Tour of the Basque Country 2012

[will10]

Ahh, no internet and no Television coverage for me today
Gotta be waiting for the results on the Tele text
Do you guys excpect big gaps today?

Big gaps no, gaps, yes. But not enough to offset the ITT. Although today might spell the end of your man Tony's chances for GC.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

 

[Trofinios]

Adding to the profile above:

Last three of the seven categorized climbs:
Km. 135 Alto de Ixua (cat 1) 4,8 kms, avg 8,44%
Km. 145 Alto de San Miguel (cat 2) 4,8 kms, avg 5,63%
Km. 164 Alto de Usartza (cat 1) 5,8 kms, avg 8,44%

Pretty tough stage - we should see some time gaps today.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Last finishes in Arrate

2011:
http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=20071
(T.Martin lost 1'25)

2010:
http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=17168
(number 11 already more than a minute down)

2009:
http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=10967
(Nibali and J-Rod at 54 secs, schlecks at more than 1 min..)

So, pretty large gaps. If a guy like Tony Martin wants to win the GC he has to finish top 10.

 

[Trofinios]

Also a crucial stage for Rogers, not losing more than 30 seconds today and a good final climb tomorrow, and he could very well win the GC. Thought he showed some decent form in CI recently.

 

[theyoungest]

Also a crucial stage for Rogers, not losing more than 30 seconds today and a good final climb tomorrow, and he could very well win the GC. Thought he showed some decent form in CI recently.

No Contador makes this finish a whole lot easier, as we saw last year. Rogers might very well finish in the same time as the winner.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

when is the expected finish time?

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

when is the expected finish time?

17:16 CET according to steephill.

 

[cineteq]

Last finishes in Arrate

2011:
http://www.cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=20071
(T.Martin lost 1'25)

That's encouraging. I have the feeling he'll do better today.

 

[will10]

That's encouraging. I have the feeling he'll do better today.

I suspect he's more likely to do worse than that given his climbing thus far this year.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I dont think Sky will attack.They will want Rogers to be there or there abouts for the TT so I think they will respond to attacks but not make them.

henao will surly attack if he has the legs. roegers is not their leader. they have just 4 protected riders and henao is one of them

 

[theyoungest]

henao will surly attack if he has the legs. roegers is not their leader. they have just 4 protected riders and henao is one of them

Who are the other three?

 

[hrotha]

Who are the other three?

Sergio, Luis and Montoya.

 

[BillytheKid]

when is the expected finish time?

17:16 CET according to Steephill.

 

[theyoungest]

Sergio, Luis and Montoya.

Ta

Of course, make sense. After all, why protect a time trial specialist in a race which will be decided in the time trial...

 

[Mellow Velo]

henao will surly attack if he has the legs. roegers is not their leader. they have just 4 protected riders and henao is one of them

You are Dave Brailsford and I claim my 5 pounds.

 

[theyoungest]

You are Dave Brailsford and I claim my 5 pounds.

Dave Brailsford is currently in Melbourne

 

[Euskaltel!]

I don't mind who attacks, I just want to see some good attacking

 

[Mellow Velo]

Dave Brailsford is currently in Melbourne

Melbourne is still a lot closer to Basqueland, than Ryo's planet.

 

[theyoungest]

Melbourne is still a lot closer to Basqueland, than Ryo's planet.

You mean Melbourne is closer than Colombia? I'm not sure, actually

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Who are the other three?

nordhaug, lovkvist and rogers.

 

[theyoungest]

nordhaug, lovkvist and rogers.

You mean Michael Rogers? The guy who you said was not a leader?

 

[BillytheKid]

I don't mind who attacks, I just want to see some good attacking

Amen to that!

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

You mean Michael Rogers? The guy who you said was not a leader?

he's not the leader no. he's protected like the other 3. all fo them are going for gc,. whoever does bets or is placed best after today will be leader I guess.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

"Michael, Sergio, Lars-Petter and Thomas are all going well so we want to come to Wednesday with those guys in good condition and we’ll take it from there."

and henao is a real winner. when he attacks he doesn't look back to see where his teammates are like nordhaug in criterium