Chiappucci - An old man's view

[fmk_RoI]

(OK, there was a crash. )

Shockingly common in the Tour, especially in recent years. 2015 (Saxo/Quick-Step). 2013 (Saxo/Quick-Step). 2009 (LA/HTC).

(And how many times does it take Movistar to get caught out before they learn the lesson?)

 

[Echoes]

What does this all mean? Van Springel, Maertens and Kelly were exceptional time-trialists. Some of the best in history, each of them were the best time trialist in the peloton at some point. I'm pretty confused, here.

At the Tour of Italy there's never been time bonuses until 1981. De Vlaeminck never gained anything from it.

Roads have better asphalt than in the mid-seventies, that's true but by the end of the decade and in the eighties, the asphalt roads allowed for better average speed. That's why several riders complained about MIlan-Sanremo being too dangerous (hence the addition of the Cipressa in 1982) and why Saronni never wished to race Paris-Roubaix.

Better coverage should imply more breakaways (as was argued above).

As for echelons, there are still loads and loads and loads of them. All you gotta do is watching some Belgian races every now and then. Riders have always known where to stay in echelons, it's just easier said than done.

steve CHAINEL ‏@chainelsteve 12 july. 2013
Tous le monde "s'enflamme" a dire que c'est magnifique les bordure etc etc... Mais vous regardez pas les classiques flandrienne ou quoi??

Well said!