Tour of the Basque Country 2012

[Lexman]

here's the post on Sporza about VDB :

http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/wielrennen/120401_aerts_over_vandenbroeck

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

yeah, but today he was not strong. Regardless of what they tweet or say

 

[hfer07]

fvck I missed the stage!!!!
any highlights available yet?

 

[theyoungest]

here's the post on Sporza about VDB :

http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/wielrennen/120401_aerts_over_vandenbroeck

"Wij van WC-Eend adviseren WC-Eend".

 

[Eric8-A]

I'm not really enjoying this race like I have in the past. Seems like it's a bit too easy this year. Today was somewhat of a change of things with some action towards the final 5K.

And Tony Martin managed to finish with the second group, and only 12 seconds back. There's still another MTF finish tomorrow, probably he'll lose more time, or maybe not.

 

[Aguirre]

the parcours is not good enough this year, except the last ITT

the merging with euskal bizikleta has Arrate climb as an annual contract, and every year the race is blocked until last 5 km.

Tomorrow stage is much better, Ibardin used to be a regular climb until mid 90's

for those who understand basque here some youngsters in the Oñati ITT

http://goiena.net/albisteak/eh-itzuliaren-ibilbidea-onatin/

they all say, very dangerous and tough

 

[Cannavaro]

I think Tony could be the heaviest rider to win Pais Vaco in the modern era.

1969 France Jacques Anquetil (FRA)
1970 Spain Luis Pedro Santamarina (ESP)
1971 Spain Luis Ocaña (ESP)
1972 Spain José Antonio González (ESP)
1973 Spain Luis Ocaña (ESP)
1974 Spain Miguel-Maria Lasa (ESP)
1975 Spain José Antonio González (ESP)
1976 Italy Gianbattista Baronchelli (ITA)
1977 Spain José Antonio González (ESP)
1978 Spain José Antonio González (ESP)
1979 Italy Giovanni Battaglin (ITA)
1980 Spain Alberto Fernández (ESP)
1981 Italy Silvano Contini (ITA)
1982 Spain José Luis Laguía (ESP)
1983 Spain Julian Gorospe (ESP)
1984 Republic of Ireland Sean Kelly (IRL)
1985 Spain Pello Ruiz-Cabestany (ESP)
1986 Republic of Ireland Sean Kelly (IRL)
1987 Republic of Ireland Sean Kelly (IRL)
1988 Netherlands Erik Breukink (NED)
1989 Republic of Ireland Stephen Roche (IRL)
1990 Spain Julian Gorospe (ESP)
1991 Italy Claudio Chiappucci (ITA)
1992 Switzerland Tony Rominger (SUI)
1993 Switzerland Tony Rominger (SUI)
1994 Switzerland Tony Rominger (SUI)
1995 Switzerland Alex Zülle (SUI)
1996 Italy Francesco Casagrande (ITA)
1997 Switzerland Alex Zülle (SUI)
1998 Spain Íñigo Cuesta (ESP)
1999 France Laurent Jalabert (FRA)
2000 Germany Andreas Klöden (GER)
2001 Lithuania Raimondas Rumšas (LTU)
2002 Spain Aitor Osa (ESP)
2003 Spain Iban Mayo (ESP)
2004 Russia Denis Menchov (RUS) Template:Cycling data BANESTO
2005 Italy Danilo Di Luca (ITA) Liquigas-Bianchi
2006 Spain José Ángel Gómez Marchante (ESP) Saunier Duval-Prodir
2007 Spain Juan José Cobo (ESP) Saunier Duval-Prodir
2008 Spain Alberto Contador (ESP) Astana
2009 Spain Alberto Contador (ESP) Astana
2010 United States Chris Horner (USA) Team RadioShack
2011 Germany Andreas Klöden (GER) Team RadioShack

I think Kelly was also around 75 kg.

 

[BillytheKid]

I'm not really enjoying this race like I have in the past. Seems like it's a bit too easy this year. Today was somewhat of a change of things with some action towards the final 5K.

And Tony Martin managed to finish with the second group, and only 12 seconds back. There's still another MTF finish tomorrow, probably he'll lose more time, or maybe not.

The only reason Martin and the chase group were 12 seconds back is because Sanchez and Rodriguez started marking each other. Horner had to drive for the GC while the other two were looking at the stage. Horner could have probably pushed it harder, but that would have set up an attack from Sammu or J-Rod and the risk of Chris being dropped and caught in slightly downhill the last K.

Had they all been taking turns for the GC... 30-40 seconds instead of 12. Sammu and J-ROd did not completely it sut down, but they left a lot of work to Horner.

Neither Sanchez or J-Road can TT. Horner can't either when in the company of Tony Martin. He might have just laid it all down, but I think he's looking at a steeper and uphill last K tomorrow.

It was too not easy, just tatical.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

The only reason Martin and the chase group were 12 seconds back is because Sanchez and Rodriguez started marking each other. Horner had to drive for the GC while the other two were looking at the stage. Horner could have probably pushed it harder, but that would have set up an attack from Sammu or J-Rod and the risk of Chris being dropped and caught in slightly downhill the last K.

Had they all been taking turns for the GC... 30-40 seconds instead of 12. Sammu and J-ROd did not completely it sut down, but they left a lot of work to Horner.

Neither Sanchez or J-Road can TT. Horner can't either when in the company of Tony Martin. He might have just laid it all down, but I think he's looking at a steeper and uphill last K tomorrow.

It was too not easy, just tatical.

lol what nonsense. the three wouldn't have stayed together till the finish if the lampres had takenm over after martin had closed the gap on the climb to about 15 metres

 

[maltiv]

Is it just me or is nordhaug really impressing this year? Certainly a candidate for 'most improved rider' I think.

He has really stepped up a level this year. When he came to Sky he wasn't really seen as such a big talent, but during his first year at Sky he lost 7 kg's without losing any watts, which meant that his power outputs went from average to great. Last year he had some decent performances (7th on the MTF in Criterium International, 6th in Sabatini) but was quite inconsistent due to long periods of sickness. Over the winter he started working very closely with Bobby Julich who has improved his training program a lot. During the off season it became obvious how much Nordhaug had improved and he was producing mind-blowing numbers in tests.

Since then he's consistently been climbing with the best and I hope the good trend continues. However, he has really bad allergies (not quite as bad as Dan Martin, but close) so I don't expect much from him this spring. He has already made a great bid for a TDF spot, though.

 

[BillytheKid]

lol what nonsense. the three wouldn't have stayed together till the finish if the lampres had takenm over after martin had closed the gap on the climb to about 15 metres

lol at ur lol.

Sanchez and Rodriquez wanted the stage, Horner could only hope for time with a downhill finish and he has zero sprint. Horner knew he could not drop the two, and if he started dragging them, he ran the risk of getting attacked and dropped. Gesink got dispatched like that right over at top of the climb two years ago. Sanchez won that stage, Valverde second, Horner third. Horner went on to win the overall.

 

[The Hitch]

3 of my favourite ridders. Brilliant.

lol at ur lol.

Sanchez and Rodriquez wanted the stage, Horner could only hope for time with a downhill finish and he has zero sprint. Horner knew he could not drop the two, and if he started dragging them, he ran the risk of getting attacked and dropped. Gesink got dispatched like that right over at top of the climb two years ago. Sanchez won that stage, Valverde second, Horner third. Horner went on to win the overall.

Umm, Sanchez was already out of the race then because he lost 2 minutes on the first stage.

Here hes not out of the race, in fact hes the leader atm.

If you think Sanchez wanted just the stage and will let horner walk away with the overall you are deluded.

Please, Horner is one of the most popular riders on here, but your RNT glasses are slowly eroding that support from people who increasingly want to see your reactions to when riders you totaly dismiss turn out to not be as bad as you claim they are because they arent americans/ dont race for trek.

 

[greenedge]

Nice work by Horner driving the break however Samu knew he could beat JROD in a flattish sprint ( so why did he not ride??? ). Now i think Tony will win this.

It seemed like a nice stage.

 

[BillytheKid]

3 of my favourite ridders. Brilliant.



Umm, Sanchez was already out of the race then because he lost 2 minutes on the first stage.

Here hes not out of the race, in fact hes the leader atm.

If you think Sanchez wanted just the stage and will let horner walk away with the overall you are deluded.

Please, Horner is one of the most popular riders on here, but your RNT glasses are slowly eroding that support from people who increasingly want to see your reactions to when riders you totaly dismiss turn out to not be as bad as you claim they are because they arent americans/ dont race for trek.

Lauding Horner somehow equals dismissing Sanchez or Rodriguez? No. But there was some marking going on for sure which effected the gap to the chasers. Horner deffently has to watch both (and I say that with complete respect) because Horner doesn't have the jump of Sammu or J-Rod except when it is above 9% grade. Oddly no highlights of the last 5Ks yet or ever?

I still would rate Horner over Sanchez in the ITT.

 

[ferryman]

He has really stepped up a level this year. When he came to Sky he wasn't really seen as such a big talent, but during his first year at Sky he lost 7 kg's without losing any watts, which meant that his power outputs went from average to great. Last year he had some decent performances (7th on the MTF in Criterium International, 6th in Sabatini) but was quite inconsistent due to long periods of sickness. Over the winter he started working very closely with Bobby Julich who has improved his training program a lot. During the off season it became obvious how much Nordhaug had improved and he was producing mind-blowing numbers in tests.

Since then he's consistently been climbing with the best and I hope the good trend continues. However, he has really bad allergies (not quite as bad as Dan Martin, but close) so I don't expect much from him this spring. He has already made a great bid for a TDF spot, though.

Seriously What weight was he and what weight is he now do you know?

 

[cineteq]

i only saw bits and parts of the broadcast but i thought they were riding for him on the last ascent and when Horner attacked he tried to follow and then there was the gap...so he wasn't able to follow and blew up his motor?

VDB doesn't like rain and cold weather maybe reaction to yesterdays conditions?

Disappointed on VDB, he should've been there with the Sanchez group. Tomorrow looks like it's going to be warmer.

 

[nvpacchi]

Lauding Horner somehow equals dismissing Sanchez or Rodriguez? No. But there was some marking going on for sure which effected the gap to the chasers. Horner deffently has to watch both (and I say that with complete respect) because Horner doesn't have the jump of Sammu or J-Rod except when it is above 9% grade. Oddly no highlights of the last 5Ks yet or ever?

I still would rate Horner over Sanchez in the ITT.

No way in this universe Horner can stay with J-Rod on a 300m 18% finish.

If anything Horner would have to set a high pace at the start of the climb, before the final 300m to tire J-Rod out. Cause if Joaquim is sitting pretty in the last k tomorrow, he'll put time into everyone

 

[ferryman]

Disappointed on VDB, he should've been there with the Sanchez group. Tomorrow looks like it's going to be warmer.

Don't be. VDB is quite nicely turning his pedals under the radar.

 

[The Hitch]

No way in this universe Horner can stay with J-Rod on a 300m 18% finish.

If anything Horner would have to set a high pace at the start of the climb, before the final 300m to tire J-Rod out. Cause if Joaquim is sitting pretty in the last k tomorrow, he'll put time into everyone

Yeah Purito is the king of the steep gradients, though didnt horner drop everyone on the stage 1 steep climb last year?

 

[nvpacchi]

Yeah Purito is the king of the steep gradients, though didnt horner drop everyone on the stage 1 steep climb last year?

J-Rod outsprinted Samu for victory in that stage, so if Horner did drop everyone, all caught back on before the finish.

Prolly cause everyone knew Sam would just easily bridge the gap back to Horner.

 

[search]

VDB is quite nicely turning his pedals under the radar.

is he aiming for the Brabantse Pijl again this year?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Yeah Purito is the king of the steep gradients, though didnt horner drop everyone on the stage 1 steep climb last year?

http://www.eitb.tv/es/#/video/885996384001

Horner moves up through the group at 46:10 (4,3 to go). At 3,6 to go the really steep stuff starts. At about 48:02 (3,5 to go) Horner makes his move with a Vacansoleil rider, who he quickly drops. At this point J-Rod still has helpers, with Kolobnev the most visible. At about 49:30 J-Rod makes his move, ant at 49:48 he catches Horner and goes over the top. He initially gets a bit of separation but Horner stays with him. At 50:15, Samu comes across with Klöden in his wheel; J-Rod is first over the climb, Horner and Samu 2 seconds behind and Klöden another 2.

So Horner dropped everybody with the big move, but J-Rod was able to bide his time, judge his attack and beat him on the climb as a whole.

 

[Angliru]

http://www.eitb.tv/es/#/video/885996384001

Horner moves up through the group at 46:10 (4,3 to go). At 3,6 to go the really steep stuff starts. At about 48:02 (3,5 to go) Horner makes his move with a Vacansoleil rider, who he quickly drops. At this point J-Rod still has helpers, with Kolobnev the most visible. At about 49:30 J-Rod makes his move, ant at 49:48 he catches Horner and goes over the top. He initially gets a bit of separation but Horner stays with him. At 50:15, Samu comes across with Klöden in his wheel; J-Rod is first over the climb, Horner and Samu 2 seconds behind and Klöden another 2.

So Horner dropped everybody with the big move, but J-Rod was able to bide his time, judge his attack and beat him on the climb as a whole.

Excellent footage! Thanks for posting. I've added that site to my favorites.

 

[BillytheKid]

No way in this universe Horner can stay with J-Rod on a 300m 18% finish.

If anything Horner would have to set a high pace at the start of the climb, before the final 300m to tire J-Rod out. Cause if Joaquim is sitting pretty in the last k tomorrow, he'll put time into everyone

You mean like this:

Stage 1 of the race last year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl4TGsbA76w

Watch from about the 4 minute mark. J-Rod caught Horner at the very top of the climb. Horner lacks some of the explosiveness of Rodriguez on the steep, but took advantage of a Andy Schleck lead-out. Pretty even match to the top.

opps same footage (different link as above) a little different conclusion.

OK to say: Where's his team in this race on today's final climb? The Hog will appreiate it.

 

[greenedge]

No way in this universe Horner can stay with J-Rod on a 300m 18% finish.

If anything Horner would have to set a high pace at the start of the climb, before the final 300m to tire J-Rod out. Cause if Joaquim is sitting pretty in the last k tomorrow, he'll put time into everyone

Yeah but he was going well on the steep section on stage 3. Also JROD will lose double the time he gains in the ITT. Horner just wants to distance Martin, that will be his main concern.