Hammer series

[Akuryo]

Re:

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

Betancur was good, the rest was bad.

 

[hmronnow]

Re: Re:

Re-posted at bottom of thread.

 

[deValtos]

Yea if they can get up instant scores that would be a strong improvement. It seems like they have the technology there too as on multiple laps they gave the times of the riders as they went over the finish line so please just change that to points ...

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Re: Re:

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

Betancur was good, the rest was bad.

Meh, I think Dumoulin did pretty well, considering he is not really the most explosive one

 

[hmronnow]

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...

The numbers decrease exponentially, rounded to one decimal. You can reproduce them with this equation:
round(10./(1.233.^(n-1))*10)/10 or written differently round(100*exp(-(n-1)/4.75))/10

So if they had continued beyond the first 10 riders, the points up to rider 20 over the line would be as follows:
10.0 8.1 6.6 5.3 4.3 3.5 2.8 2.3 1.9 1.5 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.2

Now, why they have the points decrease exponentially starting from 10 instead of some round numbers is a good question. For instance, the same exponential decrease from 20points rounded to integers would be:
20 16 13 11 9 7 6 5 4 3
Still funny numbers, but at least easier than decimal system.

 

[Bullrun]

Re:

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

Good conceptually, underwhelming execution. As devaltos said above, they need live scoring.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Okay, credit where credit is due, I thought it was decently entertaining, but then again I also like track cycling. It shouldn't replace regular races but is fine as a gimmick, kind of like track racing on the road. I did not like the announcer at the finish, kept going on and on, wasn't even silent for a minute. Also with a group riding away each lap was more or less the same story. There wasn't enough variety to keep my attention all the way through - something a 3 hr broadcast of a classic of mountain stage definitely manages. I'm thinking the laps are either too long or too short - make it a longer circuit with more obstacles or shorter and a proper track event on the road - constant action.
Since Velon is behind this I definitely expected more on screen graphics and data - that was a disappointment. They should have a chat with whoever did the Volta a Catalunya timings and graphics some years ago, they had live standings (or perhaps with a slight delay) on screen as riders were crossing the line, that could be interesting here, especially when there are bigger groups.

 

[jaylew]

Re:

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

Kinda hard to evaluate after only one of the 3 stages. We need to see how the entire race plays out.

 

[Red Rick]

The only way stuff like this can be entertaining is as long as is it's importance is little enough so riders go crazy without thinking too much.

 

[Escarabajo]

I still want to see how the points were score. So I want to see the individuals. Gosh, who is in this race anyway?

 

[RedheadDane]

Re:

The only way stuff like this can be entertaining is as long as is it's importance is little enough so riders go crazy without thinking too much.

They sure weren't thinking much today.

Okay, errr... bit of a fail...

"We had 40kms of neutral before we arrived to a small village where we were to start," Trek-Segafredo director Luc Meersman said. "Before we arrived to the village they asked five teams to come to the front, the ones with all the big names, and then there should have been 1km neutral after that, and that did not happen."

Pretty sure that when the rules says there should have been 1km neutral, there should've been 1km neutral.
Not a fail from the riders' side, mind you, but a fail from those people who didn't make the whole 1km neutral bit clearer.

 

[HelloDolly]

Well spoke oto one rider and he said they didn't understand the point system or which tactics best

 

[carolina]

Movistar had the best tactic, they had several riders on the top 10 in almost every lap.

I think Sky will take the lead tomorrow. Viviani has so much track experience, he should do really well even without teamates to help him. They just need to get Van Poppel to pass the line in the top 10.

 

[kenk09]

I thought it was entertaining. Betancur was great, but it would be hard to draw up a less punchy front group.

The scoring wasn't confusing at all, if only they had more regularly showed a graphic for it - and maybe got rid of the decimals. Obviously teams will change up tactics for next time now they've got a feel of it.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Was it entertaining, is the format good? Should I watch today?

 

[Frankschleck]

Who are going to get most points today, do u think?

 

[dirkprovin]

Re:

Who are going to get most points today, do u think?

Not sure Movistar is optimised for this discipline so they're likely to come back to the field points-wise. I'd expect Quick-Step, Orica & SKY to be right to the fore but I wouldn't be surprised if Lotto-Soudal or Lotto-NL were competitive.

 

[kingjr]

Re:

Was it entertaining, is the format good? Should I watch today?

Just watch it and decide after. It won't kill you even if it's boring.

 

[Brullnux]

Re:

Was it entertaining, is the format good? Should I watch today?

If you have the time, why not? The beginning was the best bit yesterday, then there was a long lull except for once every 7km when there was a sprint. It will be interesting to see how it will be on flat roads, and if teams and teammates play a larger role.

 

[Frankschleck]

Re: Re:

Who are going to get most points today, do u think?

Not sure Movistar is optimised for this discipline so they're likely to come back to the field points-wise. I'd expect Quick-Step, Orica & SKY to be right to the fore but I wouldn't be surprised if Lotto-Soudal or Lotto-NL were competitive.

thanks for the overview. yeah lobato and groenewegen are a dangerous combo in this kind of race i think.

 

[Popchu]

Today should be better than yesterday.

 

[EddytheBoss]

STOP Hammer time!

Did I read right, that they are chasing each other in tomorrow's TTT?

 

[RattaKuningas]

Does anyone have a schedule? I just can't seem to find one.

 

[deValtos]

Re:

Does anyone have a schedule? I just can't seem to find one.

It starts in 15 mins if that helps. :lol:

Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdZ6EoxONm0

 

[RattaKuningas]

Re: Re:

Does anyone have a schedule? I just can't seem to find one.

It starts in 15 mins if that helps. :lol:

Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdZ6EoxONm0

Thanks.