2015 Abu Dhabi Tour, 8-11th October, 2.1

[Dazed and Confused]

Easy win for Guardini.

 

[shalgo]

Re:

Old man Boonen second

Edging out Bennati who is three weeks older than him.

 

[May0maniac]

Guardini seems to love racing in the desert.

 

[Jagartrott]

So scorching temperatures and riders with heart rates >180 climbing a bridge. Great idea to organise a race here.

 

[Vasilis]

Re:

"It's almost like they are springing up before your eyes"

"Quite frankly, we are wondering why things don't get done this quickly in the United kingdom"

Carlton Kirby needs to do less speaking and more thinking

Nah, he's there for the talking, not for the thinking, although he does often effectively blame his own mistakes on his co-commentator (we thought that...).
Don't take him too seriously and enjoy his creative language.

 

[TMP402]

I notice Kittel finished 96th out of 103 finishers.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Re:

I notice Kittel finished 96th out of 103 finishers.

He was on the front taking a pull a few km's from the line, in Giant's failed quest to lead out Mezgec.

 

[argyllflyer]

Re:

Chaves to win this bike race, and then we all go home and forget this race actually exist.

Then 2 months watching some old races from the 90's on your PC and cyclocross in your spare time, and when January arrives twisting like a little kid because San Luis and Down Under will come

True, so so true. If The Abu Dhabi Tour were in January, I'd be dissecting the startlist a week in advance... As it's in October, I feel as fatigued as the domestiques riding themselves into the close season.

 

[Eagle]

Astana really dominating the end of the season

 

[LosBrolin]

Worst race ever.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/riders-slam-impossible-conditions-at-abu-dhabi-tour-194918

 

[Rollthedice]

Boonen crash, taken with ambulance, maybe collarbone.

 

[Cyclingismylife]

Who Giant go for? Kittel or Mezgec? And Sagan or Bennati for Tinkoff?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

so everything other than the final bunch sprint seems just as dull and meaningless as yesterday.
Two for two for Guardini probably.

 

[MatParker117]

Viviani mugged Sagan at the line! Makes it his best season ever in terms of wins.

 

[Velolover2]

The thing I like about this race is that there is only 6 riders on a team. Makes it more personal and easier to guide through.

 

[jmdirt]

Its a shame that Boonen just said in an interview that he was mentally and physically as good as 2012, and then he crashed hard a few hours later. I would like to see him have one more strong season.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Highlights Stage 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRrgob1I6gE
Peter back to bridesmaid role.

 

[Escarabajo]

Re:

Its a shame that Boonen just said in an interview that he was mentally and physically as good as 2012, and then he crashed hard a few hours later. I would like to see him have one more strong season.

Must be a hero in Belgium. I don't understand why he still has a contract.

Well, I hope he recovers from the crash.

 

[bala v]

Re: Re:

Its a shame that Boonen just said in an interview that he was mentally and physically as good as 2012, and then he crashed hard a few hours later. I would like to see him have one more strong season.

Must be a hero in Belgium. I don't understand why he still has a contract.

Well, I hope he recovers from the crash.

???

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Re: Re:

Its a shame that Boonen just said in an interview that he was mentally and physically as good as 2012, and then he crashed hard a few hours later. I would like to see him have one more strong season.

Must be a hero in Belgium. I don't understand why he still has a contract.

Well, I hope he recovers from the crash.

???

I think what Esca refers to, is Boonen being way past his best. Which is true. That said, the remark about his contract is out of proportions. He's still at a decent level in the classics, although not top tier anymore

 

[Angliru]

Re: Re:

Its a shame that Boonen just said in an interview that he was mentally and physically as good as 2012, and then he crashed hard a few hours later. I would like to see him have one more strong season.

Must be a hero in Belgium. I don't understand why he still has a contract.

Well, I hope he recovers from the crash.

???

I think what Esca refers to, is Boonen being way past his best. Which is true. That said, the remark about his contract is out of proportions. He's still at a decent level in the classics, although not top tier anymore

A rider like Boonen will be able to get a contract as long as he wants to ride. It goes without saying that he's held in high regard in his own country. If this was meant as sarcasm I just don't get the reason.

 

[Arredondo]

Re: Re:

Its a shame that Boonen just said in an interview that he was mentally and physically as good as 2012, and then he crashed hard a few hours later. I would like to see him have one more strong season.

Must be a hero in Belgium. I don't understand why he still has a contract.

Well, I hope he recovers from the crash.

???

I think what Esca refers to, is Boonen being way past his best. Which is true. That said, the remark about his contract is out of proportions. He's still at a decent level in the classics, although not top tier anymore

It doesn't really matter that he's past his best. He still wins races on a daily basis. Sure, not the biggest races anymore, but still races. And he's still really popular in Belgium, so it's interesting media-wise to give him a contract.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Re: Re:

Its a shame that Boonen just said in an interview that he was mentally and physically as good as 2012, and then he crashed hard a few hours later. I would like to see him have one more strong season.

Must be a hero in Belgium. I don't understand why he still has a contract.

Well, I hope he recovers from the crash.

???

I think what Esca refers to, is Boonen being way past his best. Which is true. That said, the remark about his contract is out of proportions. He's still at a decent level in the classics, although not top tier anymore

It doesn't really matter that he's past his best. He still wins races on a daily basis. Sure, not the biggest races anymore, but still races. And he's still really popular in Belgium, so it's interesting media-wise to give him a contract.

Indeed that is true. I'm also happy to still see him in the peloton. I was just trying to elaborate on what might have been the intension of Esca's post, not my own thoughts about Boonen's future contract prospects.

 

[Mr.White]

Re: Re:

Its a shame that Boonen just said in an interview that he was mentally and physically as good as 2012, and then he crashed hard a few hours later. I would like to see him have one more strong season.

Must be a hero in Belgium. I don't understand why he still has a contract.

Well, I hope he recovers from the crash.

???

I think what Esca refers to, is Boonen being way past his best. Which is true. That said, the remark about his contract is out of proportions. He's still at a decent level in the classics, although not top tier anymore

Boonen is still very good, and who knows, he might snatch another big one, he didn't have much luck past 3 seasons, we didn't seen his true level in the classics

 

[BigMac]

The suggestion that Boonen doesn't deserve his place is the most bizarre thing I've heard all week.