2014 Tirreno Adriatico, Stage 4: Indicatore → Cittareale (Selva Rotonda) (244 Km)

[Escarabajo]

quintana pulled back a lot after san luis. he's definitely not near his top form. he surprised me positively. if he wa sin good form he would not look back after an attack but ride tempo until the others were dropped. quintana is not an explosive type

I also think that if the mountain was a litter steeper it would have helped him better. This was more liker power type rider gradient. Maybe tomorrow we will have a different story.

Surprised at Uran's performance. Maybe the steeper slopes fit him better as well. We'll see.

 

[Escarabajo]

I said it back along the Giro is not clear cut and i stand by that, Porte could take 2 mins plus in the ITT, we dont know how Quintana will react in the clod, even though if im honest id rather see Quintana win the Giro, he is a huge talent and 1 of my favs but very dissapointing today.

What a beast Kreuziger is guys

You know there is a mountain TT as well, right?

These two TT could easily cancel out. It has been discussed in the Giro thread.

 

[markene2]

Nice win from Contador . Also impressive from Moser

 

[trevim]

First of all, I'm quite happy that Contador won. Not in his traditional spectacular fashion but a win in the WT nevertheless. Great job from Kreuziguer too. I don't understand all this claims that Kreuz should have more chances as a leader: he's the number one for the Ardennes, Suisse. Maybe we should remember how he did when he was the leader in Astana; he's so much better in Contador's shadow.

Regarding Porte's lack of support I'll shead a tear for him no doubt. Nieve is 10th in GC so he wasn't that far. So he had decent support, simply there wasn't 6 Sky riders in the last km like they usually do. Also Nieve isn't a Skyborg type of rider, unless he starts on the same programme as the rest of the team. Maybe Porte shouldn't pull a group of GC riders in the last km without Froome to finish the work.

Kwiat is still the favourite to win this I guess although I'm looking forward to see if something happens on Lanciano from teams with multiple GC options like Katusha, Sky (don't leave Porte alone for more than 500m!), Movistar or Tinkoff.

Also a note for Moser: nice to see you!

 

[Better Call Saul]

Time for a back up plan for bmc at the giro?
Maybe sammy will be promoted!
The team hasnt got too many stage hunters though so he may be required in that role.

Guess they'll be hoping for a stellar classics season.

 

[Poursuivant]

Kennaugh lost half an hour, wow

 

[EnacheV]

Contador was the only rider to change his bike before the final climb to the finish. The quick change cost him little effort, but was noticed by the UCI commissaries, who insisted on checking the weight of his bike. Cyclingnews understands it came in at 6.82kg, just 20g above the UCI limit of 6.8kg.

oh dear

 

[EnacheV]

Kennaugh lost half an hour, wow

partying in mallorca half a year, and the other half thinking at it, is not a sign of quality, never been

 

[LaFlorecita]

Contador was the only rider to change his bike before the final climb to the finish. The quick change cost him little effort, but was noticed by the UCI commissaries, who insisted on checking the weight of his bike. Cyclingnews understands it came in at 6.82kg, just 20g above the UCI limit of 6.8kg.

oh dear

He always does it gotta take some risks

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Three ag2r riders within 40s, all inside top 23.

Now they just need a serious contender to ride for here.

 

[kingjr]

Horner says there was a strong headwind during the cllimb, that would explain why Contador didn't want to go from too far.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Contador was the only rider to change his bike before the final climb to the finish. The quick change cost him little effort, but was noticed by the UCI commissaries, who insisted on checking the weight of his bike. Cyclingnews understands it came in at 6.82kg, just 20g above the UCI limit of 6.8kg.

oh dear

But did they weight the other bike?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Horner says there was a strong headwind during the cllimb, that would explain why Contador didn't want to go from too far.

wow, headwind even. Kreuziger seems to be the top man in the race then.
Sunday should be even better.

 

[jens_attacks]

Horner says there was a strong headwind during the cllimb, that would explain why Contador didn't want to go from too far.

there was a headwind on etna too...

let's see tomorrow on lanciano

 

[Pentacycle]

there was a headwind on etna too...

let's see tomorrow on lanciano

Etna is a heavier climb of course, and despite his performance there he also got a S-American stuck in his wheel.

The TA field is also much stronger than in the '11 Giro.

 

[Publicus]

Horner says there was a strong headwind during the cllimb, that would explain why Contador didn't want to go from too far.

Contador mentioned it in his comments as well. He decided not to attack from 1K out because he thought they might come back to him and then he wouldn't get the time bonus. That tells me he wasn't sure what he had in the tank and that he's thinking a lot more about marshaling his resources for a decisive attack. On balance, probably a good development when racing Froome

 

[Jancouver]

Kreuziger said he had flat tire on the penultimate climb and had to chase back hard as Movistar was pulling and that probably cost him the win as he burned that one extra match chasing.

 

[willbick]

Has anyone noticed the rider taking a ****, slightly spoiling the main pic on the steephill T-A page?

 

[The Hitch]

The TA field is also much stronger than in the '11 Giro.

what

 

[Bushman]

Saxo need to put Kwiatkowski under massive pressure already at Lanciano. They have to tire him out as much as possible before the last hills.

 

[Pentacycle]

what

That was a ridiculous statement

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Ah sorry dude, was busy gobbling my Dinner!

Anyway when Quintana and Contador attacked Porte certainly couldn't respond (and I Know It's not his style) and the chase group led by Porte only closed the gap on Quintana,Bertie,Scarponi & Kangert when these four began to play games and didn't go full stretch.

I have no doubt in my mind that if Bertie and Quintana went full gas they would have put at least 15-25 seconds more on Porte.

Kreuziger was without doubt the strongest today and your accusation that Bertie wheel sucked his way to victory is quite hilarious as you are conveniently ignoring the fact that Contador and Quintana launched an attack.

So, actually it seems you are the one who had blinkers on.

quintana launched the attack. not contador

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Etna is a heavier climb of course, and despite his performance there he also got a S-American stuck in his wheel.

The TA field is also much stronger than in the '11 Giro.

lol here


.........

 

[willbick]

Funny how no one has noticed Moreno yet. He finished third. If he can get over the brutal penultimate climb tomorrow with the GC guys, he is the favorite to win the stage. The finish is perfect for him. Purito won that stage last year.

Not funny at all! Moreno must be the most overlooked guy in world cycling

 

[The Hitch]

That was a ridiculous statement

Yes it was.