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

[hfer07]

so the 4th GT's 1st stage has just been cancelled....... I thought the main reason for its new calender was due to weather conditions......

 

[Astana1]

I didn't realize Captain Hindsight posted here too.

 

[Bala Verde]

That's what you get when there is only one race per year that counts.
Everyone is afraid of getting sick and upsetting their carefully planned training-regime.

 

[red_flanders]

Tahoe race, elevation 6500-7300, snowy, sub-freezing temps, 55 MPH+ descents, first day of the race, over 100miles. Dangerous conditions.
Good call by the organizers, calling the race is showing the respect for the fallen rider in the GIRO and for the other riders who are in the TOC.
I like the call.
Contrary to what the haterz say here, this isn't Rollerball, Roller Derby, NAscar, Ice Hockey, Pro wrestling or ultimate fighting.
Last year in the ToC Cancellera went down at high speed and Boonen wrecked his season in a spill in Sacramento.
The Tahoe stage was a high speed circuit race at altitude.
It is not a once over the summit GIRO stage.
If anyone thinks that a 4 hour race at altitude, sub-freezing with snow and maybe ice is OK say Aye!

I think that just about covers it! Flickr, <cringe>great post!</cringe>.

 

[FabulousCandelabra]

seriously hope that guy wearing the shades doesn't make a video for every single stage of ToC... he is upsetting to hear and look at, lol.

 

[boardhanger]

Its bull**** the stage should not have been cancelled.....

 

[La Vie Claire]

Work gloves and ski goggles. Hampsten is a hard man.

Those are Oakley sunglasses that Hampsten is wearing.

 

[woodie]

Its bull**** the stage should not have been cancelled.....

Why not? It was obviously pretty damn dangerous. No one wants to see another death or injury so they made a call and it sounds like the right one. But I guess your one of these tough old guys who rode though cyclones

 

[The Sheep]

Why not? It was obviously pretty damn dangerous. No one wants to see another death or injury so they made a call and it sounds like the right one. But I guess your one of these tough old guys who rode though cyclones

You get some good tailwind tbh

 

[greenedge]

Poor Sagan who would have gone FTW, hope i does not affect any other stages.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

If there were concerns about safety, icy roads or something, I understand. If it's merely cold, then they should just put some clothes on and race.

Agree - but some of the fotos coming out from Cali show it was very much the former, so as much as its a pity for the race the correct decision was made.

 

[dancing on pedals]

mmmmmmmm - very poor really. Big questions should be asked about the route and the organisers ability to hold a race.
Why start a race at such an elevation?
Total madness - I hope the UCI take action.
Not seen such poor race planning since most of the peloton lost its way in the ENECO tour.
Please no more talk about the 4th grand tour......
thanks

 

[krebs303]

Tour of California: Stage 1 Snowed Out

A photo from pro cycling's Team Garmin of conditions near the start of the Tour of California this morning.

 

[CatsNK]

Those pictures of old Giros are great. I wonder if this stage was in Italy with these conditions if they would have gone ahead with it. Just asking the question.

 

[kb1111]

This is just before the 1st KOM at race start time. No slush, just wet

 

[danjo007]

the answer to that is no, they would not have. and the organizers would have threatened them with DQ. and more cyclists would have died.

 

[FabulousCandelabra]

starting in tahoe was a huge mistake... jerks

 

[boardhanger]

Why not? It was obviously pretty damn dangerous. No one wants to see another death or injury so they made a call and it sounds like the right one. But I guess your one of these tough old guys who rode though cyclones [/QUOTE/]

...OK no more racing in the wet?!! Weylants crash happened in the dry hot condtitions??

 

[ghostofjoy]

I'm guessing the anti-cancellation faction has actually been to tahoe...it's snow chains or nothing for cars during this kind of weather. it would have been icecapades.

there was nothing wrong with the route itself, but there needed to be a plan b. it's the sierras, home to possibly the most aberrant weather in the US. it snows in August at those elevations for heaven's sake.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

mmmmmmmm - very poor really. Big questions should be asked about the route and the organisers ability to hold a race.
Why start a race at such an elevation?
Total madness - I hope the UCI take action.
Not seen such poor race planning since most of the peloton lost its way in the ENECO tour.
Please no more talk about the 4th grand tour......
thanks

The entire Tour of Qinghai Lake takes place at higher elevation than this.

They were unlucky with the timing of the weather, but should have known it was always a risk. Would have liked a plan B, even if it was just a prologue time trial or crit in South Lake Tahoe - should probably have been possible to grit a short course they could have used using parts of the original planned course?

 

[ksmith]

the answer to that is no, they would not have. and the organizers would have threatened them with DQ. and more cyclists would have died.

So if it's cold and snows riders die.

 

[boardhanger]

I'm guessing the anti-cancellation faction has actually been to tahoe...it's snow chains or nothing for cars during this kind of weather. it would have been icecapades.

there was nothing wrong with the route itself, but there needed to be a plan b. it's the sierras, home to possibly the most aberrant weather in the US. it snows in August at those elevations for heaven's sake.

Ok I agree with your sentiments. where is the UCI ulternative finish????

 

[mewmewmew13]

This is just before the 1st KOM at race start time. No slush, just wet

'Just wet'. I live in Colorado....sometimes when it is 'just wet' and you fly around a corner in the shade or over a bridge-- ice. These temps are on the edge if there are flurries in the air, the roads are bad enough covered in water and gunk, oil etc, but on the verge of freezing are sudden ice patches without warning.

Good call. I would rather ride in pure snow than this freeze/thaw stuff. Way risky.

 

[LugHugger]

I'm guessing the anti-cancellation faction has actually been to tahoe...it's snow chains or nothing for cars during this kind of weather. it would have been icecapades.

there was nothing wrong with the route itself, but there needed to be a plan b. it's the sierras, home to possibly the most aberrant weather in the US. it snows in August at those elevations for heaven's sake.

Indeed.

Who are the imbeciles who planned the route at this time of year without establishing a contingency? They couldn't organise a p*ss up in a brewery.

I won't waste any more of my time on this event. I'll stick with the Giro.

Thank you and good night.

 

[flicker]

I would factor this into the decision. Weylandt's death, likely fatigue a factor.
Cancellera crashing Trinity Grade, Amgen, likely fatigue, wet roads, unknown turns. Boonen's crash Sacramento, likely fatigue.
Factor racing in close to freezing temps for 5 hours at altitude. Much fatigue, accidents likely. Tomarrow will be cold too. These guys carry what, 3% body fat?
By stage 4 the riders would be ruined. Good call cancelling the race.
Also no one wants a serious injury or death.