Tour of California, Stage 5: Seaside - Paso Robles, 223.6 km

[jobiwan]

REALLY LONG stage before the Solvang TT.
Originally supposed to go along the Pacific Coast Highway, but deterred due to mudslides.
A lumpy last half, but perhaps just a reduced bunch sprint.
The profile screams Sagan FTW.

Jerseys:
Leader: Horner
KOM: McCarty (SpiderTech)
Sprint: Sagan
Young: Talansky
Most Aggressive: Hesjedal

Map

Profile

 

[Ferminal]

Oooh, is a tough day. Long and a few climbs. Lots of climb too - but none of them look too tough (hard to get an exact read on them with these profiles).

Goss doesn't seem to be in the best shape, so I'll go Thor vs Sagan in a sprint (hoping for an attack to win it though).

 

[jobiwan]

The last KOM sprint at Interlake Rd. with 35 km to go is 3 km at 7.6%, too early to make a lasting attack, but probably a good indication of the terrain for the last few kms.

 

[craig1985]

I'll agree with jobiwan and go with Sagan. This is the sort of finish that could suit Freire, but not that I expect him to do anything.

 

[krismtb]

Here's the full route on Strava:

http://app.strava.com/rides/365524

If you don't know what Strava is by now, you're either not a cyclist or perhaps euro.

I noticed they're going to skirt the famous Laguna Seca raceway. Too bad they wont be riding a lap around the actual course... it wouldnt be that hard to do! Anyway, I was there last month for the Sea Otter Classic, along with another couple thousand cyclist athletes. This area is a huge playground for cycling.

Anyway, I cant wait for this weekend. We got the TT and Mt Baldy in ATOC, and then there's the Giro with 3 crazy mountain top finishes. On top of that, I'll be doing a mountain bike race Saturday up here in Norcal.

 

[jaylew]

Here's the full route on Strava:

http://app.strava.com/rides/365524

If you don't know what Strava is by now, you're either not a cyclist or perhaps euro.

Hmmm...I'm an American cyclist and I've never head of it.

Anyway, I cant wait for this weekend. We got the TT and Mt Baldy in ATOC, and then there's the Giro with 3 crazy mountain top finishes.

No kidding. I hadn't realized Zoncolan and Baldy are the same day. Can't wait!

 

[flicker]

2 short climbs, one 800 ft. one 1200ft. Just a warm up for a long, long day.
No fun but maybe a tailwind. At least 50 percent up and down.

 

[flicker]

Here's the full route on Strava:

http://app.strava.com/rides/365524

If you don't know what Strava is by now, you're either not a cyclist or perhaps euro.

I noticed they're going to skirt the famous Laguna Seca raceway. Too bad they wont be riding a lap around the actual course... it wouldnt be that hard to do! Anyway, I was there last month for the Sea Otter Classic, along with another couple thousand cyclist athletes. This area is a huge playground for cycling.

Anyway, I cant wait for this weekend. We got the TT and Mt Baldy in ATOC, and then there's the Giro with 3 crazy mountain top finishes. On top of that, I'll be doing a mountain bike race Saturday up here in Norcal.

Strava has those grades and elevations all wrong.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Hushovd to finally get his first win in the rainbow jersey.

 

[greenedge]

I'll go Hushovd or Sagan too. Goss to win stage 8

 

[auscyclefan94]

I wouldn't be surprised if a break goes away.

 

[red_flanders]

Oooh, is a tough day. Long and a few climbs. Lots of climb too - but none of them look too tough (hard to get an exact read on them with these profiles).

Goss doesn't seem to be in the best shape, so I'll go Thor vs Sagan in a sprint (hoping for an attack to win it though).

Not that hard at all, especially the first big one out of Carmel Valley. I've done it from both sides, it's just a long slog, almost a false flat at times coming from the east (they're doing it from the west).

It's a beautiful start to the stage.

 

[benpounder]

If you don't know what Strava is by now, you're either not a cyclist or perhaps euro.

I'm a cyclist, and I also have not heard of this site. It looks like several other sites however, ones that tie into your onboard computer/GPS device. Nice feature if you're a tech-head, or into copiously documented training.

...I was there last month for the Sea Otter Classic, along with another couple thousand cyclist athletes. This area is a huge playground for cycling.

Granted that it has been several years since I was out there, but I recall those roads being really heavy, and the 'rollers' being rather abrupt. In other words, for a peloton moving at good speed, lots of high gear, out of the saddle, uphill sprints - leg sapping IIRC.

 

[benpounder]

Strava has those grades and elevations all wrong.

It looks very similar to the profile on the official site.

 

[cineteq]

Beautiful stage! Going through Big Sur on Hw1 is spectacular!

 

[*G*K*S*]

I wouldn't be surprised if a break goes away.

With Hincapie FTW!

 

[krismtb]

Yeah looks like the strava link I posted is missing a lot of data - its unusual and I think this is a special route. It is all I could find, however. I looked hard for a precise GPS capture.


As for the jab about not being a cyclist if you don't know strava... just jabbing/kidding around really. check it out.

 

[jobiwan]

Stage starts in about 15 minutes.
It's going to be a LOOOOOOOOOONG day.

 

[Gloin22]

Swift wants to win. He has the form and is motivated to win so dont write him off.

 

[benpounder]

Swift wants to win. He has the form and is motivated to win so dont write him off.

with 2860m of climbing, he will have to be in great form, and highly motivated.

 

[Gloin22]

We now have a four man break comprised of Oscar Freire Gomez (Rabobank Cycling Team), Christopher Froome (Sky Procycling), Daniel Martin (Team Garmin-Cervelo) and Christopher Baldwin (Bissell Cycling).

Looks like strong break.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

We now have a four man break comprised of Oscar Freire Gomez (Rabobank Cycling Team), Christopher Froome (Sky Procycling), Daniel Martin (Team Garmin-Cervelo) and Christopher Baldwin (Bissell Cycling).

Looks like strong break.

Yep. This is a solid break. Freire can take this. Martin and Baldwin are going to have to attack on every little hill close to the finish.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Go chris baldwin!!! :d

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Looks like a Sagan day to me

 

[maltiv]

Dan Martin is only 2:05 back in GC and Froome is only 2:53 behind in GC so the break won't be given much time.