Hammer series

[Brullnux]

I like Dan Lloyd a lot, but he did have a bit of a Michael Owen moment there.

 

[Popchu]

Betancur annihilating the opposition. This was his fifth (or sixth) sprint win, and it's not that the other riders in the front are not trying. Don't know if Velon will be too happy with such a dominance.

 

[Kwibus]

Re:

Betancur annihilating the opposition. This was his fifth (or sixth) sprint win, and it's not that the other riders in the front are not trying. Don't know if Velon will be too happy with such a dominance.

Movistar is participating which is positive for Velon.

 

[davebqvst]

I'm confused, what's up with the weird point tallies? "120.3" why would they give fractions of points?

 

[Popchu]

What an attack, incredible.

 

[Akuryo]

Uhhhm....

 

[gospina]

Betancur is back! still don't know if this was a real race or an exhibition

 

[William H]

Re:

I'm confused, what's up with the weird point tallies? "120.3" why would they give fractions of points?

The points are seconds that will give a lead for the final stage

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

That had the looks of a post-Tour crit.

 

[Rollthedice]

Betancur has finally found what he was looking for all these years, the Hammer series.

 

[RedheadDane]

Holy crap, Betancur! :lol:

 

[Gigs_98]

This was one of the most dominant performances from a rider I have ever seen. He toyed around with guys like Dumoulin and Brambilla as if they were juniors. I almost feel sad for him because this isn't a win for him but for his team.

 

[Akuryo]

Re:

Holy crap, Betancur! :lol:

was quite literal my expression when he opened that gap at the end

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

The structure of each challenge and the Hammer Series’ points system ensures that it’s the team’s performance that is tested and rewarded, not the individuals’.

Lol. Good start Velon.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

The structure of each challenge and the Hammer Series’ points system ensures that it’s the team’s performance that is tested and rewarded, not the individuals’.

Lol. Good start Velon.

 

[davebqvst]

Re: Re:

I'm confused, what's up with the weird point tallies? "120.3" why would they give fractions of points?

The points are seconds that will give a lead for the final stage

I watched the Velon explainder video the other day and thought I got it, but it's more complex than I thought. Looked it up, apparently only the finishing position gives bonus seconds for the top 10, while the points scored throughout the race will determine the starting order for the Chase. The climb gives the following points: 10, 8.1, 6.6, 5.3, 4.3, 3.5, 2.8, 2.3, 1.9 and 1.5. Wonder how they came up with these numbers...

Interesting concept, but maybe they should consider changing the name to Calvinball

 

[luckyboy]

Stupid that there is no ranking for individuals

 

[HelloDolly]

Does Betancur ever smile ?? He really has great form at the moment ...hope he can use it in a real race soon

Problem with the hammer series is not many riders in top form ...many tired or not ready
So Betancur made it look so easy
But he is definitely back

I would say the organisers are happy with that. Betancur and Dumoulin are both draws and Movistar dominated today but different story tomorrow

 

[yaco]

They went full gas in the neutral zone which immediately split the race and put 75% of the peleton out of business - I wonder if tomorrow will have a more tempered start.

 

[RedheadDane]

Stupid that there is no ranking for individuals

The riders seem to quite like the idea.

Bit funny, though. Normally - well, often - it's an entire team working, so that one guy can take the win. This time it was one guy working, so that the entire team could take the win. Though I'm sure Betancur will be allowed to eat an extra piece of cake at the celebration tonight.

As for the decimal-points; well... if the people calculating the points - and probably had a say in the system - wants to get a headache from dealing with those decimals, I see no reason they shouldn't. Just glad I'm not the one who has to do the calculations.

 

[Roku]

Re:

Stupid that there is no ranking for individuals

Though I'm sure Betancur will be allowed to eat an extra piece of cake at the celebration tonight.

I'm not sure if that is a good idea...

 

[RedheadDane]

Re: Re:

Stupid that there is no ranking for individuals

Though I'm sure Betancur will be allowed to eat an extra piece of cake at the celebration tonight.

I'm not sure if that is a good idea...

Surely one tiny piece of cake won't hurt.
I was mostly being tongue-in-cheek with my comment.

---

Errr... CN. You don't think it's a bit late to put the live-update on the front page now?

 

[carton]

Re: Re:

Stupid that there is no ranking for individuals

Though I'm sure Betancur will be allowed to eat an extra piece of cake at the celebration tonight.

I'm not sure if that is a good idea...

I actually heard he's not that much of a sweet-tooth. And with the sheer amount of calories those guys burn a day you'd be more worried about an extra lunch or two than an extra piece of cake.

 

[HelloDolly]

So what is the verdict on the hammer series...good or bad ??

 

[DNP-Old]

Re:

So what is the verdict on the hammer series...good or bad ??

Concept is alright, though today was pretty boring if not for Betancur heroics. However, what they drastically need to improve is live results, because today was just a mess.