Tour Méditerranéen 2.1 (6th-10th February)

[Christian]

Directvelo says that the finish (circuit around St. Remy), not the start, is the problem.

That is a damn shame, although I can kind of see where they are coming from. Peloton at high speed through those streets sounds verz frightening.

Here you can see a video by the organizers of what the finish should have been:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycXnBT2XKBk

It would work nicely if there was only a small group. I think the chance of that would have been pretty high. This stage was perfect for a breakaway, it is too hilly for Greipel (IMO), yet not too hard and not decisive on GC. Plus there are already large time gaps.

I don't know if they judged the parcours too dangerous or if there was some other administrational problem... doesn't really seem like something that couldn't have been avoided though. Overall I'm bummed out but it makes me feel a little bit better about not being able to go see it!

/edit: After reading the article I wonder ¿if you maybe misunderstood it? As I understand it the reason for the cancellation was certain "non-complied security conditions", but it is not specified exactly where these were not complied. The organization then proposed doing a circuit race around St. Remy as a plan B. This was accepted by the Directeurs Sportifs as by the municipality, but still not by the prefecture.

 

[Christian]

The prefecture informed the organizers that it would be impossible to start from Marseille because it risked to disturb the local traffic too much, specifically the access to the port, and because it demanded too many policemen. The organizers then offered to maintain the sign-in in Marseille, but then drive by car, without disturbing the traffic, to the town of Cabriès, where the départ réel was supposed to take place... Refusal from the prefecture. It was then looking like a critérium around St. Remy on the initial final circuit of 20km, that would be raced 6 times. Again the prefecture refused, and the organizers didn't even find out why. And all this despite the great efforts of the municipality of St. Remy, which had foreseen a great party for the event.

http://cyclismactu.net/news-tour-mediterraneen-la-3e-etape-annulee-30391.html

 

[Duartista]

There is a more detailed article on the cancellation at cyclismactu.

The original reason was that starting the stage in Marseilles would be too disruptive to traffic and would need too many police. The organisers then proposed a circuit race, which was rejected by the prefecture for no apparent reason. Apparently the parcours had previously been approved.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Boom will not mind too much about the stage cancellation:

He will battle hard on Mt Faron no doubt.

 

[Parrulo]

oh, are the race jerseys sponsored by onda?

surprising considering onda is a small, but growing, portuguese brand and this is a french race

 

[LaFlorecita]

lol is this the first time cq have posted the results for a race the day before its due to take place

http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=23920

free cq points for boom

 

[theyoungest]

free cq points for boom

Yes, he gets those zero points for free

 

[El Pistolero]

Yes, he gets those zero points for free

Normally he needs to race hard for those zero points.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Yes, he gets those zero points for free

Crap. Didnt notice that on my phone

 

[Escarabajo]

Now I know exactly what the Colombia team has to work on with the riders.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Now I know exactly what the Colombia team has to work on with the riders.

well?

mf 10 chars

 

[Duartista]

Time trialing in strong crosswinds?

 

[skidmark]

Any news today? Did Hushovd drop out of the cancelled stage? If Schleck was still here I bet he would've.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Time trialing in strong crosswinds?

pretty pointless, the guys are light as hell, arango crashed, quintero is the heaviest escept suarez with 64 kg and did pretty well and suarez is 65 kg but he needs lot of racing in his legs

 

[Der Effe]

So, what expect from today? Montfort for the GC?

 

[theyoungest]

So, what expect from today? Montfort for the GC?

Yes, that's the most logical bet. Once again Boom has convinced himself he can climb, and once again tonight it will turn out he can't

I also expect something from Talansky, I don't know why but I do.

 

[xrayvision]

Today is the big battle, pity we have no live coverage.
Here´s the ascent to Mt. Faron on video, can boom hold on?

Doubt it, Monfort ftw and gc.
http://www.steephill.tv/players/youtube3/?title=Stage+4+Finish+Recon+at+Mt+Faron&dashboard=tour-mediterraneen&id=dwOjTS7bvgg&yr=2013

Mt Faron (5.5 km long, averages 9%, last 3 km are 10-12%)

 

[theyoungest]

Yes, that's the most logical bet. Once again Boom has convinced himself he can climb, and once again tonight it will turn out he can't

I also expect something from Talansky, I don't know why but I do.

Scratch that, all the bikes have been stolen from the Garmin truck, so no Garmin in the race anymore.

 

[the asian]

Scratch that, all the bikes have been stolen from the Garmin truck, so no Garmin in the race anymore.

What? Are you serious?

 

[jens_attacks]

 

[theyoungest]

The thieves even removed a car that was parked up against the truck, and moved it back afterwards.

 

[Gotland]

Is it any bonus seconds?

I think it's between Löfkvist, Monfort and Roche. Can't see Roux winning it and too hard for Boom.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Sucks was looking forward to see how Dan Martin would go after his good time trial.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Non-partants : Talansky, Navardauskas, Martin, Dekker, Fernandez, R. Kreder, M. Kreder, Rathe (Garmin-Sharp), Pinotti (BMC), Kiserlovski (RadioShack), El Farès (Sojasun), Giraud (La Pomme Marseille), Jarrier et Malacarne (Bretagne-Séché Environnement), Bacquet (BigMat-Auber 93) et Taciak (CCC Polsat).

The garmin boys we knew, but kinda sucks Kiserlovski is out apparently as well. Anybody know why?

 

[Christian]

Julian Kern (AG2R-La Mondiale), Pablo Urtasun (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Martijn Keizer (Vacansoleil-DCM), Brice Feillu (Sojasun), Juan Arango (Colombia), Geoffroy Lequatre (Bretagne-Séché Environnement), Daniel Oss (BMC) et Aleksejs Saramotins (IAM Cycling)

peloton @ 2:10

looks like a nice group. Glad to see Julian Kern in there, I will be following his results this year