Tirreno - Adriatico Stage 6, P.S.Elpidio -> P.S.Elpidio, 209 kms (11/03/2013)

[Dazed and Confused]

Henao goes back to the peleton.

lol, needed for the train.

 

[theyoungest]

It's looking good for the Tour. Andy finished two mountain stages in a row.

 

[Publicus]

This would seem a perfect training stage for the Ardennes Classics. Surprised Andy deployed his Schleck-Chute.

 

[Eshnar]

Tweet by Cassani:

Davide Cassani ‏@davidecassani

Ecco il cartello che troveranno oggi i corridori alla tirreno adriatico pic.twitter.com/U2OqsXiSxg

"Here's the sign the riders will see today at Tirreno Adriatico"

 

[Wallenquist]

Andy Schleck just abandoned...

It's really getting pathetic. If he's not ready for races than he should just keep training. If he's ready why can't he finish even one race ?

 

[Winterfold]

It's really getting pathetic. If he's not ready for races than he should just keep training. If he's ready why can't he finish even one race ?

I went through a phase of wondering if he was pathetic.

But now I think he may just be a normal human being who prefers to ride his mountain bike in the woods and drink some beers rather than the kind of focussed nutter you need to be to be consistent at the highest level.

 

[Ferminal]

No, apparently that he DNFs is a shock and everyone should ridicule him.

Save the ridicule for if/when he comes out in July and makes the podium.

 

[del1962]

No, apparently that he DNFs is a shock and everyone should ridicule him.

Save the ridicule for if/when he comes out in July and makes the podium.

Do you really think he will be ready for July

 

[Ferminal]

Do you really think he will be ready for July

I really doubt it at this stage, which is why I think people need to show a bit more empathy.

If he's just usual Andy Schleck who targets two races a year then yeh go at him all you like. But if he seriously can't compete at the top level then he's in a very unfortunate situation.

 

[Eshnar]

 

[Ferminal]

Nice crowd early... Sky refuse to let it go past 3mins, wonder if they jettison Nocentini?

 

[The Blues]

Anybody knows the names of all the guys in the breakaway?

 

[Winterfold]

I really doubt it at this stage, which is why I think people need to show a bit more empathy.

But if he seriously can't compete at the top level then he's in a very unfortunate situation.

I agree. Take the pis5 when he is lacking focus and just being a bit lazy and normal (for a pro cyclist), but when he is recovering from a broken pelvis, its got to take a long long time to get fully race fit, if it ever happens.

In this situation what appears to be a lack of drive (which in a normal person would appear close to psychosis) might stop him from coming back as soon as others, but pro cycling is wierd and he is supremely gifted, but not wierd enough?

 

[Der Effe]

Anybody knows the names of all the guys in the breakaway?

Nocentini en Montaguti (AG2R), Boom (Blanco), Cancellara en Popovitsj (RadioShack), Cunego (Lampre), Voss (NetApp), Martinez (Euskaltel), Vicioso (Katjoesja), Finetto (Vini Fantini), Impey en O'Grady (Orica), Selvaggi (Vacansoleil), Sprick (Argos) en Visconti en Intxausti (Movistar).

 

[Popchu]

Sporza is the only site with Popovych in the escape?!

 

[The Blues]

Nocentini en Montaguti (AG2R), Boom (Blanco), Cancellara en Popovitsj (RadioShack), Cunego (Lampre), Voss (NetApp), Martinez (Euskaltel), Vicioso (Katjoesja), Finetto (Vini Fantini), Impey en O'Grady (Orica), Selvaggi (Vacansoleil), Sprick (Argos) en Visconti en Intxausti (Movistar).

Thank you. That is definitely a quite strong group. That's good because it forces Sky to work a lot early on.

Who is the highest placed GC-man in the break?

 

[Pentacycle]

Sporza is the only site with Popovych in the escape?!

Popovych out, Tom Dumoulin(ARG) in.

 

[theyoungest]

Sporza is the only site with Popovych in the escape?!

Other sources have Dumoulin rather than Popovych.

 

[Der Effe]

Thank you. That is definitely a quite strong group. That's good because it forces Sky to work a lot early on.

Who is the highest placed GC-man in the break?

19 ITA Rinaldo Nocentini ALM +3'05"

 

[GazelleFormula]

19 ITA Rinaldo Nocentini ALM +3'05"

And he seems to be in excellent form this year. So, makes sense to keep the break somewhat close.

 

[Winterfold]

At the same time, SKy will be happy for the break to take all of today's bonifications.

 

[classicomano]

Poor Andy.

 

[Der Effe]

Paul Voss back in the peloton, which means the breakaway now consists of 15 riders.

 

[wwabbit]

Sky may just regret pulling Henao back. I'm no expert. Is this the right thing to do tactically?

 

[Cyivel]

Cavendish, Sbaragli and Hunter abandoned