2014 Vuelta a España, stage 8: Baeza - Albacete (207 km)

[SafeBet]

I'm sure nobody cares but this was Sbaragli's 31st top15 of the season, with no win. Hopefully soon it'll be his day.

Sagan looks to be improving but I think he's lost a step in timing his sprints. He was well positioned and had a good chance to try and go for the win but he just followed. Maybe he simply had no legs though.

 

[ToreBear]

Orica complained and the judges were watching for a while at replays of the sprint but finally they decided Bouhani's win to stand.

Hmm. Well then thats that.

 

[Walkman]

I think he shows one of the most important traits in humans. He learns. It's only hypocritical if he complains again after he has done the same thing himself.

Unfortunately, you may have a point. I still thinks fair play and sportsmanship is preferred. And that's not saying you should always wait when someone is left behind and so on (racing is racing), just saying that people acting like Bouhanni is distasteful.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Monfort Watch - He accidentally made the first group today and moved up to 20th place on GC. I'm sure he'll be looking to drop a couple of places tomorrow so he doesn't get a nosebleed.

 

[classicomano]

Monfort Watch - He accidentally made the first group today and moved up to 20th place on GC. I'm sure he'll be looking to drop a couple of places tomorrow so he doesn't get a nosebleed.

Im really ****ed off that Legendary De Greeff isnt riding in the WT anymore.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

ah a sprint just like the good old days. Love it.
Pity about the bad positioning the other day, otherwise it would have been three wins by now for Nacer.

Some nice action today, certainly better than an uphill sprint......

 

[Tigerion]

Bouhanni should be DSQ for this...replay from the helicopter was clear, matthews had to stop pedaling and control his bike...and even though he was not pedaling he went past bouhanni.. he was a lot faster in those last meters...

“The race organisers had already asked the commissaires to review the finish when I arrived. I reviewed it with them and in my mind it confirmed our doubts,” Stephens said.

“They were split two against two as to what the decision should be. In the end they said it was a difficult decision but that they would award the stage to Bouhanni.


So it was close to being DQ but 50/50 split meant result stood

 

[trevim]

I'm sure nobody cares but this was Sbaragli's 31st top15 of the season, with no win. Hopefully soon it'll be his day.

I've noticed it as well. He really needs to step up a bit.

 

[afpm90]

I've noticed it as well. He really needs to step up a bit.

Don't worry. Sbaragli, next year, will have a lot of sprinters to lead out, if the rumours come true

 

[willbick]

“The race organisers had already asked the commissaires to review the finish when I arrived. I reviewed it with them and in my mind it confirmed our doubts,” Stephens said.

“They were split two against two as to what the decision should be. In the end they said it was a difficult decision but that they would award the stage to Bouhanni.


So it was close to being DQ but 50/50 split meant result stood

im fed up with sprinters weaving sideways near the line. bouhanni should've been DQ'd even if Matthews might not have won anyway - it would send a strong message but obviously the comms are terrified of doing anything to create controversy so they chicken out and basically encourage more 'weaving'

just looked at the overhead shot again and bouhanni's riding straight as a die for all his sprint until the last 50 yrds when he sees matthews coming and he just goes straight left!! how the hell the comms tolerate this is beyond me

 

[Carols]

Today I was out all day and dvr'd the race. Now I have seen it! The expectation was a boring flat stage but then there was wind! What a riveting final 30km. There is nothing like wind to make a bike race exciting

Chapeau Nacer despite that minor change of line at the end to ensure Matthews didn't make a bid!

I don't think anyone important was out of the top group but it sure was looking iffy for Quintana for a while.

Anyway some great racing!

 

[willbick]

Chapeau Nacer despite that minor change of line at the end to ensure Matthews didn't make a bid!



Anyway some great racing!

are u serious? what if he got out a pin and punctured matthews' tire?! would that be ok?! what he did is just cheating in my book and defo shouldve been dq'd

 

[Netserk]

You're acting like he did a Bettini. Nacer's move was totally legit.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

How Bouhanni wasn't dq'ed is beyond me. Lol at the people saying his move was legit!

 

[manafana]

think bouhanni moved a little too much today and yes he is reminding me so much of cavendish in a sprint.

 

[Dr. Juice]

Interesting: There were 4 race officials and 2 of them voted DQ for Bouhanni, 2 against it. In dubio pro reo.

 

[greenedge]

I thought Bouhanni's sprint was really bad, then looked at the overhead and it was lessened a bit. Annoying as it seems Matthews could have won

 

[TANK91]

It's *** to have a stage like this in a weekend, whether they got lucky with a little wind or not.

Twice now i have seen him make himself look smart after the fact, it so easy that way. Same the other day When Purito had more votes than Valverde.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

is there any way to watch the last 30 or so km of yesterdays stage with all the wind?

 

[Netserk]

Twice now i have seen him make himself look smart after the fact, it so easy that way. Same the other day When Purito had more votes than Valverde.

How was that 'after the fact' when I said it before?

 

[Arredondo]

is there any way to watch the last 30 or so km of yesterdays stage with all the wind?

If you're anyway near a TV, ES Dutch is broadcasting in 5 minutes for 1 hour.

But ofcourse you can watch it back on Rtve.

http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/...a-espana-2014-8-etapa-baeza-albacete/2733857/

 

[willbick]

Interesting: There were 4 race officials and 2 of them voted DQ for Bouhanni, 2 against it. In dubio pro reo.

Typically lame of the authorities to have 4 comms trying to come up with a majority decision! Pathetic

 

[TANK91]

How was that 'after the fact' when I said it before?

Because when Valverde won you was like how did Purito get more votes that is an easy thing to say because what if Purto won?. And you were saying what is wrong with this stage because of the wind, the wind bailed you out, no wind bad stage do we agree?. Many people said it was a crap weekend stage. I can't remember what you said but it was something like this "Yeah because that stage was boring". I meant no offense to you just thought was funny how in last 2 days you have done it.

 

[Netserk]

How is any of that 'after the fact'?????

In both instances I made my position clear ahead of the stage.