4th Muscat Classic (6 February) - 15th Tour of Oman (7-11 February)

[hayneplane]

I knew their national championships were this weekend, but I expected them to take place on a Colombian mountain rather than in an Omani sinkhole.

11th season in a row where Milano (do I have have Chabbey fingers, or have I've been watching too much skiing today?) has won at least once.

For someone who has never been close to being a top 5 sprinter at any point in his career his consistent opportunism in taking the chances that come his way is quietly impressive.

 

[Squire]

For someone who has never been close to being a top 5 sprinter at any point in his career his consistent opportunism in taking the chances that come his way is quietly impressive.

That's a bit rough on Molano, I'd say. He's kind of always been in and around the top 5-10 of sprinters for most of his career. A few form dips and some positioning problems sometimes, but he's always turned up with the odd great result here and there. Always been fast.

 

[hayneplane]

That's a bit rough on Molano, I'd say. He's kind of always been in and around the top 5-10 of sprinters for most of his career. A few form dips and some positioning problems sometimes, but he's always turned up with the odd great result here and there. Always been fast.

I meant it as a compliment. After all plenty of very good riders have won only a handful of times (Kelderman 4 wins, Caruso 8 wins, Stuyven 9 wins, Van Baarle 8 wins, Jurgen Van den Broeck 2 wins).

Winning is hard even if you have well above average talent.

 

[Cycling111]

Last kilometre of tomorrow's stage. It would have been a good opportunity for Zingle.

 

[RedheadDane]

Stage is live:

 

[Cycling111]

Molano has been dropped. There will be new leader.

 

[Cycling111]

Jayco is following the same strategy as the other day. First, they attack with Paul Double to try to isolate Yates.

 

[RedheadDane]

Jayco is following the same strategy as the other day. First, they attack with Paul Double to try to isolate Yates.

And Veistroffer is solo out front.

 

[Cycling111]

And Veistroffer is solo out front.

Will he do it? Last year this stage was won from a breakaway.

 

[Netserk]

strong wind at the finish, cross and headwind

 

[Samamba]

Headwind is gonna kill Veistroffer, gap probably not big enough

 

[Netserk]

unox done chasing, ulissi looked over on adam who takes the front with 2km to go

 

[Samamba]

Still cars behind him

 

[Netserk]

he has it, i think

 

[Samamba]

25 seconds with 1k to go, probably a heartbreak for Veistroffer

 

[RedheadDane]

Nice one!

 

[Salvarani]

No problem

Easy win

 

[Netserk]

he dropped the other two after the kom banner right

 

[Cycling111]

A reward for trying.
Some teams always use the excuse in other races not to attempt breakaways. They should also try it on flat stages when they don't have a top sprinter.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Good win for Lotto and Veistroffer. Team seems to be doing well without the "stars".
Edit: First pro win.

 

[Samamba]

Ok I didn't realize that last km was flat. Nice win after so many times in the break.

 

[Samamba]

Good win for Lotto and Veistroffer. Team seems to be doing well without the "stars".

Their January was absolutely horrible, this week has been great with 2 wins of course tho.

 

[Netserk]

Good win for Lotto and Veistroffer. Team seems to be doing well without the "stars".

after their start in down under, i picked them as last wt winner

good to see the fortunes have turned

 

[yaco]

A very strong ride from Veistroffer. I never really thought it was in doubt in the last 20kms.

 

[Cycling111]

Vino team's attitude was disappointing. They left all the responsibility to Jayco, and then to Adam Yates when it was clear he wasn't going to beat them in the sprint.

By the time they wanted to work together, it was too late.