Glava Tour of Norway 2013, 15th-19th May (2.1)

[kjetilraknerud]

He also said the home crowd would be disappointed that Kristoff won.

Alexandr Kristov? Rides on a russian team as well

 

[JRanton]

Haha, I tuned in for the final few hundred meters. Kristoff by far the strongest, could win a few more stages in this race.

Surely he can win the whole thing too?

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Surely he can win the whole thing too?

He'll probably get dropped on stage 4.

 

[theyoungest]

He'll probably get dropped on stage 4.

He has learned to climb a bit. At least on cobbles he doesn't climb worse than EBH

 

[kjetilraknerud]

He has learned to climb a bit. At least on cobbles he doesn't climb worse than EBH

True, but no cobbles on the climbs around Lillehammer

 

[maltiv]

He has learned to climb a bit. At least on cobbles he doesn't climb worse than EBH

Kristoff is good on short climbs, but terrible in long ones. Won't have a chance for GC imo, unless they go unreasonably slowly up the climbs.

 

[LouieLouie]

Alexandr Kristov? Rides on a russian team as well

I suspect Mr. Hristov might be of Bulgarian heritage.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I suspect Mr. Hristov might be of Bulgarian heritage.

Possibly related to Nencho Hristov, winner of the Peace Race in 1957.

Anybody know what the climb up from Lillehammer centre to Birkebeineren is? That might have livened up the race. I really want this race to succeed, and I know that a combination of population centres and the skillsets of the best Norwegian cyclists keeps them on a fairly flat route in the Oslofjord, but there's just SO much potential for this race even with the Oslofjord-based route. Maybe a split-stage with a time trial could open things up, though the toughening of the Hønefoss stage will hopefully help. Would really love a final day MTT from Oslo to the Vinterpark at Tryvann, too. Short enough that it wouldn't totally decide the race as long as people raced it elsewhere.

 

[fezzer]

It's strange for Txurruka to go on the attack, with such a weak field he could add another overall win to his impressive tally of one overall win.

He got the polka-dots, though

As the hill-sprint went right outside my house, I got to see the hill-sprint. Attacked 0,5k to go and rode easily over the top. No chance in the overall imo. To many will get over all the hills in this race, so bonus-seconds will be decisive. EBH is the favorite I guess.

Over to the point of "angry" fans towards no EBH win today(clearly a mistake by the commentator, nevertheless), that is actually quiet correct. Norwegians(in general) fancy EBH over Kristoff, both because TDF is the only race they follow+ Kristoff had a cocky attitude back in the days..

 

[maltiv]

Over to the point of "angry" fans towards no EBH win today(clearly a mistake by the commentator, nevertheless), that is actually quiet correct. Norwegians(in general) fancy EBH over Kristoff, both because TDF is the only race they follow+ Kristoff had a cocky attitude back in the days..

EBH is certainly more popular in Norway, no contest. The girls were screaming for him at the start line, lining up to get hugs and autographs. Obviously Kristoff doesn't get that. EBH has 57000 likes on his facebook page, Kristoff has 1500

It's funny, they were "rivals" when they were 16-17 in the sense that Kristoff was the only one who even could compete with Edvald (EBH still won everything though, Kristoff was just 2nd a lot). So far this season the roles seems to have reversed, which no one would have guessed a few years back. Back then Kristoff was just the whiny, cocky kid who thought he was better than EBH but always ended up behind him

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Possibly related to Nencho Hristov, winner of the Peace Race in 1957.

Anybody know what the climb up from Lillehammer centre to Birkebeineren is? That might have livened up the race. I really want this race to succeed, and I know that a combination of population centres and the skillsets of the best Norwegian cyclists keeps them on a fairly flat route in the Oslofjord, but there's just SO much potential for this race even with the Oslofjord-based route. Maybe a split-stage with a time trial could open things up, though the toughening of the Hønefoss stage will hopefully help. Would really love a final day MTT from Oslo to the Vinterpark at Tryvann, too. Short enough that it wouldn't totally decide the race as long as people raced it elsewhere.

I don't know about the climb to the Birkebeiner ski stadion, but a climb up Hafjell would be nice

http://app.strava.com/segments/706301

 

[fezzer]

EBH is certainly more popular in Norway, no contest. The girls were screaming for him at the start line, lining up to get hugs and autographs. Obviously Kristoff doesn't get that. EBH has 57000 likes on his facebook page, Kristoff has 1500

It's funny, they were "rivals" when they were 16-17 in the sense that Kristoff was the only one who even could compete with Edvald (EBH still won everything though, Kristoff was just 2nd a lot). So far this season the roles seems to have reversed, which no one would have guessed a few years back. Back then Kristoff was just the whiny, cocky kid who thought he was better than EBH but always ended up behind him

I've heard that Kristoff always have been faster than EBH in a straight line(even as kids), but he was always tired after 100k+ of racing and couldn't do his best. Kristoff most definitely got equal(if not better) endurance than EBH now, and thats the reason he has been the superior to him this year.

And yeah, no one(except me ) were sheering for Kristoff when they passed

 

[maltiv]

I've heard that Kristoff always have been faster than EBH in a straight line(even as kids), but he was always tired after 100k+ of racing and couldn't do his best. Kristoff most definitely got equal(if not better) endurance than EBH now, and thats the reason he has been the superior to him this year.

And yeah, no one(except me ) were sheering for Kristoff when they passed

Indeed, as a kid Kristoff had the worst endurance in the field. Even when he rode for BMC his endurance was terrible, he only sprinted well in races less than 160 kms. He's always been very fast though and as you say EBH had no chance vs him in a straight sprint on a training ride. However in races EBH simply dropped him before the sprint, even on the flat stages...

Difference is that whilst Kristoff has continued progressing every single year, EBH's progression more or less stopped up when he was 21.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I don't know about the climb to the Birkebeiner ski stadion, but a climb up Hafjell would be nice

http://app.strava.com/segments/706301

I agree, but I was thinking within the context of the race they have, i.e. a short stage race keeping the skillset of the biggest home stars in mind for maximum public interest and international participation.

Tracks4bikers tells me that the climb of Birkebeineren on Nordsetervegen is 4,2km @ 6,4% at a max of 13% - you could still have a group finish there, but in the context of the rest of the race route it's not so much of a "win the one stage, win the race" type of race like those with mostly flat stages and one big MTF, or a TT far too long to balance the rest of the parcours.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

I agree, but I was thinking within the context of the race they have, i.e. a short stage race keeping the skillset of the biggest home stars in mind for maximum public interest and international participation.

Tracks4bikers tells me that the climb of Birkebeineren on Nordsetervegen is 4,2km @ 6,4% at a max of 13% - you could still have a group finish there, but in the context of the rest of the race route it's not so much of a "win the one stage, win the race" type of race like those with mostly flat stages and one big MTF, or a TT far too long to balance the rest of the parcours.

Sounds like a nice climb to finish a stage. Hopefully the race continues to develop the next few years, there's plenty of terrain to create great stages in Norway.

 

[LouieLouie]

Sounds like a nice climb to finish a stage. Hopefully the race continues to develop the next few years, there's plenty of terrain to create great stages in Norway.

Yep, if only the organizers suddenly develop a bit of common sense and move all stages further west. Right now it's the Tour of the most boring part of Norway.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Yep, if only the organizers suddenly develop a bit of common sense and move all stages further west. Right now it's the Tour of the most boring part of Norway.

Wouldn't mind an evening stage (short) somewhere along the fjords with hills if its possible.

(very limited understanding of Norway's infrastructure)

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Because of the desire to stay close to urban centres at least while the race develops, I understand the need to stay in the Oslofjord area. I just would like to see some more variety in what's done with it. Like I say, a final day split stage with a flat stage into Drammen or something, then an MTT from Oslo or one of its suburbs up to Vinterpark Tryvann will break up the pack pretty well for time, and mean the rest of the racing needs to be tougher to match those gaps. The Lillehammer circuit is pretty useful but needs some extra laps if they continue with no hilltop finishes; heck even with Drammen, there's about 4km at 8% up to Landfalltjern with plenty of room for a fimish at the top there. That might be better actually - have the Lillehammer stage with its hilly circuit but no "MTF", then have elsewhere in the race a stage into Drammen with the Landfalltjern finish, or Oslo with Holmenkollen/Tryvann, or at least a puncheur type finish somewhere like Kongsvinger or Porsgrunn. That way there's some time gaps and you can have a split stage somewhere, a flat/rolling stage and a 15-20km ITT, so still in the realms of Boasson Hagen for sure.

Of course the ideal long term goal is a Volta a Portugal-length race with a copy of the Lysebotn Opp that the XC skiers (and some biathletes) do as part of the Blink Festival - about 7km at 10% or something like that, probably as an ITT. Nasty. They might need to do some Fjord stages around Bergen, Molde and Trondheim then transfer to the Oslofjord for the second half of the race or vice versa.

 

[maltiv]

Wouldn't mind an evening stage (short) somewhere along the fjords with hills if its possible.

(very limited understanding of Norway's infrastructure)

This year there will also be Tour des Fjords (yes, that's actually its name) and Arctic Tour of Norway, both 2.1. Tour des Fjords will certainly show off the beautiful fjords in Norway, although the course seems quite boring.

Arctic Tour of Norway is probably my favourite though. Will have absolutely beautiful scenery. It's arranged by ASO so the pictures should be good too. One of the stages will be held during the night with midnight sun.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Arctic Tour of Norway is probably my favourite though. Will have absolutely beautiful scenery. It's arranged by ASO so the pictures should be good too. One of the stages will be held during the night with midnight sun.

Will be looking forward to that.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

This year there will also be Tour des Fjords (yes, that's actually its name) and Arctic Tour of Norway, both 2.1. Tour des Fjords will certainly show off the beautiful fjords in Norway, although the course seems quite boring.

Arctic Tour of Norway is probably my favourite though. Will have absolutely beautiful scenery. It's arranged by ASO so the pictures should be good too. One of the stages will be held during the night with midnight sun.

The arctic tour is also the first time (I believe) Statoil, the national oil company in Norway, sponsors cycling - which is exciting in itself. I know nothing about the route, but even flat stages could be spectacular in this part of Norway.

 

[Karl Max]

The arctic tour is also the first time (I believe) Statoil, the national oil company in Norway, sponsors cycling - which is exciting in itself. I know nothing about the route, but even flat stages could be spectacular in this part of Norway.

About the route in Artic Race there have been speculations in the local paper here in Bodø one stage will be here, maybe with a finish around Saltstraumen Bridge . Saltstraumen the strongest maelstrom in the world. One stage will be in Lofoten Islands, and probably one around Tromsø and there is speculation about the last one beeing in North Cape. A stage with a finish in North Cape would probably be a perfect stage late stage for enjoying the midnight sun.

The concept is also to take the riders on a cruise boat from the diffrent finish and start points. So actually I think this would been a cool concept for the riders , cruise in the evening along the north norwegian coast and riding during the day. Here is an article from the local paper in norwegian.
http://www.an.no/nyheter/article6572034.ece

 

[l.Harm]

Eurosport's showing table tennis?

 

[maltiv]

Eurosport's showing table tennis?

Due to the horrible weather they had trouble with the live pictures...so I guess Eurosport decided to send table tennis instead. Probably a good decision.

Think there's about 5km to go.

 

[l.Harm]

Hmm yes I just read on Twitter they cancelled it.