2014 Tirreno Adriatico, Stage 1: Donoratico - San Vincenzo 16.9km (TTT)

[Zinoviev Letter]

I would expect the time gaps to be quite small amongst the strong TTT teams, but it will be interesting to see if the likes of AG2r, MTN, Netapp and Bardiani get clubbed like baby seals.

That's really my biggest problem with TTTs. It's already a big disadvantage for a GC rider to have relatively weak team mates, without having a stage pretty much especially designed to give a significant leg up to the money teams. Particularly in a one week race where there aren't enough chances to make up the time.

 

[Jspear]

I too think the "new" tinkoff will do well here. anything less than a podium will be disappointing.

Believe me I would love to see Tinkoff podium(or even win), I just don't see them doing that with some of the other teams here.

 

[Jelantik]

Believe me I would love to see Tinkoff podium(or even win), I just don't see them doing that with some of the other teams here.

yeah me too. I just hate to see that sky will have more cushion time before the mountain. *yawn* Tinkoff is always on the back foot and contador has to play catch up in the mountain. I want to see if sky is behind, what they would do to gain time in the mountain. I guess, that's only a wish. Sky got a lot of fire power when it comes to TTT.

 

[jaylew]

They haven't been mentioned yet but Trek also has a pretty good squad with Canc, Irizar, Sergent, Popo, Roulston, Arredondo, Kiser, and Devolder

I'm going:

Quickstep
Movistar
OGE
Trek
Sky
Tinkoff
BMC

With relatively small gaps between them.

 

[sacrifice&hardwork]

tinkov to win this.

Tinkoff ftw for me too!

 

[manafana]

big 4 to fight it out between themselves, but tinkoff to take the 5th place it seems.

 

[Jelantik]

big 4 to fight it out between themselves, but tinkoff to take the 5th place it seems.

that's oke as long as the time difference between each team is 1'.
But I would be happy if tinkoff can be a dark horse and steals the show..

 

[theyoungest]

They haven't been mentioned yet but Trek also has a pretty good squad with Canc, Irizar, Sergent, Popo, Roulston, Arredondo, Kiser, and Devolder

I'm going:

Quickstep
Movistar
OGE
Trek
Sky
Tinkoff
BMC

With relatively small gaps between them.

I don't think having Kiserlovski and Arredondo will help them much, but yeah... pretty strong team.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

yeah me too. I just hate to see that sky will have more cushion time before the mountain. *yawn* Tinkoff is always on the back foot and contador has to play catch up in the mountain. I want to see if sky is behind, what they would do to gain time in the mountain. I guess, that's only a wish. Sky got a lot of fire power when it comes to TTT.

Sky will not change tactics when they are behind. We saw that in Vuelta a Andalucia. Always a train involved.

 

[tomorrow]

what's the cannondale squad? they tend to surprise regurarly in these TTT. At least for me, they did quite good in WC too, and if I remember right, they were in top 5 last year at T-A too, a that was despite their squad, not thanks to it.

 

[Butterhead]

I would expect the time gaps to be quite small amongst the strong TTT teams, but it will be interesting to see if the likes of AG2r, MTN, Netapp and Bardiani get clubbed like baby seals.

That's really my biggest problem with TTTs. It's already a big disadvantage for a GC rider to have relatively weak team mates, without having a stage pretty much especially designed to give a significant leg up to the money teams. Particularly in a one week race where there aren't enough chances to make up the time.

Netapp does a very decent TTT, you will be surprised.

 

[Butterhead]

yeah me too. I just hate to see that sky will have more cushion time before the mountain. *yawn* Tinkoff is always on the back foot and contador has to play catch up in the mountain. I want to see if sky is behind, what they would do to gain time in the mountain. I guess, that's only a wish. Sky got a lot of fire power when it comes to TTT.

Tinkov boys will beat the Sky dawgs, don´t worry bout it. Not with much, but they will.

 

[RedheadDane]

I'm hoping for Tinkoff.
Only because then we could get a headline saying Team Tinkoff Takes Tirrono Team Time Trial
And now I'm just sorta disappointed it doesn't end in a place starting with a 'T'...

 

[Butterhead]

I'm hoping for Tinkoff.
Only because then we could get a headline saying Team Tinkoff Takes Tirrono Team Time Trial
And now I'm just sorta disappointed it doesn't end in a place starting with a 'T'...

They sound more like a bunch of wild horses, they can´t wait to get going, it´s promising.

Roman Kreuziger ‏@Roman86_K 2h
Everything is ready...Looks like #tirreno is closed to take start .... Let's go

Nicholas Roche ‏@nicholasroche 7m
@tinkoff_saxo ttt #tirrenoadriatico start 15h25! Lets goooo!!!!

 

[manafana]

what's the cannondale squad? they tend to surprise regurarly in these TTT. At least for me, they did quite good in WC too, and if I remember right, they were in top 5 last year at T-A too, a that was despite their squad, not thanks to it.

agreed but cannondale seem be losing this skill squads been getting weaker.

 

[Ferminal]

OGE and OPQS have pretty ridiculous squads, wonder if we will see last year's land speed record fall.

 

[ILovecycling]

They sound more like a bunch of wild horses, they can´t wait to get going, it´s promising.

Roman Kreuziger ‏@Roman86_K 2h
Everything is ready...Looks like #tirreno is closed to take start .... Let's go

Nicholas Roche ‏@nicholasroche 7m
@tinkoff_saxo ttt #tirrenoadriatico start 15h25! Lets goooo!!!!

Yeah,atmosphere in the team is rally pumped up,so it was last year july.lets wait and see.For me Tinkoff for 3rd.

 

[Publicus]

Tinkoff really could have used Mick Rogers' engine today (seriously what is going on with that case 2 months of silence)

 

[Catwhoorg]

Tinkoff really could have used Mick Rogers' engine today (seriously what is going on with that case 2 months of silence)

The last I read (within a week or so) was that the B sample hasn't even been tested yet.

(link)

 

[Publicus]

Thanks. Meanwhile Contador talks about his sensations:

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo Bank): “Tirreno-Adriatico is an important goal. Lots of riders are here to prepare for the Giro,I want the final result. I’ve had a good winter, my sensations are perhaps the best I’ve ever had at the start of a season, and I’ve come here to get a good result.”

 

[manafana]

strange eurosport uk going live with TA, then delayed coverage of paris nice so going be bound to find out Pn result before i see it

 

[Publicus]

So is this stage 16.9KM or 18.5KM? I've seen both distances.

 

[Grupetto1]

strange eurosport uk going live with TA, then delayed coverage of paris nice so going be bound to find out Pn result before i see it

three flat finishes then they don't show the first important finale

 

[Ruudz0r]

Will there be a site with (all) live split + finish times?

 

[More Strides than Rides]

Any live updating results?