2014 Tour of California May 11-18

[Pricey_sky]

Looks like pure calculation from Cannondale to me. Sagan chances to get the green jersey are much much higher now then if he would have finished second or third yesterday.

It looks like today stage and stage No7 ??? could be his with no points to Cav.

Last stage goes to Cav again but Sagan can be second, third again.

But this is pure speculation.

Possibly today yeah, however Stage 7 only has climbs averaging 4% so Cav should be ok with that.

 

[winkybiker]

Some really nice spots today, but hasn't it mostly just been scrubby desert overall? One of the least aesthetically pleasing tours for me

I'd agree. Scrubby desert, brown grass farms and endless suburbs of tidy boring houses in the middle of nowhere. Rember that climb out of Palm Springs they did a couple of years ago that was just ugly, straight, steep and super-hot?

Some of the roads near the coast are pretty, though.

 

[Kokoso]

Makes sense. Last year there were was a pretty strong BMC team driving the pace. There were four BMC riders still left with Tejay at the same point on the climb as Wiggins took over on the front this year. Just shows how weak the Sky team is there.

Thanks ************

 

[hiero2]

Stage 5


Cannondale and Sagan to go ballistic?

Last 20-30kms could be very interesting.

Might try to shrink the image - just a suggestion.

Totally concur with your thinking tho. Stage 4 yesterday - my guess is Dennis and everybody else were looking to Sky to control the race and close the gap. But they were obviously (20/20 in hindsight, eh?) smart enough not to do that. Take it easy and save energy for the next couple of days.

In the news, they are pointing to the Friday finish on Mount High as the next confrontation. My guess, though, is today's stage into SB represents a real opportunity for anybody who can descend like Nibali to take a chance. If they can gap at the top before SB, they can quite possibly improve it going down, and keep it on the last 8k.

My money is on Dennis and Garmin taking a shot at this.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Suggestion noted, but declined.

 

[winkybiker]

I'd agree. Scrubby desert, brown grass farms and endless suburbs of tidy boring houses in the middle of nowhere. Rember that climb out of Palm Springs they did a couple of years ago that was just ugly, straight, steep and super-hot?

Some of the roads near the coast are pretty, though.

Aaaaaaand now it's on fire....

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27420698

 

[christopherrowe]

Aaaaaaand now it's on fire....

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27420698

Not that the entire state isn't suffering under terrible drought conditions and subsequent risk of fires, but the San Diego blazes are at least a hundred miles from Palm Springs, aren't they? Are there active fires anywhere along the race route?

 

[Jancouver]

Aaaaaaand now it's on fire....

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27420698

You are a real hater arent ya?

San Diego is hours away from Santa Barbara. At least the weather is nice in Cali. If the race was in Vancouver, the weather would be even worse because racing in rain day after day sucks.

Disclosure: I lived in Vancouver and have family there so dont argue with me about weather and rain.

 

[Vino's Mum]

Cali looking fine yesterday

 

[trevim]

Danny is a funny sprinter, I quite like him. Seems to be a humble guy that takes on the best sprinters one day, works for someone else the other and goes for the break when he has to, instead of waiting around for a miracle. Go Dan!

 

[RedheadDane]

Hahahahaaaa Jens!

 

[SKSemtex]

Time to speed up Cannondale. Jens knows how to win the stage like this.

 

[webvan]

Not much help for Wiggo...is that Christian Knees ?

 

[trevim]

Not much help for Wiggo...is that Christian Knees ?

Don't think so... Perhaps Edmondson?

 

[trevim]

Doesn't seem such a strong tempo but no one attacks... Good job from Bennet though.

 

[trevim]

Mini Cancellara trying to pull it off like he did in Poland?

 

[SKSemtex]

Tracker is find but people behind editing the information really sucks here. It is really time to use gps.

 

[TANK91]

Please Eng stream?

 

[SKSemtex]

Please Eng stream?

http://tourtracker.amgentourofcalifornia.com/

 

[Scott SoCal]

Phinney trying to do a Cancellara

 

[Richeypen]

Please Eng stream?

http://www.hahabar.com/20140511/v-haha_sport_9_name-818606-536ee0ef2dcf27.51449740.html

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Phinney's got this.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

That gap is not 25 seconds

More like 35 seconds. I've timed it with my stopwatch

 

[PunchingRouleur]

Phinney is beast.

 

[johnymax]

Wow what a ride by Phinney! He can do it!