Race thread: Olympics 2020/21 Tokyo, Men's Road Race, 234k

[Sciatic]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1418474637621698560

View: https://twitter.com/laflammerouge16/status/1418474637621698560

Very useful!!

 

[SafeBet]

I normally only read on these forums but created an account to ask this.

3am starting time in the UK is not great. Around what time should I get up if I want to be sure of watching from the beginning of the Mikuni Pass?

7.30 I guess.

Meanwhile the Spanish team has been cleared to ride tomorrow.

 

[BlueRoads]

7.30 I guess.

Meanwhile the Spanish team has been cleared to ride tomorrow.

Why shouldn't they?

 

[Chrisis97]

read page 2

Thanks, not sure how I missed that! I assume these times are predictions for when they reach the top?

 

[Chrisis97]

7.30 I guess.

Meanwhile the Spanish team has been cleared to ride tomorrow.

Thanks!

 

[CyclistAbi]

not only when injured, he often fades in this long races

If the racing schedule is brutal beforehand then it can happen. This time this is not the case. Unless they made any special agreement i feel that we will likely see both Slovenians going over the Mikuni together. Unless i guess Pogačar still feels the Tour in his legs a bit too much. In my opinion Team Slovenia is the team to beat in RR. Basically a dream team.

As for the basketball dream team. Here Team Slovenia will still likely at least try.

 

[SafeBet]

Why shouldn't they?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1418550830597349391

View: https://twitter.com/rne/status/1418550830597349391

 

[Netserk]

Do you guys want one? I like polls, but they always make race threads cumbrous, so I didn't make one.

Race threads should never have polls.

 

[Jungle Cycle]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1418568605478817800

View: https://twitter.com/COE_es/status/1418568605478817800

 

[Asero831]

Riders are still up and it is almost midnight in Tokyo

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Riders are still up and it is almost midnight in Tokyo

I'm pretty sure most of them aren't at the opening ceremony, unless they're women and/or track/MTB riders.

 

[will-10]

Depends on how many sports you follow/like.
In my case it's not gonna be just one day, so I need to measure my efforts. It's a two week race

It's a very valid point, important to plan at least some sleep into a busy schedule of sports bingeing.

 

[Unterlenkerfahrend]

Since pros have been allowed in, we've had an unexpected winner 4 out of 6 times. Vino (with a gold and a silver) is the greatest cycling Olympian. High chance of an unexpected winner tomorrow.

Who was the other "expected" winner? Bettini and...?

 

[slosada]

The only really obvious thing ever happened in a pro Olympics RR was that time Uran ninja'd to a podium place

He actually attacked twice, the UK peloton, and then the breakaway.
Too bad he slept when Vino countered.

 

[Amazinmets87]

Would like to see Nibali add a gold to his trophy cabinet as I feel sorry for how he lost in Rio.
But my #1 cry into my Saturday morning breakfast choice would be Nairoman. What a least expected day that would be if he actually managed to have one of his good days on the right day

If it were a climb then descent to the finish, sure. However, with all this rolling terrain how can you see him winning?

 

[Breezy1985]

If it were a climb then descent to the finish, sure. However, with all this rolling terrain how can you see him winning?

In my dreams all things are possible

 

[Rollthedice]

He actually attacked twice, the UK peloton, and then the breakaway.
Too bad he slept when Vino countered.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Yes, clearly Vino was the real ninja that day.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Rogla has problems with long races;
I honestly dont see how Wout can win this. He will lose time against top climbers on Mikuni, I think we all agree on this; who will work with him to get back to the front group, I just dont see it

He does? I mean, he won LBL (250+ km) and Emilia (200+ km) and was in the elite group in Worlds last year. You don't do that if you're bad in long races.

I see your point re: WVA, but I'm sure everyone who's not represented in a potential front group after Mikuni will help. Besides, it's likely that the front group will have issues working together as well.

 

[Breezy1985]

Yes, clearly Vino was the real ninja that day.

He is favorite on every race even now. How could he ever be the ninja

 

[Samu Cuenca]

He is favorite on every race even now. How could he ever be the ninja

At least Urán didn't see him coming.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

6am start for me, fridge full of beer and Simon Yates for the win.

 

[Andre]

RR= Wout-Gold...Tadej-Silver...Remco-Bronze
TT= Remco-Gold...Wout-Silver...Ganna-Bronze

 

[Big Doopie]

I do not see remco winning. Only way would be to drop everyone and TT to the finish while everyone looks at each other.

I do not see him dropping some of the riders in this field.

best scenario is that he is able to hang with the best on Mikuni. Then sit on with WvA chasing as pretext. Then he may be freshest to try something on the last small hill. Or if WvA is back, to force others to work so that WvA can sprint for the win.

I do hope he plays the team game. He can be as selfish as he wants in the TT.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Tomorrow it will be the race of attrition. TBH I don't see a decisive break forming on Fuji with still 100 km to go (unless this break is big and consists most of the contenders). Mikuni will be the decider but some strong riders will attack earlier (most likely on hilly terrain before, some will try on Fuji but it will be difficult to keep ahead for so long).