Leigh Howards account of Stage 1.
In His Own Words: Leigh Howard on Tour de San Luis Stage 1
Leigh Howard has openly stated his ambitions for the Tour de San Luis. He is in Argentina chasing a stage win. He showed that his form is strong and his goals are within reach on the opening day of the seven day race. In his own words, he describes the racing action between the stage start in San Luis and the bunch sprint in Villa Mercedes.
Basically, the day was an early break and then a bunch sprint. Eight riders went away, and there were no big teams represented, so we weren’t too stressed. We let other teams do the chase work. We had a tailwind nearly the entire time we raced, so it made for a very easy day in the bunch.
The build-up to the sprint during the last 30 kilometres was hectic, and the last 10 kilometres was borderline crazy. There were several nasty corners on the run into town.
I had the boys looking after me, and they did a really good job. Mitch Docker, Svein Tuft and Michael Albasini helped me up to the front, and Mitch did the final lead out. He dropped me off at about 500 metres to go. I think I was on Alessandro Petacchi’s (Lampre-Merida) wheel after that. Unfortunately, I was pushed into the wind for a bit – only for a few seconds – but it was enough to take the edge off in the final sprint. Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma QuickStep) won ahead of Sacha Modolo (Bardiani CSF Inox). Petacchi rounded out the podium. Although I’m happy with fourth, I definitely hope I can go get on the podium tomorrow.
I’m still contending with a bit of jetlag, and I definitely didn’t feel anything more than average today. I certainly expect to get better in the coming days. Mitch and I had a long flight from Australia to Argentina. With over 50 hours of travel and a gigantic time difference, it’s hard not to be a little impacted. I suspect most of the peloton is and that we’ll all come better in the next day or two.
This is my first time in Argentina – my first time in South America, actually – and it’s been a really nice experience so far. It’s a different world than what I’m accustomed to – and it’s a bit of an eye-opener in that regard. It always good to see other parts of the world, so I’m happy to be here.
Stage two looks set to be another bunch sprint. We’ll give it a nudge and see how we go.
In His Own Words: Leigh Howard on Tour de San Luis Stage 1
Leigh Howard has openly stated his ambitions for the Tour de San Luis. He is in Argentina chasing a stage win. He showed that his form is strong and his goals are within reach on the opening day of the seven day race. In his own words, he describes the racing action between the stage start in San Luis and the bunch sprint in Villa Mercedes.
Basically, the day was an early break and then a bunch sprint. Eight riders went away, and there were no big teams represented, so we weren’t too stressed. We let other teams do the chase work. We had a tailwind nearly the entire time we raced, so it made for a very easy day in the bunch.
The build-up to the sprint during the last 30 kilometres was hectic, and the last 10 kilometres was borderline crazy. There were several nasty corners on the run into town.
I had the boys looking after me, and they did a really good job. Mitch Docker, Svein Tuft and Michael Albasini helped me up to the front, and Mitch did the final lead out. He dropped me off at about 500 metres to go. I think I was on Alessandro Petacchi’s (Lampre-Merida) wheel after that. Unfortunately, I was pushed into the wind for a bit – only for a few seconds – but it was enough to take the edge off in the final sprint. Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma QuickStep) won ahead of Sacha Modolo (Bardiani CSF Inox). Petacchi rounded out the podium. Although I’m happy with fourth, I definitely hope I can go get on the podium tomorrow.
I’m still contending with a bit of jetlag, and I definitely didn’t feel anything more than average today. I certainly expect to get better in the coming days. Mitch and I had a long flight from Australia to Argentina. With over 50 hours of travel and a gigantic time difference, it’s hard not to be a little impacted. I suspect most of the peloton is and that we’ll all come better in the next day or two.
This is my first time in Argentina – my first time in South America, actually – and it’s been a really nice experience so far. It’s a different world than what I’m accustomed to – and it’s a bit of an eye-opener in that regard. It always good to see other parts of the world, so I’m happy to be here.
Stage two looks set to be another bunch sprint. We’ll give it a nudge and see how we go.
man, the organizers are missing a great opportunity by not providing live video. They could pick up most European cycling fans in front of the TV between 8-10pm CET. One of the best timeslots for sports fans. Maybe next year on Eurosport please.
- Mar 31, 2010
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Dazed and Confused said:
they broadcast live the mountain finishes, they did before all the time
Ryo Hazuki said:
The stuff they produced last year would not fly on an international channel live. Better production needed (more investment essentially). It would pay off imo.
- Mar 31, 2010
- 18,136
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Ryo Hazuki said:
and you think this will fly on Eurosport?
We need Tour of Turkey or TdU level production to make it work.
About 1 hour live from each stage (somewhere bewteen 8-10pm CET) preferable in HD, so Argentina can sell San Luis as a tourist destination and the teams sponsors gets maximum exposure. Cycling fans may even like the action and get excited. Hell, we could even pick a couple of sports fans up by accident.
As it is now its mainly a result sheet exercise for fans. Who won? My favorite or yours?
- Sep 8, 2009
- 15,306
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i watched very nice tour de san luis productions. but those were highlights(3-4 hours), not live.
live broadcasting is quite expensive but i think too that they would get back more money. european fans in january die to see some cycling.maybe in two years...
live broadcasting is quite expensive but i think too that they would get back more money. european fans in january die to see some cycling.maybe in two years...
- Mar 31, 2010
- 18,136
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Dazed and Confused said:
why would they care for eurosport? they broadcast locally in argentina.
- Oct 23, 2011
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