Tirreno - Adriatico: Stage 1, Marina di Carrara - 16.8km, TTT

[The Sheep]

Riding a training lap before the real ride probably helped more than any wind. Especially as HTC was right behind them.

 

[Jamsque]

Gesink probably needs to take a bit more time on the tough finishes to be sure of defending the GC in the final time trial, but he is in a very good position.

 

[Chef_Vodnik]

Probably slightly to do with the wind but rabobank seem to be working really well as a team this year which is evident in all their wins

Yeah, they seem on a roll. Good for them!

They got screwed in the Giro last year by very local rainfall, so if they profited today, good for them. But given that HTC started second, and didn't beat their time, I think they just did very well. Or do you consider HTC an average TTT team as well.

No I don't. Nor did I say Rabo were average. I was merely surprised slightly at the result, but not puzzled.

As to the wind not playing much of a role due to it being a loop: I figure that if you've got headwind in the finale, you're more prone to give up earlier. Supportive wind in the finale could be good for morale, for all we know. *shrug*

 

[boomcie]

Who's the Radioshack leader for this race in the GC? Popo? Machado? Hermans?

Don't know, but I'm looking forward to Hermans's performance. He's doing great.

 

[Moondance]

On a completely unrelated note, it looks like ACF has changed his sig...

Wonder why that happened?

 

[Sylvester]

Who's the Radioshack leader for this race in the GC? Popo? Machado? Hermans?

According to Dirk Demol (as quoted in the Belgian press) Hermans would have a "free role" this week. I guess the same goes for Machado.

 

[kurtinsc]

Don't know, but I'm looking forward to Hermans's performance. He's doing great.

I'm hoping he'd get the nod, but Bruyneel logic says Popo, and common sense logic says Machado.

Hermans impressed me at the Criterium Internationale last year. He did suprisingly well on the climb in that race finishing in the group with Sanchez and Evans, and was solid enough in the short ITT. In a few years he may be a contender in some 1-week races I think.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Gesink probably needs to take a bit more time on the tough finishes to be sure of defending the GC in the final time trial, but he is in a very good position.

How hard and long are the climbs here?? Perhaps boom has more of a chance. gesink is unepxlosive and boom is very explosive

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

How hard and long are the climbs here?? Perhaps boom has more of a chance. gesink is unepxlosive and boom is very explosive

a lot of short steep hills. I suspect boom will work hard to keep his jersey, but I'd be surprised to see him outdo gesink on a whole.
Gesink rides TA to improve explosiveness.

 

[Moondance]

How hard and long are the climbs here?? Perhaps boom has more of a chance. gesink is unepxlosive and boom is very explosive

Given the form Boom is in, and the TT which is to come, I'm sure Rabo will keep him well protected. The finish in Chieti is too difficult for Boom, but with a bit of luck he'll hold the lead he has already.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

He didn't.

So, what exactly happened here? I know, Rabo isn't the worst TTT team ever, but going out first and staying on top until the end... that's not a coincidence, the wind obviously changed during the race.

Did they have a choice when they were to start? Because if they did, that was a clever tactical choice.

htc and rabo rode at the same time

 

[theyoungest]

How hard and long are the climbs here?? Perhaps boom has more of a chance. gesink is unepxlosive and boom is very explosive

The climbs in the final are about 1k long, at 10+% gradients, but if you've seen last year's Tirreno, you know that doesn't bother Gesink. He was always among the 5 strongest riders on these climbs. I know you don't like the guy, but you seem to be utterly blind to what he can do.

I don't think Boom himself thinks he can win this.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

among the 5 best climbers on these stages will not get you the win here.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

stage 4, next gc test. 240km. Will be tough.

end;

 

[Jamsque]

That looks more like an Evans/Cunego type stage than something for Gesink.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

among the 5 best climbers on these stages will not get you the win here.

meh. Last year GC;
Garzelli
Scarponi +00"
Evans +12"
Iglinsky + 22"
Robert Gesink 27"

interesting points;
Gesink appears to be in good form.
Gesink naturally would have improved since last year
The course is not as challenging as last year.

Gesink already has the time above mentioned on most. Only Evans really the superior TTr.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

That looks more like an Evans/Cunego type stage than something for Gesink.

The 2nd last km I'd suggest we'll see Evans and Scarponi have a go. Gesink shouldn't lose a lot here, if anything.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

meh. Last year GC;
Garzelli
Scarponi +00"
Evans +12"
Iglinsky + 22"
Robert Gesink 27"

interesting points;
Gesink appears to be in good form.
Gesink naturally would have improved since last year
The course is not as challenging as last year.

Gesink already has the time above mentioned on most. Only Evans really the superior TTr.

yeah but there's also going to be a 9 km itt right?? gesink will lose time there as well to explosive guys

 

[Ferminal]

I think I dismissed Boom a bit too early, he can easily win the ITT.

But... 1,050m @ 12.1% after 240km is too hard, he should lose 30s there + a bit on Stage 6.

 

[will10]

As Ruben has mentioned before, after 200km Boom is toast. Don't think he will survive the Chieti stage.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

As Ruben has mentioned before, after 200km Boom is toast. Don't think he will survive the Chieti stage.

To be fair, we shouldn't discount Boom at 200km based on last season. It was his first real attempt at those long races.
Will be interesting to see how he handles the distances anyway.

 

[nickel999]

As Ruben has mentioned before, after 200km Boom is toast. Don't think he will survive the Chieti stage.

Not knowing the sport *that well* what would be the longest distance he would run into with cycle-cross?

 

[theyoungest]

As Ruben has mentioned before, after 200km Boom is toast. Don't think he will survive the Chieti stage.

200 k in a stage race is different than 200 k in a one day race. It's usually not ridden as hard. Take EBH for example, who won a 240 k stage in the Giro, but never did anything in a one day race longer than 200 k.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Not knowing the sport *that well* what would be the longest distance he would run into with cycle-cross?

roughly 3km laps... maybe 10 times give or take.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

To be fair, we shouldn't discount Boom at 200km based on last season. It was his first real attempt at those long races.
Will be interesting to see how he handles the distances anyway.

this seaosn he has also been emtpy after 180 km, look at omloop but I'm willing to see if he can make it here, which will be easier as it is in a stagerace. but he will come up short for real classics this year