Tour of California Stage 1 - South Lake Tahoe - North Lake Tahoe 191 km

[jaylew]

1.5 laps around the lake. Last climb is 5k at 5.2%. Should be enough to create some time gaps but I expect a smallish group sprint. The entire stage is at altitude but I'm not sure what effect that will have on the riders.

 

[Ferminal]

The final 1.5km is uphill, maybe 4-5% I think.

At least that's what the profile said when I looked at it.

 

[jaylew]

Ooh, even better. An uphill sprint, then? Will any GC guy have a go?

This link shows that finale a bit better and the profile is interactive so you can get a % grade at any point.

 

[Polish]

If its snowing, and the stage is not neutralized/shortened - I pick Tommy D.

Tahoe Webcam:
http://www.rntl.net/tahoecam.htm

 

[greenedge]

Sagan FTW. Simple as that.

 

[kb1111]

I think the fireworks will start on Brockway summit, the decent to Northstar is very fast, then its uphill to the finish, maybe Ryder Hesjedal ?

 

[Ryaguas]

and who cares about this asldkfjaldkfj raekrjañkerj djañfkajdflk dlksfjañkdfj adkfjaldkfj kdjflañkdf race???

Nah just kidding...

looks llike a nice stage... I'll enjoy it...
My picks?
Nuyens
Ryder
Also Boom could have something to say!

 

[red_flanders]

I've ridden the whole route including Brockway summit, but coming the other direction. They picked the far easier side to climb. Still, it's going to hurt after that many miles at altitude. I predict some pain for a lot of people.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I've ridden this route several times. Got married at Lake Tahoe. I don't think the time gaps will be significant. However, this is the type of stage that can catch out people who have not acclimated to the altitude.

Beautiful stage.

 

[red_flanders]

Just for perspective, the entire route will be run at over the lake elevation of 6225 ft (1897 m). Higher than more than a few passes in the European grand tours. The highest point of the stage will be almost 2200 meters.

 

[ansimi]

Sounds like a Sagan finish if he's in shape.

 

[jobiwan]

Always wanted to go to Tahoe, should have made plans to go see this.

P. Velits, Sagan, or Sutherland FTW!!!

2 Races a Day for a Week!!

 

[kukiniloa]

Sagan and a flying dutchman for the win! Pick one...
Question: how far back will F Mancebo finish?

Really. Looking forward to an interesting AToC!! finally!?

2 races a day, stanley cup playoffs and IIHF worlds!

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Maybe boom can do a good ride...

 

[Raceoftruth]

Maybe ben swift?

 

[Boeing]

snow showers expected

that last hill into north star is no hill damn

 

[greenedge]

don't know if Boom will. I don't think he will cope up the hill so well. Sagan is more suited.

 

[Mellow Velo]

snow showers expected

that last hill into north star is no hill damn

What is the final descent like?
If there is slushy snow about, that is just about the most treacherous surface to ride, never mind ride with any aggression.
Have the organizers muted they might take it out, if the forecast conditions arrive, given this weeks Giro tragedy?

If there is a covering of snow, then the riders will not race and the stage will be cancelled altogether.

Fingers crossed.

 

[will10]

Got to be a Sagan stage if he is in shape. Hushovd and Freire will be up there too.

 

[Karl Max]

Got to be a Sagan stage if he is in shape. Hushovd and Freire will be up there too.

Even if I am big fan of Hushovd I dont belive in him in this stage. He has had a race break since Paris-Roubaix and history shows he usually need a couple of stages before he preform on top level after a race brake.

I belive more in Sagan and Freire on this one.

 

[Moondance]

Snow, in California, in May?

Consider my mind blown.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Even if I am big fan of Hushovd I dont belive in him in this stage. He has had a race break since Paris-Roubaix and history shows I usually need a couple of stages before he preform on top level after a race brake.

I belive more in Sagan and Freire on this one.

God ettermiddag, Thor! Hå det bra?

Vi er beæret, å ha en verdensmester å på forumet!

 

[Karl Max]

God ettermiddag, Thor! Hå det bra?

Vi er beæret, å ha en verdensmester å på forumet!

Thanks for the correction, of course I should have written he usually needs not I. And since we are in the correction mood.

God ettermiddag , Thor ! correct
Hå det bra, sounds very strange. Guess you mean. "Går det bra"

Vi er beæret over over å ha en verdensmester på forumet.

You can not always thrust goggle translate ;-)

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Thanks for the correction, of course I should have written he usually needs not I. And since we are in the correction mood.

God ettermiddag , Thor ! correct
Hå det bra, sounds very strange. Guess you mean. "Går det bra"

Vi er beæret over over å ha en verdensmester på forumet.

You can not always thrust goggle translate ;-)

No google translate involved - just that I'm not very good at Norwegian, and when using Germanic languages I find my syntax gets muddled by my tendency to think in German!

"Hå det bra" was me somehow getting halfway between "Går det bra" and "Ha det bra".

 

[the vagabond]

Weather is going to be horrendous. I predict they will scrap the full loop around the lake, start late, and ride just the 60km or so to the finish. Or, a longer but completely neutralized race with just a short raced section.

As for the Netherlands reader mind being blown by snow in California in May - is your mind also blown by snow in the Giro, too, at similar latitudes and similar altitudes? Rare, but certainly not unheard of in the Sierra.