Tour of Oman (2.HC) 13.02.-18.02.2018

[Krokro]

Re:

Cort Nielsen 6th. s/t as Haas.

He is more than just a sprinter.

I've always seen him as a strongman, not a pure sprinter. He could evolve in something between Kristoff, Sagan or Matthews but he seems lighter.

 

[Nirvana]

Re:

Is GVA on fine form too early?

We'll see on the Green Mountain how good is his shape, the climbers contingent is very poor so he could easily grab a top ten if he's in good form.
Anyway he said that one of his big target this season will be Strade Bianche and that he won't ride Liege so he could have anticipated a bit his preparation.

 

[rghysens]

Re:

Is GVA on fine form too early?

No.
Just look at the results of Boonen and Cancellara in these early season races the past 10-15 years or so. Or his own results the past few years.

 

[Son of Amsterhammer]

Love me some GVA. He looks really hungry this year. Like a wolf.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Lutsenko also good again. Seems to have taken a step up. I really look forward to Lutsenko in the classics.

 

[Salvarani]

Re:

Lutsenko also good again. Seems to have taken a step up. I really look forward to Lutsenko in the classics.

Cort Nielsen seems to be very in good form also.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

All Astana riders seem to be in good shape this year.

 

[Son of Amsterhammer]

Just saw the finish. Yeah that is almost perfect for GVA. No surprises he won that.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Video of the last km: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8UdhwHe0TA

BMC destroyed the sprinters, Van Avermaet destroyed everyone.

 

[rote_laterne]

Re: Re:

its mafde for kragh tomorrow.

What happened to him?

Crashed 15 Ks into the stage. Made it back to the peloton. Crashed with 20 Ks to do. Didn't make it back. Might have decided to just take it easy the rest of the stage. GC - if he was ever going for it - obviously out.

Thanks, too bad for him. He also DNF today.

 

[RedheadDane]

Re: Re:

its mafde for kragh tomorrow.

What happened to him?

Crashed 15 Ks into the stage. Made it back to the peloton. Crashed with 20 Ks to do. Didn't make it back. Might have decided to just take it easy the rest of the stage. GC - if he was ever going for it - obviously out.

Thanks, too bad for him. He also DNF today.

DNS actually, concussion.

 

[jaylew]

Wow, that was pure domination.

 

[The Hegelian]

Bit off topic, but watching GVA win like that whets the appetite for the classics. There's so much classics talent at the moment, both emerging and established. Sagan, Kwia and GVA have all stepped up massively in the last two years, and there's a few others that might do so this year or next.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Stage 4:

1. Magnus Cort Nielsen
2. Giovanni Visconti
3. Alberto Bettiol

 

[LaFlorecita]

Wow 2nd for Visco, impressive
Glad to see Bettiol sprint to podium despite GVA being in the same group, gives me hope he'll get some freedom at least

 

[HelloDolly]

The Green Mountan should be definign point ...wonder if GVA can hang on or could Haas pass him

Or will Superman blow them out of the water

 

[Salvarani]

Re:

The Green Mountan should be definign point ...wonder if GVA can hang on or could Haas pass him

Or will Superman blow them out of the water

Who knows, tune in next time

 

[bambino]

Re:

The Green Mountan should be definign point ...wonder if GVA can hang on or could Haas pass him

Or will Superman blow them out of the water

Expecting Nibs to put on his Superdom hat and drag Gorka to at least podium if not for the win.

 

[WheelofGear]

Cort is this odd type of sprinter who thrives in reduced sprints. I almost think that Amstel is a better race for him than Milano-Sanremo.

A way better climber than Degenkolb/Kristoff, but worse than Matthews/Sagan/GVA. Any similar riders? Trentin? Colbrelli?

 

[Alexandre B.]

I wonder how Jesús Herrada will fare after his good showing in Valenciana.

 

[Frankschleck]

Haaha when cort can sprint like that, then i am still mad at him for attacking in the last km of last years worldschamp. Annoys me so much that he that.

 

[yaco]

Cort never climbed that well at Mitchelton Scott - Still think his cobbled race is PR/Gent Werelgem.

 

[RedheadDane]

Let me see if I get this right; the climbed the same climb thrice in the finale. However, the last time it wasn't a climb, but an intermediate sprint?

 

[Emotional Cobble Guy]

Did anyone understand what went wrong between GVA and Bettiol in the sprint? 3th and 4th

 

[Blanco]

Re:

Did anyone understand what went wrong between GVA and Bettiol in the sprint? 3th and 4th

Nothing. GVA simply didn't had it, he was in the slipstream of Bettiol and Visco but couldn't pass them. Cort was way to fast.