UAE Tour 2022, February 20 - February 26

[jmdirt]

Nice win Pog!

 

[steffr222]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1496512193612890117

View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1496512193612890117?s=21


That’s not too bad lol

 

[Zoef-Lightning]

Again, they have cut both, mountains and TT, to try to be fair. It is not my decision. But I see why they are doing it. Of course, if you increase the ITT kms you will increase the hardness of the mountains. It is common sense. To try the balance the race between the climbers and TT'ers. However, it does not always happen like that, and most of the times it does not happen like that. History shows that the balance will always go in favor of the time trialers and for that reason the organizers have cut both. Indurain, Armstrong are good examples on how boring the Tours can be. And the organizers recognized it. I think I am repeating myself again. I think it is very clear.

But today, there is no balance between the climbers and TT'ers. Not at all. I regret that. Not that the balance should always be completely in equilibrium. But over the years, climbers, all-rounders and TT 'ers should have a chance at the overall victory.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Hi everyone, I'm on holiday in Berlin right now, can anyone explain me why Fausto is not in the top 10?

Over here we call him the Italian Kurt Van de Wouwer. Hope that explains it.

 

[Red Rick]

But today, there is no balance between the climbers and TT'ers. Not at all. I regret that. Not that the balance should always be completely in equilibrium. But over the years, climbers, all-rounders and TT 'ers should have a chance at the overall victory.

Name one GT in the last 5 years that got a different winner cause the route was skewed against the better TTer

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Name one GT in the last 5 years that got a different winner cause the route was skewed against the better TTer

Every GT Dumoulin didn't win, duh.

 

[Escarabajo]

But today, there is no balance between the climbers and TT'ers. Not at all. I regret that. Not that the balance should always be completely in equilibrium. But over the years, climbers, all-rounders and TT 'ers should have a chance at the overall victory.

Today there is no balance because Pogacar is the master of all. However, they can try to keep it as close as they can by eliminating the first ITT. With it you eliminate all the climbers from the get go. That's what the organizers are trying to avoid.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Name one GT in the last 5 years that got a different winner cause the route was skewed against the better TTer

2019 Tour. Extrapolating from the time gap in the only TT Thomas would have needed a shade over 50k total TT distance (compared to 27k in the actual route) to win the race. Of course you have another big what-if with that race, but still.

Arguably the 2020 Tour, if there's a mid-length flattish TT in the first half of the race Roglic probably hangs on on PdBF.

The 2019 Giro, and arguably also the 2018 and 2020 Giros, were also close enough where more TT could have decided the race but especially the former wasn't weighted in favour of the weaker TTer.

The 2018 Vuelta could also have been closer with a better amount of TT but is probably won by Yates regardless.

 

[yaco]

Do you really think that Yates will or can ride on the more difficult climb saturday ? Because that climb is of course also suitable for Poga, even more than for Yates. Someone like Yates has to attack when not expected, on a slightly less arduous climb, so he can ride off with others. Others who just can't handle that on a steep climb. Yates will have to do it alone on Saturday, and then he immediately gets Poga in the wheel. So his chance is gone.

Yates has been the strongest rider on that climb in the last two editions.

 

[will-10]

Name one GT in the last 5 years that got a different winner cause the route was skewed against the better TTer

2019 TdF had 27km ITT, throw in a "normal" final week ITT, Thomas probably wins a second Tour.

Is that really the argument though? Don't we just want enough of a balanced course that there is a battle? eg Giro '17 is a far poorer race without 2x long ITTs.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Interesting stage. Everyone and his grandma climbing better than Dumoulin. Leknessund showing signs of life, Masnada showing why he should be leader in every race he starts. Arensman somewhat disappointing. Almeida doesn't seem to have found his mojo yet at UAE, not even on par with Majka. Plapp and Ganna were colossal.

 

[tobydawq]

Over here we call him the Italian Kurt Van de Wouwer. Hope that explains it.

Yeah, I'm sure most Belgians do that

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Yeah, I'm sure most Belgians do that

I didn't specify where i am at the moment. I'm currently in Berlin on "business".

 

[RedheadDane]

I didn't specify where i am at the moment. I'm currently in Berlin on "business".

Who're "we"?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Who're "we"?

Say hello to my little friend.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

My thoughts about today

Other than that, the expected winner.
The unexpected Ganna (seriously wattsssss)

 

[Red Rick]

My thoughts about today

Other than that, the expected winner.
The unexpected Ganna (seriously wattsssss)

Day to forget obviously.

Its so bad he it has to be a complete off day and not a lack of form

So bad its good

 

[Lequack]

Dumoulin gave us hope, or like the song goes:
"Last TT, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away "

 

[Lequack]

Bardet and Hindley also flying under the radar, finishing in the front group.

 

[Jumbo Visma Fan :)]

Dumoulin gave us hope, or like the song goes:
"Last TT, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away "

“And this year to save Jumbo from tears
Foss will lead the Giro.”

 

[Lequack]

“And this year to save Jumbo from tears
Foss will lead the Giro.”

Heck just let Wout lose a few kilos and he could be the next GT winner.

Also live watts from Pogacar at todays finish

https://twitter.com/x/status/1496541499940610058

View: https://twitter.com/VelonCC/status/1496541499940610058?s=20&t=XQxJeRRCuCY2J-yCGzY8Yg

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

After today, I imagine Dumoulins training in winter 2021/2022 looked like this:

Everyday training. Everyday exactly 9kms of training. Everyday totally flat course. Everyday training at maximum heartrate.

So yesterday‘s TT was perfect for him. Today‘s MTF clearly was more suited to the absolutely lightweight climbers (<60kgs) like Ganna, for example.

So no need to worry for us (as Tom‘s fans): he still has some time until the Giro starts)…

 

[KZD]

Surprised to see Ganna climbing with the best in such a climb. He did a similar thing in the 2020 Tour of San Luis but against a much weaker field but I am still not convinced that he will become a Grand Tour GC rider. Dumoulin on the contrary, was really weak its as if we went back to become simply a TT specialist like in his earlier years but could have been just a bad day.

No surprised regarding the winner though, Pogacar was clearly the best today and I don't expect anyone to beat him in Jabel Hafeet so if he doesn't lose time in the flat stages the final win should be his.

 

[JosefK]

I just watched the race replay. Very entertaining final 10 km, although, as pointed out, the climb wasn't hard enough to create any really big gaps among the contenders. In the end, the baby-faced assassin did a mini-stomp to take the win. Just think, this year he will have a stronger team for the TDF.

 

[hayneplane]

Vlasov confirms his good form. Also Hindley with a good race today.. With Higuita also in good form, Bora did very well on the transfer market this year. There had been a lot of criticism (also in this forum) for their strategy. They show us, that we were wrong..

Far too early to make that call. These riders were bought to win hilly classics and podium at minimum the Grand Tours. Encouraging start with Vlasov especially looking very likely to step up in the big races but until those season goal races take place I will be reserving judgement.