2014 4th Tour of Beijing, October 10 to 14 (WT)

[BigMac]

2014 Tour de Beijing

We're back to Beijing for the last year in these parts. For now. An end long foreseen, though I must say, with all honesty, that I quite enjoyed these four years in China. This year's parcours is not much different than last's: riders start off with a few flat and flattish stages. Stage three, though, looks interesting. Next, just as last year, there's a summit finish at Mentougou Miaofeng, only now there are more lead up climbs. Should be good. Last stage is the usual city ride with a circuit from Tiananmen Square to Bird’s Nest Piazza.

Startlist (Contador and Valverde are not riding)

Stage 1: Chong Li › Zhangjiakou, 167k.

Stage 2: Chong Li › Yanqing, 147.5k.

Stage 3: Yanqing › Qianjiadian Chao Yang Temple, 176k.

Stage 4: Yanqing › Mentougou Miaofeng Mountain, 157k.

Stage 5: Tiananmen Square › Bird’s Nest Piazza, 117k. (see profile)

 

[Arredondo]

Is there any big rider left now?

Apart from Costa.

 

[BigMac]

Is there any big rider left now?

Apart from Costa.

Urán, Intxausti are good bets...

...Betancur.

 

[jens_attacks]

Epic samu sanchez win
new contract imminent

 

[Ruudz0r]

Dan Martin said he was going to ride this, but dont know if his Lombardy win changed his mind.

 

[BigMac]

Dan Martin said he was going to ride this, but dont know if his Lombardy win changed his mind.

He's not on the provisional startlist but there's a chance he will, yes. Only if to say goodbye to the Panda. He's got nothing to loose though and his chances are real. He was second best last year on the same summit finish.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Epic samu sanchez win
new contract imminent

now that would be cool

go sammy

 

[Jagartrott]

I wonder how teams select their riders for this race.
"OK, so, let's all pick a straw...'

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Its time for Ewan to grab his first WT stage win.

If Katusha sends Chernetckii, he will have a head start clock wise and could grab the win overall.

 

[pablohidalgo7]

I expect hofland to win a couple stages here and the 9 stages in hainan

 

[dirkprovin]

Its time for Ewan to grab his first WT stage win.

More likely Ewan will be "pinged" off the back of the pack should the "hammer be dropped".

 

[jens_attacks]

now that would be cool

go sammy

 

[LaFlorecita]

this is when they announced Sammy as #3 of 2010 TDF

 

[Red Rick]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLCyYGuFqiA

nuff said

 

[Carols]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLCyYGuFqiA

nuff said

Yeah it lost all it's draw power when Berto and Bala pulled out. I'll wait and see who is riding since it is actually televised here in the USA. Go Figure!

 

[pink_jersey]

Gilbert,Tejay and Sammy for BMC.

 

[Tournesol]

I'd like to see Rui Costa win here now that he's got rid of the rainbow curse.Come on Rui,show us your stuff!

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Fairly comic tales from Garmin riders on twitter about their bikes being impounded at customs and them getting stuck waiting in the airport car park.

 

[MotorRouleur]

Fairly comic tales from Garmin riders on twitter about their bikes being impounded at customs and them getting stuck waiting in the airport car park.

Airport x-rays suspected seat-tube motors.

 

[VeloHuman]

For all the derision this race gets, it's interesting to see which riders seem to consistently target it, e.g., Martin and Costa, probably the two top favorites.

 

[thrawn]

For all the derision this race gets, it's interesting to see which riders seem to consistently target it, e.g., Martin and Costa, probably the two top favorites.

I don't think they target it. They're usually aiming at worlds/Lombardia and can carry their good form through to this race.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I don't think they target it. They're usually aiming at worlds/Lombardia and can carry their good form through to this race.

Yes exactly. Some riders get into good form for the big post Vuelta one day races, then they have nowhere else to use that form.

 

[Mongolian Torque]

Fairly comic tales from Garmin riders on twitter about their bikes being impounded at customs and them getting stuck waiting in the airport car park.

Pretty funny considering their bikes now are made in China. They could have just bought the same bike for 1/7 of the price in some knock off factory...Heheh...

 

[manafana]

china is bit strange and fact the riders are having to eat a la veggie due to the tainted meat is another issue.

decent race last year but super weird with the crowds and the constant army and guards along the road.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Currently 2:10 pm in Beijing, race presumably well underway: no coverage, no interest, or all forum numbers asleep/hurrying out to work?