Paris-Nice 2012 - Stage 4; Brive-la-Gaillarde - Rodez, 178 km

[Biggut]

Could OPQS have ridden simply to help prevent Movistar teeing up Valverde for the stage win and 10 second bonus, spoiling tactics if you like. Movistar were up there dominating and if I were DS of a GC contender I wouldn't want them to be left to have it all their own way.

 

[hatcher]

I think it was just Boonen looking to sharpen his hilly legs before MSR, and keeping Leipheimer/Chavanel out of trouble. Didn't see a concerted OPQS effort at the front.

 

[killswitch]

I think it was just Boonen looking to sharpen his hilly legs before MSR, and keeping Leipheimer/Chavanel out of trouble. Didn't see a concerted OPQS effort at the front.

+1
Also to keep himself out of trouble.

 

[The Hitch]

Has anyone read the Cyclingnews report on todays stage by Daniel Benson, apparently Wiggins is showing his class whilst Valverde is struggling to return to his old form

Sometimes journalists are so biased its unreal, I dont mind him bigging up Wiggins but to suggest a rider who has 4 victories to his name already and won yesterday, is struggling to match his previous form is a bit much. I dont ever recall Valverde dominating Paris-Nice and winning every stage in the past.

He then claims today wasnt anti-climatic even though it turned out to be nowhere near as difficult as yesterday and almost 60 riders finished together. I seriuosly think anyone can do race reports these days.

Journalists are people who report on real things, not sport.

THough if he said that then hes being pro Valverde cos if this is Valverde struggling to find form, well Gilbert might as well not bother turning up for the Ardennes

 

[Angliru]

The theory is on the short sharp climbs at the finish, lactic acid builds up. By warming down you disperse it otherwise recover is affected.

I'm surprised that so many of the cyclists on this forum aren't familiar with this practice.

 

[Aguirre]

Journalists are people who report on real things, not sport.

THough if he said that then hes being pro Valverde cos if this is Valverde struggling to find form, well Gilbert might as well not bother turning up for the Ardennes

In fact, I'm annoyed by this kind of journalism that can't hide its sympathies for some riders (wiggo). If this would come from Spain... but in fact I noticed that chauvinism is not only a french thing...

seriously, I read the paper and then I saw the stage in youtube and it seems there was a big battle in between them that... it wasn't.

Then, until when CN journalists will repeat he is coming from a suspension, bla, bla, bla? Even in Tour de France will they remind us Valverde was found guilty of doping?

I see loads of Ideology around it

 

[cycladianpirate]

In fact, I'm annoyed by this kind of journalism that can't hide its sympathies for some riders (wiggo). If this would come from Spain... but in fact I noticed that chauvinism is not only a french thing...

seriously, I read the paper and then I saw the stage in youtube and it seems there was a big battle in between them that... it wasn't.

Then, until when CN journalists will repeat he is coming from a suspension, bla, bla, bla? Even in Tour de France will they remind us Valverde was found guilty of doping?

I see loads of Ideology around it

I think that 'Ideology' is a bit too much.

Valverde was found guilty of doping. That is not an ideological statement - it is a fact.

I take your general point, however. One of the few 'marginal gains' that Team Sky have certainly exploited is their ability to 'deal' with the media. They do that extremely well.

 

[this_is_edie]

Has anyone read the Cyclingnews report on todays stage by Daniel Benson, apparently Wiggins is showing his class whilst Valverde is struggling to return to his old form

Sometimes journalists are so biased its unreal, I dont mind him bigging up Wiggins but to suggest a rider who has 4 victories to his name already and won yesterday, is struggling to match his previous form is a bit much. I dont ever recall Valverde dominating Paris-Nice and winning every stage in the past.

He then claims today wasnt anti-climatic even though it turned out to be nowhere near as difficult as yesterday and almost 60 riders finished together. I seriuosly think anyone can do race reports these days.

Agreed. Not sure if it's a pro-English speaker bias or simply an anti-Valverde bias. Since CN mentions the return from suspension every time they mention Valverde, sometimes a couple of times in first paragraphs (read previous stage), then why aren't they mentioning past doping suspension(s) for every rider?

ETA: added link

 

[Aguirre]

well seen, I repeat, must be ideological.

They can be repeating the suspension "mantra" for Valverde for years to come... same with Contador...

I hope they realise about the things they say... over and over again.

I also make me laugh that comparisson of Wiggings defending leadership at Col d'Eze "a la Miguel Indurain" ¿? (somewhere in previous reports)

 

[greenedge]

Great work by Meersman. He has been a pleasant surprise.

 

[Lexman]

+1
Also to keep himself out of trouble.

Eh i saw the stage yesterday evening and when Boonen had done his work it were De Weert & Devenyns who rode at the head of the bunch???

 

[pastronef]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...65692130.76180.270787662976457&type=3&theater

see the comment

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Agreed. Not sure if it's a pro-English speaker bias or simply an anti-Valverde bias. Since CN mentions the return from suspension every time they mention Valverde, sometimes a couple of times in first paragraphs (read previous stage), then why aren't they mentioning past doping suspension(s) for every rider?

ETA: added link

cn.com is pathetic and so all almost all their writers. they are as chauvinist as french and belgians except this is anglophone bias. I've learned since visiting cn.com and listening to english/american announcing in cycling over the years that appearantly all the english speaking countries love each other as if they were one. you won't see a french announcer rooting for gilbert but you will find an english announcer rooting for lance armstrong or cadel evans

 

[Mellow Velo]

Ryo talking critically about nationalistic bias.
It's like the Pope sermonizing the virtues of atheism.

 

[Swifty's Cakes]

cn.com is pathetic and so all almost all their writers. they are as chauvinist as french and belgians except this is anglophone bias. I've learned since visiting cn.com and listening to english/american announcing in cycling over the years that appearantly all the english speaking countries love each other as if they were one. you won't see a french announcer rooting for gilbert but you will find an english announcer rooting for lance armstrong or cadel evans

Dont forget we used to own them so we still feel like proud parents watching their children do well.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Ryo talking critically about nationalistic bias.
It's like the Pope sermonizing the virtues of atheism.

I don't exatcly root for people just because they are dutch or speak dutch

 

[hrotha]

I don't exatcly root for people just because they are dutch or speak dutch

But your being Dutch is not as important as your being, er, Wolombian. Wenezuelan. Whatever.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

yeah whatever

 

[nobilis]

Has anyone read the Cyclingnews report on todays stage by Daniel Benson, apparently Wiggins is showing his class whilst Valverde is struggling to return to his old form

Sometimes journalists are so biased its unreal, I dont mind him bigging up Wiggins but to suggest a rider who has 4 victories to his name already and won yesterday, is struggling to match his previous form is a bit much. I dont ever recall Valverde dominating Paris-Nice and winning every stage in the past.

He then claims today wasnt anti-climatic even though it turned out to be nowhere near as difficult as yesterday and almost 60 riders finished together. I seriuosly think anyone can do race reports these days.

I had the same comment on another thread (on the Valverde Comeback thread) about that race report, among other race reports and live commentaries we can find on CN. It's not only lack of credibility, but also lack of professionalism. One can hate Valverde but cannot distort the truth.

 

[Arnout]

Dont forget we used to own them so we still feel like proud parents watching their children do well.

Poor Brits and their former empire. Thanks for the laugh though

 

[Froome19]

I had the same comment on another thread (on the Valverde Comeback thread) about that race report, among other race reports and live commentaries we can find on CN. It's not only lack of credibility, but also lack of professionalism. One can hate Valverde but cannot distort the truth.

I dont there is any hatred there but i just think its aimed at the british public so obviously bigging up wiggins is expected yeh and brits are known too hate drug cheats more than anyone else as well, see how we are the only ones who dont allow them to compete in the olympics (well at least until monday) so its just playing on that stereotype but there is certainly no irrational hatred.
Note: This is the media and playing on the stereotype is their job regardless of whether it is liked or not.

 

[The Hitch]

Agreed. Not sure if it's a pro-English speaker bias or simply an anti-Valverde bias. Since CN mentions the return from suspension every time they mention Valverde, sometimes a couple of times in first paragraphs (read previous stage), then why aren't they mentioning past doping suspension(s) for every rider?

ETA: added link

Its the anglophone bias.

You seen their preview of the 2010 Giro?

It said that the Giro was weak because the "stars of the 2009 edition" were all doing the Tour of California.

Their preview for TOC however comes straight from the TOC website -

The sixth edition of America's biggest race, the Amgen Tour of California, will display the event's constant evolution with testing route developments and a high-calibre field of riders aiming to perform at what has become one of the highlights of the international calendar.

The 2010 TOC which was the most boring race in world history, made their list of top cycling races and top cycling moments.

Clear anglophone bias.

 

[Race Radio]

In other news........ the race is about to get serious.