2017 Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, March 20-26, WT

[The Barb]

Re:

It's not breaking the rules to the same extend -actually it's breaking the rules for two different reasons- but this is indeed breaking the rule whatsoever.

This post is like an MC Escher sketch.

 

[portugal11]

Re:

https://twitter.com/GeraintThomas86/status/844986413015818240

Arrive to the hotel and realise BMC and Movistar are both here... #dinnercouldbeinteresting

I would love to see tj having a puncture and see what movistar would do

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

https://twitter.com/GeraintThomas86/status/844986413015818240

Arrive to the hotel and realise BMC and Movistar are both here... #dinnercouldbeinteresting

I would love to see tj having a puncture and see what movistar would do

Not even a question, believe me

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

The helmet rule has NEVER been interpreted in a way that would allow to kick out TJVG. Precedence is on his side.

Until this week, nor has guiding a team-mate with a pat during the TTT.

cervelo test team, tour of qatar, 2010. the whole team got 1 minute penalty.

Indeed, just once in the last seven years. And how many pats or pushes have gone unpunished in that time?

The UCI undermine their credibility by applying rules so inconsistently - especially when they do so only when US teams and riders kick up the most fuss.

 

[King Boonen]

BOUHANNI!!!

 

[Stan955]

Re: Re:

The helmet rule has NEVER been interpreted in a way that would allow to kick out TJVG. Precedence is on his side.

Until this week, nor has guiding a team-mate with a pat during the TTT.

cervelo test team, tour of qatar, 2010. the whole team got 1 minute penalty.

Indeed, just once in the last seven years. And how many pats or pushes have gone unpunished in that time?

The UCI undermine their credibility by applying rules so inconsistently - especially when they do so only when US teams and riders kick up the most fuss.

Liquigas were doing the exact same thing in the Giro 2011 and never got any penalties and it was showed on cameras and commentators were praising the team for doing that...

 

[May0maniac]

Cimolai worst sprinting technique 2017? Has this guy heard of aerodynamics????? :lol:

He's all power

Yes, all power and huge gears.

 

[tobydawq]

Re: Re:

Maybe the commissaires could - because this is such a dubious case - meet the parts half way.

So eject him from the race but don't demand that he pays the 100 Swiss Francs.

 

[Beech Mtn]

Re: Re:

The helmet rule has NEVER been interpreted in a way that would allow to kick out TJVG. Precedence is on his side.

Until this week, nor has guiding a team-mate with a pat during the TTT.

cervelo test team, tour of qatar, 2010. the whole team got 1 minute penalty.

Indeed, just once in the last seven years. And how many pats or pushes have gone unpunished in that time?

The UCI undermine their credibility by applying rules so inconsistently - especially when they do so only when US teams and riders kick up the most fuss.

and Sky. They are not US. Having Vaughters and Och is bad enough. Don't blame us for Brailsford.

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

It's not breaking the rules to the same extend -actually it's breaking the rules for two different reasons- but this is indeed breaking the rule whatsoever.

This post is like an MC Escher sketch.

Sounds like a UCI regulation..........just as clear

 

[movingtarget]

Easy win for Bouhanni. To think that the TTT has provided most of the drama so far is not saying much.

 

[Tonton]

Re:

https://twitter.com/GeraintThomas86/status/844986413015818240

Arrive to the hotel and realise BMC and Movistar are both here... #dinnercouldbeinteresting

Is Nacer staying in the same hotel as well ?

With that being said, tomorrow will tell. After two months as a pro, a good Malhao in Algarve, here comes David Gaudu again. He's learning fast. Nice to see.

 

[GraftPunk]

This race has become such a *** storm...

 

[Billopoulos]

Re: Re:

It's not breaking the rules to the same extend -actually it's breaking the rules for two different reasons- but this is indeed breaking the rule whatsoever.

??????WHAT??????

I meant, Movistar's penalty was about a rider helping his team (against the rules) gain some time.
This time, (against the rules, or is it not?), TJ takes his helmet off for 5''. He didn't get any time gain from that though.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

This race has become such a **** storm...

And a Twitterstorm.

 

[Robert5091]

Rain showers today - according to the Web - G & the Dawg go full ***, then go down with colds next week. BMC & Movistar to duke it out in the car park after the race. Bouhanni to join in for practise.

 

[rune1107]

Does anyone have a full profile of the climb today? Cannot seem to find any

 

[Max Rockatansky]

Does anyone have a full profile of the climb today? Cannot seem to find any

 

[rick james]

The dawg to get dropped when them double digit gradients kick in

 

[RedheadDane]

Just a thought about the whole BMC vs. Movistar (helmet off vs. push) thing.

While it perhaps was debatable whether Rojas' push gave Movistar any advantage, I'd like to see anyone try to argue that TJ taking his helmet off gave him any advange. In fact; if the peloton had suddenly started to go full-gass while TJ was fiddling with his helmet, well... I think I know who would have lost time.

Of course there's the whole safety issue, there's a reason helmet use is mandatory. However, I can't help but wonder if that rule about riders being DSQed if they take their helmets off during a race was created back when the riders weren't perhaps 100% onboard with the whole mandatory helmet use thing, and after the - brief? - period during which riders could take their helmets off if a stage ended with a MTF, to remind people that "No, you can't do that anymore." Nowadays, otoh, I don't think anyone would try to argue against helmet use.

What caused TJ to take his helmet off? I don't think he just randomly decided to fiddle with the straps because he was bored. No, I suppose there was an issue with the straps, and issue which - perhaps - could have actually lessened the protectiveness of the helmet. He then picked the best time - while everyone was riding relatively easily - to fix it.

 

[Vasilis]

Re:

Just a thought about the whole BMC vs. Movistar (helmet off vs. push) thing.

While it perhaps was debatable whether Rojas' push gave Movistar any advantage, I'd like to see anyone try to argue that TJ taking his helmet off gave him any advange. In fact; if the peloton had suddenly started to go full-gass while TJ was fiddling with his helmet, well... I think I know who would have lost time.

Of course there's the whole safety issue, there's a reason helmet use is mandatory. However, I can't help but wonder if that rule about riders being DSQed if they take their helmets off during a race was created back when the riders weren't perhaps 100% onboard with the whole mandatory helmet use thing, and after the - brief? - period during which riders could take their helmets off if a stage ended with a MTF, to remind people that "No, you can't do that anymore." Nowadays, otoh, I don't think anyone would try to argue against helmet use.

What caused TJ to take his helmet off? I don't think he just randomly decided to fiddle with the straps because he was bored. No, I suppose there was an issue with the straps, and issue which - perhaps - could have actually lessened the protectiveness of the helmet. He then picked the best time - while everyone was riding relatively easily - to fix it.

He got it off to remove his cap that was also on his head.

 

[DFA123]

Today looks a great opportunity for Contador to end his surprising run of over two and a half years without a normal stage win (non-TT) in the World Tour. No Quintana or Nibali, Froome below his best and Valverde vulnerable after returning from illness probably makes him the strong favourite on a steepish and longish climb like Lo Port.

He seems in good condition and has talked about having 'good sensations', so perhaps we will see him attack from the bottom and try to pressure the GC podium places as well.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

Re:

Today looks a great opportunity for Contador to end his surprising run of over two and a half years without a normal stage win (non-TT) in the World Tour. No Quintana or Nibali, Froome below his best and Valverde vulnerable after returning from illness probably makes him the strong favourite on a steepish and longish climb like Lo Port.

He seems in good condition and has talked about having 'good sensations', so perhaps we will see him attack from the bottom and try to pressure the GC podium places as well.

I think if Contador tries to go from the bottom, he will be blow himself up and get caught later on. It will be interesting to see if Pantano goes full on at the bottom to knacker the sky lot in before they can get their train in full motion. Gonna be a close one, half a dozen riders within 15 - 20 secs of each other. A. Yates for the win.

 

[Netserk]

Chechu Rubiera style!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-y38WZAtgc

 

[SafeBet]

Re:

What caused TJ to take his helmet off? I don't think he just randomly decided to fiddle with the straps because he was bored. No, I suppose there was an issue with the straps, and issue which - perhaps - could have actually lessened the protectiveness of the helmet. He then picked the best time - while everyone was riding relatively easily - to fix it.

He could have stopped by the side of the road and then fix it. That would have been the best time to do it.
But that way he would've lost time, being forced to sprint back to the peloton (possibly drafting cars ) and waste some energy.