Tour de France Stage 2 (3/7/11) - Les Essarts 23km TTT

[Sylvester]

About Uran: that's really no surprise. Uran is a very decent TT'er and knows how to accelerate, so him getting dropped would be more of an upset. He did some good turns too, although Wiggins did most of Sky's work, of course.

 

[Walkman]

Learned a lot today. The 3km rule needs amending. Contador and Samu finished in front of both Schlecks, Wigans, Basso, Leipheimer and Brajkovic and yet lose out. Why? Not because the entire peloton crashed just after the 3km mark but because the lead group of an already diminished peloton couldn't stay up.

Wigans worked his **** off today, so no qualms there, but the rest of these wheel suckers,excusing Basso, are high up on GC. After crashing, they stopped working. I don't get it. Horner, Kloeden, Cunego and Evans went full throttle to the end and potentially lose out in the TTT. It's daft. Luckily 3 of these guys didn't but it just seems wrong. I know this b1tch called Karma, she's coming for both the Schlecks. Crash, stop riding, suck wheels of the group that crashed earlier, don't end up a minute back but six seconds and then the next day they suck wheels again. I personally can't wait till they get their come-uppance.

I also learn that Sky are the greatest exponents in chronos. Commentators cannot pronounce Leopard in English. Jurgen came 4th last year. I hope Paul Sherwen gets hit by a truck on the way to the commentary box. I've had enough of his ignorance and biased hatred. Another tool who karma is coming for. It's bad when Liggett is the tame one commentating.

I feel sorry for AC and Samu, but more so for Evans. Guy did nothing wrong in the first two days and yet only has a few seconds on both Schlecks and Bottle, who wheel suck and yet physically finish two minutes down on the first stage. Stupid, stupid rules. Needs fixing. If the whole peloton isn't present in the final 3km, then you shouldn't be safe in the event of a crash.

THIS! Good post. The 3km rule is laughable and apparently applied by idiots. Yesterday many riders just coasted up the final "climb" while others were racing hard and still they got the same time, that's just totally wrong and I think it's disgusting.

 

[Jamsque]

I wonder if Millar will have a go on Tuesday and try to get yellow.

 

[dlwssonic]

BMC were might impressive today. Everyone was saying they would be the big losers and they had a weak team but the team rocked today. I told you guys BMC had a good team for the TTT. well done boys! performed beyond my expectations too!! ACF was right about bmc doing better than rabo!

 

[hfer07]

Uran has a good TT

I already knew that, but at this level of the game to go toe to toe with wiggo and Co. is remarkable- he's becoming a complete all rounded rider-which is fantastic for his future

 

[thehog]

Agree on all of this but Evans needs more time...... As does AndyFrank.

It will make the Tour v.interesting. More so than if everything was bunched at this point. I suspect more time gains/losses in week 1.

Learned a lot today. The 3km rule needs amending. Contador and Samu finished in front of both Schlecks, Wigans, Basso, Leipheimer and Brajkovic and yet lose out. Why? Not because the entire peloton crashed just after the 3km mark but because the lead group of an already diminished peloton couldn't stay up.

Wigans worked his **** off today, so no qualms there, but the rest of these wheel suckers,excusing Basso, are high up on GC. After crashing, they stopped working. I don't get it. Horner, Kloeden, Cunego and Evans went full throttle to the end and potentially lose out in the TTT. It's daft. Luckily 3 of these guys didn't but it just seems wrong. I know this b1tch called Karma, she's coming for both the Schlecks. Crash, stop riding, suck wheels of the group that crashed earlier, don't end up a minute back but six seconds and then the next day they suck wheels again. I personally can't wait till they get their come-uppance.

I also learn that Sky are the greatest exponents in chronos. Commentators cannot pronounce Leopard in English. Jurgen came 4th last year. I hope Paul Sherwen gets hit by a truck on the way to the commentary box. I've had enough of his ignorance and biased hatred. Another tool who karma is coming for. It's bad when Liggett is the tame one commentating.

I feel sorry for AC and Samu, but more so for Evans. Guy did nothing wrong in the first two days and yet only has a few seconds on both Schlecks and Bottle, who wheel suck and yet physically finish two minutes down on the first stage. Stupid, stupid rules. Needs fixing. If the whole peloton isn't present in the final 3km, then you shouldn't be safe in the event of a crash.

 

[Lanark]

I wonder if Millar will have a go on Tuesday and try to get yellow.

I'd say there is a 90% chance Evans will have yellow tuesday, if he team doesn't give it away he could probably keep it at least until Luz-Ardiden (but I don't think he'd want that).

 

[dlwssonic]

I also have to mention what great sportmanship by gilbert when he lost his yellow jersey. By right sky, htc, leopard and shack had stronger teams than BMC but they did real good. schar, hincapie, burghardt, bookwalter, quinziato and morabito all did well in helping evans. BIG CHAPEAU to santamorita in hanging in there.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Gilbert will wear the Polka Dot.

No: Gilbert will wear green tomorrow. He also leads the KoM, so that shirt passes to the secomnd in that competition: Cadel Evans.

 

[auscyclefan94]

We've missed you.

Thanks.... I thought a top 5 was possible but nearly winning is AMAZING!

oh god..protect us.

Haha...don't get me wrong, TTT's should never be in GT's.

 

[dlwssonic]

BMC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


They were BRILLIANT!

FCK YEAH!!!!

and on the yellow jersery, I wouldnt think cadel would have wanted it this early he has gotten it before and rather wouldnt want to put pressure on his BMC team. but either way he will get it on the bretage easily.

 

[Kwibus]

BMC were might impressive today. Everyone was saying they would be the big losers and they had a weak team but the team rocked today. I told you guys BMC had a good team for the TTT. well done boys! performed beyond my expectations too!! ACF was right about bmc doing better than rabo!

Yep they did great.
ACF was right indeed, allthough after Tirreno he said Rabo will probably be faster. So he's not that right
Also I doubt BMC will be good support for Evans in the mountains. It would surprise me, but they allready suprised me today. You never know.

 

[Trev_S]

Great the shack going to come and crush the competion. Thinks paul's Lost it he keeps naming bmc as a ttt powerhouse

He's not so silly after all

 

[Galic Ho]

THIS! Good post. The 3km rule is laughable and apparently applied by idiots. Yesterday many riders just coasted up the final "climb" while others were racing hard and still they got the same time, that's just totally wrong and I think it's disgusting.

I honestly had never noticed how bias it is until yesterday. Discretion should be given by the race comisaars. Jurgen Van den Broeck lost out worst today of those GC guys who were lucky crash wise yesterday and raced to the line. He got to the finish nicely and yet guys who didn't race all the way but soft pedalled knowing they had a freebie took big time off him today. Honestly, if you crash in the final 3km with less than a substantial (where discretion comes in) and a prior crash group catch you, then at most you should get their time. If people got their actual times yesterday, Evans, Kloeden and Horner would be over a minute ahead of most GC aspirants.

I can't wait till the mountains. If Contador is rested, some people are going to be in for a new ripping. Oh and if you didn't notice, I can't stand Sherwen. In his mind from what I heard tonight just before Omega finished, AC already has lost the 2010 Tour. Why else say Jurgen came 4th last year? I'm filing a complaint against him and SBS with our broadcasting ombudsman. Sick of these tools ruining July with their idiocy for Down Under viewers.

 

[dlwssonic]

Yep they did great.
ACF was right indeed, allthough after Tirreno he said Rabo will probably be faster. So he's not that right
Also I doubt BMC will be good support for Evans in the mountains. It would surprise me, but they allready suprised me today. You never know.

yes their mountains is their weakest link, but for cadel all he needs is to be positioned well before the start of the climbs which they can do. then he can suck wheels on the mountains. he doesnt really need domestiques in the mountains

 

[dlwssonic]

 

[Anonymous]

I'd say there is a 90% chance Evans will have yellow tuesday, if he team doesn't give it away he could probably keep it at least until Luz-Ardiden (but I don't think he'd want that).

The Mur will be interesting for Evens. If he goes for yellow there it will be because he doesn't think he'll be able to wear the MJ in Paris. I think his mind set is about winning now, so his tactics should change.

But knowing Evens, there will be a stupid crash...

 

[Galic Ho]

Kudos to the riders who raced hard today and guys who raced hard for their leaders. Looking like Evans will be in yellow in a few days. Guessing ACF94's reaction when that happens will make this look tame.

 

[lilyprotector]

wish bmc/hincapie had won

i admit i'm still angry at vaughters for the hincapie shenanigans a few years ago (no need to rehash whether or not they worked to deprive george of the yellow) and was hoping that hincapie would get some revenge today. but i'm happy for the cyclists on both teams--these guys were super-impressive.

 

[auscyclefan94]

They even had the benefit of the wind dying down a little. Like BMC had.

It is an out and back course. I don't see that as being a relevant point as teams will get a big tail wind on the journey. FAct is, BMC were excellent, people must give credit where credit is due.


dwlssonic and I told you all that BMC would do the job today. I felt sick to the stomach before BMC's start but I am so proud of my BMC boys!

 

[dlwssonic]

wow total american domination today. evans would get it on the bretagne but he wouldnt be really bothered anyway but its an honor. the first 2 days for BMC have been great.

 

[c&cfan]

Thanks.... I thought a top 5 was possible but nearly winning is AMAZING!


Haha...don't get me wrong, TTT's should never be in GT's.

yes they should.... with some percentage at the front limit. it's hilarious to sign canc an just putting your LEADERS behind him and hope that they can stay there, making canc lift the pedal.

i was kidding in that post, it was a great TTT and BMC obviously had the flat power. they did great. you have the right to make with the ducthies..well, anyone has that right

 

[dlwssonic]

It is an out and back course. I don't see that as being a relevant point as teams will get a big tail wind on the journey. FAct is, BMC were excellent, people must give credit where credit is due.


dwlssonic and I told you all that BMC would do the job today. I felt sick to the stomach before BMC's start but I am so proud of my BMC boys!

haha yup we were right was it me or were the BMC guys looking like they were going at slow mo. even i myself was shocked at the first time check. they looked much slower than the sky guys.

 

[auscyclefan94]

wow total american domination today. evans would get it on the bretagne but he wouldnt be really bothered anyway but its an honor. the first 2 days for BMC have been great.

Yes yes yes!

Our boys did it!

Some notes

- Cadel is happy
- The team will give everything and are doing well for Cadel
- Cadel is fresh
- Cadel has rode smartly.
- Cadel has the support of ACF and dwlssonic.


btw, the ACF MAfia have places open if anyone wants to join? Move away from the Dutch Mafia is my call!

 

[c&cfan]

yes their mountains is their weakest link, but for cadel all he needs is to be positioned well before the start of the climbs which they can do. then he can suck wheels on the mountains. he doesnt really need domestiques in the mountains

even if he is in yellow?