Tour of California, Stage 7: Claremont - Mt. Baldy, 121.9 km

[jens_attacks]

oh i felt so bad seeing busche blowing his engine.we could have had a 1-2-3.what a showdown anyway.
huge performance by ten dam too.andy still waiting for july...

 

[Yeahright]

I don't think it's Lance and JB that do it for me, it's the hype express. The "fourth Grand Tour" stuff, the "most prestigious one week race" stuff (and yes, people like Bavarianrider saying the Vuelta is on its death bed and Cali should be lengthened to take its place as if Bavarianrider didn't see that the fans were out in force for the 2010 Vuelta).

If you strip away the bulls*** promising things they haven't got a hope in hell of delivering, what you get is a pretty decent, well organised one-week race. And though many criticisms could be fired at the route of last year's race (far too many straight roads through dull countryside - very much like "those" Vuelta stages - and a ton of climbing to make it hard but none conducive to breaking the race apart) it feels like most of those criticisms have been listened to and corrected. Apart from the farce that was the first stage with the snow and the elevation and the cancellation, the course has been pretty good, and the racing has been better as a result.

Is it a fourth Grand Tour? No.

Is it one of the most prestigious one-week races? Not yet.

Should it be lengthened? Not yet.

Is it going to take the place of the Vuelta? No.

Is it a very professional, well-run and enjoyable race at the .HC level? Yes, very much so. Could be the second best 2.HC race of the year (after the always-entertaining Burgos) - but probably the 1st most important one.

The race shouldn't be lengthened or moved in the calendar now. Maybe in a few years time, but right now they still need a new title sponsor, and we should consolidate what we have got, which is a bona fide top level race in North America. One week is good because it's not tough enough to discourage those who may have other targets from coming, it's not tough enough to mean that the domestic pros have no chance, but it IS tough enough for good racing to take place and riders to get separation and break things up.

Good post. It has been a good race this year and dare I say it more entertaining than the Bertie benefit race that the Giro has become this year.

 

[Midnightfright]

I don't think it's Lance and JB that do it for me, it's the hype express. The "fourth Grand Tour" stuff, the "most prestigious one week race" stuff (and yes, people like Bavarianrider saying the Vuelta is on its death bed and Cali should be lengthened to take its place as if Bavarianrider didn't see that the fans were out in force for the 2010 Vuelta).

If you strip away the bulls*** promising things they haven't got a hope in hell of delivering, what you get is a pretty decent, well organised one-week race. And though many criticisms could be fired at the route of last year's race (far too many straight roads through dull countryside - very much like "those" Vuelta stages - and a ton of climbing to make it hard but none conducive to breaking the race apart) it feels like most of those criticisms have been listened to and corrected. Apart from the farce that was the first stage with the snow and the elevation and the cancellation, the course has been pretty good, and the racing has been better as a result.

Is it a fourth Grand Tour? No.

Is it one of the most prestigious one-week races? Not yet.

Should it be lengthened? Not yet.

Is it going to take the place of the Vuelta? No.

Is it a very professional, well-run and enjoyable race at the .HC level? Yes, very much so. Could be the second best 2.HC race of the year (after the always-entertaining Burgos) - but probably the 1st most important one.

The race shouldn't be lengthened or moved in the calendar now. Maybe in a few years time, but right now they still need a new title sponsor, and we should consolidate what we have got, which is a bona fide top level race in North America. One week is good because it's not tough enough to discourage those who may have other targets from coming, it's not tough enough to mean that the domestic pros have no chance, but it IS tough enough for good racing to take place and riders to get separation and break things up.

I agree with pretty much all you have said, its been an enjoyable race but some of the stuff around it make it hard to swallow.

 

[Yeahright]

A 1 -2 of old baldy men winning on Mt Baldy is almost poetic.

Great to see the old guys kicking ***. I have to say though you would never see Contador getting dropped in a race like this like Andy did today just six weeks out from the TdF. I liked Ligetts call...he started out well and got worse as the week went on

 

[auscyclefan94]

Andy is still in better condition now than he was in May 2010.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Andy is still in better condition now than he was in May 2010.

Absolutely, I think Andy will be stronger than ever in the Tour this year. He has been stronger than ever in nearly every race so far than he has been in the past in those periods.

Might be unstoppable in the Tour if Contador doesn't show up

 

[Astana1]

After this race it's hard to tell who Garmin will select for their tour squad. Danielson actually sort of showed up and he was stronger than Zabriskie on the climbs, but Zabriskie is in great TT form. They probably don't have anyone that can hang with the big boys but they could contend for the team classification.

My best guess.

VDV-lock
Le Mevel-lock
Danielson
Farrar-Lock
Hushovd-Lock
Hesjedal-Lock
Zabriskie
Millar
JVS-probably a lock

Guys on the outside..
Dean
Haussler

 

[roundabout]

To be honest I don't think Le Mevel is a lock. As far as I understand it it's almost certain that he won't ride the Tour.

 

[lancaster]

And, I'm sorry to be negative, but that leaders jersey literally looks like sh*t..beautiful scenery, though. I'm sure there will be good racing on this mountain one day.

you need to see someone about that

 

[Bavarianrider]

I agree. Maybe make an uphill time trial/ the sprinters challenge if it goes well. They need to get this race however out of the niche that it's good training.

Yeoo, but to get out of this niche, i think the date of the race has to be changed. May is a bit of a problem because internationa riders use it as a training in the first place, and Anericans who try to peak here, have louts of troble to peak in July again. And the Tour is very important to America. So the current date is really a bit tricky. Going to First-second week of september should be fine.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Yeoo, but to get out of this niche, i think the date of the race has to be changed. May is a bit of a problem because internationa riders use it as a training in the first place, and Anericans who try to peak here, have louts of troble to peak in July again. And the Tour is very important to America. So the current date is really a bit tricky. Going to First-second week of september should be fine.

Apart from that it then treads on the toes of the Canadian races and whatever Quiznos is going to be called now.

If you have it there, you have to avoid those. It does make a pretty reasonable north American late summer swing with all those races together - but then that makes it difficult for them to later lengthen California as if it extends to 2 weeks and doesn't get int the way of Quebec/Montreal/Quiznos it's going to go too close to the Worlds - which will put it into the same predicament as the Vuelta, only with (depending on where the Worlds are) the addition of jetlag to the equation.

I think let it continue to develop its character where it is for the time being. Again, you've got to walk before you can run. They've only just sorted out the teething problems and given us a proper hint of what the Tour of California can be. Also, if a race keeps jumping around in the calendar it can be a nightmare for its prestige and for organisation as different places have different commitments and can/can't host at different times of the year. Races like the Volta a Catalunya have suffered in their prestige from being shunted around the calendar. Never underestimate the power of stability.

 

[Tuarts]

I don't think it's Lance and JB that do it for me, it's the hype express. The "fourth Grand Tour" stuff, the "most prestigious one week race" stuff (and yes, people like Bavarianrider saying the Vuelta is on its death bed and Cali should be lengthened to take its place as if Bavarianrider didn't see that the fans were out in force for the 2010 Vuelta).

If you strip away the bulls*** promising things they haven't got a hope in hell of delivering, what you get is a pretty decent, well organised one-week race. And though many criticisms could be fired at the route of last year's race (far too many straight roads through dull countryside - very much like "those" Vuelta stages - and a ton of climbing to make it hard but none conducive to breaking the race apart) it feels like most of those criticisms have been listened to and corrected. Apart from the farce that was the first stage with the snow and the elevation and the cancellation, the course has been pretty good, and the racing has been better as a result.

Is it a fourth Grand Tour? No.

Is it one of the most prestigious one-week races? Not yet.

Should it be lengthened? Not yet.

Is it going to take the place of the Vuelta? No.

Is it a very professional, well-run and enjoyable race at the .HC level? Yes, very much so. Could be the second best 2.HC race of the year (after the always-entertaining Burgos) - but probably the 1st most important one.

The race shouldn't be lengthened or moved in the calendar now. Maybe in a few years time, but right now they still need a new title sponsor, and we should consolidate what we have got, which is a bona fide top level race in North America. One week is good because it's not tough enough to discourage those who may have other targets from coming, it's not tough enough to mean that the domestic pros have no chance, but it IS tough enough for good racing to take place and riders to get separation and break things up.

Agree, especially point in bold.

I enjoyed the parcours, the racing was different. Can't fault RS, they actually turned up to racing, Garmin continuing their 2011 form (jack of all trades, masters of none). Maybe if they keep having parcours like this race and a couple more PT teams (thought all the Pro-Conti and Conti teams were great, wish TDU did something like that) and you might have more riders + teams making it an objective to win.

 

[Ledge71]

Team Dope Shack for the Win!

The win couldn't have gone to a more boring bunch of guys. Yaaaawn. Looks like Levi is on his way to a another 5-15th place in the TDF. Tommy D is looking good, Bushé and TJ look to be the real deal. Future is bright for USA. I was more impressed by Bushé than Boringheimer.

 

[red_flanders]

If you strip away the bulls*** promising things they haven't got a hope in hell of delivering, what you get is a pretty decent, well organised one-week race. And though many criticisms could be fired at the route of last year's race (far too many straight roads through dull countryside - very much like "those" Vuelta stages - and a ton of climbing to make it hard but none conducive to breaking the race apart) it feels like most of those criticisms have been listened to and corrected. Apart from the farce that was the first stage with the snow and the elevation and the cancellation, the course has been pretty good, and the racing has been better as a result.

I think the bold is absolutely true. It's also a bit of faint praise. I think it's as good a non-GT as there is or has been, but of course the "American Grand Tour" BS is a turn-off. So ignore it and enjoy the race!

I think you have legit criticisms. I think many others bag on the race because of the strong association with Armstrong, Bruyneel and Radio Shack.

Get past it folks, and enjoy that this country has a great stage race. If you're an American, do us all a favor and do what you can to offer constructive critique but for crying out loud, SUPPORT THE RACE.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Very nice little stage. AToC has finally got the balance right, between climbing and trialing. However, they still could do with a better intermediate stage, since the flat stages are well.............flat.

However, the Giro is currently going about putting yesterday's mtf into it's true context.

 

[flicker]

Impressive ride by horner, class act. levi did his thing which is good.This guy Busche I was on the second climb in Monterey, the guy is a total stud.Loved how he rode for Horner on Sierra and on Baldy yesterday. He will be a super domestique or a winner, maybe in classics. Nice to see Americans coming up like that,Bushe really know how to suffer!

 

[jaylew]

Very nice little stage. AToC has finally got the balance right, between climbing and trialing. However, they still could do with a better intermediate stage, since the flat stages are well.............flat.

The intermediate stage got snowed out.

 

[The Hitch]

I just get a little sick of the bashing of this race. A lot of people are especially nasty towards it because the race organsisers and commentators fuss over Lance and JB a lot so people hate the race.

Its got nothing to do with Lance. I couldn't care less about riders now retired.

Its got to do with Mcquaid and others saying Vuelta and Giro should be shortened for it, hence cycling destroyed, and its attempts to claim that because you have a race in America it should be allowed to leapfrog all the races in countries that actually care about cycling.

Good post. It has been a good race this year and dare I say it more entertaining than the Bertie benefit race that the Giro has become this year.

You havent been watching the Giro have you

Yeoo, but to get out of this niche, i think the date of the race has to be changed. May is a bit of a problem because internationa riders use it as a training in the first place, and Anericans who try to peak here, have louts of troble to peak in July again. And the Tour is very important to America. So the current date is really a bit tricky. Going to First-second week of september should be fine.

September comes after July hence outside the season (May-July) as far as TOC is concerned.

 

[The Hitch]

Good post. It has been a good race this year and dare I say it more entertaining than the Bertie benefit race that the Giro has become this year.

You havent watched the Giro have you

 

[Bavarianrider]

Its got nothing to do with Lance. I couldn't care less about riders now retired.

Its got to do with Mcquaid and others saying Vuelta and Giro should be shortened for it, hence cycling destroyed, and its attempts to claim that because you have a race in America it should be allowed to leapfrog all the races in countries that actually care about cycling.



You havent been watching the Giro have you




September comes after July hence outside the season (May-July) as far as TOC is concerned.

What do you mean by outside the season?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

What do you mean by outside the season?

I'm guessing Hitch means that because the season is kind of focused around the Tour, especially in those countries that aren't cycling mad, if your race is after the Tour it's considered a bit of an afterthought, whereas placing it in the buildup to the Tour allows them to play that up.

To those who don't follow the sport, the Tour is the centrepiece of the calendar, the grand final, therefore they want to be placed before it as that's when most eyes and ears will be receptive to the sport, and if it's after the Tour it may be perceived as less relevant.

(Also, the top names are probably more willing to participate in a difficult race to test themselves before a big event than when they're already fatigued from a big event)

 

[greenedge]

Does anyone have a photo of Bowling alley as they call it?????