Giro d'Italia 2021 Giro d'Italia, Stage 2: Stupinigi - Novara 179km

[Carols]

Sky started that trend and it won't stop until we get a big crash because of it that takes out multiple top gc contenders...

Until recently there was no 1K or 3K rules. You got the time you finished with. GC contenders have always ridden in, in order not to lose seconds to other GC contenders. Sky didn't exist for decades yet.

 

[RedheadDane]

Until recently there was no 1K or 3K rules. You got the time you finished with. GC contenders have always ridden in, in order not to lose seconds to other GC contenders. Sky didn't exist for decades yet.

The 1K rule was in effect in 2003. We might not like it, but that wasn't exactly recent...

 

[Carols]

The 1K rule was in effect in 2003. We might not like it, but that wasn't exactly recent...

LOL I've been following cycling for 60+ years. 2003 is very recent.

 

[armchairclimber]

When the shortest way to the finish line is at the right side of the road, there will always be sprinters launching their sprint to the rightmost part of the road. Some will go for the middle, but no one will go for the very leftmost part of the road.

Absolutely. Soft pedalling into the inside line is stupid.

 

[RedheadDane]

LOL I've been following cycling for 60+ years. 2003 is very recent.

I wouldn't say so, considering that the vast majority of current pros have had their entire careers since then.
Some were even toddlers in 2003.

 

[houtdffan]

The 1K rule was in effect in 2003. We might not like it, but that wasn't exactly recent...

Think the 1km to go rule dates back to the Merckx era

However, with transponders, why not take the actual time as the riders cross the line? If a rider loses a few seconds in a sprint, tell him to improve his sprinting so he won't lose time in the future

 

[RedheadDane]

Think the 1km to go rule dates back to the Merckx era

However, with transponders, why not take the actual time as the riders cross the line? If a rider loses a few seconds in a sprint, tell him to improve his sprinting so he won't lose time in the future

That's exactly what they're trying to avoid; GC guys mixing it with the sprinters.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Modern sprint trains didn't exist before the late 80s either.

 

[Netserk]

Think the 1km to go rule dates back to the Merckx era

However, with transponders, why not take the actual time as the riders cross the line? If a rider loses a few seconds in a sprint, tell him to improve his sprinting so he won't lose time in the future

For fictive races, I've considered using that on stages where the 3 km rule is not in effect. That is, on uphill finishes.

 

[Carols]

I wouldn't say so, considering that the vast majority of current pros have had their entire careers since then.
Some were even toddlers in 2003.

Thanks for reminding me that I'm older than dirt

 

[houtdffan]

That's exactly what they're trying to avoid; GC guys mixing it with the sprinters.

I suspect things would go back to the way they were pre 3km rule. You wouldn't see these 3 minute flat out sprint trains like we do now. Instead, sprints would be shorter (probably 30-60 seconds). Thus, safer.

Before we went to 3km to go, the only time I remember there was even speculation of an extended sprint train was if the final day of the 2003 tour came down to bonus seconds. Then Bianchi and USPS would lead things out from more than 1km. Normal sprint lead outs then started inside of 1km to go. Simply less time in the red, which led to far fewer crashes

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I suspect things would go back to the way they were pre 3km rule. You wouldn't see these 3 minute flat out sprint trains like we do now. Instead, sprints would be shorter (probably 30-60 seconds). Thus, safer.

Before we went to 3km to go, the only time I remember there was even speculation of an extended sprint train was if the final day of the 2003 tour came down to bonus seconds. Then Bianchi and USPS would lead things out from more than 1km. Normal sprint lead outs then started inside of 1km to go. Simply less time in the red, which led to far fewer crashes

These days sprints without a big train stretching things out tend to be much more chaotic

.I don’t think that the development of the train as a tactic has anything much to do with the 3km rule either. Sprinter teams don’t care about time most of the time, so rules about timings have little relevance to them. A train is just a way to make sure your sprinter is in optimum position when he opens up,
.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Thanks for reminding me that I'm older than dirt

I didn't recognize this was you for a second because you changed your avatar on us.

 

[RedheadDane]

If anyone was wondering about the somewhat unusual design on Nizzolo's helmet:

The story behind Giacomo Nizzolo's curious custom helmet design - CyclingTips

 

[SafeBet]

If anyone was wondering about the somewhat unusual design on Nizzolo's helmet:

The story behind Giacomo Nizzolo's curious custom helmet design - CyclingTips

"It is not clear if Nizzolo’s helmet design is motivated by protest, a jest in poor taste, or as a gesture of solidarity and support."

WTF?

 

[RedheadDane]

"It is not clear if Nizzolo’s helmet design is motivated by protest, a jest in poor taste, or as a gesture of solidarity and support."

WTF?

One of the comments on the link on FB suggested that it might have been a joke aimed at the Italian goverment, with how complicated it was to constantly have the right form.

 

[SafeBet]

I don't think there's anything political behind it. Just a creative way to state what he's here for. And we know a Giro stage win matters to him a little more than to most other riders.

 

[RedheadDane]

I don't think there's anything political behind it. Just a creative way to state what he's here for. And we know a Giro stage win matters to him a little more than to most other riders.

That brings me to a question; what happens if he doesn't win a stage? Then he hasn't completely fulfilled his part of the deal.

(I think most people know what he's here for. Same for the rest of the peloton.)

 

[SafeBet]

That brings me to a question; what happens if he doesn't win a stage?

I still have a curious stat to write about next time he starts a GT?

 

[Zoef-Lightning]

Not by choice. It was just unfortunate that Gaviria came that way because he was out of position earlier.

No, 100 % the responsability of Richez. Ending the lead-out, he had to go straight on a line to the finish. Not turn to the right. In most cases, the lead-out deliberately hinders an opponent, now his own teammate

 

[RedheadDane]

No, 100 % the responsability of Richez. Ending the lead-out, he had to go straight on a line to the finish. Not turn to the right. In most cases, the lead-out deliberately hinders an opponent, now his own teammate

Blaming Richeze is a bit mean, though. It was Molano.

 

[Zoef-Lightning]

Blaming Richeze is a bit mean, though. It was Molano.

Molano it was.

 

[Carols]

I didn't recognize this was you for a second because you changed your avatar on us.

It's the Giro. I always have a Lo Squalo avatar for the Giro .

 

[SHAD0W93]

It's the Giro. I always have a Lo Squalo avatar for the Giro .

Oh, I never noticed then lol
I thought we had gotten a new long standing fan until I had to go back to see if it was you.