Olympic Road Race Men

[thehog]

Well, the gap did go out - to the point where it was never bridged - and no one really helped. So your argument makes no sense?

What did Gilbert and Nibali achieve for their countries?

Nothing but Belguim had a chance in the break and Boonen. Two fold. British has no chance.

--


Boonen said Britain had not, as expected, canvassed around for help.

“They were pulling, and they were acting like they didn’t need any help and so everyone just let them control the race,” added the Belgian.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012...n-mens-road-race-at-2012-olympic-games_232116

 

[maxmartin]

Uran sold the gold to Vino, it seems from watching some replay of a conversation between the 2.

Based on what??????

 

[Franklin]

Well, the gap did go out - to the point where it was never bridged - and no one really helped. So your argument makes no sense?

If GB hadn't drove the train out of the gate the Germans or Australians should have worked. At worst you start the chase at 100 km.

What did Gilbert and Nibali achieve for their countries?

Gilbert made sure he and anther rider got in the break. It's not science, so that was where it ended.

And Nibbles.. well I just had the thought he really had an anti GB agenda today, but that's probably purely my imagination.

 

[AtletiSK]

At the end British organizers set up a route that no Briton could´ve won on...
congratz to Vino and all those who attacked and didnt wait for miracles (like Sagan)!!! it proved to be impossible to control the race by 4 men for 250kms... small teams, more excitement

 

[taiwan]

Not the best tactics from Germany IMHO. Should've either sent Degenkolb in the break or assisted the chase earlier. In the end they rode negatively and lost their chance to win.

 

[Richeypen]

What other teams? Assuming only Australia and Germany didn't bother playing the breakaway card, it would have been them trying to control the big groups. We saw big breaks all day - that wouldn't have changed if the Brits had been involved in them.

All other teams. Everyone knew that in order for a break to stay away late on that GB would have to be knakered out early on, hence why the BOTD was so strong. No break would have stuck with a GB rider in it, a combination of teams riding hard to bring it back and no other teams wanting to ride in a break with a GB member.

 

[Franklin]

Not the best tactics from Germany IMHO.

What tactics?

Ride Martin up front for a bit and then... just do nothing?

 

[Richeypen]

What tactics?

Ride Martin up front for a bit and then... just do nothing?

Operation knacker Wiggins for the TT

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Not the best tactics from Germany IMHO. Should've either sent Degenkolb in the break or assisted the chase earlier. In the end they rode negatively and lost their chance to win.

Again, their selection was predicated on them only needing 2 to chase. Degenkolb was there to lead out Greipel if he was there or to sprint himself if Greipel was dropped. Germany did all they could to help, but Tony Martin pulling out early was what ended it for them. Him and Grabsch contributing to the pacemaking alongside the Sky guys when the Germans started doing turns, and there's a good chance that break comes back.

 

[RHRH19861986]

July 2007, Cofidis´s Eric Boyer: "Vino est un grand salopard!" (..is a big *******).

Five years later, Boyer fired by Cofidis, Vino Olympic Champion... That´s how life goes.

Today somehow reminds me of 2004. Big rider, Bettini, beats Paulinho, who was however more unknown than Uran is.

Don´t know if Vino bought the win, we´ll never know, but if he paid Kolobnev 100.000 EUR, today he will have had to pay maybe 500.000.

 

[Franklin]

All other teams. Everyone knew that in order for a break to stay away late on that GB would have to be knakered out early on, hence why the BOTD was so strong. No break would have stuck with a GB rider in it, a combination of teams riding hard to bring it back and no other teams wanting to ride in a break with a GB member.

Germany in 2000 proves you wrong.

Surely Wiggo could shadow Cancellara?

 

[thehog]

Nothing but Belguim had a chance in the break and Boonen. Two fold. British has no chance.

--


Boonen said Britain had not, as expected, canvassed around for help.

“They were pulling, and they were acting like they didn’t need any help and so everyone just let them control the race,” added the Belgian.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012...n-mens-road-race-at-2012-olympic-games_232116

Thanks Hog.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Nothing but Belguim had a chance in the break and Boonen. Two fold. British has no chance.

--


Boonen said Britain had not, as expected, canvassed around for help.

“They were pulling, and they were acting like they didn’t need any help and so everyone just let them control the race,” added the Belgian.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012...n-mens-road-race-at-2012-olympic-games_232116

In the end GB came out with the same as Italy and Belgium. Two fold.

They put all their eggs in one basket. It worked in the worlds but they came up short this time. That's racing.

Not sure who would have helped them if they had asked. The Germans made some effort but who else other than the Aussies would have helped?

 

[rxgqgxnyfz]

July 2007, Cofidis´s Eric Boyer: "Vino est un grand salopard!" (..is a big *******).

Five years later, Boyer fired by Cofidis, Vino Olympic Champion... That´s how life goes.

You didn't had to wait five years to see him eating the crow on these words.

A mere week later he withdrew with his team during that Tour.

 

[Richeypen]

Germany in 2000 proves you wrong.

Surely Wiggo could shadow Cancellara?

Hate to break it to you but its not 2000. After the WC last year it was obvious to every other team that in order to win they had to deal with GB and each top team would have tactics inplace to do so. None of which would have involved allowing a GB member in a break.

 

[hrotha]

All other teams. Everyone knew that in order for a break to stay away late on that GB would have to be knakered out early on, hence why the BOTD was so strong. No break would have stuck with a GB rider in it, a combination of teams riding hard to bring it back and no other teams wanting to ride in a break with a GB member.

I doubt that's what would have happened, someone in the break would have worked (just like today; many riders didn't do much, it was mostly a couple of teams doing most of the effort). Teams are not that calculating, especially in a race without radios. They'd see themselves in a good break with a gap on the peloton, and with Britain not chasing. They'd probably go for it.

And if they didn't, well, Britain would still be neutralizing large breakaways by having only one of their own riders work a little while the rest did absolutely nothing.

 

[Franklin]

In the end GB came out with the same as Italy and Belgium. Two fold.

They put all their eggs in one basket. It worked in the worlds but they came up short this time. That's racing.

Not sure who would have helped them if they had asked. The Germans made some effort but who else other than the Aussies would have helped?

Surely even you must agree that the German tactics in 2000 with a comparable tem were much smarter?

 

[Richeypen]

I doubt that's what would have happened, someone in the break would have worked (just like today; many riders didn't do much, it was mostly a couple of teams doing most of the effort). Teams are not that calculating, especially in a race without radios. They'd see themselves in a good break with a gap on the peloton, and with Britain not chasing. They'd probably go for it.

And if they didn't, well, Britain would still be neutralizing large breakaways by having only one of their own riders work a little while the rest did absolutely nothing.

Then we will have to agree to disagree. As i said in a different post IMO each top team would have had clear underlying plans on how to deal with Cav and GB.

 

[hrotha]

In the end GB came out with the same as Italy and Belgium. Two fold.

They put all their eggs in one basket. It worked in the worlds but they came up short this time. That's racing.

Don't say "that's racing" like it was something beyond their control. The difference between the WC and the Olympics is up to 4 riders per team.

 

[RHRH19861986]

You didn't had to wait five years to see him eating the crow on these words.

A mere week later he withdrew with his team during that Tour.

Yeah, the Moreni story, I know...

Vino is just amazing, a legend. For me, people like him are just inspiring. Such a fighter. All the world hated him in July 2007, he returned end 2009, winning in October 2009, won LBL 2010, crashed so badly in the Tour 2011, to return and become Olympic champion 2012.

And don´t count him out for the Worlds in Valkenburg yet.

 

[rxgqgxnyfz]

And don´t count him out for the Worlds in Valkenburg yet.

That's should be up to Max.

But i wish to see him in gold once more or two times, be it Vuelta or WC.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Don't say "that's racing" like it was something beyond their control. The difference between the WC and the Olympics is up to 4 riders per team.

There is only so much they can control it. Even if they had stuck a man in the break aways there is still no certainty that it would get pulled back for a sprint. So you are then banking on the man in the breakaway doing something. Who have GB got that can fulfil such a role.

If the Aussies and Germans had helped bring it back to a sprint and Cav won then everyone says how boring and predictable the race is.

Swiss had 3 in the break and came out with nothing. Unlucky? For sure. But you cannot always control everything.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Leo van Vliet (dutch coach) said the British made an error gambling on their sprinter. He said on a course like this and with only 5 men the race is not controllable. He says he is even suprised the sprinters kept their chances for so long in the race

 

[Richeypen]

Leo van Vliet (dutch coach) said the British made an error gambling on their sprinter. He said on a course like this and with only 5 men the race is not controllable. He says he is even suprised the sprinters kept their chances for so long in the race

He would have a point if it was only GB aiming for a sprint finish. If GB, Germany and OZ had all cooperated it was certainly controllable.

 

[mb2612]

They just went too slowly up the final climb of Box Hill.

There were attacks left and right and Wiggins just cruised at his speed, allowing them all to get clear, and letting the break go.

Had they set a solid pace up that final climb it just would have been the original break clear, and they would have been able to pull them back. I think they just had too much faith in their own ability.