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

[Arredondo]

Win Ronde solo

That would be utterly scary.

 

[Bushman]

Well, he was dropped by three riders last year, so a step up would be to be able to hang on to the front group.

 

[Netserk]

Well, he was dropped by three riders last year, so a step up would be to be able to hang on to the front group.

Who was the third?

 

[Angliru]

Kristoff is Sagan's worst nightmare.

I recall reading somewhere on cn news that they are lowering their expectations for Sagan until he heals from his recent crash.

 

[theyoungest]

Who was the third?

Van Overrated, I guess.

 

[Bushman]

Who was the third?

Van Avermaet, Cancellara and Vanmarcke.

 

[Netserk]

Van Avermaet, Cancellara and Vanmarcke.

What about Vandenbergh?

 

[GuyIncognito]

Bouhanni still sprinting backwards it seems.

I have a friend who rode as an amateur in france and is still quite involved with the french scene. He insisted heavily over the winter that this would happen. For years he's made a point that Cofidis are famed in france for having a terrible awful coaching staff that have no idea what they're doing.

 

[Bushman]

What about Vandenbergh?

Actually thought that GVA didn't attack until the second to last hill, didn't remember him attacking as early as Vandenbergh. Still doesn't change the fact that Kristoff still needs to improve (even if it's just a bit) before he can follow the very best on such terrain.

 

[Coat-O]

After less than two stage races? Besides, Tinkoff rode for Breschel today.

Kristoff is looking to be in great form, even when he himself said he was surprised how good he was, should only get stronger as the season goes on.

After the Milano-Sanremo, Tour 2014 (beaten twice), Qatar and now this. Sagan is just not as fast as Kristoff.

 

[Carstenbf]

Might be just me, but I never considered Sagan a pure sprinter. Fast man for sure, but wouldn't expect him to beat the real dawgs a.k.a Kristoff, Cav, Kittel.

Sagan's advantage was always (imo) his ability to survive climbs coupled with supreme bike-handling skills. In that respect, it's indeed troubling for him that Kristoffs climbing ability seems to have improved a lot as of late, seeing as he's also now proven to have the endurance for monument distances.

 

[argyllflyer]

Might be just me, but I never considered Sagan a pure sprinter. Fast man for sure, but wouldn't expect him to beat the real dawgs a.k.a Kristoff, Cav, Kittel.

Sagan's advantage was always (imo) his ability to survive climbs coupled with supreme bike-handling skills. In that respect, it's indeed troubling for him that Kristoffs climbing ability seems to have improved a lot as of late, seeing as he's also now proven to have the endurance for monument distances.

He describes himself as an all-rounder does he not?

Anyway, jack of all trades, master of none seems to be the hat he's worn since the end of 2013. As soon as any 'master' races with him, he's in bother. Kwiatkowski, Cancellara, Kristoff...

 

[manafana]

Majka or TVG to unsurp Valverde I hope, its got be closer than some seem to suggest

 

[Jspear]

Majka or TVG to unsurp Valverde I hope, its got be closer than some seem to suggest

Majka did say " it's almost terrifying how strong I am in this part of the year."
I'd like to see him take the win.

 

[Dedelou]

He describes himself as an all-rounder does he not?

Anyway, jack of all trades, master of none seems to be the hat he's worn since the end of 2013. As soon as any 'master' races with him, he's in bother. Kwiatkowski, Cancellara, Kristoff...

all rounder is what it takes to get green jersey at the Tour for example or top of the UCI points at the end of the year.. All rounder is the "base" material that makes champions we remember in the end
btw: great to see what kristoff is doing..

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Kristoff's win:

More pics: http://www.steephill.tv/2015/tour-of-oman/photos/stage-03/

Stage 4 reminder:

Van Garderen for me, probably solo in the last 500 meters.

 

[Carstenbf]

He describes himself as an all-rounder does he not?

Might be. Considered that word, but didn't seem like it did him justice. He's pretty fast after all. Anyways, my reply was aimed at the multitude of posts before mine about him loosing sprints vs the top dawgs.

If there's a questionmark anywhere wrt Sagan, it's supposedly whether or not he's got the endurance for winning the big 6h+ 250k+ classics. He's still so young though, so that's only natural. He'll net a big one soon, not a doubt in my mind. Not necessarily this year though.

Anyways Oman thread. Carry on!

 

[Coat-O]

Yeah, Majka vs. Tejay. Maybe with Poels as an outsider.

Valverde had a great early season and should be the favorite, but will find a way to screw it up like he always does.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Race in progress....

Not clear from twitter, but I think we are 80km into the race.

Two guys are left hanging up front with perhaps 8-10 minutes.

Tweets: https://twitter.com/tourofoman

 

[BeagRigh]

Looks like the 2 out front are Vandenbergh and Van Hoecke's and they have about 15mins with 110km to go.

Wonder who is chasing? If giving them 15mins can be refered to as chasing.

Looks like a hot day too!

 

[indianfanboy]

Its 40 degrees Green Mountain might be battle about who can stay cool

 

[indianfanboy]

85km to go with the two leaders 11 minutes ahead

 

[grizzlee]

BMC leading the chase. konig said he is really suffering in the heat. So might not be around at the finish. Poels and Diegnan prob best bet for sky. though I don't really expect to see either of them battling at the pointy end of things.

 

[Arredondo]

So i think here are live images, but i'm not sure.

http://part.gov.om/part/english/Sport-Channal.html

Edit: No highlights of yesterday's stage i see

 

[Coat-O]

So i think here are live images, but i'm not sure.

http://part.gov.om/part/english/Sport-Channal.html

Edit: No highlights of yesterday's stage i see

Nice link. They just showed Kristoff's win.