Eneco Tour - 8th to 14th August

[greenedge]

It shall be exciting tomorrow. However on CN it now says Taylor is 25 seconds behind when it is 19 seconds right??? It's up to OPL to do the pace duties to tire EBH as well.

 

[Richeypen]

It shall be exciting tomorrow. However on CN it now says Taylor is 25 seconds behind when it is 19 seconds right??? It's up to OPL to do the pace duties to tire EBH as well.

No,its 25s.

 

[wirral]

Looks like the early break contains Flecha. He is presumably on an operation to mop up bonus seconds at the 3 sprints, even though they're not till much later on.

 

[maltiv]

Kinda weird that the other teams let the teammate of the raceleader get into the early break. Even if OPL goes crazy to isolate EBH he will have a really strong teammate up in front anyway.

 

[wirral]

Flecha is now the virtual yellow jersey. OPL and the other teams must chase.

 

[Gloin22]

Sky is learning, that's master tactic and by this small move I think EBH is guaranteed the GC win. Sky can rest now and prepare for the last 60km, while other teams are working.

 

[AussieGoddess]

Is certainly odd that OPL let him go in the break.

Phil has to win the stage anyway .... so I guess they were going to have to lead anyway - but leaves someone up there to help later.

Not generally good tactics - but Phil hasnt really put a foot wrong (tactically speaking) all season, so I will wait and see what happens.

 

[wirral]

130 kms to go. Gap's come down by a minute.

 

[maltiv]

Looks like they are catching the break already, pace must be really high.

 

[AussieGoddess]

Just looking things up - and Gilbert doesnt really need to win to wrap up the No 1 world ranking.

2nd overall will give him 80 points + 6 for a stage win = 86
He is 92 behind Cadel.

So he then only needs one of the following
- 9th or better in Lombardy or
- 8th or better in one of the others (Vattenfall, either Canadian, Vattenfall or Plouay)

So really - 2nd is enough here.

He will obviously still try to win it as it would be his first Pro-Tour stage race win .... and he likes to win ... but its not make or break.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Just looking things up - and Gilbert doesnt really need to win to wrap up the No 1 world ranking.

2nd overall will give him 80 points + 6 for a stage win = 86
He is 92 behind Cadel.

So he then only needs one of the following
- 9th or better in Lombardy or
- 8th or better in one of the others (Vattenfall, either Canadian, Vattenfall or Plouay)

So really - 2nd is enough here.

He will obviously still try to win it as it would be his first Pro-Tour stage race win .... and he likes to win ... but its not make or break.

True, but if he wins now, he can take it easy for the rest of the season.

 

[maltiv]

Eurosport showing ski jumping on grass instead of Eneco tour today. Awesome.

 

[Jamsque]

Five have made it away from the break, Flecha did not make the split.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Eurosport just bail out of the ENECO tour, in favour of ski jumping.
Now International scheduling shows 15-45CET.
For UKES, the situation is even worse. 16-30CET, or roundabout the scheduled finish.

 

[hatcher]

It is on eurosportplayer without commentary for those who have it.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Watching RTBF.
Millar attacks!
(followed by the usual suspects)

 

[AussieGoddess]

is here

but not english

 

[maltiv]

David Millar attacked, Gilbert and EBH followed. EBH was struggling a bit though while Gilbert obviously answered the attack with ease.

 

[maltiv]

Decent quality stream: http://www.rtbf.be/livecenter/live_eneco-tour-etape-6?id=20833 (thanks dim)

 

[sublimit]

Ski jumping in August.

 

[AussieGoddess]

Decent quality stream: http://www.rtbf.be/livecenter/live_eneco-tour-etape-6?id=20833 (thanks dim)

thanks - much better stream

and here comes the Cauberg

 

[Jamsque]

Looks like Sky are fake-chasing again, they want the break to stay away and take the bonifications.

 

[maltiv]

Looks like Sky are fake-chasing again, they want the break to stay away and take the bonifications.

Of course. Besides, they have to save as many men as possible so that EBH won't be isolated in the final. This break shouldn't worry them at all.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Eurosport are on.

 

[superconfex]

Eurosport are on.

Cheers Mellow