Tirreno-Adriatico 2019, March 13-19

[Krokro]

Re:

I don't quite understand the parcours bashing tbh, especially as on the ****** MTF last year 20 riders finished within half a minute anyway. Stage 5 looks great to me, there most definitely will be major gaps, especially after doing 220k the day before.

The problem is not about the MTF but about the fact of having 2 TTs in a week-long race...

 

[Escarabajo]

Re: Re:

It just confirms the P-N > T-A trend over the last couple of years, even P-N >>> T-A at this point. In the past I enjoyed those races equally, but while Paris-Nice has gotten even better lately (lots of echelons, super close GCs, amazing last stage every year), T-A has unfortunately moved in the other direction IMO.

Actually, the concept of a pure hilly Tirreno, like in the past with Bettini, Di Luca, Boogerd, Rebellin, Freire etc was quite good. It's just too bad they put the TTT in. That ruins the concept.

Some think a TTT is stupid during a GT. That could be debatable. But putting one in a one week race is very stupid!

 

[search]

Re: Re:

I don't quite understand the parcours bashing tbh, especially as on the ****** MTF last year 20 riders finished within half a minute anyway. Stage 5 looks great to me, there most definitely will be major gaps, especially after doing 220k the day before.

The problem is not about the MTF but about the fact of having 2 TTs in a week-long race...

in total number of TT kilometers, there's not that much of a difference compared to Paris Nice. But I agree that the TTT should be a bit shorter maybe.

Not having them at all in shorter stage races is no option though, in my opinion. As long as the TTTs more or less regularly are part of the Grand Tours, there also need to be opportunities to practice them properly under race conditions.

 

[Lequack]

Re: Re:

Jumbo reaction when Michelton beat their time:

Thanks for posting. I enjoy the pictures you post.

 

[Lequack]

Moscon abandon.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I like the parcours outside of the TTT, so I agree.

 

[sir fly]

It's better to have a ttt than itt on a parcours like this.
Makes lesser advantage to the specialists.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

It's better to have a ttt than itt on a parcours like this.
Makes lesser advantage to the specialists.

You already have an ITT?..... But I still dont agree with that statement. TTT in one week stage races are just bad.

 

[sir fly]

Re: Re:

It's better to have a ttt than itt on a parcours like this.
Makes lesser advantage to the specialists.

You already have an ITT?..... But I still dont agree with that statement. TTT in one week stage races are just bad.

Only a ttt at the end of a race of such a design.
That's the way to make it better, imo.
... If the regulations allow a ttt so deep in the race.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Ala again

 

[Akuryo]

Alaphilippe strikes again.

 

[hfer07]

Ballaphilippe at it

the last 6k were insane!!

 

[sir fly]

Alaphilippe continuing D-QS' string.
Rogla looking good... Probably the best of all.
Astana in the mood to make something of the race.
Dumoulin willing to fight.

 

[Lequack]

It was fast but in the end there was still a big group at the finish. But that was to be expected with a low average gradient.

 

[HelloDolly]

Re: Re:

Just got home and saw the Bora TTT crash. I hope the riders involved are alright. As for the moron they need to find something to charge him with, like endangerment or something.

Amazing TTT time by M-S. It appears the GC is between Dumoulin, Roglic, and Yates. I don't think anyone else can get into the mix especially with the ITT still to come.

I think Alaphilippe is still in it if he wins stages and you cannot rule out SKY

Jut hope there is some attacking racing

As I said you cannot rule out Allaphillipe with the bonus seconds , the parcours and he is no mean TTer


The problem for Alaphilippe is there is still an ITT in this race in which both Dumoulin and Roglic will gain some time on him.

 

[yaco]

Good day for the top 3 in GC - Have 30 riders contesting the final in the upcoming stages which means tyhe shouldn't lose any time before the final ITT and maybe one can pinch bonus seconds.

 

[markene2]

Rogla and Luts super strong today, entertaining last kilometers

 

[Bolder]

Dumoulin looked strong -- as did Roglic. Alaphilippe is on the form of his life right now. As said above, really entertaining end.

 

[tobydawq]

Alaphilippe and Roglic are frightening right now. Søren Kragh is now 5th on GC but it does look like he has to baby-sit Dumoulin (if he wasn't allowed to sprint today because of that, it is just ridiculous) and Kasper Asgreen just keeps improving.

 

[armchairclimber]

Sunweb have quite a decent hand with Oomen up there as well.

 

[Escarabajo]

So Thomas arrived with Quintana!

 

[johnymax]

Re:

Good day for the top 3 in GC - Have 30 riders contesting the final in the upcoming stages which means tyhe shouldn't lose any time before the final ITT and maybe one can pinch bonus seconds.

Lol no chance. Have you seen the profiles. There will be gaps at the top. Not big gaps but riders will lose time. Even among the favourites.

 

[tobydawq]

Søren Kragh after the stage: “I was quite uncomfortable all day today and I really suffered in the final. I’d have liked to have gone for a result but I’m still not quite back to full strength after being ill.”

So he does have a bit of a free role.

And for someone who is not at full strength, he sure rides well. Hopefully, he will be at his best in the weekend.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Re:

Søren Kragh after the stage: “I was quite uncomfortable all day today and I really suffered in the final. I’d have liked to have gone for a result but I’m still not quite back to full strength after being ill.”

So he does have a bit of a free role.

And for someone who is not at full strength, he sure rides well. Hopefully, he will be at his best in the weekend.

The Kraghen is amazing

Complaining he is not on form, while finishing the stage in the lead group and sitting in 5th overall after

 

[yaco]

Re: Re:

Good day for the top 3 in GC - Have 30 riders contesting the final in the upcoming stages which means tyhe shouldn't lose any time before the final ITT and maybe one can pinch bonus seconds.

Lol no chance. Have you seen the profiles. There will be gaps at the top. Not big gaps but riders will lose time. Even among the favourites.

I suspect the profiles aren't as hard as expected - There will be minimal gaps if riders are at their level.