The rider's tribute ride to a colleague and friend: Giro d'Italia Stage 4

[luckyboy]

Mod Edit: The stage has been neutralised, the riders will ride the day together, as one, LEOPARD TREK will cross the finish line in unison. This is not the place to question the decisions made or express our opinions. This is a time only for watchful respect. Please show common sense whilst posting throughout the day.


I'm sure nobody's in the mood, but this is tomorrow's stage. We will just wait and see what the peloton decides to do.



RIP Wouter.

 

[Ferminal]

I was looking forward to seeing the sprinters get dropped on this beast:

But now I hope they ride it together.

 

[Parrulo]

meh raced or not is going to be boring anyway so i am not sad i will most likely have to miss it

 

[Francois the Postman]

Thanks for doing what most of us didn't fancy.

 

[The Hitch]

This is the Wouter Weylandt memorial stage.

I predict a shorter stage with soft pedaling and many riders wearing (and being allowed to wear) pictures or even jerseys of the great man, then in similar fashion to 1994 Motorola, Leopard-Trek crossing the line together.

Its what needs to be done. Winnings going to his family obviously.

Maybe Leopard will pull out after the stage.

 

[AussieGoddess]

I hope they let Tyler Farrer cross the line first.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I hope they let Tyler Farrer cross the line first.

It will most likely be his team as a group.

 

[mewmewmew13]

I hope they let Tyler Farrer cross the line first.

that is going to be one sad ride for Tyler...
I was wondering if he will be able to ride, but it may be the only thing he can do.
....peace and strength to him and the rest of his friends and peers.

 

[cyclingfanatik]

I was looking forward to seeing the sprinters get dropped on this beast:

But now I hope they ride it together.

*EDIT* the sprinters dropped AND carlos sastre dropped

 

[hfer07]

I frankly don't know what to expect from this stage other than a massive tribute to the life of Wouter Weylandt. it will be very difficult to watch nonetheless....

 

[Ferminal]

*EDIT* the sprinters dropped AND carlos sastre dropped

I would have expected Carlos to be dropped on the first climb of the day. There's an uncategorised one at 15km in, looks like it would be too tough for him.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I have no idea what happened to Carlos today. That was very strange.

Anyone have an explanation? I was stunned.

 

[benpounder]

I frankly don't know what to expect from this stage other than a massive tribute to the life of Wouter Weylandt. it will be very difficult to watch nonetheless....

And yet, many of us will watch, and weep, anyway.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I hope they let Tyler Farrer cross the line first.

i think it would be a nice gesture if leopard went over with tyler alongside them.

 

[Bala Verde]

I have no idea what happened to Carlos today. That was very strange.

Anyone have an explanation? I was stunned.

On TV they zoomed in on his bike when he was seemingly dropped. The # on his bike was 68, while his racing number is actually 62. So he probably had trouble with his bike and got one from the top of the car or he left Ardilla (similar size and around on the hill?) to search for a new one...

 

[greatking88]

What Carlos said

'It wasn’t one of the best days for Sastre, as he suffered from a fall during the long descent, after the third category mountain pass, breaking both the wheels on his bike.

"In the final part of the race, with just ten kilometres left before the finish line, my team mate Ardila gave me his bike, which meant that I was able to finish the stage losing as little time as possible. His bike is a lot smaller than mine and I did the last six kilometres practically standing, I could hardly sit down as we are different heights and I really had to give it my all to complete the last six kilometres without losing too much time”, said the Geox-TMC rider, who today came in 53 seconds behind the race’s favourites.

 

[craig1985]

Don't see the point in doing 216km TBH, make it a 100km tribute ride with nothing on offer, like when Nolf sadly passed away in Qatar.

 

[dlwssonic]

I wanna see a real race to be run, im sure the sprinters will get dropped and someone will pop out on the hill. maybe visconti, he missed out yesterday. I was shocked when contador wanted to react to millars attack, cant believe he wanted to attack so early in the race.

 

[just some guy]

I think alot of it depends on Sophie Wouter wife ( i think I read somewhere she is now on the way to the Giro)- she might say ride the stage as thats what Wouter who have wanted or ..... time will tell.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

On TV they zoomed in on his bike when he was seemingly dropped. The # on his bike was 68, while his racing number is actually 62. So he probably had trouble with his bike and got one from the top of the car or he left Ardilla (similar size and around on the hill?) to search for a new one...

Ah. That makes sense. Thanks.

 

[dlwssonic]

I think there will be a minute of silence and then they will race the stage

 

[Wergeland]

(some one already confirmed this. (Post deleted.)

 

[Granville57]

Wishing for a safe Stage 4, and safety throughout the rest of this beautiful Grand Tour.

Good night for now...

 

[RedheadDane]

"In the final part of the race, with just ten kilometres left before the finish line, my team mate Ardila gave me his bike, which meant that I was able to finish the stage losing as little time as possible. His bike is a lot smaller than mine and I did the last six kilometres practically standing, I could hardly sit down as we are different heights and I really had to give it my all to complete the last six kilometres without losing too much time”, said the Geox-TMC rider, who today came in 53 seconds behind the race’s favourites.

Ok... this Ardila must be very small. It's not exactly like Sastre is a giant...

---

No matter how they decide to go around the stage I feel like I have to watch it.

 

[Ferminal]

dnlbenson Daniel Benson
Stage apparently will be neutralized, the 4 jersey wearers and Leopard Trek will cross the finish line together