Tour de Pologne 2.WT 31/07 - 06/08

[Fuxior]

Maybe being in July means they can make it a bit tougher too, put an MTF at Szrenica, Horni Malá Úpa or something, or a circuit using the hills around Slupiec, or a finish in either Lądek-Zdrój or Złoty Stok after a climb of Jawornik Wielki in the last 10km.

And that's just in the Silesian mountains. Could have such a good race in the Czech-Slovak-Polish borderlands on the Carpathians.

And that's why we need the Peace Race back.

uh, Szrenica is like that:

looks amazing, but last 4 km its cobblestone pavement, and if they could race on that thing, Śnieżka would be much better:

some pics of both:
http://www.genetyk.com/podjazdy/szrenica1.html
http://www.genetyk.com/podjazdy/sniezka1.html

 

[Michielveedeebee]

uh, Szrenica is like that:

looks amazing, but last 4 km its cobblestone pavement, and if they could race on that thing, Śnieżka would be much better:

that is one beauty of a climb

 

[Libertine Seguros]

uh, Szrenica is like that:

looks amazing, but last 4 km its cobblestone pavement, and if they could race on that thing, Śnieżka would be much better:

some pics of both:
http://www.genetyk.com/podjazdy/szrenica1.html
http://www.genetyk.com/podjazdy/sniezka1.html

Śnieżka would be amazing in my mooted future Peace Race, alongside Dlouhe Strane, Lysá Hora and Lucní Bouda in the Czech Republic, but a climb that long and severe is probably too much for the Tour de Pologne unless they put in some TT mileage.

However, 4km of steep climbing as per Szrenica, that could open up gaps just small enough that we could see it be more than a 1-stage race (after all, there are plenty of win-the-TT-win-the-race events like Bayern, Murcía, Missouri and so on, and a few win-the-one-big-climb-win-the-race events too, like Langkawi, Catalunya and Brixia).

 

[Tank Engine]

Would be nice, but I doubt it would happen for the following reasons: translated from
http://www.genetyk.com/podjazdy/sniezka1.html

The summit is covered by clouds 300 days a year, there are strong winds nearly every day and it can snow at any time of the year. Weather conditions can change very suddenly, especially for the worse. There is a biking marathon to the summit once a year, but often it is shortened and finishes on the plateau below the mountain due to strong winds. The road is very dangerous, especially on the upper slopes above the pass, where one can fall off the road down a rocky slope and finish your mountain adventure in the morgue.

I know the area quite well and it's not much of an exaggeration.

Original

Szczyt zakryty mgłą przez 300 dni w roku, notuje prawie codziennie silne wiatry, zaś opady śniegu pojawiają się w każdej porze roku. Warunki zmieniają się bardzo szybko, zwłaszcza podczas załamania pogody. Można się sprawdzić raz do roku podczas maratonu rowerowego na Śnieżkę, ale bywa że trasa jest skracana do Równi pod Śnieżką ze względu na silny wiatr. Droga jest niebezpieczna, zwłaszcza w górnym odcinku powyżej przełęczy gdzie można spaść poza odcinek brukowany na kamienisty stok i zakończyć górską przygodę w kostnicy.

Anyway, congratulations to Sagan, although I was supporting Danny Boy, and until next year.

 

[The Hitch]

Whats this im reading about TDP being moved to July. Maybe that’s what my horoscope meant when it said “ A horrible plague will befall thee today”.

Ok if its just for 2012 I don’t mind, as long as its not a annual thing. Cycling wise though I don’t think too many climbers will be doing the Olympics so they could still get a good field.

 

[icefire]

Dude, olympics are the pinnacle of any sports discipline.

Cycling included imo, only ridden once every 4 years, most cyclists have only 3 chances to win it. They should make it a jersey, white with the 5 rings on it. It would gain massive prestige

There are sports such as soccer and tennis with events that are far bigger for that sport than the olympics. Road cycling belongs to that category.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Dude, olympics are the pinnacle of any sports discipline.

Cycling included imo, only ridden once every 4 years, most cyclists have only 3 chances to win it. They should make it a jersey, white with the 5 rings on it. It would gain massive prestige

MCipollini-Giambenini tried.

Look at Nicole Cooke here:

 

[Tank Engine]

There are so many races on at the moment that I think one will have to move for the Olympics. There are not many other races during the tour. However, those are overshadowed by the tour (in terms of exposure). Hence, I would say that it would be bad for another ProTour race to take place during the tour. Also, I don't think there would be a great overlap between the potential field at the Olympics and the TdP. So I think August is the best time for the TdP

 

[The Hitch]

They could for a year move it back to its previous slot of September. Ok so it clashes with the Vuelta but so do Canadian races. Or maybe late August- again Vuelta clash.

Theres the chance of rain but I dont remember many sunny TDP stages anyway.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

MCipollini-Giambenini tried.

Look at Nicole Cooke here:

that indeed is what I'm talking about, I remember Bettini wanting one, but he wasn't allowed by the UCI

 

[Fus087]

that indeed is what I'm talking about, I remember Bettini wanting one, but he wasn't allowed by the UCI

This one?

It's a picture from the Wielermuseum in Roeselare.

 

[El Pistolero]

that indeed is what I'm talking about, I remember Bettini wanting one, but he wasn't allowed by the UCI

 

[hrotha]

that indeed is what I'm talking about, I remember Bettini wanting one, but he wasn't allowed by the UCI

Pascal Richard wore them rings for four years. I'm pretty sure that's the only reason why he didn't retire.

 

[Mambo95]

The problem with not having the Olympic rings on a jersey isn't really down to the UCI, it's due to the IOC. There's very few organisations that protect their trademarks as zealously as the IOC - the rings are definitely off limits.

I like Samu's dashes of gold on his jersey and helmet. I'd suggest a gold band across the jersey, similar to how Leopard do national jerseys, and gold trim on the sleeves..

 

[auscyclefan94]

Dude, olympics are the pinnacle of any sports discipline.

Cycling included imo, only ridden once every 4 years, most cyclists have only 3 chances to win it. They should make it a jersey, white with the 5 rings on it. It would gain massive prestige

I am sorry but that's a load of ****.


I would much rather win any monument, a RR WC or a Grand tour than olympic gold. Seriously, would you rather win paris Roubaix or tthe olympic gold? Paris Roubaix has far more prestige, history which makes it such an awesome but tough event. It is iconic. Olympic Road Racing has no real history and it is not that prestigious.

 

[maltiv]

I am sorry but that's a load of ****.


I would much rather win any monument, a RR WC or a Grand tour than olympic gold. Seriously, would you rather win paris Roubaix or tthe olympic gold? Paris Roubaix has far more prestige, history which makes it such an awesome but tough event. It is iconic. Olympic Road Racing has no real history and it is not that prestigious.

...amongst true cycling fans. The general public would most certainly rate an olympic gold much higher. For example, most Norwegians believe that Northug, a xc-skier, is a much better athlete than Hushovd because Hushovd doesn't have an olympic gold. A Norwegian sports professor recently said in an interview that Hushovd's performances are impressive but they can't even be compared to an olympic gold in any sport. Obviously they are far, far off but that's how it is.

If you go to a random guy at the street and tell him you had won P-R he would most likely be like "what the **** is that?" but he would most certainly understand an olympic gold medal!

 

[theyoungest]

...amongst true cycling fans. The general public would most certainly rate an olympic gold much higher. For example, most Norwegians believe that Northug, a xc-skier, is a much better athlete than Hushovd because Hushovd doesn't have an olympic gold. A Norwegian sports professor recently said in an interview that Hushovd's performances are impressive but they can't even be compared to an olympic gold in any sport. Obviously they are far, far off but that's how it is.

If you go to a random guy at the street and tell him you had won P-R he would most likely be like "what the **** is that?" but he would most certainly understand an olympic gold medal!

There are certain sports, like football, tennis, and (men's) cycling, in which Olympic gold simply isn't the highest achievement you can aim for. I assume the general public knows that winning the Tour de France is more prestigious than winning the Olympic road race.

 

[Tuarts]

...amongst true cycling fans. The general public would most certainly rate an olympic gold much higher. For example, most Norwegians believe that Northug, a xc-skier, is a much better athlete than Hushovd because Hushovd doesn't have an olympic gold. A Norwegian sports professor recently said in an interview that Hushovd's performances are impressive but they can't even be compared to an olympic gold in any sport. Obviously they are far, far off but that's how it is.

If you go to a random guy at the street and tell him you had won P-R he would most likely be like "what the **** is that?" but he would most certainly understand an olympic gold medal!

Yes but he's talking about the cyclists themselves, not what the average anglophone public opinion on races is.

 

[ingsve]

...amongst true cycling fans. The general public would most certainly rate an olympic gold much higher. For example, most Norwegians believe that Northug, a xc-skier, is a much better athlete than Hushovd because Hushovd doesn't have an olympic gold. A Norwegian sports professor recently said in an interview that Hushovd's performances are impressive but they can't even be compared to an olympic gold in any sport. Obviously they are far, far off but that's how it is.

If you go to a random guy at the street and tell him you had won P-R he would most likely be like "what the **** is that?" but he would most certainly understand an olympic gold medal!

Yes. This is very true. Cycling is rather unique in that respect since it's the only sport that I can think of where the Olympics is not the biggest thing you can win. If you ask a cycling olympic winner if he would trade his olympic gold for a win in some other race then I doubt that anyone would keep their olympic gold. That wouldn't work with any other olympic sport. I think this is what causes the disconnect between cycling fans and regular sports fans and the general public.

 

[ingsve]

Dude, olympics are the pinnacle of any sports discipline.

Cycling included imo, only ridden once every 4 years, most cyclists have only 3 chances to win it. They should make it a jersey, white with the 5 rings on it. It would gain massive prestige

When Pascal Richard was olympic champion his team made an olympic jersey for him and no one really cared. The problem with an olympic jersey is that you are not allowed to have advertisement on it and that's a non-starter for a cycling team. That's why we haven't seen one since then.

 

[The Hitch]

I am sorry but that's a load of ****.


I would much rather win any monument, a RR WC or a Grand tour than olympic gold. Seriously, would you rather win paris Roubaix or tthe olympic gold? Paris Roubaix has far more prestige, history which makes it such an awesome but tough event. It is iconic. Olympic Road Racing has no real history and it is not that prestigious.

Id say Olympic Gold is worth way more than anything bar a grand tour. Thats not to say theres a direct hiiarchy. The Worlds might be worth more than the Vuelta for example or they might not be. But the Olympics get a bigger audience even than the Tour. I certiantaly think, considering it comes along once every 4 years and the press that a winner can get, that it is as big if not bigger than the worlds and bigger than any monument.

If you look at the olympics last time EVERYONE went for it. You dont get that in any other race. Not even the Worlds. You had Giro riders mixing with Tour riders. Sprinters with climbers. Just look at the podium, a Grand Tour rider a hilly classics specialist and a cobbled specialist /tter.

Sammy got greeted by crowds at Oviedo airport and got a big reception. I can guarantee you he wont get that winning any monument. And he comes from one of the big cycling countries (not an anglophone one to whom monuments dont even exist)

Cancellara got named Swiss athlete of the year for winning tt gold and rr bronze. They didnt care for his MSR and it was the one year he didnt win either Tour tts nor worlds. By contrast 2010 he won 2 monuments and world rr and Tour prologue and came 5th.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

The Olympics are hard to rate in cycling terms. But come on, what kid would say no to having an Olympic gold medal? Everybody in the world understands one of those, it's a great thing to have.

Besides, you could make a convincing case to say that Petter Northug IS a better athlete than Thor Hushovd. You could make a convincing one to say that he isn't, sure, but let's not be denigrating Northug, as the implication is that he is considered a better athlete ONLY because he has an Olympic gold (thus, without the Olympic gold, he would not be as good as Hushovd).