Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey 2011

[Libertine Seguros]

It's Turkey, not Saudi Arabia. And they don't even get far from the sea, it'll be nice Mediterranean weather all the way.

Many a time in the past we've seen the péloton shredded simply out of endurance, especially when they ride inland. OK, it isn't riding the Volta amid the fires like last August or doing any number of Caribbean or African tours, but still potentially unpleasant.

Anyway, what happened to that nice little cobbled climb they used to put in the finish of the opening stage? Way better than some flat coastal road.

 

[Sydney21]

Guardini is the second fastest guy in the world atm. I'm not saying that just because he burned Farrar and Greipel and all the other guys then but also Qatar he burned some of the worlds best. Also Malaysia was good but much weaker opponents. will be interesting to see how consistant he can be. BMC should get rid of Krisstoff and sign this fella

 

[ISDfan]

was that the guy he punch on the back?

Yes it was Nacer . Why he do that ?

 

[roundabout]

Petacchi was seemingly blocked when he wanted to start his sprint

 

[Kazistuta]

Just murdered everyone bar Cav, in the same way Cav murders everyone bar Cav.

Shame he's too young to take to the Giro, this lad is going to be very special.


Also, *CQ Dance*

Guardini will go to the giro if he wins one more stage, according to himself. I personally think he should save his legs and try Il Giro next year instead. No need to kill his young speedy legs in a 3w tour this soon.

 

[will10]

Guardini is the second fastest guy in the world atm. I'm not saying that just because he burned Farrar and Greipel and all the other guys then but also Qatar he burned some of the worlds best. Also Malaysia was good but much weaker opponents. will be interesting to see how consistant he can be. BMC should get rid of Krisstoff and sign this fella

That's very optimistic indeed.

 

[hrotha]

There's other youngsters like Blythe and Appollonio starting. Personally I think 21-22 is too young to be riding a monster Giro like this one, but I grew up in the 90s when the kids didn't ride GTs until they were 23 or 24.

 

[dancing on pedals]

Guardini was mighty impressive.
I think he will go to Giro not only because of this quote from the official race website
"Farnese Vini-Neri’s sport’s director Luca Scinto revealed how crucial the Tour of Turkey is in Guardini’s 2011 season: "I’ve told him that he’ll get a start at the Giro d’Italia if he wins two stages in Turkey. Except Cavendish, the five best sprinters in the world will be present!" Shall he beat the likes of Alessandro Petacchi, Tyler Farrar, Andre Greipel and Allan Davis, Guardini would definitely take place in the small circle of the fastest road cyclists."
http://www.tourofturkey.org/2011/Diary/6

but also because I would bet a fair bit of sponsor pressure to get him a ride especially from Cipo.

As for Pettachi surely he must get at least a fine for his behaviour? Bad day in the ofice all round for Lampre - they showed their hand way too early.
Thanks

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

guardini was crazy quick, not the first time he has shown speed like that.

massive talent.

 

[roundabout]

As for Pettachi surely he must get at least a fine for his behaviour? Bad day in the ofice all round for Lampre - they showed their hand way too early.
Thanks

Petacchi was demoted to last on the stage and got a minute penalty. Not sure about a fine.

 

[dancing on pedals]

Petacchi was demoted to last on the stage and got a minute penalty. Not sure about a fine.

apparently it also cost him 200 swiss francs
"Petacchi (Lampre-ISD) was later found guilty by the Union Cycliste Internationale race commissaires of ''acts of violence against another rider during the final sprint''. He was fined 200 Swiss Francs, handed a one minute penalty on the overall standings and relegated to last place on the stage.
Bouhanni's sports director, Yvon Madiot, said the incident was caused by another rider sprinting close to the barriers on the Frenchman's right and leaning on him. This, Madiot said, forced Bouhanni to inadvertently lean into Petacchi."


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling...ative-style-20110424-1dt1m.html#ixzz1KTjcXcwT
I think he is fairly fortunate to still be in the race - could very easily have been considered a real danger to other riders and disqualified. That said I think the decision is about right.
looking forward to tomorrows stage - 13:30 cet eurosport.
Thanks
PS - Guardini does look a class act - couple of nice short videos of him racing in 2010 for Casati NGC Perrel [Dilettanti] - (who ironically after todays events are supposedly the feeder team for co sponsor Lampre)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27EF-qDbmsQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYf2B5JY1fg&feature=related

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

There's other youngsters like Blythe and Appollonio starting. Personally I think 21-22 is too young to be riding a monster Giro like this one, but I grew up in the 90s when the kids didn't ride GTs until they were 23 or 24.

I think it's a great tour to make as a debut for sprinters.

2 weeks, 4 or 5 sprint opportunities, 2 mountain tests then drop out. Like riding Potugal but someone cares about the results.

 

[luckyboy]

Don't let Libertine Seguros see that!

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I'm assuming they mean the Giro. More people care about the Giro than the Volta, that much I can't argue with.

If they mean the Tour of Turkey, trouble's on the way.

 

[luckyboy]

I thought he meant that riding two weeks of the Giro is like the Volta but nobody cares about the Volta.

 

[greenedge]

Thought Guardini was speedy, he's a great talent. Picked his positioning well too. Feel sorry for Greipel puncturing. Guardini will win another stage but no idea who will win overall

 

[royalpig180]

I really hope Guardini does start the Giro. I would love to see him hand it to Cav in a sprint (though only time will tell just how fast he really is against the fastest rider(s) in the world...)

 

[Jamsque]

Today's stage is coming to an end, break of 4 has less than a minute with 30km left to ride.

 

[Christomir]

Today's stage is coming to an end, break of 4 has less than a minute with 30km left to ride.

So who would be your money on - Guardini, Farrar, Greipel, Petacchi ?

 

[palmerq]

I am going to guess farrar to win, or maybe greipel. Greipel might be on a mission after his puncture yesterday but his form is so unpredictable, I will bet of farrar.

 

[Jamsque]

Hard to say. Assuming no more mechanicals I think Garmin and Lotto will try to organise the sprint a bit more and keep Guardini out of contention, I think Farrar will take it ahead of Petacchi who was on his wheel and Greipel who was fast but started too far back.

 

[palmerq]

Breakaway group has gained about 30 seconds since I started watching, although I think there is only 1 guy at the front now, peleton isn't going so fast either :S

 

[Christomir]

IMO for the top 3 in this sprint:

1. Petacchi
2. Farrar
3. some random comparatively unknown rider out of the pack (but not Guardini this time around)

 

[Christomir]

Or maybe the breakaway survives, seeing how the peloton seems to be asleep.

 

[Jamsque]

3 together at the front now, and the gap is out to 1'30"

The sprinters' teams are letting this get away.