Tirreno - Adriatico Stage 4, Narni -> Prati Di Tivo, 173 kms (09/03/2013)

[airstream]

Doesn't it get confusing, to cheer for everyone who is a rival to Contador?

I would say exactly the same if Contador would of showed Verbier-2. I VOW. I'm just in my own poetic perception and it was really beautiful.

 

[El Pistolero]

Exactly. So where is all the outrage about his performance?

Becayse Sky does it all the freaking time with every kind of rider. In a few weeks they'll win classics with C-riders like Geraint Thomas and Stannard...

Santambrogio actually had good results before as a domestique and in Lombardia.

 

[spalco]

I'm thinking the key to taking down Sky is either going with say about 10km out where all three sky members can't possibly keep up or waiting until the last km to leave it to a last second sprint.

In the first scenario you have to keep up a higher wattage than the Sky train to win, or they'll catch you - obviously not something many riders are able to do, if any; and in the second scenario you have several problems, for a start Froome is a pretty good mountain sprinter, and also even if you win the stage you might need more than a handful of seconds for the TTs.

I suppose in the end it really comes down to numbers the way Sky rides, not much place for tactics or surprises.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I think the thing is SKY's dominance is just not Wiggo and Froome, but their entire squad. The fitness level on the team is off the chart good. That's just not something I've seen in a good long while.

Indeed. the last time I saw something this "good" was say, 2000-2005.

Like, say, Pla d'Adet in 2005.

 

[goggalor]

Sky could pull of an impressive double this week. Will be some feat especially considering their number one isn't racing.

 

[will10]

Exactly. So where is all the outrage about his performance?

Although there's obviously more "Froome WTF" posts on this thread, there's a fair number of "Santambrogio WTF" posts already

 

[RHRH19861986]

If they control País Vasco into a tempo grinder's race, I give up.

Not so sure about him doing Pais Vasco, it might rather be Catalunya; for sure one of these two, certainly not both.

The thing with Sky is that they actually can win all stage races now.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Seems lots of people havent yet grasped that 3 very good riders working together can get up a climdb just as quick as one better rider as long as wind resistance is still making up t least 5% of the total. the only sensible responce is a late attack

 

[Pippo_San]

So the illegal son between Gewiss-Ballan and US Postal is ---> Team Sky

Marginal gains FTW guys!

 

[SafeBet]

Santambrogio has been in excellent shape for the past month or so.

 

[airstream]

Unlike you, I think most people are CYCLING fans here.

I just want to see a battle, US Postal crap all over again.

Lol, ain't I cycling fan? There will be battles, it is only Tirreno. Dislike Froome? See any other worthy winner of the stage?

 

[Bavarianrider]

Well seeing what Cataldo did makes any discussion about Tony's performace irrelevant. What a ****ing joke this sport is. Nothing has changed and will ever change!

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Guys, any further references to clinic issues will get you banned. This has gone for enough time. Now I have to delete everything...

Next, we will discuss the Sistine Chapel without reference to the ceiling.

 

[roundabout]

3 of his teammates weren't dropping evans and purito

So the outrage is about 2 very talented riders who can ride top-5ish in GT's doing great work?

Ok, Cataldo is a bit of a joke, but still he should have got out of QS sooner.

 

[Carols]

Still, Sky is just....I have never seen anything like that. Hats off.

Sure we have.....US Postal

 

[luckyboy]

Contador should just sit on the train all the way up. Surely he could beat Froome over a final km..

 

[airstream]

So the outrage is about 2 very talented riders who can ride top-5ish in GT's doing great work?

Ok, Cataldo is a bit of a joke, but still he should have got out of QS sooner.

Hello! Long time no see. Forum missed you.

 

[Eshnar]

Next, we will discuss the Sistine Chapel without reference to the ceiling.

There is a whole section of the forum to discuss whatever you want. Move there.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Unlike you, I think most people are CYCLING fans here.

I just want to see a battle, US Postal crap all over again.

Cringe. 1 attack and berti rides to the line is for the purists then. Real fans hate back and forth with the end result split in groups...

 

[RHRH19861986]

Wouildn´t have expected Santambrogio that strong. He used to be good in one day races and likes hills, so today was strong.

BMC lost the wrong Santa (Santambrogio instead of Santaromita), but it surely was a wise decision, at Fantini he can go for himself.

Good for the Giro, now garzelli must improve and Di Luca start racing

 

[spalco]

Contador should just sit on the train all the way up. Surely he could beat Froome over a final km..

Maybe the smartest thing to do, but I doubt his ego allows that.

 

[Miburo]

Contador should just sit on the train all the way up. Surely he could beat Froome over a final km..

Yeah he shouldn't have done anything, i guess he couldn't resist and wanted to eliminate some sky guys.

I doubt though that he could have beaten Froome...

 

[rzombie1988]

In the first scenario you have to keep up a higher wattage than the Sky train to win, or they'll catch you - obviously not something many riders are able to do, if any; and in the second scenario you have several problems, for a start Froome is a pretty good mountain sprinter, and also even if you win the stage you might need more than a handful of seconds for the TTs.

I suppose in the end it really comes down to numbers the way Sky rides, not much place for tactics or surprises.

Yeah, the first scenario is the harder one to pull off but the idea would be to drop one or two Sky riders to make the team overall weaker.

The second would have a better chance at a win. I definitely think Contador or JRod(in top form) could get Froome on an uphill sprint but the overall gain wouldn't be as much as an earlier attack.

As I always say, not losing time early in a stage race is the key.

 

[Publicus]

Seems lots of people havent yet grasped that 3 very good riders working together can get up a climdb just as quick as one better rider as long as wind resistance is still making up t least 5% of the total. the only sensible responce is a late attack

I think folks get that, but there were 6 riders and given wind resistance, the riders sitting behind Froome would share a similar (if not greater) drafting benefit, no? I'm not an expert, so I very well could be wrong. But logically it doesn't seem like Sky's success is a function of drafting.

I'm curious to see what Michael Rogers has to say. He's reverted to his pre-Sky form/fitness level--so I'm curious to see what hear what he's doing differently (from a training perspective) since he's left the Skyborg.

 

[BillytheKid]

Contador should just sit on the train all the way up. Surely he could beat Froome over a final km..

I agree, he threw two hard efforts out, that's enough to weaken him as it kick's up in the last few Kms.