2014 US Pro Challenge, Aug 18th-Aug 24th (2.HC)

[HappyLoser]

source please

Polish interview (11.08): http://eurosport.onet.pl/kolarstwo/...ycienczony-ale-jestem-bardzo-szczesliwy/vbysh

Last question is about future plans. Majka says: "I'm going to start in Colorado. I will go easy there, riding not as a leader but as a domestic. It will be the end of my season."

 

[Anderis]

Rogers vs TJVG vs Konig for overall win.

I don't think Tommy D will be out of contention.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

I see Rapha Condor JLT are in this race, I though only US teams at that level could get an invite to an HC race in the US?

UCI reg 2.1.005
In HC races in Europe, only continental teams of the host nation.

HC races elsewhere in the world, no geographical restriction on continental teams.

Still doesn't explain how An Post are allowed into the Tour of Britain though...

 

[screaming fist]

Still doesn't explain how An Post are allowed into the Tour of Britain though...

ToB is only 2.1

 

[Coat-O]

I don't think Tommy D will be out of contention.

Yup. Tommy D is is definitely a better climber than Rogers and König. Maybe even better than Tejay on the very steep stuff.

But Colorado seems to be better suited for the all-rounders.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Yup. Tommy D is is definitely a better climber than Rogers and König. Maybe even better than Tejay on the very steep stuff.

But Colorado seems to be better suited for the all-rounders.

Tommy D dropped about 1 minute in the 16km Vail ITT last year.
Its on the menu again this year.

Final GC last year:
USA 1 VAN GARDEREN, Tejay (BMC RACING) 22:38:48
SUI 2 FRANK, Mathias (BMC RACING) + 1:30
USA 3 DANIELSON, Thomas (GARMIN SHARP) + 1:42
COL 4 ACEVEDO COLLE, Javier Alexis (JAMIS - HAGENS BERMAN) + 2:10
AUS 5 MORTON, Lachlan David (GARMIN SHARP) + 2:34
CRC 6 OBANDO BRENES, Gregory (CHAMPION SYSTEM) + 3:25
USA 7 CRADDOCK, Lawson (BONTRAGER CYCLING) + 3:42

The eskimo will have to do something very special on one of the climbs to win it this year I think.

 

[theyoungest]

Tommy D dropped about 1 minute in the 16km Vail ITT last year.
Its on the menu again this year.

Final GC last year:
USA 1 VAN GARDEREN, Tejay (BMC RACING) 22:38:48
SUI 2 FRANK, Mathias (BMC RACING) + 1:30
USA 3 DANIELSON, Thomas (GARMIN SHARP) + 1:42
COL 4 ACEVEDO COLLE, Javier Alexis (JAMIS - HAGENS BERMAN) + 2:10
AUS 5 MORTON, Lachlan David (GARMIN SHARP) + 2:34
CRC 6 OBANDO BRENES, Gregory (CHAMPION SYSTEM) + 3:25
USA 7 CRADDOCK, Lawson (BONTRAGER CYCLING) + 3:42

The eskimo will have to do something very special on one of the climbs to win it this year I think.

Tejay himself also did a terrible TT there once, and lost the leaders jersey.

 

[damian13ster]

Damn, that's some serious altitude. Even smaller gradients will be hard to ride. Expectations for first stage? Small group finish or pace is going to be slow and not many riders get dropped?

 

[cineteq]

Watch out for #156 Logan Swirbul, he's a threat!

http://www.steephill.tv/players/720...ro-cycling-challenge&id=3735171507001&yr=2014

 

[Ricco']

UCI reg 2.1.005
In HC races in Europe, only continental teams of the host nation.

HC races elsewhere in the world, no geographical restriction on continental teams.

Still doesn't explain how An Post are allowed into the Tour of Britain though...

Don't go that further, check RideLondon classic first.

But yeah, this year ToB is .HC and will have An Post riding.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Majka still going strong. He's the only Saxo in the front group.

 

[ciranda]

Incredibly little happening. Taylor Phinney is incredibly boring. OK, now commentators and Phinney impersonate comedy German accents as a tribute to Voigt.

 

[Afrank]

Reijnen wins.

 

[Jspear]

Reijnen wins.

Thanks. My stream has been EXTREMELY sketchy...

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Good stage. Better than last year anyway.

Crap coverage though.

 

[53x11 in DC]

Nice win, UHC!!! Chapeau, Kiel!!

My coverage was just fine, using the Tour Tracker app plugged into my TV here in Brazil.

 

[Jspear]

Good stage. Better than last year anyway.

Crap coverage though.

My stream was in and out....literally cut out in the last 100 meters. Anyone know which BMC rider came in first? I saw one of their riders in the back round right before my stream quit.

 

[Anderis]

Ahhh, I'm not happy that Howes just missed his first win in his proffesional career.

In hindsight, he could've tried to slipstream Reijnen instead of taking that last turn. Kiel was expected to be faster anyway. Deserved win for him because he didn't wait for sprint from a bunch despite being one of the fastest guys there.

 

[Rollthedice]

My stream was in and out....literally cut out in the last 100 meters. Anyone know which BMC rider came in first? I saw one of their riders in the back round right before my stream quit.

Ben Hermans.

 

[Anderis]

Some of the potential GC guys seem to have gained some seconds. Hermans, Carter Jones and Busche. And Howes maybe too, if he doesn't need to burn his matches working for Danielson.

 

[damian13ster]

Majka still going strong. He's the only Saxo in the front group.

Just came back from work and catching up.
Where is or was Rogers?

 

[Jspear]

Ben Hermans.

Thanks!

10chrs

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Just came back from work and catching up.
Where is or was Rogers?

+5:15 along with Konig.

 

[damian13ster]

+5:15 along with Konig.

So much for those two being the leaders. I guess Rogers didnt recover well after riding 2 GTs.

Well, a chance for Majka, Machado and Huzarski to shine

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Reinen excited of course, on a day with some pretty good race action in the last 20-25km. If only the TV production knew how to follow the race in a better way.

More pics: http://www.steephill.tv/2014/usa-pro-cycling-challenge/photos/stage-01/

100 riders at +54s or more. Ideal start to the race.