Eneco Tour 2014 (2.WT), 11.08 - 17/08

[Bushman]

I just think the racing gets ruined with such a rule. IMO there should be rules regarding behavior during sprints ( as someone Else mentioned) and tougher penalties like disqualification for breaking the rules.

 

[roundabout]

Extend the s.t gap from 1 second to 2 or 3

 

[SafeBet]

Extend the s.t gap from 1 second to 2 or 3

Only in sprint stages or any stage?

 

[willbick]

3 kms is fine. nonetheless, the gc riders should think twice if a 10-15 seconds gained in a split really worths the risk of a terrifying crash ending their race

Erm 10-15 secs is massive in terms of a race like Eneco

I think really need to do something to reduce the size and intensity of the peleton in the last few km of sprint stages. This is where the most amount of bad crashes happen. The last few km of the stage today was just crazy with riders weaving all over the road and beyond! You're just sat there wincing. Sooner or later there's gonna be a really bad accident, and maybe involving innocent bystanders like with van summ

 

[willbick]

Imo they should make the rule that once inside the final 10k you can't lose any more time to the bunch. So you can actually let the bunch go and freewheel. So only the sprintersteam will have to stay upfront.

If there is still a breakaway with 10k to go you still get the same time as the bunch if you let go. So if the bunch isn't able to pull the breakaway back in and the breakaway then you lose as much time as the bunch.

Ofcourse this only applies in real sprintstages.

The only problems occurs when someone flats with 12k to go. Then how to apply the rules? He will have to catch the bunch, but the problem is that probably half of the bunch starts to freewheel with 10k to go which is big obstacle for the rider that has to try to return to the bunch.

Hmmmm.. Thoughts?

I think a 10k rule on sprint stages would be the way to go, so that all in the peloton with 10km to go get the same time whatever happens. I think the comms should use discretion to award the same time if a guy flats at say 12k. Obviously its gonna be contentious at what point they let a rider get the same time but what can u do? Its not like it happens v often. Maybe each team should nominate one official GC guy and only he benefits from the rule?

Of course its never gonna be a perfect system and there will be problems and controversy but they really have to do something

 

[rghysens]

And yes I agree that something should be done about the 3k rule. Make it 10k atleast.

3k is fine. Maybe you can extend it to 4 or 5, but no more.

 

[Kwibus]

Should be a good stage today.msee of Cancellara and Boonen feel like dancing.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Today's profile reminder:

Why would a GC contender go hard for bonus secs at the finish line of a flat stage ending in a bunch sprint when we have this menu coming up (and the next two stages as well)?

I don't get some of the modern peloton tactics.

Anyway Boom will grab his stage win today.

 

[ILovecycling]

Should be a good stage today.msee of Cancellara and Boonen feel like dancing.

thomas?boom and VM?terpstra?and what about Dumulain?Yep,it should be entertaining stage,maybe more than in Burgos.
as for me,I dont feel like Canc will be flying

 

[search]

any idea why they changed the course in comparison to recent years? Hard to say how it'll turn out now without the Muur inside the final couple of km

edit: ok, anyway, they didn't do it last year as well

 

[manafana]

anyone know what final 2or3 climbs are like?

 

[willbick]

3k is fine. Maybe you can extend it to 4 or 5, but no more.

No the 3km rule is NOT fine. It does nothing to make the racing safer, it is purely designed to stop GC riders being inconvenienced by crashes in the sprint finale. They need to implement a new rule that removes GC riders and their doms from the front of the race near the end of sprint stages

 

[l.Harm]

any idea why they changed the course in comparison to recent years? Hard to say how it'll turn out now without the Muur inside the final couple of km

edit: ok, anyway, they didn't do it last year as well

They finish on de Muur?

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

The stage today is much more loaded than last year though. Much more climbs. But it has the same finale as last year. It's also a bit shorter than last year.

I think with Vanmarcke, Boom, Boonen, Thomas and others, there will definitely be good racing today.

I don't think Canc is in a very good shape, but we'll see.

 

[theyoungest]

The stage today is much more loaded than last year though. Much more climbs. But it has the same finale as last year. It's also a bit shorter than last year.

I think with Vanmarcke, Boom, Boonen, Thomas and others, there will definitely be good racing today.

I don't think Canc is in a very good shape, but we'll see.

Canc nearly won the TT... Vanmarcke is wearing a brace after a bike landed on his forearm yesterday, it will be quite painful for him on the cobbles.

 

[search]

They finish on de Muur?

yeh, but not on the top.

two years ago they did a little additional circuit around Geraalsbergen including the climb to the top with ~5km to go

 

[l.Harm]

yeah ok that would be better. still tough stage.

 

[jens_attacks]

g thomas to slaughter all of them today. go g!

 

[manafana]

thomas or dumoulin would do me well, conditions will suit thomas if the rain keeps falling copes well with the wet. Can't believe how quiet forum is on an exciting stage like this.

 

[Arredondo]

Pozzato did quite a impressive move there, looks really good.

 

[Netserk]

I didn't know that there was already coverage

 

[Afrank]

Trentin dropping the other two.

Gilbert going for it from the peloton as well.

 

[Arredondo]

Boom shows Gilbert who is the boss.

 

[Tournesol]

Can anyone tell me what's happening, how long to go etc?

At work and unable to see coverage.

 

[Afrank]

16 Km's to go. Groups has thinned out, and they are checking each other out (checking for others conditions and possible moves that is).

Trentin and Lastras are ahead at 52 seconds.