73ª Volta a Portugal 2.1 04/08 - 15/08

[vcampbell]

Hmmm if that's Dekker trying, 52th at 3 minutes, then he still has a long way to go obviously

You should wait, it was not his stage. Too many attacks, strong breakaway etc... In 2013 he will be Top5 on a GT Next year he will do a GT to know again what is riding 3 weeks, and after it he will be a beast.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I don't think Dekker will ever be a GT rider. More one-week races and classics

 

[jens_attacks]

thomas dekker still is the the biggest dutch hope to get a grand tour or at least podium(yeah i said it).we'll see next year.

so ribeiro snatched a tiny second,intermediate sprint or something i guess...

 

[vcampbell]

I don't think Dekker will ever be a GT rider. More one-week races and classics

The hope never dies He is still young, he has got the years to improve.

 

[Sem Travões]

Wheelsucking yes, but I would have done the same.

Anyway this atage for a moment almost seemed like a Paris Roubaix with ups and downs

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Hmmm if that's Dekker trying, 52th at 3 minutes, then he still has a long way to go obviously

I think finishing the race would be mission accomplished. A couple of flattish stages to recuperate now, then I expect to see him contest the ITT and maybe get into a break in the Torre stage. Remember last year, with Emanuele Sella crashing and dropping time in stage 1 then getting into break after break afterwards? Good times.

 

[roundabout]

It's Guardini time tomorrow. At least it looks like the flattest stage of all.

 

[theyoungest]

thomas dekker still is the the biggest dutch hope to get a grand tour or at least podium(yeah i said it).we'll see next year.

No he's not. He doesn't recover well enough.

 

[Amsterhammer]

I don't think Dekker will ever be a GT rider. More one-week races and classics

Maybe he can aspire to become a Gilbert type? Eventually. Maybe.

Maybe not.

 

[Mellow Velo]

nice wheelsucking for the andalucia guy . . .

+1
Just caught up again. Towed to the line by another team.
They are all ganging up on Franky Gavazzi.

 

[canyonball]

13 km to go. All together, even though Chuzda wanted otherwise. BTW, is Guardini on the peloton this time?

 

[roundabout]

Somebody didn't read the road book this morning.

Or didn't care.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Guardini wins.

Saw R.Kreder finished 5th

 

[canyonball]

Guardini wins

That was easy. He had to stop his progression not to hit the barriers and yet made a fool out of everybody.

 

[jens_attacks]

easy for guardini,sergio ribeiro the new leader i think

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I don't think Dekker will ever be a GT rider. More one-week races and classics

this.

My hopes are still:
gesink > kruijswijk / mollema > dekker

OFC that doesn't include wilco

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Dekker was dropped in the final today btw

Although that was not really a case of couldn't do any better. He was just sitting in the back too much when a bunch of guys couldn't hold the wheel and Dekker was ofcourse behind them.
Not that it matters much. But still.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

That Guardini is even still in the race is proof of what a weak stage to Senhora da Graça it was; that Ribeiro has the lead is a reminder of the bad old days of Cândido. If Sérgio Sousa drags him up to 3rd place on Torre then the race is doomed.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Candido Barbosa, what a hero that guy was

I remember he was the nightmare of every micro-manager in CyM3, CyM4, PCM 2005, 2006 and 2007. Because everytime you got to a Portuguese race Barboso would own the sprints, the mountains and even the ITT

 

[Sem Travões]

From what I undestood from the race interview of guardini's team director, I think is not gonna stay till Lisbon, and will leave before, if so its a pity he would win at another stage or even two (Castelo Branco after the rest day).
Dekker can still work for the tan I guess

 

[roundabout]

I'd think that he will do the next stage.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Guardini *****es

Edit - this looked really badass in caps and with real swears, but the facist filter ruined it for everyone.

 

[El Pistolero]

No he's not. He doesn't recover well enough.

And we don't know how good he is without the EPO anyway.

 

[goggalor]

Oh man, just saw Guardini's win. He had to stop pedaling and brake after starting his sprint at 200 to go, and still won by 10 bike lengths.

 

[greenedge]

Nice sprint by Guardini effortless. Finally an easy stage as well. Not that i usually focus on a race like this as it is midnight in Australian and i can't understand Portugese.