Tour de la Provence 2021, France, February 11 - February 14

[tobydawq]

Ballerini! And love how Alaphilippe just casually went in an took part in the train.

(BTW, what was up with that unmarked road furniture thingy shortly before the finish?)

And the nice barriers in the last 200 metres with a big on the left-hand side of the road.

 

[SafeBet]

Bora with two youngsters in the top6 (Walls and Schelling). Didn't know Schelling could sprint that well.

 

[Ricco']

And the nice barriers in the last 200 metres with a big on the left-hand side of the road.

It's not April 1st, so its fine.

At least one rider fell on that road furniture 700m from the finish.

 

[sir fly]

Exciting kickoff.
Demare took off rather early, I'd say.
Played a perfect mark for Ballerini, apparently.

 

[tobydawq]

Ballerini in the jersey. I knew something was a-fish!

But apparently, it was the extra sprint that was not counted for GC.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

 

[RedheadDane]

Interviewer: And now you are to go for the GC?
Ballerini: ME?

 

[Bolder]

Demare should have won that race. He went from WAY too far out, and even so still only lost by half a bike length. Looks like he and QS are in good form. And Nacer's back on the sharp end too.

 

[search]

But apparently, it was the extra sprint that was not counted for GC.

UCI rules don't allow that kind of bonus distribution (only up to three intermediate sprints of 3-2-1s), so I guess it was overturned by the commissaire on-site.

There also were some discussions when it was introduced at the Tour, but they don't have both at least, and ASO probably just has enough power to get more leeway

 

[armchairclimber]

UCI rules don't allow that kind of bonus distribution (only up to three intermediate sprints of 3-2-1s), so I guess it was overturned by the commissaire on-site.

There also were some discussions when it was introduced at the Tour, but they don't have both at least, and ASO probably just has enough power to get more leeway

Why the hell can't they sort this kind of thing out before the actual race? Do the UCI not look at bonuses etc beforehand?

 

[RedheadDane]

Why the hell can't they sort this kind of thing out before the actual race? Do the UCI not look at bonuses etc beforehand?

Oh, come on! UCI are busy, making rules for what positions riders can be in on the bike.

 

[Lequack]

Oh, come on! UCI are busy, making rules for what positions riders can be in on the bike.

Not nearly as important as sock length and saddle being level.

 

[RedheadDane]

I don't speak Spanish, and I don't really think I need to, because that offcial was... kind of useless!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1359889507995316224

 

[tobydawq]

I don't speak Spanish, and I don't really think I need to, because that offcial was... kind of useless!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1359889507995316224

The yellow hand is pointing at the kilometre banner to illustrate how outrageously late there was un-signalled road furniture.

 

[search]

Why the hell can't they sort this kind of thing out before the actual race? Do the UCI not look at bonuses etc beforehand?

usually the race organization does send the rulebook to the commissaire for him to approve it in advance. Maybe it was too late in this case, or he missed it... no idea.

 

[Lequack]

Not to mention the magnificent safe barriers in the last 100 meters.

 

[BlueRoads]

usually the race organization does send the rulebook to the commissaire for him to approve it in advance. Maybe it was too late in this case, or he missed it... no idea.

Probably didn't scroll down to page 24.

 

[RedheadDane]

Not to mention the magnificent safe barriers in the last 100 meters.

Aah, it's okay! Barriers will only be standarised from next year.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I seriously wonder about the role of Hodeg in this team going forward. Unlike Ballerini, he can't win a sprint, unlike Ballerini, he's mostly useless for anything else. I said 2 seasons ago i would have "let him go" because he was basically useless. Maybe if he wants to turn into a leadout man, but i don't know if he has the bikehandling skills for that.

 

[BlueRoads]

I seriously wonder about the role of Hodeg in this team going forward. Unlike Ballerini, he can't win a sprint, unlike Ballerini, he's mostly useless for anything else. I said 2 seasons ago i would have "let him go" because he was basically useless. Maybe if he wants to turn into a leadout man, but i don't know if he has the bikehandling skills for that.

He's there for me.
DQS wants me as a fan.
Also he actually can win sprints. Please give him this season before writing him off. Hopefully he gets some confidence.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I seriously wonder about the role of Hodeg in this team going forward. Unlike Ballerini, he can't win a sprint, unlike Ballerini, he's mostly useless for anything else. I said 2 seasons ago i would have "let him go" because he was basically useless. Maybe if he wants to turn into a leadout man, but i don't know if he has the bikehandling skills for that.

Hodeg has 13 pro victories vs Ballerini's 5 despite being two years younger. That said, I also think that Hodeg is quite overrated.

 

[Max Rockatansky]

It looks like the temperature at Chalet Reynard will stay under 0 degrees Celcius on saturday. Let's hope they can do the whole climb.

 

[Koronin]

It appears the final KMs of today's stage was the perfect example of what the UCI should be focusing on in regards to safety.

Here's Carlos Verona's comment about the safety issues.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1359904854601326592

View: https://twitter.com/Carlos_Verona/status/1359904854601326592



Here's the English translation:
The @UCI_cycling and the @cpacycling
They see more dangerous that we go down according to what positions or that we are a squad of 200 riders ... when what really makes our sport dangerous is THIS !!

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Hodeg has 13 pro victories vs Ballerini's 5 despite being two years younger. That said, I also think that Hodeg is quite overrated.

Because Ballerini wasn't supposed to be a high profile sprinter for the team. Yet he's a much more valuable asset in most circumstances... and now he shows he can win sprints as well.

He's there for me.
DQS wants me as a fan.
Also he actually can win sprints. Please give him this season before writing him off. Hopefully he gets some confidence.

I've been giving him lots of seasons, and i'm yet to be convinced. I really think he either needs to find an other team or find a different niche, because i don't for a moment think he will ever become a top sprinter for a team like DQS. He could go to Wallonie Bruxelles or something. He also doesn't seem to make much progress unlike guys his age and younger (Jakobsen, Philipsen...).

 

[BlueRoads]

I've been giving him lots of seasons, and i'm yet to be convinced. I really think he either needs to find an other team or find a different niche, because i don't for a moment think he will ever become a top sprinter for a team like DQS. He could go to Wallonie Bruxelles or something. He also doesn't seem to make much progress unlike guys his age and younger (Jakobsen, Philipsen...).

Well, he doesn't need to be their top sprinter, they already have at least one... and hopefully Jakobsen gets back to his best, then they have a young one, too. He can be their third sprinter.
The WT cannot afford to lose that smile!!