49th Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta (2.Pro) // February 15th - 19th 2023

[CHGJ2000]

Always has been like this, he's even known as a slow starter for an IP guy on the track. That's also why you keep him away from all the cobbled classics but Paris-Roubaix and maybe G-W.

IP/TP starting doesn't seem particularly related to sprint ability, Hayter and Guazzini are both god awful starters, similarly, Pidcock is a trash starter in CX/MTB. Ganna's acceleration was fine regardless, he just got cut off by Pidcock through the corner so was going slower than everyone else.

 

[postmanhat]

My guess would be only if Pidcock changes citizenship Beyond that Pidcock would rather die than work for another teammate before a sprint imo.

He stopped riding when he realised he had nothing left. In what possible universe of cycling would Pidcock be expected to leadout Ganna? Have you seen the top ten of this stage?

 

[CHGJ2000]

He stopped riding when he realised he had nothing left. In what possible universe of cycling would Pidcock be expected to leadout Ganna? Have you seen the top ten of this stage?

The universe where Ganna is the GC threat and Pidcock had struggled to even get past Ganna during the intermediate sprint after Ganna did a long lead-out? At minimum he should have completely emptied himself on the front in the final KM instead of saving himself for the sprint, which he was clearly trying to be competitive in otherwise, he wouldn't have taken the corner like he did.

Pretty standard stuff when one guy is clearly in better form and is the GC threat, the teammate in the group empties themself for their leader.

 

[Danskebjerge]

The universe where Ganna is the GC threat and Pidcock had struggled to even get past Ganna during the intermediate sprint after Ganna did a long lead-out? At minimum he should have completely emptied himself on the front in the final KM instead of saving himself for the sprint, which he was clearly trying to be competitive in otherwise, he wouldn't have taken the corner like he did.

Pretty standard stuff when one guy is clearly in better form and is the GC threat, the teammate in the group empties themself for their leader.

It was evident that Pidcock was the weakest rider in that group - which also has to do with his low body weight and the fact that the wind was coming from behind. You could see early on that he could hardly stay on the wheel of the others. On the last kilometer, he wasn't close to winning or pulling for his team mate which makes perfect sense.

 

[CHGJ2000]

It was evident that Pidcock was the weakest rider in that group - which also has to do with his low body weight and the fact that the wind was coming from behind. You could see early on that he could hardly stay on the wheel of the others. On the last kilometer, he wasn't close to winning or pulling for his team mate which makes perfect sense.

Someone should have told Pidcock then? Taking that line through the corner and closing off your teammate in doing so isn't exactly the move of someone who wasn't trying to win (and would have been saving themself before that so they could win). Regardless, all Pidcock needed to do was a 15s turn instead of Ganna (wouldn't have needed to be a strong one considering they sat up and still didn't really get caught) and that would have set them up to win.

 

[postmanhat]

The universe where Ganna is the GC threat and Pidcock had struggled to even get past Ganna during the intermediate sprint after Ganna did a long lead-out? At minimum he should have completely emptied himself on the front in the final KM instead of saving himself for the sprint, which he was clearly trying to be competitive in otherwise, he wouldn't have taken the corner like he did.

Pretty standard stuff when one guy is clearly in better form and is the GC threat, the teammate in the group empties themself for their leader.

But why wouldn't he have tried to go for the sprint, given his and Ganna's record in the discipline? They're both still GC threats as Malhao tomorrow could make the difference between them, in theory. Yes he looked terrible in the intermediate, and in an ideal world should have realised he wasn't going to improve, but that's with the benefit of hindsight surely?

 

[CHGJ2000]

But why wouldn't he have tried to go for the sprint, given his and Ganna's record in the discipline? They're both still GC threats as Malhao tomorrow could make the difference between them, in theory. Yes he looked terrible in the intermediate, and in an ideal world should have realised he wasn't going to improve, but that's with the benefit of hindsight surely?

More related to the course in stage 4 and 5. The intermediate was already a mistake from Ineos as it's really unlikely Pidcock could hope to gap Ganna by the amount he'll lose in the TT on stage 4, unless Ganna has a really really horrible day. So Pidcock being prioritised is a very weird decision if you don't account for team nationality.

Then the level of performance of Pidcock in that intermediate sprint should have shown Ineos that he had zero hope to contend for the win today unless he somehow went solo.

 

[Red Rick]

Always has been like this, he's even known as a slow starter for an IP guy on the track. That's also why you keep him away from all the cobbled classics but Paris-Roubaix and maybe G-W.

Dudes like Terpstra and Van Baarle are up there in De Ronde.

 

[Danskebjerge]

Someone should have told Pidcock then? Taking that line through the corner and closing off your teammate in doing so isn't exactly the move of someone who wasn't trying to win

As I saw it, it was Foss who destroyed it (if you can call it that - he just couldn't follow Cort). Ganna lost a vital second there.

 

[johnymax]

Fantastic racing from the intermediate sprint till the finish. I already knew the results and have read the comments in this thread before watching the stage so I already knew what happened and it still was an incredible watch. I was laughing my ass off in the end. Amazing stuff!

 

[BR2]

Hey, all three riders in the break are on my cq-team! I don't think they'll make it, but would be great if they did...

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Not sure what QuickStep is trying to do here. Asgreen is going nowhere, even if he started with a minute headstart at the final climb, he would still be caught, yet he would be a valued helper for Van Wilder had he been in the peloton. Is he supposed to put the other teams to work? Because i'm not sure they are trembling in their boots for a 3 men break.

 

[Netserk]

Asgreen is going nowhere, even if he started with a minute headstart at the final climb, he would still be caught

I don't think so.

 

[Netserk]

Ineos on the front, almost reluctantly?

 

[Netserk]

If Ganna says he has good legs, it makes sense to play it defensively with a slow but steady pace. If not, they should attack. So I think Ganna is feeling good.

 

[Mayomaniac]

The Goose is loose!

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Madouas not getting any help?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Arensman mechanical.

 

[Wvv]

Anyone knows if Herregodts is still around?

 

[Netserk]

Madouas not getting any help?

I haven’t kept an eye on the race, does he have anyone other than Küng?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Anyone knows if Herregodts is still around?

I can't imagine him being of relevance today.

 

[Wvv]

I can't imagine him being of relevance today.

I think he'll maybe be capable of doing decent climbing efforts in shorter stage races. Today he's not there, unfortunately.

 

[Netserk]

Ganna in third in the Ineos train?!

 

[Bushman]

Casper Pedersen still there, seems to be the only Soudal guy left for Van Wilder. The change of scenery has been absolutely great for him

 

[Salvarani]

Great ride from Onley here.