Tour of California Stage 5: Visalia - Bakersfield (195.5km)

[benpounder]

Other than that silly Old Stage Road climb, stage 5 looks to be yet another boring day for this want-to-be major cycling race. [/snark]

I look for something to happen in the GC battle on those finishing circuits.

 

[theswordsman]

Other than that silly Old Stage Road climb, stage 5 looks to be yet another boring day for this want-to-be major cycling race. [/snark]

I look for something to happen in the GC battle on those finishing circuits.

Have you checked the Clinic, or the Wall Street Journal? A few guys might not start, and the rest of the peloton will have a lot on their minds.

Young Liquigas riders for the win.

 

[Andrichuk]

Why don't they put that hill at the end and create an exciting race?

 

[kjetilraknerud]

1. Voigt
2. Hesjedal
3. Barredo
4. Rogers
5. Zabriske

 

[benpounder]

Why don't they put that hill at the end and create an exciting race?

Bicycle racing in the States is problematic - and not just because of cultural differences - we're alot more spread out with far less paved roads*. I think the organizers will eventually learn that a true mountain top finish should be scheduled.

*Although if Strade bianche is really desirable for grand tours, we have a helluva lot of Strade Grigio - gravel roads.

 

[Jamsque]

I really hope they decide to actually race and drop some of the sprinters on the climb.

 

[Moondance]

This looks like a Sagan stage to me.

 

[Jamsque]

Every stage looks like a Sagan stage.

 

[Moondance]

Every stage looks like a Sagan stage.

That goes without saying

 

[flicker]

My British friends were wrong. The Tour of California is bigger than the Giro.
Just watch it this morning 9:30PDT. Greatest race in the world, thanks to lance johann and floyd.

 

[benpounder]

Greatest race in the world, thanks to lance johann and floyd.

Well, today certainly will be interesting. I cant remember ever anticipating Paul and Phil's commentary.

 

[Ferminal]

Well, today certainly will be interesting. I cant remember ever anticipating Paul and Phil's commentary.

I'll be recording the Eurosport and P&P edition of the race

Eurosport so I can see what the charmismatic Magnus has to say on things, and to watch the race of course. P&P just to see if there's any chinks in the armour yet.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Looking at that profile, I wouldn't have bothered, but I will now, just for those long lingering shots of Lance, we get on screen, every few minutes.
Commentary should be "juicy" too.

Why are they lapping and finishing on a speed bump?

 

[jaylew]

Well, today certainly will be interesting. I cant remember ever anticipating Paul and Phil's commentary.

But seriously, we already know exactly what they're going to say, right?

 

[The Sheep]

Bruyneel on Twitter

Sorry to report there was a huge crash, with Chechu and Lance involved. Lance had to abandon and is going to the hospital for Xrays.

 

[Anonymous]

Bruyneel on Twitter

I wonder if they will have to do blood work?

 

[Barrus]

Bruyneel on Twitter

This has to be a joke right? They couldn't really be this stupid, to think such an obvious ploy would work?

 

[tgsgirl]

I don't think they'd get Stuart O'Grady to play along, and he has abandoned too. Quite a lot of others involved:

Bernhard Eisel (Team HTC-Columbia)
Tony Martin (Team HTC-Columbia)
Jakob Fuglsang (Team Saxo Bank)
Jeremy Hunt (Cervelo Test Team)
Lars Ytting Bak (Team HTC-Columbia)
Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Doimo)
Brian Vandborg (Liquigas-Doimo)

 

[benpounder]

Lance abandons!

Anyone surprised?

 

[theyoungest]

Bruyneel on Twitter

I actually thought you were joking, but you're right. Would have been a nice, if morbid, joke though.

 

[Barrus]

He probably "broke" something which is why can't ride the rour de suisse, nor the tour the france

 

[theyoungest]

Marc de Maar crashed as well. Dekker_Tifosi breaks down in tears.

 

[tgsgirl]

He probably "broke" something which is why can't ride the rour de suisse, nor the tour the france

His ego?

stupid length rule

 

[kjetilraknerud]

What are the time bonuses for intermediate sprints, 6, 4 and 2?

In that case, Rogers is now on the same time as Zabriskie.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Haussler also out.
Where's Eyjafjallajokull to tell us how much safer than the Giro this race is?
Suddenly, he's very quiet.

The last time we see Lance in a race?

Dave Zee and Levi in a desperate fight to lose the Tour of California?

Could be Mick Rogers break into the big time.