Giro d'Italia: Stage 2: Alba - Parma 244km

[Cobblestoned]

Don't think Petacchi needed to move all the way over to the side really.

That was still gentleman sprinting. There was still space for a bus to drive through, and Cav was just too late.

Nothing to see here. Move on.

 

[thirteen]

not official yet... or is it???

Ale-Jet!!!

 

[palmerq]

not official yet... or is it???

Ale-Jet!!!

from cn ticker

16:13:52 BST
Well Petacchi is on the podium so it looks official.

 

[JohnNordin]

In addition to the two final "incidents" we're talking about, Cav was pinched a bit just earlier before he launched when they were still in the field and he is seen turning to P and gesturing. So it's three things.

Not saying it was bad or some decision should be made or not. But just observing.

 

[hrotha]

I don't think what Petacchi did was severe enough to warrant being DQ'd, but it's not like a case can't be made for it - it was borderline. As such, it's perfectly understandable for Cav to complain.

Also, totally called it.

 

[El Imbatido]

@Thirteen Alejet is on the podium spraying champagne so it probably is official

 

[profff]

clean sprint
no discussion
petacchi anticipated cav and he was able to keep tjìhe speed
some thing happened in trieste 2 years ago

ale know how to beat the fastest man in the world

 

[Granville57]

Petacchi wouldn't even acknowledge Cav at the line.
Like he didn't even exist.

An angry Cav should make for some interesting upcoming stages.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Surprising Petacchi still fast enough for a flat finish like this. Ok Cav a bit faster and outfoxed but there was still a nice gap to the rest

 

[Greenflame]

Meh, every sprinter around would have complained if they were caught behind Petacchi like that. No need for all the whining about Cav being a bad loser.. Petacchi deserved the win though, happy for him

Would have expected a better kiss from the Italians btw, that one on the right didn't even touch Petacchi..

 

[vcampbell]

Cav is complaining? He should watch this again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RNAYR3KPIg
How many rider wasn't able after this to start the Tour?

 

[palmerq]

I don't think what Petacchi did was severe enough to warrant being DQ'd, but it's not like a case can't be made for it - it was borderline. As such, it's perfectly understandable for Cav to complain.

Also, totally called it.

Maybe it's going to be like 2009 all over again, petacchi makes it over the hills tomorrow and wins, cavendish doesn't but then goes on to dominate the remaining sprints

 

[Mrs John Murphy]

I don't know what is funnier, Harmon's tears, Frodo's tears or Asshat Benson's tears.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

One get's the impression here, that a lot of people are watching sprints only since Cav actually won some...
Peta changed directions allright? So whats wrong about that? He didn't box him near to the side and left him no way to go....
Sprinting isn't just about speed and it has never been only about it.
Seriously that was a ****ing normal sprint. Have any of you seen Mc Ewen sprinting for wins?
Just changing directions, even to cover, is the most normal thing you'll see in a sprint.
Not to get passed is a part of the game, the question is how you achieve it. Cav obviously hat loaaads of space to maneuver.

Petacchi came from Cavendishs wheel and took a long sprint to the finish line, covered his ground in a way that he could be passed and in the end won. That was a completly clear, relativly clever and by the way deserved win.

 

[Moondance]

Cav looks delighted at wearing pink

 

[insideout leadout]

Would have expected a better kiss from the Italians btw, that one on the right didn't even touch Petacchi..

Hehe, I noticed that too. Maybe she expected Cav!

Now there was like a 5 mm gap

 

[rhubroma]

One get's the impression here, that a lot of people are watching sprints only since Cav actually won some...
Peta changed directions allright? So whats wrong about that? He didn't box him near to the side and left him no way to go....
Sprinting isn't just about speed and it has never been only about it.
Seriously that was a ****ing normal sprint. Have any of you seen Mc Ewen sprinting for wins?
Just changing directions, even to cover, is the most normal thing you'll see in a sprint.
Not to get passed is a part of the game, the question is how you achieve it. Cav obviously hat loaaads of space to maneuver.

Petacchi came from Cavendishs wheel and took a long sprint to the finish line, covered his ground in a way that he could be passed and in the end won. That was a completly clear, relativly clever and by the way deserved win.

Petacchi gave Cav a lesson on the job.

 

[Granville57]

Would have expected a better kiss from the Italians btw, that one on the right didn't even touch Petacchi..

She should get banned for that!
No effort whatsoever!!!!

Very disappointing....

 

[hfer07]

this is what annoys me about HTC- they got the Magglia Rosa the first day- Cav-childish looses the sprint and yet he gets to keep the pink for the team.....

too much greed

 

[goggalor]

Those are some high pressure champagne bottles they've got there.

 

[jens_attacks]

what a class by aleeeeeejeeet!super cool victory.also nice sprint by belletti.

 

[dlwssonic]

damn cant stand alejet purposely causing cavendish to get blocked, hopes he get dq. Making me lose my grand tour points too.

 

[insideout leadout]

I think Cav was as much upset with himself as with the jet, even if he wont admit it.

 

[jsem94]

Good for Ale Jet that he got this win. Wonder if Cav's gonna keep pink for a couple of days or if he'll lose it.

 

[hrotha]

One get's the impression here, that a lot of people are watching sprints only since Cav actually won some...
Peta changed directions allright? So whats wrong about that?

Sprints
2.3.036 Riders shall be strictly forbidden to deviate from the lane they selected when launching into the sprint and, in so doing, endangering others.

Of course, the rules are somewhat ambiguous in this point. I'd say Petacchi had enough room to deviate from his lane as many times as he wanted without endangering Cavendish, but again, it's not like claiming the contrary is unreasonable.