Tour of Britain 2011- 11th-18th September

[ferryman]

BOOM

Nice echelons in today's breeze..

Nice clear pictures Andy. I really like echelon's one caused by the breeze

Cheers

 

[euanli]

It looks like Hayman took the third last corner slightly wide and Boom+Matthews managed to squeeze through the gap and disrupt the Sky boys. Brilliant bike handling from both of them.

 

[Andy99]

Its less the gradient, more the twists that affect that kind of finish. Its more about positioning than pure speed.

Still, great win for Boom. He had done his research.

 

[MartinGT]

Boom looked mint today, he was pulling wheelies at the start and had a good laugh. The profile is on the ToB webby.

I so wish we had more racing in the UK

 

[ferryman]

Just seen the highlights on ITV4. looked like the Dutch boys read the race handbook last night

 

[Andy99]

Boom looked mint today, he was pulling wheelies at the start and had a good laugh. The profile is on the ToB webby.

I so wish we had more racing in the UK

Not that long since we had a round of the old world cup.

 

[greenedge]

Rogers lost time leading out Cummings and Geraint. Nice lead out by Matthews but he could have probably won easily anyways.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Just watched. Yes, Boom read both the book and the race.
Sky, with a full half dozen might have tried to get a two up instead of just Dowsett, but maybe he was a stalking horse.

Cav went pretty well over the lumps.

 

[theyoungest]

Rabobank is not easy to break in windy or hilly races with Boom.

Then again, not easy doesn't mean not possible. But it will be harder than if an Endura rider or whatever would've lead.

Also, judging by the only vague finish photo i've seen Boom won by quite margin, in contrast to the BBC.co report which said the difference between Boom and Matthews was 'inches'... guess BBC.co don't fact check?

Edit 2: Skysports has a better report clearly
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,12040_7174391,0.html

In recent years it's proven to be very easy to take the leader's jersey from Boom. If there's really a 20% wall in the final tomorrow, he can forget it. Geraint Thomas is a better climber than him.

 

[Tank Engine]

With regard to Cav's sprinting, the finish looked very technical, so I wouldn't read too much into today (I guess the world championships finish on a relatively flat course could never be that twisty). It was a hilly course, so I guess Cav must be in good shape to be up front (although the worlds are something different in length and level of competition).

To Andy: Great photos.


Looking forward to tomorrow. Would be great if Geraint took the leader's jersey on home ground.

 

[JRanton]

What's the average gradient of Caerphilly ''mountain''?

 

[Chris L]

Got a pretty good view of the finish. That finish is all about who gets into the final curves infront. Below is a still from a video I took at the finish.
Enjoyed my day in Stoke - didn't think I'd ever find myself saying that!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

In recent years it's proven to be very easy to take the leader's jersey from Boom. If there's really a 20% wall in the final tomorrow, he can forget it. Geraint Thomas is a better climber than him.

Not if boom magically finds his 2009 climbing form. But yeah that's probably way too much to hope for

 

[Mambo95]

What's the average gradient of Caerphilly ''mountain''?

Only about 12% over the full 1.5km, but the last 1km is about 15% and the middle 500m is over 20%

 

[El Pistolero]

Boom looked mint today, he was pulling wheelies at the start and had a good laugh. The profile is on the ToB webby.

I so wish we had more racing in the UK

There used to be some one day races that were part of the old World Cup in the UK.

 

[Anonymous]

this was the last kilometre today.

very slight uphill but very twisty

all the other maps including last km stuff and interactive maps with profiles so you can see the actual metres of the climb
http://teamskyfans.com/tob.html

 

[daveinzambia]

Not seen any footage yet (highlights on tonight in Aus) but does sound like sky managed to balls this one up slightly. 6 guys in the group and Rabo get a 1 - 2

Yates was slightly critical of tactics towards the end. Also second time have heard slight comments from SKY or HTC about the Rabo's no contributing. Stupid to ride on the front when two other teams are so keen to control things and get a good result. Guess they will have to do some work tomorrow

 

[Sum_of_Marc]

That last km map makes the end look a lot straighter than it actually is!

And Ive now finally sorted all my photos. Over 100 of them! http://www.flickr.com/photos/sumofmarc/sets/72157627538282447/

 

[MartinGT]

Did anyone else think the finish had the potential to be very dangerous? I thought it was pretty crazy, a finish on the corner

 

[Andy99]

Did anyone else think the finish had the potential to be very dangerous? I thought it was pretty crazy, a finish on the corner

Been used a number of times previously without any problems.

 

[R.0.t.O]

Only about 12% over the full 1.5km, but the last 1km is about 15% and the middle 500m is over 20%

I'd be surprised if it's as much as 20%, but it is consistently steep with some ramps. As bergs go it's quite a good one because it's regularly steep enough to have people struggling, then with a few kicks to let the stronger guys ride away. It's not a pure slog like Constitution Hill in Swansea. The descent is very straightforward as well so if someone has a handful of seconds at the top they have a good chance of holding on.

Just a shame they managed to find the only easy route from Welshpool to Caerphilly. The weather is very benign here as well.

 

[Euskaltel!]

I'd be surprised if it's as much as 20%, but it is consistently steep with some ramps. As bergs go it's quite a good one because it's regularly steep enough to have people struggling, then with a few kicks to let the stronger guys ride away. It's not a pure slog like Constitution Hill in Swansea. The descent is very straightforward as well so if someone has a handful of seconds at the top they have a good chance of holding on.

Just a shame they managed to find the only easy route from Welshpool to Caerphilly. The weather is very benign here as well.

Just about to head out from Cardiff towards Caerphilly - gonna check out the hill on my bike and then install myself somewhere along the 20% section =) Hoping for some fun! I was at Constitution Hill last year but I prefer something longer where more things can happen - shame Albasini isn't here to defend...

 

[auscyclefan94]

The commentators seem to have an orgasm when they see a Sky rider in the race. Chauvinism at it's best.

That Rapha Condor rider which kept on attacking was quite impressive.

 

[Anonymous]

The commentators seem to have an orgasm when they see a Sky rider in the race. Chauvinism at it's best.

That Rapha Condor rider which kept on attacking was quite impressive.

so is it better than the tour down under yet.

For me, yesterdays amazing echelons made the whole race worthwhile.

even if the race is now down to a boom, thomas, gerdemman three way fight for the time being.

 

[auscyclefan94]

so is it better than the tour down under yet.

For me, yesterdays amazing echelons made the whole race worthwhile.

even if the race is now down to a boom, thomas, gerdemman three way fight for the time being.

Overall it probably is though I think the stages to Wilunga and Stirling provide better racing than what any stage in the Tour of Britain does.

Can I ask, does the winner get some scones and tea for winning today after Boom got a fruit bowl yesterday?