Clásica San Sebastián 2010 - 31 July

[ericthesportsman6]

Indeed, even Greg van Avermaet, the specialist climber (not), finishes 11th.
Javier Moreno from Andalucia is even up there for a long time.
With the budget Sky has, they should ALWAYS have a man up there.

A little unfair, Moreno is a pretty good climber. He's certainly a strong enough rider to be on a protour squad.

 

[tgsgirl]

A little unfair, Moreno is a pretty good climber. He's certainly a strong enough rider to be on a protour squad.

Is it unfair to expect more from SKY than to be better than "a pretty good climber"? Really? Hell, I don't even expect them to be better, just to match "a pretty good climber" would be good.

 

[theyoungest]

After taking a look at their roster for this race, I have to take back what I said. They did have some climbers and what not. They only had Possoni in the first pack at 3:43. And wasn't Augustyn a climber back in the day?

That said, I still don't think it was reasonable to expect much more from them in this race considering the squad they brought. Even if you have all the money in the world, there's only so many people you can sign for your first year. It takes time.

F$%k that. If you want to be a Protour team right from the start, at least make sure you have the riders required to be competitive at that level.

 

[hrotha]

F$%k that. If you want to be a Protour team right from the start, at least make sure you have the riders required to be competitive at that level.

How are they not competitive? They're currently ranked 17th, above all the French teams. Do you suggest them Frenchies pack up and leave?

Sure, they're not having a good first year, but I don't get why people cite their budget all the time. It's almost like people criticize them for thinking it all comes down to the budget, but then making the same mistake while judging them.

To build up a team you need money, yes, but you also need to find riders who are not bound by their contract. You can only buy so many riders a la Wiggins.

 

[ericthesportsman6]

Is it unfair to expect more from SKY than to be better than "a pretty good climber"? Really? Hell, I don't even expect them to be better, just to match "a pretty good climber" would be good.

No, I wasn't defending Sky. I was just defending Moreno. Your right, for the hype and money surrounding Sky, we should expect a whole lot more. Unfortunately, they blew their entire budget on Bradley Wiggins.

 

[Moondance]

Anyway... Good result and win for Lulu. Vino's second is.... ummmm.... impressive I guess.

Anyway, also nice to see Porte up there. Very good and (actually) impressive result for the man in his first big classic.

 

[superconfex]

It was SKY who were giving it the “billy big team”, "The Manchester Untied" of cycling at the start of the season and I bought into it and I still do.
However as tgsgirl says it would be nice just for them to match the Footons, Milrams, of the world at least get a rider in the top20.
Actually i expect them to be better
Maybe as the race wasn’t being shown on British TV they decided not to show up

 

[Ripper]

Who thinks LLS

Will be heading over to Astana now?

 

[Dedelou]

Great intelligent race by LLS.
Great race by Gesink, but he did not get any support from the other riders. Especially when you consider that Zubeldia attacked later on, only to ensure the 4th place, when if he had worked he at least would have a chance to win it
Great race by Porte, was really amazed when he attacked, and especially the way he hung on and came back every time. Really impressive

great race for vino even if he didn't get the win he took the fight to the locals and managed to come out with a silver prize. Great

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I guess the cyclingnews full report still has to come up?

Since this short one doesn't do real justice to all the action happening in the race

 

[theyoungest]

I guess the cyclingnews full report still has to come up?

Since this short one doesn't do real justice to all the action happening in the race

And Cyclingnews, while you're at it, at least spell the name of the race correctly.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

The full report is up, that was fast although to be fair, they were probably already in the process of making it.

 

[Barrus]

And Cyclingnews, while you're at it, at least spell the name of the race correctly.

That e in there is quite a bad mistake, you're right. I still feel hey should call it Donostia - Donostia Like that name a lost better

 

[ansimi]

I was so frustrated that I couldn't get the feed to work for this one It sounds like it was really good racing and I know the area is beautiful. Hopefully there will be video available later.

I love that Gesink can't bear to sit back. I know it's not always smart racing but it's endearing. His fans may endure a lot of frustration following him but his efforts (and huge talent) are bound to pay off big on occasion.

 

[ericthesportsman6]

What the hell happened to Nibali today? 76th, over 17 minutes back.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Lack of racing.

It says enough that out of the top 10 so many guys come from the Tour de France.
Only Porte (respect) and Zubeldia didn't ride the Tour I think?

 

[hrotha]

Lack of racing.

It says enough that out of the top 10 so many guys come from the Tour de France.
Only Porte (respect) and Zubeldia didn't ride the Tour I think?

Non-TdF classification:
1. Zubeldia
2. Porte +0:03
3. Van Avermaet +1:40
4. Moreno
5. Steensen +3:09

Once again the Shack's tactics get them the prize that matters.

 

[ericthesportsman6]

Non-TdF classification:
1. Zubeldia
2. Porte +0:03
3. Van Avermaet +1:40
4. Moreno
5. Steensen +3:09

Once again the Shack's tactics get them the prize that matters.

Moreno rode the TDF. He was the Lotto rider always at the front on the tough days. Seeing as this is like the 4th time i've heard someone say he didn't ride, the guy is definitely under-appreciated.

 

[hrotha]

Moreno rode the TDF. He was the Lotto rider always at the front on the tough days. Seeing as this is like the 4th time i've heard someone say he didn't ride, the guy is definitely under-appreciated.

Different Moreno. This was Andalucia Cajasur's Javier Moreno.

I thought Dani did a pretty decent TdF.

 

[auscyclefan94]

What the hell happened to Nibali today? 76th, over 17 minutes back.

What happened to Gilbert? Awesome ride by porte for 10th! Yay for LLS. He beat Mr Vinokourov. Suprised by Carlos Sastre's ride especially in a one day race.

 

[El Pistolero]

What happened to Gilbert? Awesome ride by porte for 10th! Yay for LLS. He beat Mr Vinokourov. Suprised by Carlos Sastre's ride especially in a one day race.

Gilbert didn't participate in the Tour. Cyclists who have ridden the Tour have a big advantage in this race.

 

[Beech Mtn]

Not a great showing by Kash - hopefully he improves before the Vuelta.

From the CN Report

92 Andrey Kashechkin (USA) Lampre-Farnese Vini @ 0:17:18

Kash must've changed his nationality without anybody knowing it.

As did this guy:

85 Laurens Dam (Arg) Rabobank

 

[TopCarbon]

Not a great showing by Kash - hopefully he improves before the Vuelta.

From the CN Report


Kash must've changed his nationality without anybody knowing it.

As did this guy:

cool,
the USA needs some help in the Worlds

 

[Beech Mtn]

Actually, aren't Kazakhstan and France in a close race for number of riders to bring to the worlds? I've got to go look up the rules about placings, cutoff date, etc, but I believe Vino and the boys from KZ are going to try to rack up a lot of points in this last part of the season so they can bring 9 riders to Worlds. Could get interesting.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Actually, aren't Kazakhstan and France in a close race for number of riders to bring to the worlds? I've got to go look up the rules about placings, cutoff date, etc, but I believe Vino and the boys from KZ are going to try to rack up a lot of points in this last part of the season so they can bring 9 riders to Worlds. Could get interesting.

Kazachstan are already in 8th, and they were well positoned before San Sebastian already

France were 11th, but dropped to 12th after Clasica San Sebastian because the Dutch passed them (Gesink).

France are looking hopeless and need a miracle in Pologne. The dutch need Mollema to score a top 7 there (very much possible).. Germany is in great peril as number 10 and need Greipel to gain as many top 5 placings in the Pologne sprints as he can..