Giro d'Italia 2011: Stage 14 Lienz to Monte Zoncolan

[Tuarts]

Like Race Radios this is decision that ultimately should (and did) come down to the riders, not the fans. This psyche some of the fans have displayed (I guess mainly the Eurocentric ones?) over the past few days is deeply disturbing.

 

[cineteq]

Not very nice things about UCI commissaires and team directors. Cancelling the Crostis 12 hours before the race after all the effort put to deploy safety networks is a lack of respect for the race.

I agree, but it should have been cancelled a day or two after Wouter's accident. Politically it should have been the right decision to make. Imagine the consequences if somebody would have died today in that descent?

PS: Btw, I'm well aware that Wouter did not die as a result of the dangerous descent per se.

 

[Spare Tyre]

Like Race Radios this is decision that ultimately should (and did) come down to the riders, not the fans. This psyche some of the fans have displayed (I guess mainly the Eurocentric ones?) over the past few days is deeply disturbing.

The riders/teams have had months in which to raise their concerns, decide to take action etc. If the info we're getting is correct, they have waited until a lot of time & money has been spent preparing the Crostis & it's too late to come up a decent alternative. I'd be furious too.

 

[Parrulo]

i have seen a few signs saying

"no crostis

cowards"

i guess people aren't too happy about it

 

[craig1985]

#
14:51:38 CEST

Paolo Zani, the CEO of Liquigas, has just told RAI that Roberto Amadio attended a meeting of the team managers at this Giro about the descent of the Crostis. According to Zani, Liquigas was one of five teams who were in favour of racing the Crostis, but that 15 other teams were opposed to the idea.

We understand that Lampre-ISD and Acqua&Sapone also wanted the Crostis to remain part of the race.

From the live feed on CN.

 

[Jan the Man]

I agree, but it should have been cancelled a day or two after Wouter's accident. Politically it should have been the right decision to make. Imagine the consequences if somebody would have died today in that descent?

PS: Btw, I'm well aware that Wouter did not die as a result of the dangerous descent per se.

Sadly Wouter died on a descent which was not considered particularly dangerous. Are we to cancel every hill for the fear that someone could be injured on the descent?

The sad thing is that they UCI/Directors made this decision at a very late stage- that is why there is significant unhapinness.

 

[UpTheRoad]

I'm not fluent in Italian, but this is what I think I heard p):

UCI are a bunch ****** ********. The Crostis is ****** and for them to come in at the last ****** minute and cancel it is just complete *********. **** you McQuaid. **** you **** you. Did I say **** you? I meant **** you twice in your eye. Die ******* die.

But seriously, I'm cool. It's whatever. McQuaid just better watch his back...

That's exactly what I heard, too. A word for word transalation, I think.

 

[insideout leadout]

time for moto bike.

 

[killswitch]

Alberto changes bike again...

 

[Big GMaC]

bike change for conta

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Contador on his lighter bike again

 

[Bala Verde]

bike change contador... He keeps on changing his bikes... Bad brand?

 

[Publicus]

I see AC has made his now standard bike change. I guess the festivities can finally begin.

 

[sulgpallur]

new batteries lol

 

[Cobblestoned]

Contador on his lighter bike again

battery was empty

 

[Big GMaC]

lol, kelly talking about batteries, harmon saying 'very possible'...

Rofl

 

[Anonymous]

i wish the italians team up and attack saxo...that would make it more of an exciting race even without the crostis

 

[Francois the Postman]

It sounds to me like the real problem was that the riders would be 37k 'on their own'. 37k in which stuff can happen that changes a Giro.

[I disagree with some posters that Wouter's death, tragic as it is, on a road that wasn't a noteworthy -by cycling standards- safety hazard by any stretch of the imagination, should be reason to forego roads like the ones they are now deeming a no-go zone from now on. All the more with the additional safety that was put in place. 'Ride to your ability' is a judgement that is part of pro-cycling too. ]

A few days ago it was deemed safe enough, and this 'no cars to support' reason was suddenly pushed in at a time when it no longer could be solved with motor bikes with material, etc.

 

[Tuarts]

The riders/teams have had months in which to raise their concerns, decide to take action etc. If the info we're getting is correct, they have waited until a lot of time & money has been spent preparing the Crostis & it's too late to come up a decent alternative. I'd be furious too.

So what? I'm sure its been a pressing concern for awhile. Alberto only raised his concerns AFTER he went to see for himself - how many other riders would have done that? After Zomegan sat down with the riders and showed them the presentation then this is some flippant decision made over night.

A lot of cycling fans really twisted. This is the 'Hardest-Giro-in-Memory' - now its the Hardest-Giro-in-Memory minus one mountain. Get over it. The expectations and demand of some people are unrealistic...then wonder why so many dope...

 

[Publicus]

bike change contador... He keeps on changing his bikes... Bad brand?

My guess is it is a prototype of the new Tarmac SL3.

 

[spalco]

I don't understand the point of what Contador's doing, does he want a clean chain for the final climb or what? Why doesn't he start with a minimum weight bike to begin with?

 

[Spare Tyre]

So what? I'm sure its been a pressing concern for awhile. Alberto only raised his concerns AFTER he went to see for himself - how many other riders would have done that? After Zomegan sat down with the riders and showed them the presentation then this is some flippant decision made over night.

I bet action would have been taken if Contador had said he refused to ride it because it was too dangerous.

I think Francois sums it up pretty nicely.

 

[killswitch]

Are we to cancel every hill for the fear that someone could be injured on the descent?

Kivilev fell on an uphill stretch...

 

[insideout leadout]

I don't understand the point of what Contador's doing, does he want a clean chain for the final climb or what? Why doesn't he start with a minimum weight bike to begin with?

Could be a mental thing.

 

[nvpacchi]

lol Harmon is itching to accuse him of a battery