Tour of the Basque Country 2012

[karlboss]

The previous poster was referring to Kloden who by the way, will definitely not be riding at the Olympics. He has a rather strong dislike of the German cycling authorities

That makes more sense.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Are they using that climb again this year where half the peloton ends up walking?

I wouldn't be complaining about the flatness of the parcours if they did have an Alto de Aia stage, so I'm afraid not.

 

[greenedge]

The previous poster was referring to Kloden who by the way, will definitely not be riding at the Olympics. He has a rather strong dislike of the German cycling authorities

Thx for correcting Karl-sorry for any misunderstandings. That sort of sucks ( Grabsh will get it probably over Gretsch to pair Martin ).

 

[Lupetto]

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=49502

No Leipheimer?

 

[hatcher]

http://www.biciciclismo.com/cas/site/noticias-ficha.asp?id=49502

No Leipheimer?

Unless something has happened in the last 24 hours that is a mistake.

OPQS certainly had him in the team they tweeted yesterday. Levi for De Weert.

 

[cineteq]

Unless something has happened in the last 24 hours that is a mistake.

OPQS certainly had him in the team they tweeted yesterday. Levi for De Weert.

He tweeted earlier today from Basque Country, suggesting to Gerro the weather was not sunny.

 

[Red Rick]

Excellent. Also this would mark the first time in absolutely aeons (possibly ever?) that the Itzulia has visited Iparralde. Thus paving the way to use some of the great French-Basque climbs in the future, since Prudhomme's scared to go somewhere other than the Tourmalet...

With this I promptly upgrade my opinion of the parcours from "disgraceful" to merely "shameful".

Get Zomegnan on Prudhomme's spot, and i bet we'll see it

 

[Zam_Olyas]

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Get Zomegnan on Prudhomme's spot, and i bet we'll see it

As soon as they talked about Zomegnan being fired, this was what I wanted to see happen.

 

[hatcher]

Leipheimer is indeed out.


VeloNews
Levi Leipheimer out of Pais Vasco after a car/bike accident in training on Sunday.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

startlist and some other things lol
http://www.cicloweb.it/tappa/2012-04-02/1a-tappa-gueenes-gueenes.html

 

[TeoSheva]

no Nibali too

 

[Lupetto]

no Nibali too

But this was known for at least week. He is on Tenerife for training.

 

[killswitch]

But this was known for at least week. He is on Tenerife for training.

So he's going to the Giro?

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Leipheimer was hit by a car and lucky to be alive.
http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/11510/Leipheimer-hit-by-car-out-of-Vuelta-al-Pais-Vasco.aspx

 

[WillemS]

Leipheimer is indeed out.


VeloNews
Levi Leipheimer out of Pais Vasco after a car/bike accident in training on Sunday.

He was hit by a car from behind. Initial hospital tests revealed no broken bones, bus he's off to California to have another check-up. I think he said that he was happy to still be alive:

" "Ik ben best wel geschrokken. Het was enorm angstig en ik ben blij dat ik nog leef."

"It scared me. It was really scary and I am happy that I'm still alive", supposedly from a OPQS statement today.

Source: Nos.nl (Dutch).

 

[Lupetto]

So he's going to the Giro?

I think so. Basso has only seven race days and did not finish Paris-Nice and Volta a Catalunya. There's clearly something wrong with his Giro preparation.

 

[Angliru]

Leipheimer was hit by a car and lucky to be alive.
http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/11510/Leipheimer-hit-by-car-out-of-Vuelta-al-Pais-Vasco.aspx

Sometimes makes me want to take up mountain biking. At least you see the trees coming.

 

[manafana]

basso is off, kloden is off his game too althou i think that could be more a case of coming to an end of his career and abilty.

Frank has shown little or nothing bit disapointmnet in criterium where only needed show form for one stage but dropped off early.

Nordhaug is interesting as he can really hold his own in tt, van den broeck looks in good shape and tt has come along nicely too.

Sanchez should be thereabouts not sure how he will hold up in the tt thou he can be hit and miss.

 

[RHRH19861986]

No Thomas Dekker in Garmin´s line-up...

OK, his spring so far was not extremely superb, but normally Pais Vasco is so important for his Ardennes campaign. Maybe he won´t even line up in the Ardennes then?...

He normally did well also in Romandie end of April, I expect him to start there at least.

And Haussler tomorrow in Basque Country?! Was in Flanders the day before, and would´ve expected him in Roubaix next Sunday! Perhaps "punishment" for rather weak Belgian classics campaign? Strange...

Looking forward to this week in Basque Country, great race!!

Edit: Unfortunately no Menchov for Katusha... Would have liked to see him there.

 

[will10]

Sometimes makes me want to take up mountain biking. At least you see the trees coming.

Trees don't have much give though.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

No Thomas Dekker in Garmin´s line-up...

OK, his spring so far was not extremely superb, but normally Pais Vasco is so important for his Ardennes campaign. Maybe he won´t even line up in the Ardennes then?...
.

Wrong...
Thomas Dekker said on twitter a few days ago he would ride Sarthe. He also tweeted his program after: Brabantse Pijl, Amstel, FW, Liege...

So, just a bit lighter build up.

 

[auscyclefan94]

So should we expect Gesink to go backwards on the climbs and win the time trial easily?

 

[Eric8-A]

Dan Martin's on the startlist but I see people rooting more for Tony Martin.

The battle of the Martins. Who will place higher?!

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Dan Martin's on the startlist but I see people rooting more for Tony Martin.

The battle of the Martins. Who will place higher?!

Tony. Dan isn't going for GC, he's just preparing for the Ardennes.