2014 Paris Nice, Stage 4: Nevers - Belleville 201.5 km

[Parrulo]

They said that last time Thomas was leading a WT race. Guess who beat him then

Decided between those 2 obviously. . .

 

[webbie146]

Tears ran down my face while watching this race, it's sucks so hard.

 

[woodburn]

Size difference between Slagter and Thomas is nice contrast.

 

[Afrank]

Slagter takes it. Quite easily.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

The Amazing Wilco Keldermerckx

 

[trevim]

Tears ran down my face while watching this race, it's sucks so hard.

What's so wrong about the race today? I'm not watching but considering the last climb provided GC action and they will probably take the stage as well I fail to see what's wrong. The only thing I would change was to replace Thomas/Slagter with Costa/Nibali but that has nothing to do with the racing, only personal preferences.

 

[Parrulo]

Surprised by how little time they have gained considering there wasn't much of a coordinated pursuit going on.

Also Nibali was very low profile all of the climb, Costa didn't look too good considering he couldn't follow Thomas and Betancurt couldn't really get a gap when he attacked.

Maybe the "favourites" aren't really all that favourites to win the race.

 

[MatParker117]

Thomas in yellow.

 

[Der Effe]

I hope he enjoys it for a day, because Kelderman is gonna crush him (and everyone else).

 

[l.Harm]

Pretty stupid move by Nordhaug to sprint while Degenkolb was in his group

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Thomas in yellow.

Degenkolb will take it back tomorrow.

 

[Kwibus]

Good to see TJ Slagter win. P-N first stage race after just 1 day of racing on Mallorca.
Guess he had some proper training.

He should be happy he had Thomas with him though. Beast on the flat.

 

[webbie146]

What's so wrong about the race today? I'm not watching but considering the last climb provided GC action and they will probably take the stage as well I fail to see what's wrong. The only thing I would change was to replace Thomas/Slagter with Costa/Nibali but that has nothing to do with the racing, only personal preferences.

I did watch it and it was boring. Degenkolb was like 20 seconds behind in the end, that's how 'hard' the climb was. O well people differ in taste right

 

[Arredondo]

Nibali really flawless. If you can't make an impact in this PN, you never going to challenge Froome at all in the Tour.

 

[trevim]

I did watch it and it was boring. Degenkolb was like 20 seconds behind in the end, that's how 'hard' the climb was. O well people differ in taste right

I wasn't watching but the result didn't look to bad to me

 

[Hugo87]

Couldn't arrive on time to see the stage

Surprised that favorites like Betancur,Costa and Nibali couldn't finish on top-3, but still waiting for results and time gaps to draw conclusions.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

What's so wrong about the race today? I'm not watching but considering the last climb provided GC action and they will probably take the stage as well I fail to see what's wrong. The only thing I would change was to replace Thomas/Slagter with Costa/Nibali but that has nothing to do with the racing, only personal preferences.

If you want to see Costa and Nibali then Costa and Nibali should've simply been stronger. I think they don't have the right form yet.

 

[BigMac]

No way GT can keep that yellow. Not even with Sky trying to control the race.

Costa did not look bad, he just did not want to follow. Why would he? GT and Slagter's attack was kind of pointless afterall (GC wise) and it would only mean a huge loss of energy. Costa did quite good tbh, considering his fail team is never around when he needs it.

And Garmin should be fined for the POC Helmet/Glasses combo at the finish line. Just ain't right.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Slagter only 4 seconds behind on Thomas, I think.

Could easily win this with the Mur de Fayence coming up! That's like 1km at 10%? Should be perfect for the Butcher.

 

[Parrulo]

No way GT can keep that yellow. Not even with Sky trying to control the race.

Costa did not look bad, he just did not want to follow. Why would he? GT and Slagter's attack was kind of pointless afterall (GC wise) and it would only mean a huge loss of energy. Costa did quite good tbh, considering his fail team is never around when he need it.

And Garmin should be fined for the POC Helmet/Glasses combo at the finish line. Just ain't right.

Wut? Didn't want to follow? Certainly didn't look like that to me. . .

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Couldn't arrive on time to see the stage

Surprised that favorites like Betancur,Costa and Nibali couldn't finish on top-3, but still waiting for results and time gaps to draw conclusions.

Betancur attacked a couple of times, then sat up. With a bit more commitment he could've finished with Slagter and Thomas.

 

[Kwibus]

I did watch it and it was boring. Degenkolb was like 20 seconds behind in the end, that's how 'hard' the climb was. O well people differ in taste right

It wasn't about the hard climb, it was about the action.

Yes I agree the stage isn't selective and definately not hard, but we got attacks and the final attack actually survived which is good.

If you wanted top GC action with a very hard selective stage then you shouldn't have considered watching this. Since the profile should've told you enough.

 

[Lanark]

No way GT can keep that yellow. Not even with Sky trying to control the race.

Costa did not look bad, he just did not want to follow. Why would he? GT and Slagter's attack was kind of pointless afterall (GC wise) and it would only mean a huge loss of energy. Costa did quite good tbh, considering his fail team is never around when he needs it.

And Garmin should be fined for the POC Helmet/Glasses combo at the finish line. Just ain't right.

Costa completely parked in the end. Looks like the GC will be between Thomas, Slagter, Kelderman, Betancur and Degenkolb, maybe Nibali as well if he improves the next days.

 

[Kwibus]

Nibali really flawless. If you can't make an impact in this PN, you never going to challenge Froome at all in the Tour.

I have no idea why someone expected Nibali to shine during this stage. Actually I would be surprised if Nibali really expected it himself.
Stage is too short, not selective at all. So when did we see Nibali do an explosive attack before? never... exactly. This was in no way a stage for Nibali.

If the stage was 220km+ with hills during the entire stage than Nibali would've no doubt been at the front.

 

[BigMac]

Wut? Didn't want to follow? Certainly didn't look like that to me. . .

Why? Costa controled the gap. Have you ever seen him respond to an attack immediately? He always finds his pace and eventually rejoins. He knew they would be coming together in the descent (not GT and Slagter obviously but they don't really count).
Wait for the real GC stages.