Clásica San Sebastián - 2 August 2014

[luckyboy]

Gerrans was in bad form all Tour too

 

[roundabout]

The race actually split up okay on the climb. Let's see how many get back

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Jaizkibel isn't a real killer climb or anything, but it deserves better than this route.

At least after the descent we get to see the lovely town of Hondarribia. There's a cool little cobbled climb in there, in fact. If they climbed Jaizkibel in the opposite direction it would be 19km from the finish.

 

[RedheadDane]

Tuning in on this and seeing Txurruka in the break filled me with instant glee. Too bad he got caught.

Just love those Basque place-names btw.

Gerrans was in bad form all Tour too

Wasn't that pretty much a result of his crash on stage 1?

 

[roundabout]

+bakelants, losada and the wolfman

good group

 

[Flamin]

Only 1 TV bike on air atm?

Edit: there's no. 2..

 

[trevim]

A 48,5 km de meta:
En plena bajada los cuatro tienen 12 segundos sobre tres perseguidores y 42 sobre el pelotón. Frank Schleck, con algún problema mecánico, se queda.
Wow this guy can't catch a break this year...

 

[roundabout]

Well, Gerrans is back.

And Trek are working a bit too hard for the inevitable Zubeldia top-10

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Gerrans going to the front to work for his team leaders.

 

[Flamin]

I always forget how bad the images are for this race, so I always end up being annoyed by them.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

My attempt at improving the run-in for this race, which involves rotating the circuit through 180º.

First, Arkale from Errenteria with 47km to go. Then ride to Hondarribia and climb the eastern side of Jaizkibel:

Yes, I know it averages less than the west side which is far more famous, but the 9% kilometre there is a nice springboard for attacks, with the summit at almost exactly 30km from the finish. We then descend the normal side of Jaizkibel, and head along the run-in via the outskirts of town and the seafront until crossing the finish line with 11,3km remaining. Then we head to the east of town and climb up to Monte Igeldo:

Simple, small climb; it's not steep enough that everybody will leave everything to this climb, and with Jaizkibel only 30km out it will not stop it being a prospective springboard for attacks. Igeldo crests 8km out, then it's gentle descent and then about 5km circling Donostia to finish facing the correct direction on the Kontxa.

 

[Netserk]

Woah, action!

 

[Eclipse]

Gerrans doing a lot of work to set up Albasini, and at last we have a bit more action.

 

[roundabout]

I always forget how bad the images are for this race, so I always end up being annoyed by them.

Don't forget the lack of cameras and poor directing

 

[dduff442]

I always forget how bad the images are for this race, so I always end up being annoyed by them.

Easy to get spoiled by TdF coverage which is a technical wonder to be fair.

 

[el_angliru]

On ES, Magnus said: "Keep an eye on Beltran of Tinkoff-Saxo". Then the other commentator replied: "Yes, Manuel Beltran is bound to be motivated in the Basque country."

 

[Flamin]

Don't forget the lack of cameras and poor directing

Well yeah, I mean in general, so those things are part of it.

 

[ILovecycling]

Betfair:

Valverde 4.4, Gerrans 10, Rodriguez 11.5, Van Avermaet (huh?) 16.5, Martin 18, Albasini 21

Murito @ 13 and Albasini @ 51 at threesixtyfive
Guess I will cheer for him

On ES, Magnus said: "Keep an eye on Beltran of Tinkoff-Saxo". Then the other commentator replied: "Yes, Manuel Beltran is bound to be motivated in the Basque country."

Oh shiit

 

[Flamin]

Easy to get spoiled by TdF coverage which is a technical wonder to be fair.

Yes indeed, but this is very bad nevertheless.

 

[roundabout]

Woah, a closeup of Zubeldia

 

[Netserk]

Awesome new route

 

[Marco Pantani]

Proper stream please

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

wow., small peloton still. martin looking good

 

[SafeBet]

Cameraman zooming on Zubeldia!

 

[Fzotrlool]

Grivko faster than the sloppy peloton.