Tour de Pologne 2014 (2.WT), 03.08 - 09.08

[Red Rick]

Dutch eurosport commentator saying Majka has a better shot at the Tour than Contador next year

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Majka is the strongest, no reason why he shouldn't extend his lead tomorrow

 

[Kazistuta]

Only 8 seconds. With bonifications his lead is around 16 seconds, right? Not enough for gc.

Should be 18 seconds... but still not nearly enough. Izaguirre is by far a better time trialist than Majka.

 

[hfer07]

Raaaaafaaaaaaaaaal ......Majka!!!

Raaaaafaaaaaaaaaal ......Majka!!!

Raaaaafaaaaaaaaaal ......Majka!!!

Raaaaafaaaaaaaaaal ......Majka!!!

Raaaaafaaaaaaaaaal ......Majka!!!

 

[cineteq]

 

[Rollthedice]

Three weeks ago he had no wins as a pro. Now he has four, perhaps soon a fifth.

Riis being freed from business duties while being able to concentrate on what he knows best is paying nicely.

 

[sucotash]

Should be 18 seconds... but still not nearly enough. Izaguirre is by far a better time trialist than Majka.

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=24799

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=26044

 

[HappyLoser]

Dutch eurosport commentator saying Majka has a better shot at the Tour than Contador next year

Really doubt it, but Saxo can go for 2 top spots there and put a lot of pressure on Sky, OPQS and Movistar.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Actually, I'd thought Izagirre had won as well, but looking at his past results, I have to change my mind. He isn't as good as I remembered him to be. Should be exciting in the TT to see who will win the Tour de Pologne.

 

[damian13ster]

So GC most likely to be

1. Izaguirre
2/3 Majka/Intxausti?

I actually think Majka might be awfully close in TT but not sure if enough to win. He is on his last legs. Also now I am hearing he will race in US

 

[damian13ster]

Still, I am very much impressed with him. Not holding up anymore. Getting caught once, just attack again. Other riders getting closer, one more acceleration. Really impressive riding

 

[cineteq]

So GC most likely to be

1. Izaguirre
2/3 Majka/Intxausti?

I actually think Majka might be awfully close in TT but not sure if enough to win. He is on his last legs. Also now I am hearing he will race in US

If Bobby G hasn't forgotten how to TT then he's dangerous for the podium as well.

 

[damian13ster]

Possibly, but it would take a really great ride from him. If they only put one hill on TT.....

 

[theyoungest]

If Bobby G hasn't forgotten how to TT then he's dangerous for the podium as well.

He's probably the strongest guy in the top-10, in terms of pure power. How that translates to a flat TT with the second rate Bianchi TT bike, we'll see tomorrow.

 

[gunara]

I didn't see how the two Movi guys sprinted at the line, Ion let Benat took more bonus seconds? Probably they believed Benat would have better chance? He at least used to be better in TT, didn't he?

 

[Kazistuta]

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=24799

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=26044

I'll give you a counter example:

http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=25984

Last years time trial in Poland was hilly in the first part, then flat - where Izagirre actually won quite some time. Yellow gives extra power, granted, but I would be surprised if Majka is within one minuteof the Spanish timetrial runner-up.

 

[arvc40]

Another super race from Majka.

 

[damian13ster]

I'll give you a counter example:

http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=25984

Last years time trial in Poland was hilly in the first part, then flat - where Izagirre actually won quite some time. Yellow gives extra power, granted, but I would be surprised if Majka is within one minuteof the Spanish timetrial runner-up.

To be fair, Majka is pretty much always crap in preparation races. We will see, it will be a fun one for sure. I dont think he is a favorite for GC given time gaps but then again, I didnt expect him to win 2 stages at this point.

 

[theyoungest]

I'll give you a counter example:

http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=25984

Last years time trial in Poland was hilly in the first part, then flat - where Izagirre actually won quite some time. Yellow gives extra power, granted, but I would be surprised if Majka is within one minuteof the Spanish timetrial runner-up.

I think tomorrow's course is quite flat. Izagirre is clearly quite proficient on hilly courses, but flat TTs are a different ballgame.

 

[jens_attacks]

does anyone think that majka has almost exactly the same riding style uphill as bjarne back in time? also pushing huge gears too
he's in untouchable form now, there is no way he will lose this in itt only if he crashes or has a mechanical

 

[kingjr]

also pushing huge gears too

And that's as far as it goes in similarities.

 

[Kazistuta]

To be fair, Majka is pretty much always crap in preparation races. We will see, it will be a fun one for sure. I dont think he is a favorite for GC given time gaps but then again, I didnt expect him to win 2 stages at this point.

Yes indeed, but in the race I linked to he was competing for the GC along with Izagirre, which gives the best comparison imo.

 

[Der Effe]

Dutch eurosport commentator saying Majka has a better shot at the Tour than Contador next year

The other said Majka is the best climber in the world at the moment

 

[Kazistuta]

I think tomorrow's course is quite flat. Izagirre is clearly quite proficient on hilly courses, but flat TTs are a different ballgame.

Yes, I would think Izagirre excelled in hilly time trials, but actually last year he was behind Majka at the split time after the hills - and he gained enough on Majka on the flatter second part to lead me to think he'll do similarly better than Majka on the flat course tomorrow

 

[damian13ster]

Yes indeed, but in the race I linked to he was competing for the GC along with Izagirre, which gives the best comparison imo.

shhhh! Dont kill my buzz
I know that its unlikely he holds on but one can only hope ;D
Aftre all he has been surprising us constantly in the last month.
Who the hell thought he will win 2 stages in TdF and then take podium place while going head to head with GC contenders?
And after that who the hell thought he will win an uphill sprint?
And after that who the hell thought he will actually put time into others on hilly stage great for punchers? (well, I did but thats not the point )