Tour de France 2017 stage 3: Verviers - Longwy 212,5 km

[MartinGT]

Re: Re:

This stage finishes on a climb, so I guess that the 3 km rule won't be in place, right?

I think the stage is classified as flat. The 3km rule should count.

I don't think so. That would be farcical. The "at least 3 seconds between riders counting as a gap" rule will probably not be in effect either.

And it isn't classified as flat. The winner only gets 30 points for the points competition.

The 3s rule isnt in place according to Bri Smith

 

[Eagle]

Re: Re:

This stage finishes on a climb, so I guess that the 3 km rule won't be in place, right?

I think the stage is classified as flat. The 3km rule should count.

I don't think so. That would be farcical. The "at least 3 seconds between riders counting as a gap" rule will probably not be in effect either.

And it isn't classified as flat. The winner only gets 30 points for the points competition.

The 3 second rule definitely isn't on today's stage

 

[tobydawq]

Good.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

This stage finishes on a climb, so I guess that the 3 km rule won't be in place, right?

I haven't been able to find the .pdf of this year's regulations, but given that it wasn't in place for stage 2 last year, I don't think it'll be for today either.

I was looking for the regulations as well. I have the roadbook but it only shows the stages.
If it isn't in place, it'll be carnage. High chance we will see a crash in those narrow corners before the hill and such a crash could block the entire road.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

This stage finishes on a climb, so I guess that the 3 km rule won't be in place, right?

I think the stage is classified as flat. The 3km rule should count.

I don't think so. That would be farcical. The "at least 3 seconds between riders counting as a gap" rule will probably not be in effect either.

And it isn't classified as flat. The winner only gets 30 points for the points competition.

Farcical how? I know your fave is already out of it but you'd like to see a GC contender lose 2 minutes because he got caught behind a crash in the km leading up to the hill?

 

[TMP402]

Re:

But i"ll go with a 'surprise' winner: Ben Swift after a surprise late attack! His form is great atm!

Top 3 I hope at least.

 

[bambino]

Re: Re:

This stage finishes on a climb, so I guess that the 3 km rule won't be in place, right?

I think the stage is classified as flat. The 3km rule should count.

I don't think so. That would be farcical. The "at least 3 seconds between riders counting as a gap" rule will probably not be in effect either.

And it isn't classified as flat. The winner only gets 30 points for the points competition.

Farcical how? I know your fave is already out of it but you'd like to see a GC contender lose 2 minutes because he got caught behind a crash in the km leading up to the hill?

I think he pointed to the fact that the deficit in the actual climb should be counted second by second which I agree.

The corner is indeed tight so maybe the 3km rule could be justified. On the other hand it is KOM finish like any other, so why to bend the rules stage-by-stage based on whether the roads leading to climb have narrow corners or not?

And for the record, I agree it will be carnage. And your boy normally isn't at his best in such situations.

 

[ontheroad]

It's very good of Eurosport to fit a little bit of cycling in around the ad breaks.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

I think he pointed to the fact that the deficit in the actual climb should be counted second by second which I agree.

The corner is indeed tight so maybe the 3km rule could be justified. On the other hand it is KOM finish like any other, so why to bend the rules stage-by-stage based on whether the roads leading to climb have narrow corners or not?

Of course the gaps should be counted. But the ASO should make sure the run-in to the finish is safe. The road leading up to the climb is very narrow, there is maybe space for 4 riders side by side. Bad, bumpy tarmac in the corner before the start. We'll see 15 teams trying to have their leader start the climb at the front. It is clear that there is a big risk of a crash and if that crash happens, many riders will be caught behind. Either you put the 3km rule in place or you make sure the risk of crashes is minimized.

 

[MartinGT]

Has Taylor gone for the full spotty kit? I.e Rolland stylee

 

[Carols]

I'm going with PhiGil. Wishing Bala was here for this one though!

 

[Arked]

Is Cummings going for some record of hours spent at the back of peloton? UK champion jersey is surely very visible that way though.

Also Kwiato wearing aero helmet. Today winner confirmed.

 

[valentius borealis]

Re:

I'm going with PhiGil. Wishing Bala was here for this one though!

Hmmm, do we dare to dream?

 

[Campervan man]

Anyone got a good stream other than Tiz?

 

[MartinGT]

What about Naesen for today?

 

[Eagle]

Re:

Anyone got a good stream other than Tiz?

http://cricfree.sc/euro-sports-1-live-stream

 

[Campervan man]

Re: Re:

Anyone got a good stream other than Tiz?

http://cricfree.sc/euro-sports-1-live-stream

Cheers for that. Looked like a good stage today but break has no time

 

[tobydawq]

Re: Re:

I think he pointed to the fact that the deficit in the actual climb should be counted second by second which I agree.

The corner is indeed tight so maybe the 3km rule could be justified. On the other hand it is KOM finish like any other, so why to bend the rules stage-by-stage based on whether the roads leading to climb have narrow corners or not?

Of course the gaps should be counted. But the ASO should make sure the run-in to the finish is safe. The road leading up to the climb is very narrow, there is maybe space for 4 riders side by side. Bad, bumpy tarmac in the corner before the start. We'll see 15 teams trying to have their leader start the climb at the front. It is clear that there is a big risk of a crash and if that crash happens, many riders will be caught behind. Either you put the 3km rule in place or you make sure the risk of crashes is minimized.

But the 3 km rule simply doesn't work with an uphill finish. If there are gaps between the first riders, whose time should the crashed riders get? And what to do with riders who choose to soft-pedal in the event of someone crashing, even though they could have gone hard but maybe feel like that would cost them more time (if they are not able to keep up the pace), since their time loss will be neutralised if the commissaires believe that they were hampered by a crash? Such situations would be a real nightmare to administer if the 3 km rule were in effect on a stage with an uphill finish, hence why I would call it farcical.

And I am rooting for Contador as well now, so it has nothing to do with whichever rider I am backing versus their respective likelihood of crashing and losing time. I just don't like the ease with which the rule can be used negatively.

 

[sir fly]

Radio Luxembourg...
Very popular here, as well, at the time.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

I think he pointed to the fact that the deficit in the actual climb should be counted second by second which I agree.

The corner is indeed tight so maybe the 3km rule could be justified. On the other hand it is KOM finish like any other, so why to bend the rules stage-by-stage based on whether the roads leading to climb have narrow corners or not?

Of course the gaps should be counted. But the ASO should make sure the run-in to the finish is safe. The road leading up to the climb is very narrow, there is maybe space for 4 riders side by side. Bad, bumpy tarmac in the corner before the start. We'll see 15 teams trying to have their leader start the climb at the front. It is clear that there is a big risk of a crash and if that crash happens, many riders will be caught behind. Either you put the 3km rule in place or you make sure the risk of crashes is minimized.

But the 3 km rule simply doesn't work with an uphill finish. If there are gaps between the first riders, whose time should the crashed riders get? And what to do with riders who choose to soft-pedal in the event of someone crashing, even though they could have gone hard but maybe feel like that would cost them more time (if they are not able to keep up the pace), since their time loss will be neutralised if the commissaires believe that they were hampered by a crash? Such situations would be a real nightmare to administer if the 3 km rule were in effect on a stage with an uphill finish, hence why I would call it farcical.

And I am rooting for Contador as well now, so it has nothing to do with whichever rider I am backing versus their respective likelihood of crashing and losing time. I just don't like the ease with which the rule can be used negatively.

We've seen situations similar to the one you described. It isn't ideal but it's better than having a few GC contenders lose minutes.

 

[Eagle]

Sagan and Greipel getting close at the intermediate

 

[Brullnux]

Sagan looking a bit better today at the sprint

 

[perico]

Cav is a legend. Underplaying his form or not, doing that with his lack of race days this season at the TdF is impressive.

 

[Ikbengodniet]

Re:

What about Naesen for today?

AG2R will go for Bakelants.

 

[Yingge]

Re:

It's very good of Eurosport to fit a little bit of cycling in around the ad breaks.

Us Australians used to get the short end of the TV stick from Commercial stations many years back, then along came SBS, slowly from a few select stages with the last 1-2 hours live to the point today that I am watching their live feed, which started when the riders started and its completely commercial free, no interruptions whatsoever. Their Live TV broadcast (which is about 30 secs ahead of the stream) has commercials, but not too bad, but the stream is clear......Yippeeeeeeeeeee!!.... Oh, and no Phil and Paul either, we have Matthew Keenan and Robbie McEwan.