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

[trevim]

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

Really they should be banned from every race above .1 for that. Just look like idiots.

If you want to see Costa and Nibali then Costa and Nibali should've simply been stronger.

Sure, I'm not taking away anything from Thomas and Slagter they did well. I was just pointing out that the race action was good enough considering almost nobody was expecting a group could stay away.
I simply would have other preferences for that particular outcome, in this case Costa and Nibali

 

[Hugo87]

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

Nice. Majka was alive today?

Didn't see him racing this year yet.

 

[Arredondo]

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.

He was at the front today

This stage was not tailor made for Nibali, but still he has to be capable of doing something on that final climb. It's Nibali, so he's bringing up expectactions.

Last year, he was good in Oman and superb in Tirreno. This year, he was flawless in Oman, and definitely not brilliant in PN. He's got some work.

 

[Arredondo]

Nice. Majka was alive today?

Didn't see him racing this year yet.

Majka had a flat tire just before the climb, partly the main reason why he dropped quite early together with Chava.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

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.

Apart from Betancur they weren't really fantastic on the climb either.

 

[Hugo87]

Majka had a flat tire just before the climb, partly the main reason why he dropped quite early together with Chava.

Bad luck...

Hope that's the main reason, Giro isn't too far away and his form should be at least sufficient/good.

 

[pastronef]

today was one of the few occasion when seeing a rider sprinting away from the main group I'd think "oh it would be so nice if he gets to the line" and it happens.
not only Slagter got to the line to win, but his breakaway companion got yellow!

very strong Thomas, and a new bunny out of JV's hat

 

[theyoungest]

today was one of the few occasion when seeing a rider sprinting away from the main group I'd think "oh it would be so nice if he gets to the line"
not only Slagter got to the line to win, but his breakaway companion got yellow!

very strong Thomas, and a new bunny out of JV's hat

Huh, what? Did you miss the WT stage race he won last year? Against... Geraint Thomas?

Nice work, TJ. Has to be the favourite for the overall now. Thomas will falter on Fayence.

 

[EnacheV]

would be so ridiculous if a sprinter would win the overall, this race design sucks and i hope it will never be repeated.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

nobody watches tdu small ****ty race

 

[EnacheV]

Huh, what? Did you miss the WT stage race he won last year? Against... Geraint Thomas?

Nice work, TJ. Has to be the favourite for the overall now. Thomas will falter on Fayence.

it will not. you just witness the born of a future TdF winner

 

[pastronef]

Huh, what? Did you miss the WT stage race he won last year? Against... Geraint Thomas?

Nice work, TJ. Has to be the favourite for the overall now. Thomas will falter on Fayence.

I know he won TDU, but he had no good result for a while. I was just saying JV did a nice choice hiring him

 

[Kwibus]

would be so ridiculous if a sprinter would win the overall, this race design sucks and i hope it will never be repeated.

Allthough Degenkolb ain't no normal sprinter I do agree.

I like the idea ASO had, but they so failed to execute it.

 

[classicomano]

Haha just heard the British commentator call Kelderman, Keldermerckx.

Also, awesome Butcher slaughterfest

 

[therhodeo]

Garmin should stop letting JV pick out their ridiculous eyewear.

 

[ILovecycling]

How did Chava and Betancur ride?
I couldnt watch,school

 

[Der Effe]

would be so ridiculous if a sprinter would win the overall, this race design sucks and i hope it will never be repeated.

Why does it suck? Too many totally flat stages, I agree, but today's stage is 10 times beter than ZzzZzZzz another mountaintop finish.

 

[Jelantik]

aaahhh badluck to majka.. It's going to be tough to be upfront on this steep hill. I was hoping he'll be doing something

 

[Roude Leiw]

I'll go out on a limp and say Slagter will win the sprint of a 30+ group

Should have placed a bet.....

I do not get all the hate you guys give to the race. We got 3 sprint stages, now TA has them too, for 2 of them the design was made to have echelons, tough luck that there was no wind. Todays stage was entertaining enough, if most of the "contenders" do not want to content, what should you do?

 

[Roude Leiw]

How did Chava and Betancur ride?
I couldnt watch,school

Chava was dropped like a stone, betancur attacked a few times, but they went nowhere and did not try to follow tj and thomas

 

[Netserk]

Nice stage today. Saw the last 20km and it had all the action I had hoped for

 

[ILovecycling]

Chava was dropped like a stone, betancur attacked a few times, but they went nowhere and did not try to follow tj and thomas

Thanks a lot.
Looks like Chava is still off-form

 

[BigMac]

Should have placed a bet.....

I do not get all the hate you guys give to the race. We got 3 sprint stages, now TA has them too, for 2 of them the design was made to have echelons, tough luck that there was no wind. Todays stage was entertaining enough, if most of the "contenders" do not want to content, what should you do?

Most people here seem to think riders ride to entertain us. And when they screm to their TV, they think the riders will attack because they want them to.

Glad there are some here who can appreciate a race open to all. I have enjoyed all the sprint stages.

 

[kingjr]

Most people here seem to think riders ride to entertain us.

They do actually. It's the only reason they can make a living with bike racing.

That being said I found the stage to be entertaining enough.

 

[classicomano]

Thanks a lot.
Looks like Chava is still off-form

Chavanel did get a flat just before the climb, came back a few km's before it started.