2014 68th Tour de Romandie, April 29 to May 4 - WT

[gooner]

I would say the commentary on sky is far superior to british eurosport as well.

They are using the international commentary, not commentators of their own. I do think the coverage has been excellent.

I agree, I'll be watching the Giro on Sky, fed up of listening to Kirby all the time. Much prefer the guy on Sky.

Sky have only highlights. BBC Northern Ireland are showing the start of the Giro live.

As for the stage today, it was an very enjoyable one and probably one the race badly needed. The last few years, I've been bored by Romandie but today was a much needed welcome change. It took a strong ride for Spilak to get up to Froome.

Roche is struggling with the Giro on the horizon.

 

[maltiv]

Makes you think doesn't it.
In the Ardennes they say the helpers are so strong that it's normal 40 man are in Ans..
But here the same helpers take care of 90% of the pack and the same leaders make huge gaps on the final climb.
Ofcourse long climbs are different from short ones but..

If leaders went full out in ardennes, or if Sanchez rides 100% full force from 50km out in Liege we're left with 3 men max in ans

Today's stage is a perfect example of why downhill finishes, when designed properly, are a great idea.

It forces the climbers to attack earlier, as they know that attacking 500 meters from the top is pointless. Thus you are assured to get a proper race instead of the usual tactical standstill.

Imo if LBL had say, 10 kilometers of flat instead of the finish they have nowadays, there'd probably be a much, much smaller group fighting for victory.

 

[maxmartin]

How the hell is Basso still this out of form?

the Giro is action packed on the third week, so it does not surprise me Basso and Roche is still riding into the form

 

[JRanton]

Kwiat exploded prediction .... check
Easy Froome GC win .... check (assuming he doesn't fall from the bike in ITT)

And "Froome can't descend" myth busted again

Nice to see a good Tdf battle coming up in July!

edit : also awesome racing by Froome and Spilak.

I disagree. Spilak will push Froome close in the TT and I wouldn't be amazed if he beat him.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I know the GC standing has been posted before, but this time with team names included:

1 (15) SPILAK Simon [www.procyclingstats.com] Team Katusha 11:39:25
2 (9) FROOME Christopher Team Sky 0:01
3 (11) COSTA Rui Lampre-Merida 1:02
4 (14) NIBALI Vincenzo Astana Pro Team 1:06
5 (20) FRANK Mathias [www.procyclingstats.com] IAM Cycling 1:10
6 (26) INTXAUSTI Beñat Movistar Team 1:13
7 (29) FUGLSANG Jakob Astana Pro Team 1:14
8 (4) HERRADA Jesús Movistar Team 1:40
9 (10) IZAGIRRE Ion Movistar Team 1:48
10 (12) TALANSKY Andrew [www.procyclingstats.com] Garmin Sharp 1:50

Three Movistar riders in top 10. 23, 25 and 28 yo Spanish guys. Not bad.

 

[BigMac]

They are using the international commentary, not commentators of their own. I do think the coverage has been excellent.

I knew I had listened to them on another channel during last year's TdS. Can you name them?

 

[search]

I knew I had listened to them on another channel during last year's TdS. Can you name them?

I did watch it on swiss TV, but didn't they have Rob Hatch & Magnus Backstedt on Sky (and also on BeIN and so on)?!

 

[BigMac]

I did watch it on swiss TV, but didn't they have Rob Hatch & Magnus Backstedt on Sky (and also on BeIN and so on)?!

But I did not watch it on SKY nor BeIN. I think it was something like Aljazeera Sports if that exists.

 

[BigMac]

André Cardoso again with a good showing, being the second best Garmin. I wonder if he will be handed a free role in any race this season.

 

[trevim]

Obviously I'm portuguese biased but Andre Cardoso did very well today; he then managed to finish 18th +3.25. He lies 19th overall; probably out of the top100 after the TT though
Nevertheless, he'll be one of the best Garmin mountain domestiques in the Giro, assuming he doesn't crash, gets ill or finishes OOT on the TTT.
[Edit: Big Mac beat me!]

 

[stetre76]

Nice ride by Zoidl.

Especially as this is only a first test after his injury...good to see that he can (up to a point) keep up uphill.

Looking forward to the ITT and wondering how he will perform there...

 

[NaturalClen]

I disagree. Spilak will push Froome close in the TT and I wouldn't be amazed if he beat him.

Froome will go full gas in ITT, my guess, also for indirect testing vs Contador's TT. I wont be surprised if he beats Martin.

 

[argyllflyer]

Bad news for anyone wanting to watch Sky's coverage to escape Kirby - he's doing it.

Rob Hatch and Sean Kelly are commentating for Eurosport.

 

[search]

But I did not watch it on SKY nor BeIN. I think it was something like Aljazeera Sports if that exists.

no, I don't think AlJazeera Sports exists anymore, it's BeIN Sports Arabia now

 

[Fzotrlool]

Missed the stage, but wow that a show.

80 - KWIATKOWSKI Michał - Omega Pharma - Quick-Step 30:45 ,,

Daynm. Kwiatkowski's Achilles' heel confirmed again. Long, draining climbs.


And same scenario as last year. Just with Spilak catching Froome, instead of vice versa.

Kudos to Nibali. He tried, but is not anywhere near his 2013 level.

Robo is back in super shape but Spilak could follow him. Having good time trial skills, maybe a top 5 (at least top 10) is possible for Spilak in this year's Tour. Regardless of what, the Contador vs. Froome march is going to be good this year.

 

[BigMac]

no, I don't think AlJazeera Sports exists anymore, it's BeIN Sports Arabia now

Ah okay thanks.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Obviously I'm portuguese biased but Andre Cardoso did very well today; he then managed to finish 18th +3.25. He lies 19th overall; probably out of the top100 after the TT though
Nevertheless, he'll be one of the best Garmin mountain domestiques in the Giro, assuming he doesn't crash, gets ill or finishes OOT on the TTT.
[Edit: Big Mac beat me!]

He'll definately be of more use than Thomas Dekker that's for sure

 

[Tournesol]

Alot of Sky talk in this thread,Sky this, Sky that,Sky coverage is cool,Froome is the man blah blah blah

Great ride from Spilak,always seems to go well in the early part of the season then fades as the year progresses.Would be happy to see him win though,a talented all-rounder no question.

 

[arvc40]

Like watching Froome on a training ride today. No competition whatsoever. Clearly he is good but the race was boring to watch.

To many riders with different agendas. All best competition missing.

Roll on the Tour.

 

[arvc40]

So what the heck is going on with Porte? last year he was viaing to be Junior Dawg and now he's coming in with the sprinters?

Saving whole Team for Yorkshire mate.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Stage 4

6 laps minus a bit of neutral zone I think. If we are talking narrow and twisty roads this can be raced otherwise Kittel might get an award for participating in the race.

 

[NaturalClen]

6 laps minus a bit of neutral zone I think. If we are talking narrow and twisty roads this can be raced otherwise Kittel might get an award for participating in the race.

http://youtu.be/SJXo3Zr8gu4

doesn't seems to complicated

If Kittel didn't abandoned than i'm sure he thinks he can make it.

 

[togo95]

Interesting part of the GPM seems to be around 2.5 km at 5.4% average and then there is small bump at ~10% for 500 metres. Then the last 10 kms very fast and straightforward.

 

[manafana]

tommy v to try something of course.

 

[roundabout]

no la lorette.

boooring.