Paris - Nice: STAGE 1 - Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines --> Contres: 201.5 km

[cyclopeon]

Ive been saying for years that contador was lacking tactically, paris nice and the tour last year showed that imo. today did nothing to disprove that theory. if you are a contender, in weather like that, you have to be at the front.

On the other hand, let's see.. lost time in crosswinds in PN last year, and in the Tour last year. But still managed to contend pretty well. Might be it's more about knowing when 20 or 40 seconds might or might not be worth the effort?

 

[Anonymous]

That's right Dim, till wednesday... Our season at BMC will start then!

another of the auscyclefan quotes saved for later in the week. The Eroica one came back to haunt you

 

[oldxer]

On the other hand, let's see.. lost time in crosswinds in PN last year, and in the Tour last year. But still managed to contend pretty well. Might be it's more about knowing when 20 or 40 seconds might or might not be worth the effort?

Maybe so, but either way there's a lot more than tactics involved in getting into the first echelon in a cross wind. It takes an explosive rider to cross the gaps in the wind.

There was an interesting sequence during the race when Boom lost his place in the rotation. He had to ride forward up the back side of the echelon until he found a gap where he could reinsert himself. Or perhaps it was friend willing to let him in.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks a lot

no worries.. HQ on their way up, be a couple of hours.

 

[karlboss]

As HTC are one of my favourite teams I was interested to watch their tactics. Before the stage Greipel was at unbackable odds to win. When the final selection was made Martin was there. So they assembled their train and left it off to the side of the chase and didn't help. This surprised me, I have a a feeling that they could have shut it all down with 6 fresh guys with 5km to go and done the usual train thing for the win. Martin was never going to take the stage, I've seen ocean liners accelerate faster than he does. I can't see Martin gaining the time for the win in Mende, so why wouldn't they chase? At first I was annoyed, but now I'm thinking if you were Martin, you'd probably be pretty happy your team gave you a shot even though they knew it wouldn't happen.

 

[Bike Boy]

I thought that too. He looked pretty sprightly on a similar climb in Algarve
Also, Contador was a relatively unknown quantity, in 2007....well, at least to Eurosport's Dave Harmon, that is.
Admittedly, Kreuziger was very young, but, on the other hand Jens Voigt is very old and DT thinks he might still make the shake up.

Mende is for the likes of Contador, Valverde and Jaochim Rodriguez (if he's got the form) Kreuziger looked good in Sardinia.
It always blows the peloton to pieces, when the finish is at the top.

I would add F. Schleck to that group, and perhaps L. Leipheimer (I know it's too short for him but good shape could make up for it).

 

[Publicus]

I would add F. Schleck to that group, and perhaps L. Leipheimer (I know it's too short for him but good shape could make up for it).

I'm going to have to disagree as it relates to Levi. He's a diesel-type climber. Has never shown any explosiveness. If it was a longer ramp, maybe, but 3KM at an average gradient of 10.7% doesn't seem like his cup of tea at all.

 

[Bike Boy]

I'm going to have to disagree as it relates to Levi. He's a diesel-type climber. Has never shown any explosiveness. If it was a longer ramp, maybe, but 3KM at an average gradient of 10.7% doesn't seem like his cup of tea at all.

If Contador is riding well there's nothing he (or anybody else for that matter) can do but he's in fairly good shape and and I predict that he will hang on to the chase group.

Come thursday we will see who is right

 

[Publicus]

If Contador is riding well there's nothing he (or anybody else for that matter) can do but he's in fairly good shape and and I predict that he will hang on to the chase group.

Come thursday we will see who is right

What's AC got to do with whether Mende is a good climb for Levi? That was the original point--not whether Levi can hang onto the chase group.

 

[ravens]

You have to realise by now that Contador is nowhere near his 2007 form...So you can't compare it with that result. To add more to that, Kreuziger was 20 years old back than. Its 3 years ago

Where's that dude that was calling my comments stupid a few hours ago????

 

[auscyclefan94]

Great stage today - despite the dismal commentating skill on Eurosport.

Better than listening to Matt Rendall. Worst commentator I have ever heard! Sounds like he can't breath as it sounds really "airy" and choked up.

only cos a) sky are doing well b) wiggins isnt in paris nice c) we cant take the **** out of bmc till wednesday

another of the auscyclefan quotes saved for later in the week. The Eroica one came back to haunt you

That's why I made that comment. (and because they are going to own)

One of my predictions for this season should eventually be right

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

You have to realise by now that Contador is nowhere near his 2007 form...So you can't compare it with that result. To add more to that, Kreuziger was 20 years old back than. Its 3 years ago

I disagree. What is your reasoning to make a claim that " Contador is nowhere near his 2007 form"?

That's right Dim, till wednesday... Our season at BMC will start then!

I'm getting a felling of de-ja-vu

 

[Big GMaC]

I disagree. What is your reasoning to make a claim that " Contador is nowhere near his 2007 form"?

Maybe he was saying that was 3 years ago so he is much better now?

Because that is the only conclusion that makes sense!

 

[Bike Boy]

What's AC got to do with whether Mende is a good climb for Levi? That was the original point--not whether Levi can hang onto the chase group.

Yeah I can see it very clear now. going back in order to reread your old post can be helpfull sometimes.....

but in my defense I would have to say that I was very tired. Did also note that it was not his kind of climb in my first post.
My point is that Leipheimer will be able to limit his deficit enough to stay in contention. (probably not the proper thread to continue this discussion though)