The Cycling News forum is looking to add some volunteer moderators with Red Rick's recent retirement. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to
In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.
Thanks!
Someone described it as a big ring climb which does make the struggling of GC hot shot guys odd, but I suppose there was a howling headwind or some other excuse.
It’s from baseball. Alex Rodriguez was one of the best infielders ever, and his nickname was A-Rod. (Apologies if you know this already). Maybe one day Christian can have his own “-Rod.”
You've got to think of C-Rod in the context of J-Rod.
They did the highest w/kg on the first climb of the day and many riders already dropped on that one only to come back afterwards. This time fatigue actually played a big part.
Yeah, both of those make me dislike the concept even more. Not only stupid and pointless, but derivative too.
Dude, A-Rod was Andy Roddick, one of the worst tennis players ever.
a de Gendt DNF is unusual, but I guess in most other cases it may very well be just due to the bad weather. Caruso can't afford to get sick before the Giro, for example, and the DSM guys are doing Frankfurt on Wednesday.
McNulty has won his stage, he is completely depleted after a long season so far. There is nothing for him to be gained today, other than getting sick. He won't be able to help his team today in any meaningful way, and he's not doing himself any favors. Very logical for him to throw in the towel imho.
www.procyclingstats.com
Already a bit less than 2 K before the finish, it was obvious Vlasov wouldn't make it. Not for the stage, not coming back on Rodriguez, not for winning the general. So, Lipo, who showed good legs and was very lucid, had to try. Far better than ending second in the stage and second and third in the general. Given his extremely strong finish the last hundred of meters, attacking 500 m before his actual attack, he would have won the stage, he would have taken extra seconds and he would have take extra boniseconds. Enough to win the general. Again, terrible decision (or non decision) of the team.
It was obvious Lipo spoke to his teamleader in time, but wasn't allowed to attack. Once they were convinced Vlasov wouldn't come back on Rodriguez (which the more experienced of us already could see a few minutes) they give Lipo the opportunity to (counter)attack. Far too late.
Who knew Lipowitz was so strong ? Because Lipo showed before the last kilometer to be at least one of the top three.... and (far) better than Vlasov. Giving Lipo the chance to jump to Carapaz and leave behind Rodriguez at 1 kilometer of the finish was the only chance to win the stage and eventually the general.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram