theyoungest said:
I think it's more a pro-Sky thing than a pro-EBH thing. Although it is of course true that people everywhere expect far too much from EBH's considerable abilities (a mistake which once cost me 10 euros
).
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I think it's more a pro-Sky thing than a pro-EBH thing. Although it is of course true that people everywhere expect far too much from EBH's considerable abilities (a mistake which once cost me 10 euros
).theyoungest said:
To be fair, race previews are far and away the worst thing about cyclingnews. In so many years I have yet to read one that didn't at least have 2 different things that make me go "that's ***"
issoisso said:Yes, I'm sure he would've won today without them
would like to see any rider try to ride 300km with stomach trouble.
Really glad friere won and pettachi didn't. WTF was garzelli doing? Must have been some brown envelopes being passed around.
What happened to garmin?
You can thank Garzelli for that. All his work on the Poggio netted Acqua a 10th place for Paolini but I think the team would have been better off having Garzelli attack from the pack on the Poggio.pmcg76 said:
I thought it was a very interesting race today because of the splits in the peloton. And with such a small group coming to the finish only Liquigas had real strength. When they couldn't use that to their advantage Freire was able to capitalize with some very smart riding.
My face when I logged on to see Boonen had not won.
The faces of his Marching Powder suppliers.
All this means is Roubaix is going to be OF THE SCALE.
Also, someone mentioned Boonen being lighter this season. This infact refered to his bank balance, which had been used to pre-order a 40ft. container of fun. Delivery whenever he wants it
stefrees said:
That's not the point. The hagen fans are always out in force about how he's a major candidate to wine everything. Remember how he was going to win Tirreno last week?
And every single time he doesn't win they have an excuse. Jebus.
stefrees said:
Misspelling two riders' names and accusing the other of taking bribes. Classy.
I certainly don't think he's a major candidate to "wine" everything, but saying he was not a major candidate to win MSR is ridiculous. After the race he said that his legs felt great, but it's obviously not possible to do anything with intense stomach pain so he told Flecha and Löfkvist to ride for their own chances.issoisso said:
But you're right, he wouldn't have beaten Freire today anyway. I think he would've been top 5, though.
This was a great race. No big surprises in the top 30. Quick Step, Katusha, Liq Gas on the front too much in the last 15k. Oscar sat on without doing anything unneeded he rode the smartest race of the top 10. Boonen was 2 less pulls away from #1. If Stijn Devolder comes on form QS will get one of these spring things. Liq Gas also had lots of juice, Not sure if dropping Robbie was a good Katsusha move
I don't think it was '***' to say EBH had a chance of winning this, he did after all beat Boonen, Bennati and Petacchi in a straight sprint on the last day of T-A. No-one was touting him as a major favourite, no-one knew how he would deal with racing 300km.
There is way too much hating on this forum, I have to say. During the race itself it was fine, but once things settle down out come people hating on EBH, hating on CN, hating on the race itself. Honestly if you were bored you must have been watching a different race, the pace was high pretty much all the way from Le Manie to the finish and there were only 25 riders in the group that contested the sprint, it was a real race of attrition with constant attacking and a thrilling finish.
There is way too much hating on this forum, I have to say. During the race itself it was fine, but once things settle down out come people hating on EBH, hating on CN, hating on the race itself. Honestly if you were bored you must have been watching a different race, the pace was high pretty much all the way from Le Manie to the finish and there were only 25 riders in the group that contested the sprint, it was a real race of attrition with constant attacking and a thrilling finish.
issoisso said:
Sorry for misspelling, using an iPhone which can often get spelling one, and I'm not a blind eyed ebh fanboy though I do like him.
No need for the aggressive response
everybody is clever now of course - but the truth is only ak-zaaf knows
I enjoyed it, Freire was fantastic hats of, Liquigas best team but no use from it - I agree that maybe not the last time we'll see that scenario and same question as stefrees - what happened to garmin?? such a strong team on paper...
I enjoyed it, Freire was fantastic hats of, Liquigas best team but no use from it - I agree that maybe not the last time we'll see that scenario and same question as stefrees - what happened to garmin?? such a strong team on paper...
Jamsque said:
Well..... CN did.
Also I don't think people are 'hating' on EBH. The dude is fantastic already, and has yet to turn 23. It's just people are going overboard in their praise/expectations of him. Keep it realistic is all I'm saying.
van nelle said:everybody is clever now of course - but the truth is only ak-zaaf knows
I enjoyed it, Freire was fantastic hats of, Liquigas best team but no use from it - I agree that maybe not the last time we'll see that scenario and same question as stefrees - what happened to garmin?? such a strong team on paper...
Garmins GPS was broken they made at left at Looser Hwy. They were nowhere after the feed put nobody on the front Katusha did so much work with 3 guys. I can't believe how strong Cunego rode.
I have only seen the last 50 km of today's race, but I have to say that I have seen more boring races...
Very much liked the brave attempt of Offredo, though it did not pay of in the end... I do believe he managed to finish in the front group though, despite that it looked like he was struggling on the Poggio....
But in the end Freire is a much deserving winner, can't deny that. Strong and clever ride by the Spaniard.
Very much liked the brave attempt of Offredo, though it did not pay of in the end... I do believe he managed to finish in the front group though, despite that it looked like he was struggling on the Poggio....
But in the end Freire is a much deserving winner, can't deny that. Strong and clever ride by the Spaniard.
fatandfast said:
yup, must be something with navigation, T.Farrar first one on 42. position - NOT GOODvan nelle said:
proceeding - second one from Garmin - J. Van Summeren 98. + 0.06.12
maltiv said:
How is it ridiculous to say he was not a major candidate to win a race that would likely go to sprinters and had a slight possibility of going to a punchy rider attacking on a climb, when he doesn't have the speed to tackle the best sprinters head on and isn't anywhere near being able to punch away from the peloton on a climb?
Jamsque said:
Neither do I. Which is why I never said it was *** to say he had a chance of winning. Making him a major favourite and saying he's the new Merckx, however, is quite ridiculous. And that's exacty what CN did.
Jamsque said:
It's ironic that you'd use the word "straight sprint"
Did you see the sprint? "Straight" is the only thing it wasn't. Quite swervy, in fact Jamsque said:
I agree with this. I have no idea why some people are calling the race boring
Moondance said:
Could not have put it better myself
He won the last stage of Tirreno in a bunch sprint, beating Bennati, Farrar, Petacchi, Boonen, Freire etc.issoisso said:
maltiv said:
Yes, I am quite aware of that. But, you see, one stage does not a sprinter make. Much less when it was achieved through blocking instead of speed.
If that were the case, we'd be speaking of Pagliarini, both the Nazon brothers, Guarnieri and a ton of others as top sprinters. Which they clearly aren't. And they even did it without any dangerous tactics. Purely speed.
On EBH: His name will surface again as a favorite at Flanders & Roubaix, and I think we'll see a more impressive ride from him there (upset tummy or no).
He still won't be podium material, though-- at least not until he proves that, when the race is strung out in tatters by a Boonen/Cancellara/Pippo grenade, he can hold his own.
Still, with him and Haussler both looking to take some prestigious scalps, we could see a Spring animated by some young faces.
He still won't be podium material, though-- at least not until he proves that, when the race is strung out in tatters by a Boonen/Cancellara/Pippo grenade, he can hold his own.
Still, with him and Haussler both looking to take some prestigious scalps, we could see a Spring animated by some young faces.
Moondance said:
Meant to respond to this earlier
It seems to me that Freire has never been given a powerful train like Boonen, Petacchi, Cav, et al have gotten, despite his consistently amazing results. How many cyclists have spent more seasons in the rainbow jersey? And how many more races might he have one if his team was committed to controlling the finishes more?
Of course, I could be wrong about the level of support he's getting--after all, I'm just a guy on a computer.
Hagen will be back, he's a proven winner already but not quite good enough this time, some more experience will help him big time.
I'm happy for Freire because the man has so much class, tremendous ride by him, and Boonen well done.
I'm happy for Freire because the man has so much class, tremendous ride by him, and Boonen well done.
mr. tibbs said:Meant to respond to this earlier
It seems to me that Freire has never been given a powerful train like Boonen, Petacchi, Cav, et al have gotten, despite his consistently amazing results. How many cyclists have spent more seasons in the rainbow jersey? And how many more races might he have one if his team was committed to controlling the finishes more?
Of course, I could be wrong about the level of support he's getting--after all, I'm just a guy on a computer.
Well, Freire does get support, in fact, every person on the Rabobank team said before the race how they were 100% behind Freire. The thing is is that Freire doesn't really benefit from a train; Rabobank have tried in the past and the results weren't good. Freire's sprinting ability lies with his strong acceleration and kick in the finish, something which gets neutralized if you have a lengthy run in and lead-out train ramping up the speed. Situations like today's MSR (or World Championships in the past) are perfect for him. Long, leg-sapping races which prevent large teams from reaching the final few kms together. At that point it becomes less a question of pure speed, but rather tactics and timing, and that's what Freire is good at.
It wouldn't be too amiss if you say that Freire is the anti-Mark Cavendish.... Not that that is a slight on either man, since both are fantastic.
It's also to do with the fact that is not the type of sprinter who benefits from a train.
A train's job is to up the speed. If you give a sprinter who relies on low speed sprints where he can use his change of pace (such as McEwen or Freire) a train to up the pace, you're killing their chances.
He needs support from teammates to deposit him at the front. After that, he fends for himself.
A train's job is to up the speed. If you give a sprinter who relies on low speed sprints where he can use his change of pace (such as McEwen or Freire) a train to up the pace, you're killing their chances.
He needs support from teammates to deposit him at the front. After that, he fends for himself.
Jamsque said:
Let me get this rights, if somebody expresses a negative opinion on something, they are haters. Right so we should be positive about everything. Last time I checked, forums were for expressing opinions and making comparisons.
On the race itself, compare the race today with the last few editions or other races this year like Het Niewusblad or many of the stages from Paris-Nice or Tirreno-Adriacto. If those races were exciting, doesnt that mean that Milan-San Remo was less exciting so therefore duller.
What is wrong with calling a spade a spade.
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