Stage of the year part 3 : One day races

[Moondance]

Relax. Gesinks TDS victory already made it into the final. Hes a favorite for the overall there.

If Gesink Montreal makes it there, that splits the Gesink vote in half.

Then hell go from odds on favourite to not even making the podium. (Kind of reminds me of the Tour de Suisse tt this year. no? )

So for the final we'll only have one vote between a stage in a GT, a one-day race and a stage in a week-long? Seems like unfair competition.

 

[ultimobici]

Cannot believe you omitted Lombardia.

Epic conditions, daring attack from Gilbert & desperate chase by Nibali.

There were attacks along the way too which failed from . Scarponi didn't lose due to his gears slipping rather that he was stuffed from clawing his way up to Gilbert on the road from Nesso. That's what he said happened when interviewed afterwards.

WRT the lack of attacks have a read of cyclingnews's coverage which matches what I saw on RAI in Como.

Da Dalto is swallowed up by the peloton now, which is beginning to tap out a decent rhythm on the Ghisallo, but the pace is by no means searing.
Up front, Albasini is setting the tempo and Mirenda is grinding away on his wheel.
13:52 GMT 63km/197km
On the toughest slopes of the Ghisallo, Vladimir Gusev (Katusha) attacks and he quickly opens up a decent gap over the main bunch. He's now picking off the remnants of the early breaks and pedalling very fluidly indeed.
13:55 GMT
"Nibali could be the favourite, but it's very hard to pick names after a long journey from Australia," two-time Tour of Lombardy winner Michele Bartoli told Gazzetta dello Sport, sitting resolutely on the fence.
Gusev, meanwhile is closing in on the duo in front. He is 2:25 behind now.
13:57 GMT
Gusev is riding with leg-warmers but has ditched his leg warmers. He'll get nul points for style but he might well succeed in getting across to the break.
Behind, Giovanni Visconti (ISD-Neri) puts in a dig on the Ghisallo, but the move is soon countered by Gilbert, Schleck and the other favourites.
13:58 GMT
Gusev has ditched his arm-warmers, that should have read.
Visconti is continuing to be aggressive behind.
14:00 GMT 61km/199km
Angel Madrazo (Caisse d'Epargne) has attacked from the man group, with Italian champion Visconti on his wheel. Behind them the pack is beginning to break up.
14:03 GMT
Caccia and Albasini have 55 seconds over Gusev now and the ISD-Neri man has come to the front.
14:04 GMT 58km/202km
After a brief false flat, the Ghisallo kicks up again on the final push up towards the church and Albasini has dropped Caccia, seemingly definitively. Meanwhile, Gusev is eating up the road a little further behind.
14:06 GMT
It's an interesting move from Visconti and Madrazo. Indeed, Visconti seems to be struggling to stay on the Spaniard's wheel. The main bunch doesn't seem overly concerned so far, although there's an Euskaltel-Euskadi rider trying to get across.
14:07 GMT
Albasini enters Magreglio and reaches the top of the Madonna del Ghisallo. The crowds are out in force in spite of the rain.
Behind, Gusev has caught Caccia and they pass the church at the summit just a handful of seconds behind Albasini.
14:08 GMT 56km/204km
Madrazo and Visconti also seem to have made it across to Gusev and Caccia, while the main field passes over the top of the climb and past the iconic church, 55 seconds behind.

14:10 GMT
As far as we can make out through the mist, Cadel Evans (BMC) didn't climb off to join the barbeque on the slopes of the Ghisallo, so the Australia will be in the thick of the action in the finale.
14:12 GMT
Albasini has no interest in sitting up and waiting for the pursuers. The Swiss rider is trying to push out his advantage again on the descent from the Ghisallo.
14:13 GMT 50km/210km
Caccia is riding on the front of the chase group for his leader Visconti and the gap is sliding down to just 16 seconds.
Three Omega Pharma-Lotto riders are on the front of the main field, trying to shut down the Visconti move.
14:16 GMT 50km/210km
Albasini starts the climb of the Colma di Sormano with Visconti, Gusev and Madrazo on his wheel. Meanwhile, Caccia has been forced to sit up. The Italian gave it his all in the break with Albasini and his final act was to ride for his leader Visconti on the descent of the Ghisallo.
14:18 GMT
Albasini is dropped under pressure from Gusev. Visconti is looking stronger on the Colma di Sormano than he was on the Ghisallo. He's wrapped up tightly against the cold, like his ISD-Neri teammate Caccia.
The trio in front have 28 seconds over the main field.
14:19 GMT 49km/211km
Visconti goes to the front and immediately the pace rises and Gusev is under pressure.
Omega Pharma-Lotto continue to press hard at the head of the main for Philippe Gilbert.
14:21 GMT
Chris Horner (RadioShack) has a go off the front of the main group and opens up a decent gap even if the effort already seems to be telling. He'll need to settle in and find a suitable rhythm is he wants to get anywhere.
14:23 GMT
Visconti is looking strong now on the Colma di Sormano. He looks to have found his legs after being temporarily distanced by Madrazo on the Ghisallo.
Indeed, his latest spell on the front has seen off Madrazo. It's just Gusev and Visconti left ahead now.
14:24 GMT 47km/213km
Gusev's shorts are scuffed and torn in places, he clearly must have fallen earlier in the day. It's certainly not showing in his riding, however, he's looking very strong indeed.
The duo are 25 seconds clear of the group of favourites.
14:25 GMT
Bauke Mollema (Rabobank) has launched a great attack out of the main group and immediately opened a sizable gap.
14:27 GMT 46km/214km
Great riding from Mollema. The flying Dutchman has almost caught up to the two leaders Visconti and Gusev.
14:28 GMT
Mollema has caught Visconti and Gusev. Meanwhile, Haimar Zubeldia (RadioShack) has jumped clear of the chasing group.
14:30 GMT
That was impressive. Mollema took one long turn on the front and Visconti was almost immediately dropped. Gusev is also struggling to keep up with the Dutchman, who's putting in a great climb of the Colma di Sormano.
14:31 GMT 45km/215km
Mollema is free and clear up front. Gusev is chasing behind, while Visconti has been caught by Zubeldia and is going backwards at this point. He was struggling on the Ghisallo but looked to have found his climbing legs on the Colma di Sormano but it was merely an illusion it seems.
14:33 GMT 44km/216km
Zubeldia has caught Gusev, but the duo are 18 seconds behind Mollema, who is really isn't hanging around.

14:35 GMT
Visconti is caught by the main group. As they catch him, Michele Scarponi (Androni) puts in a big acceleration and the bunch begins to be whittled down a little more.
Zubeldia has dropped Gusev and is chasing Mollema alone.
14:36 GMT
The action is hotting up in the main group. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Doimo) has gone to the front and is causing serious problems.
14:36 GMT
Strong move from Nibali. Only a select few are able to follow. Scarponi is up there, as is Gilbert.
14:38 GMT
Gilbert is marking Nibali closely. These are the two favourites and they know it. Scarponi is also looking strong, and there is a solid group forming around these three.
14:40 GMT 41km/219km
Mollema approaches the top of the Colmo di Sormano and zips up his gilet against the elements. The temperature is just 6 degrees at the summit of the climb.
14:42 GMT
The descent of the Colmo di Sormano is treacherous at the best of times, but when you factor in rain and falling leaves, this could be carnage...
Gilbert and Nibali both almost ride in to the back of one of the motorbikes on the first bend but manage to stay up.
14:43 GMT
Gilbert isn't hanging around on this descent. He knows that Evans and the Schlecks were struggling to maintain contact near the top of the climb, and he'll want to open up a gap. Nibali is up there with him

That covers the lower slopes of the Ghisallo to the beginning of the descent of the Sormano. Pretty active IMO.

 

[The Hitch]

So for the final we'll only have one vote between a stage in a GT, a one-day race and a stage in a week-long? Seems like unfair competition.

The idea is to establish which one single day race, can be a stage or a classic was for you the most exciting of the whole of 2010.

Top 5 from GT go through.

Top 3 from stage race go through

Top 2 from one day race go through.

Grand final of 10.

Id advise people not to mix prestige with the entertainment, but if someone thinks for example that Cancellaras PR win, was so much more exciting than say Tondos PN win, or Gesinks TDS win, because RVV is a bigger race, then thats their choice.

 

[The Hitch]

Cannot believe you omitted Lombardia.

Epic conditions, daring attack from Gilbert & desperate chase by Nibali.

There were attacks along the way too which failed from . Scarponi didn't lose due to his gears slipping rather that he was stuffed from clawing his way up to Gilbert on the road from Nesso. That's what he said happened when interviewed afterwards.

WRT the lack of attacks have a read of cyclingnews's coverage which matches what I saw on RAI in Como.


That covers the lower slopes of the Ghisallo to the beginning of the descent of the Sormano. Pretty active IMO.

Well i gave people multiple chances AFTER lombardy to tell me if they think I ommited any race. Here http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=10281&page=5

Nobody told me Lombardy and you didnt either.

But as in the other polls you can offer it as a write in candidate.

 

[Moondance]

The idea is to establish which one single day race, can be a stage or a classic was for you the most exciting of the whole of 2010.

Top 5 from GT go through.

Top 3 from stage race go through

Top 2 from one day race go through.

Grand final of 10.

Id advise people not to mix prestige with the entertainment, but if someone thinks for example that Cancellaras PR win, was so much more exciting than say Tondos PN win, or Gesinks TDS win, because RVV is a bigger race, then thats their choice.

Yes, but you have to analyze degree of difficulty of the win as well. What Gesink did on the stage to La Punt was great, and Tondo's solo was epic as well... But doing what Cadel did in Montalcino, for instance, is an entire order of magnitude above those wins.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Voted for World.Ch, amazing race, even if it ended in a sprint

Montreal close 2nd because of the way it was won, Paris Roubaix in 3rd for the same reason

 

[The Hitch]

Yes, but you have to analyze degree of difficulty of the win as well. What Gesink did on the stage to La Punt was great, and Tondo's solo was epic as well... But doing what Cadel did in Montalcino, for instance, is an entire order of magnitude above those wins.

As i said, everyone votes for who they want, how they want, but the idea is supposed to be excitement. Thats what im aiming at here. Not prestige, not effort given by winner, but excitement.

Id say Cancs pr win is of an even greater magnitude then Cuddles on Strade Bianchi, but it wasnt as exciting.

For me the most exciting stage was Basso conquers the Passo. The attack from Garzeli, the Liqui pace up mountains, arroyo slowly droped, Cuddles droped early trying to hang on, Vino and Sastre dropped, Vino and Sastre working together, Arroyo epic descent, almost coming back 5 on 3, Basso, Nibs, Scarp pulling away, Scarponi win. Not as prestigious as Tourmalet tdf or PR, but as a cycling fan, i enjoyed it more.

This is not to say that Scarponis win in Aprica was the biggest win of the season, nor that it was the best individual performance. But excitement wise, being glued to the screen and the forum for about an hour, in disbelief, watching it all again, this was for me the most exciting stage.

Hence it gets my vote.

If that stage had played out that way, only it had been in Paris Nice it would still get my vote because i found it the most exciting (though i guess it does get an extra few excitement points when its the last 3 days of a grand tour and a pink jersey is n the line.

Excitment. Key word here. And i would expect that in the TDS stage, having a Dutchie winning it would add a few excitement points for some of you.

 

[The Hitch]

On the other hand i could make it multiple choice. Its mini Darwinism. Those of us who can read simple instructions, get to vote more than once. Everyone else ( its always a lot of people,) who cant follow simple instructions, only get the one vote.

Voted for World.Ch, amazing race, even if it ended in a sprint

Montreal close 2nd because of the way it was won, Paris Roubaix in 3rd for the same reason

But you only voted for 1, the WC.

Another one of our weaker species destined for extinction

If Dekker T isnt voting for Gesink, what chance does he have.


"Abandon all hope Dutchies. Run for your lives"

 

[Barrus]

But you only voted for 1, the WC.

Another one of our weaker species destined for extinction

If Dekker T isnt voting for Gesink, what chance does he have.


"Abandon all hope Dutchies. Run for your lives"

I'd rather have Bobbie go through. A much better win

 

[auscyclefan94]

I voted kurrne, didnt realise you could vote for more than one till after.

ha! We better start a new thread then!!!!

 

[The Hitch]

ha! We better start a new thread then!!!!

Why didnt you vote for Cuddles FW

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I didn't realise I could vote more than once until I had already voted.

But anyway, Gesink winning all polls would raise suspicion, we are trying to keep low profile here.

 

[theyoungest]

I'd rather have Bobbie go through. A much better win

Beating Rick Flens and *random Sky guy* in the slowest sprint ever? Boooring

 

[ultimobici]

Well i gave people multiple chances AFTER lombardy to tell me if they think I ommited any race. Here http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=10281&page=5

Nobody told me Lombardy and you didnt either.

But as in the other polls you can offer it as a write in candidate.

Sorry I only got internet access today so couldn't whine about it!

 

[Barrus]

Beating Rick Flens and *random Sky guy* in the slowest sprint ever? Boooring

It was the best sprint I have seen this year
It was more of a contest of who still had the most feeling in their legs and hands

 

[Rocksteady]

I love that Both Canadian Races are on this list. Bodes well for them in the future.

 

[El Pistolero]

I know you love Gilbert but Lombardia wasnt some super race. Flanders edged Lombardia on the list because at least there there were attacks. Canc and Boonen from 30k out. Canc from 20k out. Millar and a few others trying to organise a chase behind. Epic RVV crowds all the way.

In Lombardy Gilbert and Scarponi somehow found themselves in front after the Nibali crash. There was no attack. They rode together for 20k. THen even the finish wasnt won by an attack. Scarponi chains slipt and Gilbert continued.

The fact that there werent attacks doesnt take away from his performance, but it does take away from the excitement of the race.

No crowds either. Flanders was better.

You can vote for Amstel Gold as a Gilbert fan though.

There were a hell of a lot more attacks then in Flanders. If Scarponi stuffed up when Gilbert attacked then so did Boonen. Cancellara didn't attack to get rid of Boonen. Boonen just couldn't follow his pace.

Flanders was kind of a snooze fest really... And just because Flanders had a bigger crowd doesn't make it better. It wasn't raining and cycling is just more popular here. A lot of people live near the course of Flanders(like me for example) you can't say the same of the Giro di Lombardia.

Ps: I saw Flanders live at the Muur. But I already knew Cancellara had won the race the moment he got away with Boonen. Killed all the excitement early on. If you're dropped by Cancellara on a flat part(E3 Prijs) then you sure as hell will be dropped by him on the Muur.

There's really only 3 people that can win Flanders without getting über lucky. Boonen, a rider on Boonen's team and Cancellara.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Beating Rick Flens and *random Sky guy* in the slowest sprint ever? Boooring

Poor Ian Stannard. He's actually been one of Sky's best riders this year, even if he looks shockingly old for his age.

 

[blaxland]

I voted The World Championships but think The Cancer Council Classic won by Greg Henderson also deserves a special mention..

 

[ansimi]

I think I find early season races disproportionally exciting because I not only get excited about what I'm watching but about how it bodes for the upcoming races.

I think my favourite 1-day was Montepaschi Strade Bianche because it had such exciting racing and probably the most beautiful scenery I've seen for a race. I think that course and it's place in the calendar should make it exciting every year.

I loved KBK because of the miserable weather and the emotion of the winner.

I hope the weather is much worse for Flanders and Roubaix next year.

 

[Marcus135]

Flech Walone clearly the best cause the best rider won...

I also voted worlds cause was an amazing race plus i was there to enjoy it

 

[skidmark]

I'm curious why so many people think KBK was way better than Lombardia (I also think this, but don't really know why). Both were held in decidedly unfun conditions, both had a huge attrition rate (34 at Lombardia vs. 26? or something at KBK), and for that reason were kind of epic, although Lombardia had greater length and prestige. So why is it not getting props (sorry Hitch, your call for 1-day suggestions was a bit buried else I'd have suggested it) while KBK is one of the biggest vote getters?

For me, there are 3 things that stand out: 1) KBK was won by the breakaway when the chasers were just too goddamn cold to chase. That was epic. Plus it was 3 no name guys who had their moment in the limelight, and neither I nor the commentators had any idea who might win a sprint, because nobody could remember any of those guys ever winning anything.

2) When that Cervelo rider (Hunt?) pulled out, it really brought home how crazy it was. He was 4th on the road, first chasing group, gaining time on the leaders, and he not only sat up, but immediately hopped in the team car, before even dropping below 5th on the road. Epic.

3) KBK was at the start of the year, Lombardia at the end. This not only meant that I was more stoked on the race because it marked the start of the season, but I also think that Lombardia wasn't quite as extreme and some of the riders there just dropped out because it was the end of the season and they didn't care.

Either way, KBK was great this year.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Yeah, the final has to be more than 1 option. It will stop Moltacino getting all the votes. Hopefully all you Dutchies will vote for Gesink NOT Strade Bianchi, so that its close.

On the other hand i could make it multiple choice. Its mini Darwinism. Those of us who can read simple instructions, get to vote more than once. Everyone else ( its always a lot of people,) who cant follow simple instructions, only get the one vote.

We should do a preferential system of voting like in Australia? we might have a hung parliament though!

Why didnt you vote for Cuddles FW

best race in comparison to best win. WC was best race, FW was the best win.

 

[Jan the Man]

Cannot split between Liege and KBK.

 

[The Hitch]

Wow its a dead heat between KBK LBL and Flanders for the 2nd final position. Theyve been together all the time.

Looks like ill give myself the deciding vote.

We should do a preferential system of voting like in Australia? we might have a hung parliament though!


best race in comparison to best win. WC was best race, FW was the best win.

so you were another person who didnt know you had more than 1 vote

the system works