53rd Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco - 1-6 April 2013

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Basques would know about disrespecting races anyway, the sort of stellar show they put on in Belgium each year.

At least they don't pressume of being the "best team in the world"...

once again, poor exhibit by Sky[/QUOTE]

Not sure where Sky have presumed any such thing, although if they did, it would be pretty hard to argue against it.

Obvious from your post this has hurt Basque pride, but as I already said, even with the original start list you could see this was a very low priority race for Sky.

 

[jens_attacks]

if they win the race overall and take three stage wins you won't complain anymore

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Basques would know about disrespecting races anyway, the sort of stellar show they put on in Belgium each year.

At least they don't pressume of being the "best team in the world"...

once again, poor exhibit by Sky[/QUOTE]

lets wait and see what kind of show Sky puts on before judging them. Plenty of teams submit rosters of 8 where collectively they couldn't get anywhere near a podium girl.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Tour of Oman is definitely a more prestigious one... I got sick of this "new cycling" unawareneness of history. What the *** makes you think in such a way?

This is one of the most prestigious races in the calendar, it just lacks a better marketing... oh, I forgot Sky is about this

It's prestigious locally, and to cycling fans. For a team like Sky, it has next to 0 marketing value, and they've decided it isn't much use to them as a tune up for something more important either.

The race should have some dignity and pretend they don't care rather than making it clear how upset they are.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

The problem is, I'm not sure that the Euskaltel guys really do disrespect the Classics. They do their best at them, it's just that, frankly, their best at those kind of races isn't good enough, but they have to be there because of the WT licence, and with sponsorships contingent on the WT licence they needed to get one.

Sky are the top team in the world and it's very surprising that they can't cobble together 8 riders here. Even if some of them are neo-pros and the weakest parts of their squad. Still, we've seen more ridiculous things in the recent past, have we not? Like Radioshack, a team with a 25-man roster, claiming they couldn't send a squad to the Giro as they were focusing on California.

edit: also, with Catalunya now looking like it might go belly up, and the economic situation killing off almost all of the stage races in Spain, the organisers are probably quite upset as they got bailed out by Sabadell Guipuzcoano last year on a two-year deal if I remember correctly, so would be hoping for a good lineup this year in order to cement their sales proposition for prospective new sponsors. But with no Valverde, no Rodríguez and also some other high profile withdrawals like Mollema, they're probably getting a bit frustrated and so the announcement that Sky are only sending six riders has drawn a bit of a reaction.

 

[Aguirre]

At least they don't pressume of being the "best team in the world"...

once again, poor exhibit by Sky

Not sure where Sky have presumed any such thing, although if they did, it would be pretty hard to argue against it.

Obvious from your post this has hurt Basque pride, but as I already said, even with the original start list you could see this was a very low priority race for Sky.[/QUOTE]

Ok, Criterium International was maybe a more priority, things are pretty clear in this team, the goals are set for Froome and Wiggo: They are the priority. Classics were too, performance there is not as good indeed.

Anyway, It is not good for a race world tour, not for the WT itself, having teams with less riders than expected.

Back to pure sport, I expect Porte not peaking here, maybe Henao is better, but bad weather will make things unpredictable

 

[del1962]

Tour of Oman is definitely a more prestigious one... I got sick of this "new cycling" unawareneness of history. What the *** makes you think in such a way?

This is one of the most prestigious races in the calendar, it just lacks a better marketing... oh, I forgot Sky is about this

I would rather have a full Sky team there, and a stronger one, as for Oman I expect the riders like it, (very nice hotels for them) and pretty much good weather guaranteed.

 

[stefrees]

Well the sky race guide on their site and on their Facebook site was updated this evening, literally within the last few hours, and states 8 riders. Maybe we will see tomorrow as to who's right?

 

[gizzajob]

From twitter, Boswell is in the South of France today and Edmonson is in Yorkshire.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

From twitter, Boswell is in the South of France today and Edmonson is in Yorkshire.

Well you can prove anything with facts Theoden.

 

[manafana]

sky dont send riders just to fill a roster, they tend to stick to their plans and it seems to work, wont change too much.

Interesting see who creates the best challenge here dont think its sam sanchez.

 

[postmanhat]

i hope JTL can already do some damage here, he looked like a beast on criterium but he doesn't have the stamina yet...probably only on the ardennes..anyway JTL,kiry and sergio are super helpers for richie

Cheers! That's good to hear. JTL has dropped out, or done his bit in every race so far by the time I tune in. Hoping he gets to have a little go in this one.

Even more that SKy might tweek their tactics a little after T-A and Catalunya with thier B-team. Hard to see this group dominating as a train. Maybe, finally, they'll let the other's take the strain and be a bit more attacking?

 

[jens_attacks]

Cheers! That's good to hear. JTL has dropped out, or done his bit in every race so far by the time I tune in. Hoping he gets to have a little go in this one.

Even more that SKy might tweek their tactics a little after T-A and Catalunya with thier B-team. Hard to see this group dominating as a train. Maybe, finally, they'll let the other's take the strain and be a bit more attacking?

i think saxo will control this race and not sky
richie will wait for the final itt where he can beat alberto

 

[The Hitch]

WTF Rujanito is doing this race.

I thought he was done for.

 

[postmanhat]

i think saxo will control this race and not sky
richie will wait for the final itt where he can beat alberto

My post was written before reading about Sky's reduced roster for this race. Will be very interesting now to see how they ride. Are they capable of letting another team control a stage race? Would love to see Saxo at the front, and Sky sending off attacks

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

WTF Rujanito is doing this race.

I thought he was done for.

Schleck's doing it too and I'm pretty sure he's still done for.

 

[cineteq]

***** Contador, Quintana
**** Sanchez, Henao, Van Den Broeck
*** Porte, Talansky, Van Garderen, Peraud
** Cunego, Hesjedal, De Gendt. Klöden, Ten Dam
* Fuglsang, Kreuziger, Rujano, Menchov, Cobo

 

[infeXio]

You rating Henao over Porte? oO

 

[manafana]

stage 1 will be killer if any big names end up losing time.

 

[Beech Mtn]

At least they don't pressume of being the "best team in the world"...

once again, poor exhibit by Sky

Not sure where Sky have presumed any such thing, although if they did, it would be pretty hard to argue against it.

Obvious from your post this has hurt Basque pride, but as I already said, even with the original start list you could see this was a very low priority race for Sky.

Sky have claimed this many times.

Brailsford said it.

Cav said it.

Wiggo said it too.

Lots more examples out there. Has been a common theme.

 

[wwabbit]

Even more that SKy might tweek their tactics a little after T-A and Catalunya with thier B-team. Hard to see this group dominating as a train. Maybe, finally, they'll let the other's take the strain and be a bit more attacking?

Or they can just have Kiryienka do everything...

 

[The Hitch]

.

Basques would know about disrespecting races anyway, the sort of stellar show they put on in Belgium each year.

They've top 10d liege last 4 years.

 

[La Furia Roja]

WTF Rujanito is doing this race.

I thought he was done for.

Maybe you should try and not jump to conclusions?

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

The problem is, I'm not sure that the Euskaltel guys really do disrespect the Classics. They do their best at them, it's just that, frankly, their best at those kind of races isn't good enough, but they have to be there because of the WT licence, and with sponsorships contingent on the WT licence they needed to get one.

They know they have to race those races, and yet they make no meaningful effort to have suitable riders, year after year.

They may claim their precious psudo-nationalist policies are more important, but they make that choice for themselves.

 

[gmedina]

I hope Henao gets to do his own thing...its about time to get him to win a race.