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

[Jspear]

 

[Jspear]

Alex Howes is a nube on the podium.

 

[damian13ster]

So what happened to Frank Schleck? He looked rather good uphill (before the neutralisation)

With Machado gone it looks like Huzarski is the leader of NetApp.
Still cant see past TJVG. Wish Monarch mountain was steeper....
On those slopes Garmin and BMC will easily control the attackers

 

[Anderis]

I'm so happy to see Howes in the yellow. A lot of work he did for his team-mates this year. Now he shows he can also fight for himself.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Without neutralization, but with live TV from the action this stage could have been pretty epic at least seen from the armchair:

Some very good pictures: http://www.steephill.tv/2014/usa-pro-cycling-challenge/photos/stage-02/

I guess eveybody expects a controlled wheelsucking exercise tonight (CET), so action can really only surprise to the upside.

 

[jens_attacks]

wise decision regarding neutralization this time.
not a big fan of strade bianche for road racing either. hilarious the cadence ALL the riders went uphill on those, it looked ridiculous this spinning class

and tv helicopter like tour de france circa 1983 pretty cool

tejay already won it i think, no real opposition

 

[Dazed and Confused]

nah, big mistake to neutralize the action, particular after the riders have already done the "dangerous" part in race mode.

Reeks of panic rather than logical process.

Only way to neutralize something like this, is to check the forecast and make a decision before the climb is done. This takes balls, but its the only way.

That way gaps won't be affected and riders will be on a level playing field.

Now the GC is unreliable.

Besides I'm not a fan of the continued softening of the sport.

 

[Padawa]

My best bet:
during neutralisation went to the team car to get a coat and got assigned to wrong group for the restart

Honestly no idea, but I dont think this stage reflects the actual strength of riders at all

I think I found the answer.
https://twitter.com/schleckfrank/status/501871134472564736

 

[kurtinsc]

I don't know why, but I really like this quote from Howes:

"I have no hopes and dreams of crushing the Vail time trial, since I can't time trial my way out of a wet paper bag."

 

[damian13ster]

I don't know why, but I really like this quote from Howes:

"I have no hopes and dreams of crushing the Vail time trial, since I can't time trial my way out of a wet paper bag."

Hilarious. This time trial is closer to MTT though so who knows? I really hope somebody drops TJVG today to make things more interesting for the rest of the race

 

[De Snelle Duif]

Hilarious. This time trial is closer to MTT though so who knows? I really hope somebody drops TJVG today to make things more interesting for the rest of the race

I think the only competition he might have is Danielson and Majka. Hermans is in great form, as always in races in English-speaking countries, but he's a teammate so he won't bother

 

[cineteq]

It looks like more rain today, in the meantime enjoy this cheesy video by UHC Procycling http://youtu.be/Y18dApUhbzU

 

[willbick]

Did they neutralise the stage during the tarmac section so that all the riders who were behind the leading peleton could catch up?

 

[trevim]

I think I found the answer.
https://twitter.com/schleckfrank/status/501871134472564736

Yikes! This guy has punctured or crashed or got ill in every stage race this year. I think the only ones where he got through more or less OK were Luxembourg and the Tour.

 

[damian13ster]

Split in the peleton. Acevedo ahead with 15 riders following.....
Is that the break or actual GC contenders there? No TV coverage yet :/

 

[damian13ster]

Oh man. Poljanski, Hermans, Euler, and Acevedo should drill it for the rest of the stage so the peleton doesnt catch the grup of leaders setting up great fight up the Monarch Mountian

nvm. 8 riders now, and with Rogers there he can work as well.

 

[jens_attacks]

holy moly, what a race. but i think now they are on a different, harder side of monarch mountain no?

majkaaaa!

any stream yet?

 

[damian13ster]

holy moly, what a race. but i think now they are on a different, harder side of monarch mountain no?

majkaaaa!

any stream yet?

stream starts in 5 minutes. Now question is.... How do you get rid of 50km of flat between the mountains?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

stream starts in 5 minutes. Now question is.... How do you get rid of 50km of flat between the mountains?

commit resources and burn all support riders.....
Then the captains takes over and battle it out....
Strongest rider wins.
But this takes balls.

 

[Padawa]

it shouldn't be too hard because the peloton is not huge either (maybe 15 riders) if I saw it correctly. Only Trek can really do something.

 

[trevim]

it shouldn't be too hard because the peloton is not huge either (maybe 15 riders) if I saw it correctly. Only Trek can really do something.

And they're doing with 4 riders in the front

 

[damian13ster]

commit resources and burn all support riders.....
Then the captains takes over and battle it out....
Strongest rider wins.
But this takes balls.

Thats what I am hoping will happen. There are 3-4 riders in that group that should pull for that flat section and false flat.

But you need cooperation of leaders to do that. Hard to expect Saxo to work entire way if TJVG and Danielson dont send Acevedo and Hermans to work

 

[Jspear]

Hopefully Tinkov takes advantage of having the most guys in the front.

 

[damian13ster]

Looks like they are saving Rogers to do work up the hill.
Good tactic. The gap remains stable

scratch that It was only according to GPS.
Rogers off the front, chase groups connected (20 riders or so).

Going for a stage win or launch pad?

 

[shalgo]

I looked away for five minutes and, according to the TourTracker, the gap between Rogers and the main chase group went from 35 seconds to 2:30. What happened? Did the chase group all stop to sign autographs?

EDIT: Now the gap has suddenly dropped to 1:30. So the GPS is just not working.