2016 TdF, Stage 2: Saint-Lô → Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (183km)

[TourOfTexas]

Re: Re:

The gap was tiny. They didn't need to show it.

Even the Dutch commentators were surprised by it. So that makes the Germans, plus the Dutch, plus me. They mucked it up, admit it.

 

[BigMac]

Re:

FWIW, Porte was the 3rd placed BMC rider. There's not much that could be done, they used up all their guys in the chase other than GVA and TJVG. Just awful luck.

Not true mate, see the Porte thread.

 

[Pippo_San]

Re:

Nibali lost 11 seconds.

Definitely missing some speed. Not bad gotta say.

 

[Irondan]

Re:

I can't believe Flecha and House still can't figure out that the timing was absolutely spot on. The Yellow jersey wasn't in the closing group.

Those two will never figure it out, they can't be helped...

 

[DFA123]

Bit disappointed by Matthews today. Perhaps feeling the effects of his injury, but he shouldn't really have managed to lose wheels in those final 500m.

Also, in addition to Contador's disaster; just noticed Pinot and Nibali lost 11 seconds. Bit careless from them on such an easy stage.

 

[Irondan]

Nice to see the yellow jersey on the world champions shoulders!

 

[Escarabajo]

36 Zubeldia Haimar-----------------17"

This guy is relentless and ageless, whatever that means.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Re: Re:

The gap was tiny. They didn't need to show it.

Even the Dutch commentators were surprised by it. So that makes the Germans, plus the Dutch, plus me. They mucked it up, admit it.

Yes, the commentators mucked it up. I agree.

 

[sir fly]

Re: Re:

I can't believe Flecha and House still can't figure out that the timing was absolutely spot on. The Yellow jersey wasn't in the closing group.

Those two will never figure it out, they can't be helped...

Ashley has just figured it out!

 

[TourOfTexas]

Re: Re:

I can't believe Flecha and House still can't figure out that the timing was absolutely spot on. The Yellow jersey wasn't in the closing group.

Those two will never figure it out, they can't be helped...

Flecha, the heavy rouleur who suicide attacks at the bottom of big climbs and speaks english like he has a speech impediment. McDonalds turned him down for asst. manager so he got a job "commentating".

 

[kielbasa]

Re: Re:

WTF?! He didn't know all the escapees were caught?! Was his radio busted? What the fark is the radio for if he doesn't get basic info like that?

Peter Sagan doesn't listen to his radio.

His radio listens to Peter Sagan.

Ha ha! New meme? Peter Sagan doesn't bunny hop his bike, he bounces the Earth underneath it. :lol:

 

[Warhawk]

Re: Re:

FWIW, Porte was the 3rd placed BMC rider. There's not much that could be done, they used up all their guys in the chase other than GVA and TJVG. Just awful luck.

Not true mate, see the Porte thread.

Yeah, I saw that, as I said there it was probably Caruso. Can't really see any reason why he wouldn't give him his bike other than not getting the message in time.

 

[Jelantik]

twice tumble back to back? remind me of Lance .. tumble all the time, finally out of contention. This looks like is not going to be Alberto's TDF year. If it's not the Giro, the form, then "the crash". I didn't even remember when the last time he crashed a lot like this. It's going to be tough to beat Froome or Quintana w/ 50 seconds already at rear.. Poor Bertie.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Re: Re:

So who wins the Tour, Froome or Quintana?

On the evidence of today, Quintana.

What evidence is that? Climbing (marginally) more slowly?

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re:

Hats off to Bennett who just finished

Yeah. Tough kid.

 

[burning]

Re: Re:

So who wins the Tour, Froome or Quintana?

On the evidence of today, Quintana.

What evidence is that? Climbing (marginally) more slowly?

It is well known that Froome is much better than Quintana in these finishes and Quintana did really well

 

[MikeTichondrius]

Not much for hyperbole myself, but what happened to Porte was a joke of a move by BMC. Seriously not another rider to give him a bike there?

Contador is also one of the unluckiest guys I've seen. At least for the past few editions. The man can't catch a break.

Also, was that the Prince of Monaco on the podium?

 

[DFA123]

Re:

So, this was the best possible stage for Roman and Peter. Peter wins the stage (bosses it), shows everybody that not even the Ardennes are safe. The other Bosses the hill, does a terrific job and sees the leader falter due to injury.

Peter should now be the undisputed leader, and Roman should be their GC guy/Workhorse for finishes like these/breaks.

Dude, it was nothing like the Ardennes. It came after a flat stage not 4000m or so of tough climbing. A flat stage with a fairly challenging uphill sprint was tailor-made for Sagan and he duly delivered. Fair play to him, but he's got a lot of weight to lose before he can challenge for LBL or FW.

 

[MacBAir]

Re:

Nice to see the yellow jersey on the world champions shoulders!

Do they have a special jersey (or something) for those occasions? I mean, they should have. Doesn't he also have green jersey?

 

[TMP402]

Cavendish on going deep today even though he damages his chances tomorrow, and not just sitting up: "I respect this race too much, I respect this sport too much"

 

[Asero831]

At what stage will Sagan lose Yellow? Who will be the likely successor?

 

[Marco Pantani]

Sean Yates on cocaine.

 

[sir fly]

Re:

Sean Yates on cocaine.

More like on horse.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

So who wins the Tour, Froome or Quintana?

On the evidence of today, Quintana.

What evidence is that? Climbing (marginally) more slowly?

I guess the suggestion is that Quintana normally comes into the Tour slowly and finishes it flying - while Froome the other way round. If Quintana is already matching Froome at this stage, then it's looking good for him.

Personally I wouldn't read too much into it - the vast majority of GC riders finished in the same bunch - would have been a big shock if Quintana got dropped from such a big group on such an easy climb.

 

[Punkan]

Re:

At what stage will Sagan lose Yellow? Who will be the likely successor?

Stage 7. Froome.