Tour of Oman (2.HC) 17th Feb - 22nd Feb

[Coat-O]

There is a clear gap between the first 5 and the rest. Don't get why they all get the same time.

*Edit: Ok, they didn't get the same time. Justice has been done.

 

[Netserk]

Seems like the overall will be between Valverde, Majka and TJVG.

 

[nuvolablu]

In the first group:
Valverde, Arredondo, Majka, Moreno, Meyer, Van Garderen, Meintjes, Caruso, Fuglsang

Nibali lost 46 seconds

 

[Coat-O]

Some of the guys are not in great shape yet.

31. Wout Poels 0:46
38. Rui Coast 0:46
44. Vincenzo Nibali 0:46
47. Joaquim Rodr?guez 0:55
49. Leopold K?nig 1:15

Could be a three-way battle for overall between Valverde (as the big favorite), Majka and Van Garderen.

 

[Coat-O]

92. Thibaut Pinot 4:59

Ouch. It's going to be a long spring for Pinot.

 

[Wallenquist]

Looks like a proper stage but all the big guns in form fighting for a win. Hopefully we will receive those 20 mins highlights at least

 

[Coat-O]

Looks like a proper stage but without all the big guns in form fighting for a win. Hopefully we will receive those 20 mins highlights at least

Right?

/10char

 

[karaev]

You guys forget Arredondo. I think he can do a good job on Green Mountain and stay close to Valverde, Tejay and Majka...

 

[cineteq]

As expected, and yes Valverde is the big favorite.

Some of the guys are not in great shape yet.

31. Wout Poels 0:46
38. Rui Coast 0:46
44. Vincenzo Nibali 0:46
47. Joaquim Rodr?guez 0:55
49. Leopold K?nig 1:15

Could be a three-way battle for overall between Valverde (as the big favorite), Majka and Van Garderen.

 

[HappyLoser]

Bigggggg gaps...

This is a next year when SKY has no leader but Froome. This makes me laugh, really hilarious...

 

[Wallenquist]

Right?

/10char

No out of form is Pinot/Konig/Rodriguez. Rest are pretty much well prepared, especially the classic specialists.

 

[sir fly]

Disappointing time loses in the light of GC battle. Hopefully, it won't affect racing on Green Mountain.
Great to see Cancellara outsprinting the puncheurs duo... staying in the mix with the duo, rather than sprinting itself.
Looks like Riis has reshaped Sagan's approach to racing. It looks that way since the moment he signed for Tinkoff. It might take them some time to figure out precise peaking, opposite to all year long topping that was Sagan's approach until now. They should be able to hit the peak during the first half of April, regardless of the lack of direct experience.

 

[Coat-O]

No out of form is Pinot/Konig/Rodriguez. Rest are pretty much well prepared, especially the classic specialists.

Yeah ok. All the classics guy definitely were there.

 

[Roude Leiw]

No out of form is Pinot/Konig/Rodriguez. Rest are pretty much well prepared, especially the classic specialists.

Purito and the king are more or less with most of the other at roundabout a minute. Pinot is out of shape though, opposed to what he said in l'equipe yesterday

 

[MBotero]

I was hoping that Nibali was here for the win,looks like i was wrong.Valverde and Majka are in pole position now for the overall.

 

[Banana_Joe]

I just want to add that Pozzato seems to be back in great shape. We have to take a look at him for the upcoming classics.

 

[Dr. Juice]

I just want to add that Pozzato seems to be back in great shape. We have to take a look at him for the upcoming classics.

You shouldn't have typed that. Now it can only go wrong.

Now Pozzato goes out drinking every 2nd day.

 

[Bushman]

Fabian! Today's ride is a very good indication of his shape. Not only that he won the sprint, but the fact that he was up there and comfortable on the hills as well. I'm quite surprised after his anonymous ride in Qatar tbh

It's quite funny how his sprint seems to get better and better with age while his general level is deteriorating slightly each year.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Fabian ! ! !
Seems like Majka gained a little time today aswell. Valverde for GC win

 

[Banana_Joe]

You shouldn't have typed that. Now it can only go wrong.

Now Pozzato goes out drinking every 2nd day.

I think he did that the last years. Maybe he will have his focus back on cycling, after he had a lot of trouble with the teammanagers.

 

[TANK91]

Huh why is Kreuziger racing? I dint think he as had a decision yet. Im glad i like Kreuziger.

 

[Netserk]

Huh why is Kreuziger racing? I dint think he as had a decision yet. Im glad i like Kreuziger.

Because he was cleared by his federation. That's why he also raced Lombardia last year.

 

[May0maniac]

I was hoping that Nibali was here for the win,looks like i was wrong.Valverde and Majka are in pole position now for the overall.

He already said in a recent interview that he wasn't riding to win in Oman or to try to beat the other GC guys but that things will be different at Tirreno-Adriatico.
Same with Aru, he's not expecting to be competitive at Paris-Nice, but wants to be in good shape and able to go with the other big names at Catalunya.

 

[Arredondo]

Curious to see what Purito is doing. In 2013 he also lost around 45 seconds in the stage prior to his win on Green Mountain.

And perhaps he's working for Moreno. But i can't believe he's really out of shape. He has to feel himself better then he shows at the moment. I hope.

 

[Coat-O]

Please let Boonen win tomorrow. He has worked hard in the echelons and it has only given him a couple of second places. It will be hard to beat Kristoff and Guardini in a flat sprint though.