Arctic Race of Norway 2023 (August 17-20)

[Devil's Elbow]

Astana 1-2, what year is this again?

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Gazzoli takes it

 

[tobydawq]

Astana dominance like it's 2008.

 

[search]

and in his first race back from... well. Over to the dark side

 

[TourOfSardinia]

 

[search]

Hobbs finished in the same group, so he is the new leader of the race indeed.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

That's two days in a row that Jayco have put in lots of work for Quick and also two days in a row that he hasn't made the top-20. Can't remember a worse rider to be the designated second sprinter in a WT team that actually focuses on sprints.

 

[RedheadDane]

That's two days in a row that Jayco have put in lots of work for Quick and also two days in a row that he hasn't made the top-20. Can't remember a worse rider to be the designated second sprinter in a WT team that actually focuses on sprints.

Should we start calling him not-so-Quick?

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Vino-esque comeback by Gazzoli!

 

[search]

That's two days in a row that Jayco have put in lots of work for Quick and also two days in a row that he hasn't made the top-20. Can't remember a worse rider to be the designated second sprinter in a WT team that actually focuses on sprints.

Taj Jones came pretty close last year (although as 3rd sprinter only, after Nizzolo and Barbier)

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Taj Jones came pretty close last year (although as 3rd sprinter only, after Nizzolo and Barbier)

4th sprinter, actually - Einhorn was also ahead of him.

 

[Sandisfan]

and in his first race back from... well. Over to the dark side

If I remember correctly the commentators (on my stream) shared his story early on in the race that he had the illiac problems and was out a year and only recently was able to return.

 

[jaylew]

Strangest result of the year.

 

[StryderHells]

That's two days in a row that Jayco have put in lots of work for Quick and also two days in a row that he hasn't made the top-20. Can't remember a worse rider to be the designated second sprinter in a WT team that actually focuses on sprints.

He was never going to compete on a stage like that so no idea why Jayco were working, he should of been more competitive in the first stage.
I would reserve my judgement on his talents until next year, it can take a year or 2 for domestic Australian riders to adjust to the European peloton. Mind you he should of been showing a bit more so far.

 

[search]

looks like there'll be a massive headwind for the 2nd part of the stage today, including the finishing climb. And it's completely exposed, without a single tree or building at the roadside.

Could mean it's another one for Gazzoli.

 

[yaco]

That's two days in a row that Jayco have put in lots of work for Quick and also two days in a row that he hasn't made the top-20. Can't remember a worse rider to be the designated second sprinter in a WT team that actually focuses on sprints.

He's not WT standard and struggles to get over a false flat - I know that it was Stybar's first race for four months and it's Janssen's first race for the season BUT both have shown decent shape and should have gone for the final - Jayco would have better to bring Englehardt to this race instead of riding the Bemer Classic next season - I will add that now you are seeing the disaster COVID restrictions in Australia had for the group of under 23's - They had no racing for two years and there is no quality in this cohort, except for McKenzie and possible Rogers who have just left the juniors - For further evidence look at the Aussie team for L'Avenir - On paper it's a rubbish team with two young riders who are unexposed and the best rider Mckenzie is riding as a stagiare for Jayco at the Arctic Tour of Norway.

 

[search]

I know that it was Stybar's first race for four months and it's Janssen's first race for the season BUT both have shown decent shape and should have gone for the final

Stybar had a fairly complicated iliac artery operation, as far as I understood. In Czech press it said it can take one year to get back to his former level, or maybe even lead to retirement.

 

[yaco]

Stybar had a fairly complicated iliac artery operation, as far as I understood. In Czech press it said it can take one year to get back to his former level, or maybe even lead to retirement.

I am aware of his operation, however Stybar led out the sprint for Quick who could not hold his wheel in the last kilometre.

 

[Norbea]

The terrain is getting wind exposed now. Already the peloton is starting to break up.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Kirby has been doing an admirable job of talking to himself but good to hear from Thor Hushovd on his visit to the comms box...

This landscape is quite something.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Going to be a lot of people arriving at the bottom of the HTF with nothing left. Really chaotic racing.

 

[Jumbo Visma Fan :)]

Typical Arctic Race weather today, ready to see chaos at the bottom of the final climb.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Nasty crash for Garofoli on a corner where you really should never be going down even in this weather.

 

[SafeBet]

Nasty crash for Garofoli on a corner where you really should never be going down even in this weather.

Looked like a broken collarbone.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Van Hemelen getting at times silly amounts of protection from the headwind from this motor.