Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian 30 July 2011 234km

[Michielveedeebee]

Hmmm, I don't know what would surprise me more: Richie Porte on the podium or Andy Schleck doesn't abandon the race?

more like sastre featuring in a race this year

 

[Shardi]

more like sastre featuring in a race this year

+1
.

 

[The Hitch]

more like sastre featuring in a race this year

Just wait till Vuelta then. Sastre was already looking forward to that race when it was announced in January.

No one has probably ever taken the news that they arent going to do the Tour with as much joy as Sastre did this year, and hes been training hard for the Vuelta.

Theres life in the dog yet.

 

[Havetts]

I want to see the good old Carlos back that made me cheer for him, attacks from long out and steady pace climbing but always remaining humble when winning. So yes I hope this is going to be a Vuelta he's going to rock at.

 

[hrotha]

more like sastre featuring in a race this year

He just podiumed Austria. That's not very impressive, granted, but he hadn't been so high in the GC of a non-GT stage race since... well, the 2003 Tour de Romandie, I think (or the 2001 Vuelta a Aragón for a race of comparable status). He'll be building up his form.

 

[gerrans for the win]

yes, Gerrans seems to be totally out of form, so I didnt count him

came 37th in the last big stage in the tour, not bad form for a non climber...but no he won't win this.. reckon maybe GARATE or martin

 

[ferryman]

I want to see the good old Carlos back that made me cheer for him, attacks from long out and steady pace climbing but always remaining humble when winning. So yes I hope this is going to be a Vuelta he's going to rock at.

+100 My favourite active rider by a mile. A class act off and on the bike. Probably past his best but let's hope the old Carlos can do his thing one more time. It's making me smile right now remembering the number of times he is so badly placed when the attacks go but then the camera pans back and there he is steadily but steadily picking off riders as he makes it back to the front

 

[ferryman]

Andy for the win. Massive attack on the last climb followed by a fearless descent for victory Failing that, Gilbert or maybe Cunego

 

[Dedelou]

Can't really see past Gilbert here. Would love for Cunego or Sanchez to win though.

love for cunego to get a victory here

 

[Bavarianrider]

A race nobody needs!

 

[Anonymous]

Can't come soon enough. I dont think PG will win.

 

[greenedge]

Velits and Porte have similar qualities. Both great time trialists and good in the mountains. The more i think about it i like their chances. ( Velits is better though and is better in a sprint ) They shall however have to be on the watch for good descenders and somehow break away. Gilbert is firm favourite but Samu might match him in the sprint and JROD is sure to attack on the climb. Chavanel will definitely attack. ANYONE from Rabo looks good.

 

[icefire]

A race nobody needs!

Go tell that to the Basque fans, if you dare

 

[Tuarts]

A race nobody needs!

So Tony Martin isn't racing, is that what you're trying to tell us?

 

[Nick C.]

+100 My favourite active rider by a mile. A class act off and on the bike. Probably past his best but let's hope the old Carlos can do his thing one more time. It's making me smile right now remembering the number of times he is so badly placed when the attacks go but then the camera pans back and there he is steadily but steadily picking off riders as he makes it back to the front

+1
I thought I was imaging that he always seemed to be @ the back and I am thinking "f'in Sastre" and then there he comes.

 

[maltiv]

+100 My favourite active rider by a mile. A class act off and on the bike. Probably past his best but let's hope the old Carlos can do his thing one more time. It's making me smile right now remembering the number of times he is so badly placed when the attacks go but then the camera pans back and there he is steadily but steadily picking off riders as he makes it back to the front

I'll never forget on Verbier in 2009 when he was so horribly placed he probably had the 2nd best time up the climb despite only finishing 6th. He had to pass like 60 riders before getting up to the lead group at which point he immediately attacked. The awesome part is that he never seems to learn

 

[El Pistolero]

I just downloaded Overcoming, a sunday in hell, hell on wheels and the bonus disk of Overcoming

What a nice guy Sastre is. Would be great to see him win in the Vuelta.

 

[theyoungest]

more like sastre featuring in a race this year

This is the only race where he featured last year. And that one really came out of nowhere.

As for Andy Schleck: has he ever finished this race? He always starts it, that's true.

 

[El Pistolero]

This is the only race where he featured last year. And that one really came out of nowhere.

As for Andy Schleck: has he ever finished this race? He always starts it, that's true.

He was top 10 in 2 GTs last year

 

[theyoungest]

He was top 10 in 2 GTs last year

You have a different definition of "featuring" than I do. Sure, two top-10s in a GT is decent, but it's not really the Sastre we've known before.

 

[El Pistolero]

You have a different definition of "featuring" than I do. Sure, two top-10s in a GT is decent, but it's not really the Sastre we've known before.

But it's hardly coming out of nowhere. You don't finish 8th in a Giro with crappy form.

 

[theyoungest]

But it's hardly coming out of nowhere. You don't finish 8th in a Giro with crappy form.

Didn't he crash and suffer all through the Giro? I remember Tondo actually being stronger than him.

 

[dlwssonic]

He got a free 13 mins from the big breakaway stage in the giro

 

[El Pistolero]

Didn't he crash and suffer all through the Giro? I remember Tondo actually being stronger than him.

Oh could be, couldn't watch most of it because of exams. But still his form couldn't have been that bad if he still finished 8th in the Giro and Vuelta.

 

[Midnightfright]

I would love Sastre to win here and do well at the Vuelta. Seems like a really great guy.