2016 TdF, Stage 1: Mont-Saint-Michel → Utah Beach (188km)

[Kwibus]

Re:

some nice wind from the west is the weather forecast i am seeing for normandy. That indicates crosswind battles to me. Block your agenda!

Forecast for Lessay, last town they pass along the coast that day, says 26km/h western wind and also 40% chance of rain.
First stage might become really messy.

 

[Mongolian Torque]

Re: 2016 TdF, Stage 1: Mont-Saint-Michel → Utah Beach (188km

Well, I hate to say but...Tinkoff and Movistar better fricken get to the front and stick with SKY or they will get BLOWN AWAY AS USUAL in the crosswind... recently, I've noticed Tinkoff/Movistar in horrible position in the back for some reason. Bertie always seems content towards the back (maybe he's thinking of how to get a coffee date with La Flo... :razz: ). Even a small 4-5 bike length gap can turn into a terrible 30 or 40 seconds disadvantage at the finish line.

The SKYbots have certainly figured it out in the last few years. Murdoch has probably paid to turn on the wind even... Anyhow, Tinkoff and Movistar should murder the front and stay there so as not to gift Froomenstein any freebies.

If Tinkoff or Movistar have learned their lessons, then the fight up front for optimal position should be a fantastic spectacle to watch in those flat, windier stages.

 

[Stan955]

Re: 2016 TdF, Stage 1: Mont-Saint-Michel → Utah Beach (188km

Well, I hate to say but...Tinkoff and Movistar better fricken get to the front and stick with SKY or they will get BLOWN AWAY AS USUAL in the crosswind... recently, I've noticed Tinkoff/Movistar in horrible position in the back for some reason. Bertie always seems content towards the back (maybe he's thinking of how to get a coffee date with La Flo... :razz: ). Even a small 4-5 bike length gap can turn into a terrible 30 or 40 seconds disadvantage at the finish line.

The SKYbots have certainly figured it out in the last few years. Murdoch has probably paid to turn on the wind even... Anyhow, Tinkoff and Movistar should murder the front and stay there so as not to gift Froomenstein any freebies.

If Tinkoff or Movistar have learned their lessons, then the fight up front for optimal position should be a fantastic spectacle to watch in those flat, windier stages.

Tinkoff never lost time in crosswinds what are you on about ??? They even gain time in 2013 ....

 

[GP Blanco]

Re: Re:

Hard to look past Kittel but in case of echelons Greipel.

Hard to see Kittel being dropped in echelons when he is riding now for the team that usually excels in this kind of conditions.

But is he able to follow?

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Hard to look past Kittel but in case of echelons Greipel.

Hard to see Kittel being dropped in echelons when he is riding now for the team that usually excels in this kind of conditions.

But is he able to follow?

Kittels sprint suffers way more from a hard stage and the type of efforts that go with echelons

 

[Valv.Piti]

Wheeeee, crosswinds. Hoping that Movistar won't *** up this time around

 

[Miburo]

Re:

Wheeeee, crosswinds. Hoping that Movistar won't **** up this time around

And Which GC team has the best crosswind team?

Sagan counts for 3 guys too. Let the show begin!

 

[sir fly]

The stage could become very complex affair in the case of echelons.
Last year there was a good mix of sprinters' and GC teams, and success was guaranteed. It doesn't always have to be that way.
And the composition of potential echelons may determine the climate inside peloton for remainder of the race.

 

[robin440]

That second world war team presentation is absolutely horrible

 

[sir fly]

Re:

That second world war team presentation is absolutely horrible

Inappropriate in the years of the Great War centenary, I'd say.
I guess they've decided to use the jubilee as a reminder to all hostilities and make a neat subplot for the road battles.

 

[Red Rick]

Only appropriate thing during a team presentation are counting veins and weighr speculation anyway

 

[Jspear]

Re:

Kittel is the man to beat, but I really wanted to see Cav in yellow. I know it will take special situation for that to happen, but one can dream about it.

This....I'm dreaming. Thing is it isn't just Kittel who's faster than him now. He seems to "mess up" often getting beat by guys like Blythe.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Only appropriate thing during a team presentation are counting veins and weighr speculation anyway

At least for Bertie fans

 

[Arredondo]

There's still a friday too go

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re: Re:

Kittel is the man to beat, but I really wanted to see Cav in yellow. I know it will take special situation for that to happen, but one can dream about it.

This....I'm dreaming. Thing is it isn't just Kittel who's faster than him now. He seems to "mess up" often getting beat by guys like Blythe.

British national championships really weren't a sprint. Cav and his team (ie himself) had to work a lot. Surpisingly enough, other people weren't particularly keen on towing Cav to the finish

 

[Jspear]

Re: Re:

Kittel is the man to beat, but I really wanted to see Cav in yellow. I know it will take special situation for that to happen, but one can dream about it.

This....I'm dreaming. Thing is it isn't just Kittel who's faster than him now. He seems to "mess up" often getting beat by guys like Blythe.

British national championships really weren't a sprint. Cav and his team (ie himself) had to work a lot. Surpisingly enough, other people weren't particularly keen on towing Cav to the finish

Blythe had to work hard to. That's just the most recent example. He's lost to 2nd rate sprinters multiple times this year.

 

[nogav1ca]

They should have played "Eye of the tiger" when Cofidis came on the stage.

 

[Breh]

Tour of Croatia springs to mind.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Zaka gets a stuffed animal for his daughter who was born today (cute ) and he replies in Russian

 

[sir fly]

Has anyone been taking account of truck models?
Is there any concept?
It has just sprung to my mind.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Re:

Zaka gets a stuffed animal for his daughter who was born today (cute ) and he replies in Russian

You expected english from him?

 

[Rollthedice]

Tinkoff presentation is fun. Sagan is the MC.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Zaka gets a stuffed animal for his daughter who was born today (cute ) and he replies in Russian

You expected english from him?

No, I know he doesn't speak English, but I bet the presenter didn't expect that and neither did the commentators

Tinkoff presentation was awesome

 

[Rollthedice]

Skeleton squad on stage.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I bet LS loved Tinkoff's presentation