Tour of Norway 2014 (2.HC)

[gooner]

Might as well have a thread for this. It's on Eurosport all week.

STARTLIST

May 21, Stage 1: Larvik – Larvik

May 22, Stage 2: Drøbak – Sarpsborg

May 23, Stage 3: Årnes - Budor

 

[gooner]

May 24, Stage 4: Brumunddal – Lillehammer

May 25, Stage 5: Gjøvik – Hønefoss, Eggemoen

 

[Sciocco]

Wow, looks like some of that could be entertaining. I hope we get a ticker or forum comments. I cannot watch streams at work.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

So 6 man teams, I think thats good. Was 8 last year I believe.

Lets see if Van Asbroeck can crush the natives.

 

[Kwibus]

Mollema ftw.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Looks like a fun race! Too bad that Hagen won't be here.

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

Mollema ftw.

Will he be riding for Nordhaug with the race being in Norway? Belkin could probably win the overall with either of them looking at the startlist.

 

[De Snelle Duif]

Kristoff won't have any problem at all in sprints I think.

 

[Der Effe]

Will he be riding for Nordhaug with the race being in Norway? Belkin could probably win the overall with either of them looking at the startlist.

Nordhaug's Belkin main man.

 

[Kwibus]

Will he be riding for Nordhaug with the race being in Norway? Belkin could probably win the overall with either of them looking at the startlist.

Yeh Nordhaug is Belkin's man. Mollema is riding to get racing miles in his legs.

 

[maltiv]

Will he be riding for Nordhaug with the race being in Norway? Belkin could probably win the overall with either of them looking at the startlist.

They say so in their preview at least. Problem is, Nordhaug usually has allergy problems this time of the year, so it depends on the conditions.

Amongst the young Norwegians, I expect the most from Odd Christian Eiking. One of the strongest in the world championships last year, and proved to be in fine form last weekend with 4th in Hadeland GP and 5th in Ringerike GP. He's an explosive and well-rounded climber who's very well suited to this course.

 

[Pentacycle]

Thomas Sprengers FTW.

 

[Wallenquist]

Anyone know why Oskar Svendsen in gone from the startlist ? I remember him saying that this is one of his goals for the season.

And watch out for Beltran. With MTF and lack of good climbers he will have a chance to show his skills and get some confidence for the rest of the season.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Is it really a MTF? Looks like the average gradient is only about 3% from the profile.

 

[vladimir]

Is it really a MTF? Looks like the average gradient is only about 3% from the profile.

It really is a long drag even a false flat up to Budor. I haven't been there in a couple of years, but as far as I remember the road doesn't have any parts where the gradient is above 5 %. So really nothing for the climbers. The Lillehammer stage will probably be decicive once again.

 

[William H]

No Giants for their home race in Jotunheim?

 

[christopherrowe]

Does anyone know of a way to follow this race other than the twitter hashtag #ton2014? Apparently there's radio coverage but it's in Norwegian, which alas, I do not speak.

Edit to add: Ah, found video with French commentary.

 

[christopherrowe]

Alexander Kristoff wins the sprint in the rain! And no crashes in the leadup!

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Nice finish. Enger impressive again.

 

[kanari]

1 KRISTOFF Alexander Team Katusha
2 ENGER Sondre Holst Team Sparebanken Sør
3 VAN ASBROECK Tom Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise
4 NORDHAUG Lars Petter Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
5 WAEYTENS Zico Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise
6 MATYSIAK Bartlomiej CCC Polsat Polkowice
7 CIOLEK Gerald MTN - Qhubeka
8 SPRENGERS Thomas Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise
9 PATERSKI Maciej CCC Polsat Polkowice
10 RINGHEIM Jo Kogstad Team Joker

 

[jsem94]

Wait. Nordhaug 4th, in a sprint?

 

[kanari]

Wait. Nordhaug 4th, in a sprint?

There was a short steep hill just before the finishing stretch, Nordhaug was a few meters in front after the hill and just sort of stayed in there.

 

[jsem94]

Ok. That explains it then.

 

[ToreBear]

Anyone know why Oskar Svendsen in gone from the startlist ? I remember him saying that this is one of his goals for the season.

And watch out for Beltran. With MTF and lack of good climbers he will have a chance to show his skills and get some confidence for the rest of the season.

The TV dudes gave me the impression he was sick, or a little over trained or both or something, so the team pulled him a few days ago. IIRC they expect him to be back for Tour des Fjords next week.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

1 KRISTOFF Alexander Team Katusha
2 ENGER Sondre Holst Team Sparebanken Sør
3 VAN ASBROECK Tom Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise
4 NORDHAUG Lars Petter Belkin-Pro Cycling Team
5 WAEYTENS Zico Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise
6 MATYSIAK Bartlomiej CCC Polsat Polkowice
7 CIOLEK Gerald MTN - Qhubeka
8 SPRENGERS Thomas Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise
9 PATERSKI Maciej CCC Polsat Polkowice
10 RINGHEIM Jo Kogstad Team Joker

Topsport dominance on the cards here.
But congrats to Kristoff with a solid home win.