2014 Tour Down Under Stage 2: Prospect -> Stirling, 150km (2.WT)

[Ferminal]

I think you will find that Eddy was destined for victory until a crash just before the finish.

 

[hidache]

Eddy Merckx only lost 6 minutes today at 123rd.

he crashed today: https://twitter.com/ElkeDagEenUur/status/425859259322990592/photo/1/large

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Oh really, I didn't know, that's a shame!

I'll take back my ironic comment about Eddy Merckx then. Definitely a big talent, though maybe just a little bit overhyped.

 

[greenedge]

He had to close a gap, like yesterday. He has no team, unfortunately.

Eddy Merckx only lost 6 minutes today at 123rd.

I heard he got held up by a crash

If Tanner hadn't crashed

 

[whittashau]

Shouldn't the guys that crashed near the finish get the same time as the main group?

 

[trevim]

I don't know, probably. Still it will be enough to have a good laugh watching them trying their hardest not to work for the other.

That was my first thought too. I'm very surprised with Ulissi, I though he was in Australia just to see the landscape and get some good racing in. Let's wait and see what Rui does but at this point only one of them as proved himself in monuments. Anyway, it's not a tragedy to have two leaders for the Ardennes.

 

[BigMac]

Profile is very, very decieving. Last km's are nearly flat.

At first I was going to say Cadel but now I'll stick to either Gerrans or Ulissi. Cadel still in top5 though.

[...]

...

Sorry, I never watched any editions of TDU entirey, only some recap stages in YT and always missed the stage finishing in Sterling.

While you were writing your comment I went to search for last year's stage 3, and realized it is like you say.

Thanks. I'll definetely go with Ulissi.

...and I was going to say Cadel third.

 

[theyoungest]

...





...and I was going to say Cadel third.

*cough*

Ulissi is a kind of Slagter. I don't see any other rider capable to challenge Gerrans on a climb like Willunga.

Okay, wrong stage, but still...

 

[BigMac]

*cough*

Okay, wrong stage, but still...

props, lol .

Allow me to enjoy the joy of my victory

 

[oliveira]

Do you know if Costa will ride San Remo?

he won't. Anyway, I think Costa's big condition transfering to Lampre was the sole leader status at the Tour, not Ardennes.

 

[BigMac]

Costa only cares about L-B-L, because he will never win neither Amstel nor FW.

So it is quite simple, Let Ulissi lead Amstel and FW.

The same for Costa, with Liége.

I can already see Rui leading Diego at the base of the Cauberg and the Mur.

 

[Netserk]

With the new finish I can't see why Costa shouldn't be able to win Amstel.

 

[BigMac]

With the new finish I can't see why Costa shouldn't be able to win Amstel.

I just have the feeling he is not that fast uphill, and would drop to a serious attack on the early slopes, and eventually wouldn't be able to bring it back on the false flat before the finish. But you're probbaly right, he as a chance, though I don't see him winning it.

In Liége, sure there are steep climbs, but the last one, up to Ans via Rue Walthère Jamar, is only 4-7%, For him, and for any other contender for L-B-L, it should always be easier to bring back a gap on a 5% gradient than on flat, I think.

And by the time they reach the final climb, the Côte de Saint-Nicolas should have already made some damage and small groups should exist.

Using another member's expression, The Amstel mostly favours cyclists with raw power (on the first slopes ofc, wich are not that steep), a pseudo Fleche.

I might be expressing myself wrong and this could sound like a complete barbarity

 

[Netserk]

I just have the feeling he is not that fast uphill, and would drop to a serious attack on the early slopes, and eventually wouldn't be able to bring it back on the false flat before the finish. But you're probbaly right, he as a chance, though I don't see him winning it.

In Liége, sure there are steep climbs, but the last one, up to Ans via Rue Walthère Jamar, is only 4-7%, For him, and for any other contender for L-B-L, it should always be easier to bring back a gap on a 5% gradient than on flat, I think.

And by the time they reach the final climb, the Côte de Saint-Nicolas should have already made some damage and small groups should exist.

Using another member's expression, The Amstel mostly favours cyclists with raw power (on the first slopes ofc, wich are not that steep), a pseudo Fleche.

I might be expressing myself wrong and this could sound like a complete barbarity

Yes, but mostly on the old route. The new one should favour (relatively) a rider with a nose for victory like Costa (or Vino _O_).

And I think I completely understood you

 

[BigMac]

Yes, but mostly on the old route. The new one should favour (relatively) a rider with a nose for victory like Costa (or Vino _O_).

And I think I completely understood you

Well, hope it proves to be that way, or at least for him to be on the mix.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

He had to close a gap, like yesterday. He has no team, unfortunately.

Last year Tanner led Slagter perfectly.

Now, Tanner is missing. The effect is clear

 

[manafana]

Excellent sprint by Ulissi amazing shape already and says he still has more to find for a big 2014. Still really fancy Gerrans.

 

[hfer07]

Evans just picked the wrong side of the road while Ulissi went on the opposite side. Strong win would not have changed the result.

what? did you even watch the stage???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ5hsJKhZ54

BOTH CHOSE THE SAME LINE

 

[auscyclefan94]

what? did you even watch the stage???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ5hsJKhZ54

BOTH CHOSE THE SAME LINE

Evans was caught out a tad earlier on the left of the road but yes, he had the same line as ulissi considering he gave him a leadout to ride off from.