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

[Ryo Hazuki]

Wigans looked so done at the end - did he do his warming/cooling down routine?

lol

nice one

 

[insideout leadout]

This comment dosn't make sense.

So he wins the biggest win of his carrer and he can't celebrate it? I don't think he had any thought at the GC at all. He doesn't win much and was probably a bit surprised as well.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

In other news, now we can say Valverde (and his amazing conservative tactics) is truly back.

no surprise but it wonders me why he has any fans left. ever since fuentes went so did valverde's courage.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

This comment dosn't make sense.

really?

simple concept.

enjoying the stage win, biggest of his life.
GC is still contention.

 

[XlandaluzeX]

Westra ?????? ...but seriously...... Westra ?

 

[roundabout]

In other news, now we can say Valverde (and his amazing conservative tactics) is truly back.

I am a "hater" but I think he didn't look great today so he rode smartly.

Edit: But then again I wasn't one of the people expecting him to gain time on Wiggins.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

None really. He was 3rd in Algarve last year largely thanks to the TT. And 2nd in a hilly time trial in PN.

But real climbing performances like these no. Some top 20's at 40/50 seconds was his previous best. I thought today was about limiting the damage and lose 30/40 seconds...But he won. I'm as perplexed as you are

he also climbed very well last year in algarve

 

[insideout leadout]

yeah and that's very stupid. not exatcly the mind of a winner. still impresisve win which doesn't surprise me to be honest. I always felt he would'v ebeen a gc rider within a few years because of the lifestyle he ahd before hie will have much margin left to still grow and he is physically superb

You never did sports yourself? You are not that analytic in that situation. Maybe in the couch.

 

[Wallace]

I'm surprised no one's mentioned Levi's explosiveness and aggression on this stage. Is there a more exciting rider to watch?

 

[DominicDecoco]

really?

simple concept.

enjoying the stage win, biggest of his life.
GC is still contention.

It's still incredibly stupid no matter how great he did.

 

[hrotha]

no surprise but it wonders me why he has any fans left. ever since fuentes went so did valverde's courage.

I was hoping he might have played enough PCM during his suspension to see races differently, but alas.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I'm surprised no one's mentioned Levi's explosiveness and aggression on this stage. Is there a more exciting rider to watch?

He was clearly on the limit, judging by his inability to outsprint Wiggins. Now he has a ten second gap to overcome rather than a two second one.

 

[Mellow Velo]

The renaissance of Simon Spilak continues. Slips into 5th, while being as just as invisible as Leipheimer.

 

[insideout leadout]

It's still incredibly stupid no matter how great he did.

Feelings are not rational..............

 

[Rocksteady]

Hoping for TJ to stay with the group. Should still top ten... All in all still a good try for a first time.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

It's still incredibly stupid no matter how great he did.

It clearly wasn't the brightest thing to do, but be fair to him: It's not like he's been in that sort of situation before and he probably was a bit stunned.

 

[roundabout]

He was clearly on the limit, judging by his inability to outsprint Wiggins. Now he has a ten second gap to overcome rather than a two second one.

I don't know who is the better/worse sprinter of those two.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I don't know who is the better/worse sprinter of those two.

I'd normally favour Leipheimer to be able to come around Wiggins after spending a climb on his wheel! In fact, I'd normally favour just about any rider who is capable of sticking with Wiggins to be able to beat him in a sprint if they have anything left. Wiggins actually opened up a little gap on him at the end, so I'm pretty sure that means that Leipheimer was empty - that sprint for third could quite conceivably have decided the GC.

 

[Catwhoorg]

I don't know who is the better/worse sprinter of those two.

How many intermediate sprint seconds has Levi got this race ?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

You never did sports yourself? You are not that analytic in that situation. Maybe in the couch.

I'm mma fighter and trainer and I'm that analytic and focused in any situation or else I get my *** kicked

 

[saunaking]

Not a cannibal attitude

It clearly wasn't the brightest thing to do, but be fair to him: It's not like he's been in that sort of situation before and he probably was a bit stunned.

He was 18" back on GC yesterday, not 18 minutes. Athletes use visualization as preparation for races/matches/games. I have no doubt he imagined/fantasized breaking away and winning the stage beforehand. Not sure how realistic he thought it was but I am sure he thought about it.

What else did he have to think about when he went off the front the last 1-2 minutes? He doesnt have to know the exact time gaps and do the math but he should definitely be fighting for each second knowing everything is bunched up at the top.

I just hope he doesn't lose GC by just a couple seconds.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I'm surprised no one's mentioned Levi's explosiveness and aggression on this stage. Is there a more exciting rider to watch?

he also showed that alst year in usa races

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

What else did he have to think about when he went off the front the last 1-2 minutes?

I strongly suspect that the only thing going through his mind was something along the lines of: "Please let me win... Please let me win... Please let me win... Oh my God I'm going to win!... I'm going to win!... Yes! Yes!" etc etc etc.

If he does that again in his career, I'll be ready to call him a halfwit. But surely a rider taking his first big win is entitled to one brainfart.

 

[insideout leadout]

I'm mma fighter and trainer and I'm that analytic and focused in any situation or else I get my *** kicked

If you're human you might do something else in very emotional situations, unless you are a robot

 

[jens_attacks]

Lolwut.

9.56 or so for the climb.

9:52 for lieuwe westra

as always,my prediction went over the window very ugly stage,westra ripping it apart the only good thing.
who said that to watch levi,wiggins and valverde following their wheels is what is gonna happen was right.chapeau.ugly.very ugly.
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