!

 

[trevim]

Is the Banco-Bic-Carmim team the former Tavira team? I see they have "Tavira" printed on their shorts

/edit: it seems it is

Yes, it's the same team.
I'm glad to see Rui Costa in the thick of the action form the start of the season. I know it's a fairly large group by now but it's good to see that he isn't getting dtopped so easily. With the rainbow jersey and everything you never know... Wow good attack, but BMC will smash him
With was a nice leh stretch from the world champ!

Fabio Silvestre at the front pulling for Trek! He seems to only do domestique duties for now (it was the same in San Luis), while Alafaci is assigned a spot in Nizzolo's lead-out. I hope they do give Silvestre some more opportunities in other races, since he seems to have a great instinct and a winner mentality

Nice to hear Silvestre doing OK. I don't know much about Alafaci but Nizolo is probably a better bet for a stage like this. Wow Kittel winning a stage with a small climb. Now I'm shocked.

 

[The Barb]

Great racing this. Really good stuff so early in the season.