Paris-Nice 2012 - Stage 5; Onet-le-Chateau - Mende (178.5 km)

[Angliru]

Welcome to the world of trying to follow non-Anglophone riders while listening to Anglophone commentators.

It's so frustrating I'm surprised that my TV is still intact.

 

[Angliru]

Has this stage finished? i have just looked at latest GC and Valverde is not leading. i was reliably informed that he would put a lot of time into Wiggins on this stage. So i can only conclude that the stage is still going. If it has finished then i might have to start believing that people on this board don't know what they are talking about, which would be a shattering conclusion.

...and what point were you trying to make? Not everyone on this board predicted that Valverde would "put a lot of time into Wiggins on this stage". Considering the form that Wiggins has displayed and his statements to the press that he's in the form of his life combined with Valverde coming back from his 2 year hiatus from racing, I can't see exactly why you're gloating. They both should be commended for finishing 2nd and 3rd.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I didn't even know Westra moved to spain and lost 4kg this winter. That explains a lot.

 

[hrotha]

I didn't even know Westra moved to spain and lost 4kg this winter. That explains a lot.

Which part explains the most?

 

[gustienordic]

...and what point were you trying to make? Not everyone on this board predicted that Valverde would "put a lot of time into Wiggins on this stage". Considering the form that Wiggins has displayed and his statements to the press that he's in the form of his life combined with Valverde coming back from his 2 year hiatus from racing, I can't see exactly why you're gloating. They both should be commended for finishing 2nd and 3rd.

Good races for both! Signs of good things to come??

 

[jens_attacks]

I didn't even know Westra moved to spain and lost 4kg this winter. That explains a lot.

how many kilos has he?
definitely the heaviest rider to win on top of mende...by far
i hope he has something in the tank for the itt too.a surprise is always welcomed

 

[insideout leadout]

He doesn't look that big, even last year I thought he looked quite slim. Compared to last years sensation Vanendert he looks smaller, but I could be wrong. It's hard to judge from TV pics.

 

[The Hitch]

What an attack by Westra wow.

His only mistake is showing his cards now rather than shock everyone with a Zaugg on the Cauberg / Muur/ Valkenburg worlds even.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

how many kilos has he?
definitely the heaviest rider to win on top of mende...by far
i hope he has something in the tank for the itt too.a surprise is always welcomed

He weights 70kg, he used to weight 74kg prior to this season

 

[theyoungest]

He weights 70kg, he used to weight 74kg prior to this season

68, and used to weigh 72 (he says in the very same interview)

 

[Angliru]

Valverde was too big of a fav for this stage. People seem to think he's as good as Contador or J-Rod at these steep hills, but he's not.

If you have yet to get accustomed to the flow of hype that takes place on this forum then you haven't been paying attention. You'll catch on soon enough. Folks get excited by a rider showing decent form or a rider that seemingly comes out of nowhere to show great potential. Most of it is all in fun and other times it's just getting caught up in the joy of the sport. We all, well most us, come down from our high eventually, back to our senses and to rational thought.

 

[Polish]

Has this stage finished? i have just looked at latest GC and Valverde is not leading. i was reliably informed that he would put a lot of time into Wiggins on this stage. So i can only conclude that the stage is still going. If it has finished then i might have to start believing that people on this board don't know what they are talking about, which would be a shattering conclusion.

I'm thinking Brad should be more proud that he hung with Levi. Has to be a confidence booster for July as Brad has never finished ahead of Levi in a GT.
But Brad better not get too confident - he still might choke yikes.

 

[Angliru]

Doesn't matter, Westra would have smoked him

The new Froome-JTL-Quintana is born.

Hey where is the Nairo Quintana appreciation hype thread?? Why are the Colombian's getting slighted?

Seriously though, for some reason in the week before his big win his name was floating around my head, maybe because I like the way it sounds and I've been nervously anticipating the Colombia Coldeportes team displaying their talents in Europe. So far so good. Tirreno Adriatico should be quite interesting.

 

[Museeuw]

68, and used to weigh 72 (he says in the very same interview)

What interview? Where?

Link, please.

 

[Angliru]

Good races for both! Signs of good things to come??

I think so. Wiggins has stated in the past that he's doing exactly what his trainers are telling him to as far his prep for the races, and the races, if I recall correctly what he said, are easier than the training. Sounds to me that he's been pretty determined and dedicated this off season. The same with Valverde who obviously trained like a madman during his suspension, so that he wouldn't miss a beat upon his return. The only thing I can see missing is the extended explosion in his closing sprint and that will come with time.

 

[insideout leadout]

If you have yet to get accustomed to the flow of hype that takes place on this forum then you haven't been paying attention. You'll catch on soon enough. Folks get excited by a rider showing decent form or a rider that seemingly comes out of nowhere to show great potential. Most of it is all in fun and other times it's just getting caught up in the joy of the sport. We all, well most us, come down from our high eventually, back to our senses and to rational thought.

With all due respect "father". Coming in to Mende odds on Valverde was approacing 2, now that's far too low.

 

[Angliru]

I'm thinking Brad should be more proud that he hung with Levi. Has to be a confidence booster for July as Brad has never finished ahead of Levi in a GT.
But Brad better not get too confident - he still might choke yikes.

Well it's not like Levi has shown that's he's able to climb with the elite climbers in the grand tours in the past 3 years. Not that Wiggins has but Wiggins has several years of riding left in his legs compared to Levi and thus more room for improvement. Climbing with than Levi shouldn't be a motivating tool. Dropping him, yes.

 

[ferryman]

Chapeau Wiggins and Sky. He told everyone yesterday what he/they were going to do and went deep to deliver. Obviously one his early season targets. After the Vuelta and now P-N every team now knows what Sky are going to do in the mountains in July.

 

[Angliru]

With all due respect "father". Coming in to Mende odds on Valverde was approacing 2, now that's far too low.

I don't pay much attention to the "odds", since I'm not a betting man.

"Father"?????

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Just like Westra

more like wiggins was

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I didn't even know Westra moved to spain and lost 4kg this winter. That explains a lot.

lol. wiggins beaten with a taste of his own medicin

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

how many kilos has he?
definitely the heaviest rider to win on top of mende...by far
i hope he has something in the tank for the itt too.a surprise is always welcomed

he is 185 and 74 kg, accoriding to vacansoleil. he used to eb a little heavier but not 4 kg. maybe now he is 71 or 72?

 

[jens_attacks]

he is 185 and 74 kg, accoriding to vacansoleil. he used to eb a little heavier but not 4 kg. maybe now he is 71 or 72?

still that's a shiitload of kilos for a climb like this.

how did you see rigo?he didn't come back since a long time from colombia and already super strong.do you know his schedule?

 

[insideout leadout]

I don't pay much attention to the "odds", since I'm not a betting man.

"Father"?????

We all, well most us, come down from our high eventually, back to our senses and to rational thought.

Maybe you should practise what you preach.

 

[theyoungest]

he is 185 and 74 kg, accoriding to vacansoleil. he used to eb a little heavier but not 4 kg. maybe now he is 71 or 72?

68 kgs, according to this interview.

still that's a shiitload of kilos for a climb like this.

how did you see rigo?he didn't come back since a long time from colombia and already super strong.do you know his schedule?

Andy Schleck, Basso, Gesink are all 70 kgs or thereabouts. Still pretty decent climbers.