Tirreno-Adriatico: Stage 3, Terranuova Bracciolini - Perugia, 189km

[kurtinsc]

Valerio Piva against Sporza: "Cavendish has the condition of 2009, just before he won MSR."

So... Cavendish is just acting? Or what? I do remember he got dropped on every possible hill in the Tirreno 2009 and DID win MSR. But still. Seems so unlikely.

I think Cav successfully hoodwinked the field in 2009. They didn't even consider he could hang on even with a relatively slow pace.

Even if he's playing the same game this year (I'm not sure I believe he is), the field won't risk it. The pace will be enough higher at the end that even if he is in the same shape, he won't be able to hang on.

 

[El Pistolero]

Cavendish: looking bad
Petacchi: looking decent, but doubt he'll win MSR with that form
Boonen: sick

Hmm, attackers might finally succeed once again in MSR

 

[maltiv]

Cavendish: looking bad
Petacchi: looking decent, but doubt he'll win MSR with that form
Boonen: sick

Hmm, attackers might finally succeed once again in MSR

Garmin-Cervelo will probably prevent that.

 

[Jamsque]

Valerio Piva against Sporza: "Cavendish has the condition of 2009, just before he won MSR."

So... Cavendish is just acting? Or what? I do remember he got dropped on every possible hill in the Tirreno 2009 and DID win MSR. But still. Seems so unlikely.

We've already had the two easiest stages of this year's T-A, and he hasn't even contested a sprint. Unless the pace is SUPER slow on stage 5 he is not going to be in the lead group at the finish for the rest of the race. In 2009 he got a 1st and a 2nd.

Cavendish does not have the condition of 2009.

 

[Lanark]

He was clearly suffering a lot during that easy climb today, while barely anyone else got dropped. In 2009 it was in his best interest to get into an underdog role before MSR, but I don't see any reason why he would put up a charade now. I'm starting to doubt if he'll ever regain his 2009 climbing legs.

 

[theyoungest]

Also, Rabobank DS Nico Verhoeven thinks tomorrows stage is rather for though sprinters like Freire, then for GC men...

Verhoeven's instincts are usually always right (the man responsable for all rabo espoir succes in the past, and now nearly all succes of the rabo pro team)

That's not what he says. He says the pure sprinters will have a hard time getting over that climb, and he expects Farrar to have trouble as well.

He says nothing about guys like Freire vs. GC men. Actually I think he underrates the climb a little, I expect all sprinters including Freire will be dropped.

 

[Lanark]

That's not what he says. He says the pure sprinters will have a hard time getting over that climb, and he expects Farrar to have trouble as well.

He says nothing about guys like Freire vs. GC men. Actually I think he underrates the climb a little, I expect all sprinters including Freire will be dropped.

Yeah, Verhoeven must have been high. He said it would be 'difficult even for Farrar'. That climb tomorrow has a higher average gradient than the Mur de Huy or the Saint-Nicolas, tomorrows finish is for guys like Gilbert and Scarponi (although I'm sure Rabobank will find some way to get Gesink to work for Freire, after all they still think Freire has a chance in a Cauberg sprint).

 

[kurtinsc]

Garmin-Cervelo will probably prevent that.

Would be interesting to see how they approached the end of MSR if it came to a sprint and Thor, Farrar and Haussler were all there.

 

[theyoungest]

Yeah, Verhoeven must have been high. He said it would be 'difficult even for Farrar'. That climb tomorrow has a higher average gradient than the Mur de Huy or the Saint-Nicolas, tomorrows finish is for guys like Gilbert and Scarponi (although I'm sure Rabobank will find some way to get Gesink to work for Freire, after all they still think Freire has a chance in a Cauberg sprint).

No, Gesink is their GC guy, they've been pretty clear about that. Surely he won't have to wait for Freire when Scarponi attacks.

 

[Andy99]

Are there highlights on eurosport uk? I have to see a Haedo win..... Petacchis results don't seem too good right now, I was hoping he would have a good milan san remo, I want him or boonen to win it but it looks like illness has beaten both of them..

I was thinking cavendish might be pretending again, but I don't think it will help him that much, surely a lot of teams will still try and get rid of him towards of the msr.

11.30pm UK time.

Not sure about Cav. He got dropped, fought his way back up. Then slipped back with about 2k to go, but moved up again. Then just sat up with 500 or so to go whilst looking comfortable....

Odd. I'd love to think he is just swinging about at the back for the extra training/faking, but I'm not so sure.

 

[hektoren]

As for tomorrow, Hushovd says to a norwegian website that he felt strong today and is looking very much forward to the two next stages of 240km's each.
He really looked incredibly strong at the finish today.

 

[Jamsque]

I'm sure Thor doesn't mind leading Farrar out but I'm also sure he'd mind even less if Tyler gets dropped tomorrow.

 

[The Hitch]

There was some cinematic stuff with Cancellara.

They showed all the riders go on the false roundabout and then the camera changes to the motorcycle just as the last man, the Canc comes round, with some nice bike handling skills, then follows him from there.

 

[The Hitch]

YES !!!!
As JJ Heados biggest fan on these boards, its such a shame i couldnt see this

But brilliant news nonetheless

VAMOS!!!!!

I have no idea though why this stage was discussed so much on the PN thread, nor why Cadel would tweet about it.

Why?

 

[El Pistolero]

Farrar was very slow compared to Haedo.

I was thinking wtf is Saxobank doing at the front for so long and then I realised they had Haedo.

http://twitter.com/albertocontador

Contador surprised there's someone else that can win on his team

And at least he isn't so desperately trying to look good to the fans by talking about Japan. Or talking about the radios all the time like some other campionissimo

 

[ingsve]

Farrar was very slow compared to Haedo.

Well, he had to work to close the gap behind Hushovd so he was probably a little tired in the final 150 meters.

 

[El Pistolero]

Well, he had to work to close the gap behind Hushovd so he was probably a little tired in the final 150 meters.

Still, if you look from where he's coming...

 

[palmerq]

Just saw the stage this morning, really good sprint from haedo hats off to him, he came from quite far behind farrar it was quite impressive surely he will manage to get some other big wins this season. Impressive from thor too but I think he went too hard and made farrar chase up to him a few times, I think these two need to work together a bit more and they could become a great duo for a couple of seasons. I think thor is finished as a sprinter and will be great lead out man. Although he should still concentrate of paris roubaix and races like that.

 

[Ryaguas]

w000000000t!!!!!!!

Uffff JJ Haedo WoW.... He really ripped it!!! I'm so happy for him! He is in a great form!!!! good for him!!!



P.S: I know I'm late... sorry I was traveling