- May 5, 2010
- 51,696
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And the rest of us just aren't that interested in a race that isn't even being shown on (international) television. 
All races running parallel with a GT is gonna be in for a hard time maintaining focus from viewers, especially a race like Belgium, which takes places at the same time in the day. California had an advantage of being run at a completely different time in the day.
That... and being televised...
All races running parallel with a GT is gonna be in for a hard time maintaining focus from viewers, especially a race like Belgium, which takes places at the same time in the day. California had an advantage of being run at a completely different time in the day.
That... and being televised...
- Sep 8, 2009
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- Dec 27, 2015
- 3,869
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- Dec 27, 2015
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- 2,299
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- Sep 8, 2009
- 15,306
- 3
- 22,485
Anyway, as I was saying a page or two ago, the most important race of the season, the 64th edition of the An Post Ras, is on at the moment. It's an eight stage 2.2 race and is by far the biggest event on the Irish cycling calendar. It has a long and strange history, tangled up with Irish politics and with splits between rival governing bodies which where mixed up with those politics. It's founder was notable for being an IRA man, a lawyer and a boxer as well as a cycling enthusiast. It also used to be one of the races that Eastern Bloc teams sometimes traveled to (and beat the crap out of the locals).
These days it's a significant target for a number of Continental teams while also functioning as a kind of stage race national championships. As more and bigger UCI ranked teams participate with serious ambitions to win, the domestic amateur squads have found it hard to compete for the GC. However, they still have a big impact on the race because while their riders are less talented they are usually at absolute peak form, having worked all season for this race. Their constant attacking to try for a stage win or to move up in the "County Rider" classification (not a best Irish rider competition but a best domestic amateur competition) helps make the racing very wild and unpredictable.
Recent winners like Gediminas Bagdonas, Marcin Bialoblocki or Lukas Postlberger tend to be very strong all-round Conti riders who could (and in those three cases now do) hold down WT or PCT contracts. Anyone who is going to win has to be smart enough to read a race where groups go off the front all the time, tough enough to deal with wind and generally unpredictable weather and strong enough to deal with hills and with pulling on the front themselves when their small team is exhausted.
The race website is here: http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/IrishCyclingRas/Home/
The best coverage can be found here: www.stickybottle.com
These days it's a significant target for a number of Continental teams while also functioning as a kind of stage race national championships. As more and bigger UCI ranked teams participate with serious ambitions to win, the domestic amateur squads have found it hard to compete for the GC. However, they still have a big impact on the race because while their riders are less talented they are usually at absolute peak form, having worked all season for this race. Their constant attacking to try for a stage win or to move up in the "County Rider" classification (not a best Irish rider competition but a best domestic amateur competition) helps make the racing very wild and unpredictable.
Recent winners like Gediminas Bagdonas, Marcin Bialoblocki or Lukas Postlberger tend to be very strong all-round Conti riders who could (and in those three cases now do) hold down WT or PCT contracts. Anyone who is going to win has to be smart enough to read a race where groups go off the front all the time, tough enough to deal with wind and generally unpredictable weather and strong enough to deal with hills and with pulling on the front themselves when their small team is exhausted.
The race website is here: http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/IrishCyclingRas/Home/
The best coverage can be found here: www.stickybottle.com
Re:
Ras stage 1: Dublin to Multyfarnham 144.6 km
This was a flat stage, which didn't stop it from being messy. Instead of a long break of the day, there was a whole series of breaks which went out and then got caught after a few dozen kms. The crucial move came when James Gullen (Pedal Heaven) and Alexis Dulin (AVC Aix en Provence) attacked on the final circuit. The attempt to bring them shredded what was left of the peloton and eventually they were caught by another thirteen men, forming a fifteen rider group that was somewhere between a breakaway and an elite selection. Coming towards the finish, Dutch rider Taco van der Hoorn (Join-S De Rijke) attacked the group and held on to take the win and the yellow jersey.
Stage highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08GhOM-VmqQ
Stage and GC positions after Stage 1
1 van der Hoorn,Taco NETHERLANDS Join-S De Rijke 3h12’45″
2 Kennett,Dylan NEW ZEALAND National Team @02″
3 Mygind,Rasmus DENMARK Riwal Platform @03″
4 Gardias,Dexter BRITAIN Pedal Heaven @ s/t
5 Wilson,Jack IRELAND An Post Chain Reaction @ s/t
6 Gunman,Taylor BRITAIN Madison Genesis @ s/t
7 Converset,Matthieu FRANCE AVC Aix en Provence @ s/t
8 Hindley,Jai AUSTRALIA National Team @ s/t
9 Dunbar,Edward IRELAND National Team @ s/t
10 Fankhauser,Clemens AUSTRIA Tirol Cycling Team @ s/t
11 Weiss,Martin AUSTRIA Tirol Cycling Team @ s/t
12 Dunne,Conor BRITAIN JLT Condor presented by Mavic @ s/t
13 Edmondson,Josh BRITAIN NFTO PRO CYCLING @ s/t
(This was the lead group).
Ras stage 1: Dublin to Multyfarnham 144.6 km
This was a flat stage, which didn't stop it from being messy. Instead of a long break of the day, there was a whole series of breaks which went out and then got caught after a few dozen kms. The crucial move came when James Gullen (Pedal Heaven) and Alexis Dulin (AVC Aix en Provence) attacked on the final circuit. The attempt to bring them shredded what was left of the peloton and eventually they were caught by another thirteen men, forming a fifteen rider group that was somewhere between a breakaway and an elite selection. Coming towards the finish, Dutch rider Taco van der Hoorn (Join-S De Rijke) attacked the group and held on to take the win and the yellow jersey.
Stage highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08GhOM-VmqQ
Stage and GC positions after Stage 1
1 van der Hoorn,Taco NETHERLANDS Join-S De Rijke 3h12’45″
2 Kennett,Dylan NEW ZEALAND National Team @02″
3 Mygind,Rasmus DENMARK Riwal Platform @03″
4 Gardias,Dexter BRITAIN Pedal Heaven @ s/t
5 Wilson,Jack IRELAND An Post Chain Reaction @ s/t
6 Gunman,Taylor BRITAIN Madison Genesis @ s/t
7 Converset,Matthieu FRANCE AVC Aix en Provence @ s/t
8 Hindley,Jai AUSTRALIA National Team @ s/t
9 Dunbar,Edward IRELAND National Team @ s/t
10 Fankhauser,Clemens AUSTRIA Tirol Cycling Team @ s/t
11 Weiss,Martin AUSTRIA Tirol Cycling Team @ s/t
12 Dunne,Conor BRITAIN JLT Condor presented by Mavic @ s/t
13 Edmondson,Josh BRITAIN NFTO PRO CYCLING @ s/t
(This was the lead group).
Re: Re:
Ras stage 2: Mullingar to Charleville 183.7 km
The longest stage of the race brought a surprise - first and second place for domestic amateurs. This used to happen regularly, even after GC wins for domestic riders started to become rare, but nowadays is a bit of a novelty. The first 80 km of the stage saw the usual Ras pattern of endless attacks forming seemingly substantial breaks only to be brought back. A little before halfway though, Eoin Morton (UCD-Fitzcycles.ie) and Bryan McCrystal (ASEA-Wheelworx) got away and this time the break stuck.
Morton and McCrystal are two of the half dozen strongest riders on the domestic scene. At one point they had a six minute lead, but they were slowly reeled back in. For a long time it looked as if McCrystal, who was only 23 seconds from the GC lead, would take yellow but strong work from Join-S De Rijke closed the gap so much that they were nearly caught. They weren't though and Morton took by far the biggest win of his career.
Stage highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha9swhsNN7o
GC after stage 2:
1 van der Hoorn,Taco NETHERLANDS Join-S De Rijke 7h27’01″
2 Kennett,Dylan NEW ZEALAND National Team @06″
3 Mygind,Rasmus DENMARK Riwal Platform @09″
4 Wilson,Jack IRELAND An Post Chain Reaction @13″
5 Dunne,Conor BRITAIN JLT Condor presented by Mavic = s/t
6 Dunbar,Edward IRELAND National Team = s/t
7 Gardias,Dexter BRITAIN Pedal Heaven = s/t
8 Weiss,Martin AUSTRIA Tirol Cycling Team = s/t
9 Converset,Matthieu FRANCE AVC Aix en Provence = s/t
10 Hindley,Jai AUSTRALIA National Team = s/t
11 Gunman,Taylor BRITAIN Madison Genesis = s/t
12 Edmondson,Josh BRITAIN NFTO PRO CYCLING = s/t
13 Fankhauser,Clemens AUSTRIA Tirol Cycling Team = s/t
14 McCrystal,Bryan LOUTH Asea Wheelworx @16″
Ras stage 2: Mullingar to Charleville 183.7 km
The longest stage of the race brought a surprise - first and second place for domestic amateurs. This used to happen regularly, even after GC wins for domestic riders started to become rare, but nowadays is a bit of a novelty. The first 80 km of the stage saw the usual Ras pattern of endless attacks forming seemingly substantial breaks only to be brought back. A little before halfway though, Eoin Morton (UCD-Fitzcycles.ie) and Bryan McCrystal (ASEA-Wheelworx) got away and this time the break stuck.
Morton and McCrystal are two of the half dozen strongest riders on the domestic scene. At one point they had a six minute lead, but they were slowly reeled back in. For a long time it looked as if McCrystal, who was only 23 seconds from the GC lead, would take yellow but strong work from Join-S De Rijke closed the gap so much that they were nearly caught. They weren't though and Morton took by far the biggest win of his career.
Stage highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha9swhsNN7o
GC after stage 2:
1 van der Hoorn,Taco NETHERLANDS Join-S De Rijke 7h27’01″
2 Kennett,Dylan NEW ZEALAND National Team @06″
3 Mygind,Rasmus DENMARK Riwal Platform @09″
4 Wilson,Jack IRELAND An Post Chain Reaction @13″
5 Dunne,Conor BRITAIN JLT Condor presented by Mavic = s/t
6 Dunbar,Edward IRELAND National Team = s/t
7 Gardias,Dexter BRITAIN Pedal Heaven = s/t
8 Weiss,Martin AUSTRIA Tirol Cycling Team = s/t
9 Converset,Matthieu FRANCE AVC Aix en Provence = s/t
10 Hindley,Jai AUSTRALIA National Team = s/t
11 Gunman,Taylor BRITAIN Madison Genesis = s/t
12 Edmondson,Josh BRITAIN NFTO PRO CYCLING = s/t
13 Fankhauser,Clemens AUSTRIA Tirol Cycling Team = s/t
14 McCrystal,Bryan LOUTH Asea Wheelworx @16″
Re: Re:
These are terrible admitions, really. I have no word for that...
What do you mean?
Regions are not as divided as people say they are. And you know it.
What is a nation state? Where do you draw the line between a nation and a region? I'm not a nationalist, so this is pretty indifferent to me but I have never been able to answer that question.
Anyway, Belgium has had territorial homogeneity since at least 1400.
RedHeadDane said:And the rest of us just aren't that interested in a race that isn't even being shown on (international) television.
All races running parallel with a GT is gonna be in for a hard time maintaining focus from viewers, especially a race like Belgium, which takes places at the same time in the day. California had an advantage of being run at a completely different time in the day.
That... and being televised...
These are terrible admitions, really.
I have no word for that...GenericBoonenFan said:
What do you mean?
Regions are not as divided as people say they are. And you know it.
Zinoviev Letter said:
What is a nation state? Where do you draw the line between a nation and a region? I'm not a nationalist, so this is pretty indifferent to me but I have never been able to answer that question.
Anyway, Belgium has had territorial homogeneity since at least 1400.
Baptiste Planckaert, among others (Benoot, Vandenbergh), in the late break at the Tour of Belgium!
- May 5, 2010
- 51,696
- 30,244
- 28,180
Re: Re:
Because I'm pointing out that it's a bit hard to follow a race you can't watch on television?
Honestly... this everyone hates the classics/Belgian races (bit confused about which one it is...) is getting a bit old.
Sure, I can understand that you find it annoying when people start talking potential TdF rosters sometime back in January. But it really shouldn't come as a surprise when people are focused on a GT while said GT is being run.
Echoes said:RedHeadDane said:And the rest of us just aren't that interested in a race that isn't even being shown on (international) television.
All races running parallel with a GT is gonna be in for a hard time maintaining focus from viewers, especially a race like Belgium, which takes places at the same time in the day. California had an advantage of being run at a completely different time in the day.
That... and being televised...
These are terrible admitions, really.
Because I'm pointing out that it's a bit hard to follow a race you can't watch on television?
Honestly... this everyone hates the classics/Belgian races (bit confused about which one it is...) is getting a bit old.
Sure, I can understand that you find it annoying when people start talking potential TdF rosters sometime back in January. But it really shouldn't come as a surprise when people are focused on a GT while said GT is being run.
- Mar 14, 2016
- 3,092
- 7
- 0
- Jun 27, 2013
- 5,217
- 9
- 17,495
Re: Re:
I cannot watch the Tour of Belgium myself and won't be able to watch a single stage. Why can't we inform about a race that we cannot watch live?
I seriously intended to be positive. I was so glad seeing Wout Van Aert winning the prologue ahead of Ton Martin. But once again, disenchanted...
The Tour of Belgium is also being run at the moment. If you don't talk about it while being run, when would you? And yes, on CNF, even when the classics are being run, posters are sill focused on GT's. They are obsessed gloryhunter, some sort of a Nietzschean will to power. I cannot realise that I'm the only one to notice the problem.
On Forodeciclismo, they have a thread about the Tour of Belgium. On Velo-club.net, ditto. On Velorooms, ditto. Only CN has a problem with non-GT racing.
RedheadDane said:
I cannot watch the Tour of Belgium myself and won't be able to watch a single stage. Why can't we inform about a race that we cannot watch live?
I seriously intended to be positive. I was so glad seeing Wout Van Aert winning the prologue ahead of Ton Martin. But once again, disenchanted...
The Tour of Belgium is also being run at the moment. If you don't talk about it while being run, when would you? And yes, on CNF, even when the classics are being run, posters are sill focused on GT's. They are obsessed gloryhunter, some sort of a Nietzschean will to power. I cannot realise that I'm the only one to notice the problem.
On Forodeciclismo, they have a thread about the Tour of Belgium. On Velo-club.net, ditto. On Velorooms, ditto. Only CN has a problem with non-GT racing.
Re:
i really love his name, and how Taco clashes with his last name. I wonder what was the inspiration for his parents!
GuyIncognito said:
i really love his name, and how Taco clashes with his last name. I wonder what was the inspiration for his parents!
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