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[Tuarts]

 

[Archibald]

I also noticed that, I think Matthew Hayman uses the same helmet as Gerrans. But I have no idea why they have a different helmet...

personal preference perhaps?
it's still the sponsor's gear, so I doubt there'd be an issue if they prefer a varied fit/ventilation/etc...

 

[Benneth]

I understand that the threat of snow on the Galibier has receded, but what would have happened if it had snowed and the road was impassable? Not just for Thursday but for Friday when it's in the middle of the stage?

Also if it had snowed just a little bit i.e. not totally impassable, or begun to snow as they were riding, would they still race?

 

[sultanofhyd]

I understand that the threat of snow on the Galibier has receded, but what would have happened if it had snowed and the road was impassable? Not just for Thursday but for Friday when it's in the middle of the stage?

Also if it had snowed just a little bit i.e. not totally impassable, or begun to snow as they were riding, would they still race?

They would finish the race on the Izoard if its raceable.

 

[RedheadDane]

I understand that the threat of snow on the Galibier has receded, but what would have happened if it had snowed and the road was impassable? Not just for Thursday but for Friday when it's in the middle of the stage?

Also if it had snowed just a little bit i.e. not totally impassable, or begun to snow as they were riding, would they still race?

Rolf Sørensen actually talked about a tunnel or something they could go through.
At least I think it was there...

They way I understand it ASO will do whatever they can to ensure the stage is held as planned. If it's stopped being a regular snow storm and the roads are (relatively) clean, I don't see why they should cancel it.

 

[Swede1]

What happened to Jakob Fuglsang's climbing skills? He was good last year but now he is only riding on flat parts of the stage.

 

[Grayguard]

What happened to Jakob Fuglsang's climbing skills? He was good last year but now he is only riding on flat parts of the stage.

According to himself, he has experienced some back problems, possibly originating from the hip... The exact cause hasn't been identified though.
Basically, he says it's like riding with "1½" legs.

 

[Swede1]

According to himself, he has experienced some back problems, possibly originating from the hip... The exact cause hasn't been identified though.
Basically, he says it's like riding with "1½" legs.

Oh well thats not good. thanks for the answer!

 

[2beeDammed]

% of what ?



When a climb is rated as 9 % exactly what is it 9% of ?

sounds like a dumb question but if I didn't ask it it wouldn't be a question.

 

[Grayguard]

When a climb is rated as 9 % exactly what is it 9% of ?

sounds like a dumb question but if I didn't ask it it wouldn't be a question.

Well, if you ride 1000 meters on a 9% climb, you'll gain 90 meters altitude.
(9% of 1000 = 90)

 

[Archibald]

According to himself, he has experienced some back problems, possibly originating from the hip... The exact cause hasn't been identified though.
Basically, he says it's like riding with "1½" legs.

which has to be better than riding with "1½" brains like the schleck brothers

 

[Gubby Allen]

I know I'm quoting Phil Liggett as a source, but can someone who cycles regularly give a bit more detail about how when Schleck caught up with Posthuma who was up the road, Liggett said "and this will give Andy Schleck a very welcome breather for a few km's"

How? Particuarly so, as once he caught him, as expected they upped the pace and extended the gap.

I can how he can give him a drink, I can't imagine there was much need for a windbreak but maybe that too.

But essentially how was Schleck riding 3km with Posthuma any different to when he did with Iglinskiy or even when he rode on his own?

 

[sausagedog]

If it's close will the final stage be raced?

I know the final stage is usually a procession, but if there are a few seconds in it on the last day, will it be a race between Schleck and Evans (and/or others)?

 

[Gubby Allen]

I know the final stage is usually a procession, but if there are a few seconds in it on the last day, will it be a race between Schleck and Evans (and/or others)?

There were 3 within 30 seconds a three or so years back and nobody moved.

If there was 3 seconds between Evans & Schleck I'd wager, they wouldn't even seriously attempt to gain it.

 

[kuoirad]

So, I'm familiar with the (Mavic) neutral service cars and motorbikes that I see for bikes/wheels. Apparently, there are also neutral bidon-giving motorbikes, though I'm not sure what they look like (red for Vittel?).

What are the AG2R-labeled motorbikes I see around and about?

 

[RedheadDane]

Camera crew?

But, about those Mavic neutral service cars:

Is that one of the Mavic bikes? If so Why are they so small?

 

[spalco]

Well, Jens Voigt is pretty tall for a cyclist (189cm according to wiki). And I guess it's easier for a tall rider to use a small bike than for a short rider to use a large one.

 

[MartinGT]

I know I'm quoting Phil Liggett as a source, but can someone who cycles regularly give a bit more detail about how when Schleck caught up with Posthuma who was up the road, Liggett said "and this will give Andy Schleck a very welcome breather for a few km's"

How? Particuarly so, as once he caught him, as expected they upped the pace and extended the gap.

I can how he can give him a drink, I can't imagine there was much need for a windbreak but maybe that too.

But essentially how was Schleck riding 3km with Posthuma any different to when he did with Iglinskiy or even when he rode on his own?

Basically drafting him and getting pulled up. The wind at that section was pretty bad and after riding on your own for a while is hard and then a nice wind break would of felt good even if the pace was lifted it would of felt easier.

 

[Archibald]

What are the AG2R-labeled motorbikes I see around and about?

I believe that they're race marshals with sponsorship advertising on them

 

[woodie]

Camera crew?

But, about those Mavic neutral service cars:

Is that one of the Mavic bikes? If so Why are they so small?

The story I heard was that he borrowed some random kids bike because the team car had gone past.

 

[2beeDammed]

Well, if you ride 1000 meters on a 9% climb, you'll gain 90 meters altitude.
(9% of 1000 = 90)

Thanks

-at least 10 charcters so ican post

 

[Maxiton]

I know I'm quoting Phil Liggett as a source, but can someone who cycles regularly give a bit more detail about how when Schleck caught up with Posthuma who was up the road, Liggett said "and this will give Andy Schleck a very welcome breather for a few km's"

How? Particuarly so, as once he caught him, as expected they upped the pace and extended the gap.

I can how he can give him a drink, I can't imagine there was much need for a windbreak but maybe that too.

But essentially how was Schleck riding 3km with Posthuma any different to when he did with Iglinskiy or even when he rode on his own?

Basically drafting him and getting pulled up. The wind at that section was pretty bad and after riding on your own for a while is hard and then a nice wind break would of felt good even if the pace was lifted it would of felt easier.

Just to expand a bit on that explanation, a rider in the wind does at least 30% more work. When you're talking about physical exertion and calorie expenditure, 30% is a lot. While you can draft behind riders on other teams, they are most often trying to get away from you (or get you away from them). Behind your own rider you don't have this problem. Because of the energy savings when being "pulled" (riding behind someone), your helper in front can boost the speed considerably and you still save energy while riding in the back, versus riding alone.

 

[Mambo95]

Is that one of the Mavic bikes? If so Why are they so small?

It's not a Mavic bike. Let Jens tell you about it himself (video starts in Dutch, but Jens speaks in English):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiNrMy0nxWw

 

[sausagedog]

Will Andy be allowed to ride on Frank Schleck's wheel in the TT? as a pacemaker

Even if Frank starts 3 min before Andy, he could sacrifice himself and give Andy shelter by waiting for him and then leading him over about 3/4 of the circuit.

Or is this not allowed?

 

[luckyboy]

Nah you get penalised for following someone for too long in a TT.