USAPCC Stage 2: Gunnison to Aspen 209.8km (24/8)

[ultimobici]

Although I am not impressed with the ToC's parcours & hype, I have to say that the idea of making this stage's climbs steeper is a little shortsighted.

With a base altitude higher than the roof of the Tour this year and a hardpack surface the climbs are going to be very very hard. To reverse it to make the climb steeper is just ridiculous, IMO. We want a race not a procession!

 

[dlwssonic]

I actually think Hincapie has a chance

 

[Mellow Velo]

Unless + 1000ft of altitude gain = + 1% gradient loss, we are screwed.
Anybody know how it equates, roughly?
The average gradient for Independence Pass makes Sierra Nevada look like the Angliru.

 

[theyoungest]

Unless + 1000ft of altitude gain = + 1% gradient loss, we are screwed.
Anybody know how it equates, roughly?
The average gradient for Independence Pass makes Sierra Nevada look like the Angliru.

That hill yesterday was 3 k at, what, 5 %? In Europe that would result in a bunch sprint of about 30 guys, in Colorado the peloton is split to pieces. I'm sure we'll see some serious racing on those climbs, and some serious suffering.

 

[roundabout]

Will be tough. 3600+ is a lot even if it's not steep. There will be people unable to respond to even modest attacks.

I am more worried about long downhills though.

 

[just some guy]

Will be tough. 3600+ is a lot even if it's not steep. There will be people unable to respond to even modest attacks.

I am more worried about long downhills though.

Than who ?

Not Andy I hope because that is a lot of worry

 

[roundabout]

That the race comes back together

 

[auscyclefan94]

Cadel has said he is not recovering well from the altitude. Not sure he'll go very well here thoughhe also said that he is hoping to improve day by day.

 

[More Strides than Rides]

The altitude will also affect the ability of the riders on the descent, although ti doesn't look to technical to start.

I'm really starting to enjoy this experiment of the pros racing at high high altitude. Its like a whole stage race on cobbles or strade bianchi; something unique.

 

[richo36]

at 3000m+ wheel sucking will do hardly anything. So really there will be no where to hide. If you are feeling crappy at all, you are done. I hate to say it but i think levi might win this.

 

[spetsa]

First off, thanks Ben for your hard work day after day. You are giving some really good insight to those that are unfamiliar with the areas that are being used for this race.

I have a feeling that most people who are commenting about the lack of difficulty of the courses, have never ridden a bike uphill at LT, let alone at elevations at which they are racing.

I also question if anyone has ever raced their bike downhill for 20+ minutes when something is on the line. They don't freewheel. If the prevailing wind is blowing uphill, which always seems to be the case in Colorado, it can feel like you are riding on a flat road at times.

There are many riders on US teams that base their training home in Colorado. Look for a couple of these guys to be seen in the front group on these climbs, and keep in mind that these same riders would have a 0% chance of hanging on during any mountain stage of a GT.

As I posted yesterday, if the race were to demanding, the Euros will not make the trip back!!

 

[Escarabajo]

Unless + 1000ft of altitude gain = + 1% gradient loss, we are screwed.
Anybody know how it equates, roughly?
The average gradient for Independence Pass makes Sierra Nevada look like the Angliru.

Even in Europe, altitude created some damage. In last Tour the France the high altitude stage to the Galibier (and it was 1,000 m lower than those shown in Colorado) eliminated some of the GC contenders. Nobody gave some credit to the Galibier gradients, but the long + mild gradient + altitude made a lot of the guys fatigued and there's where the time to exhaustion plays a big role.

On a another note I want to thank Ben for the great job he is doing on these threads.

 

[jobiwan]

This race is gonna be TOUGH!! Can't wait!

 

[BillytheKid]

Cadel has said he is not recovering well from the altitude. Not sure he'll go very well here thoughhe also said that he is hoping to improve day by day.

Yeh, but look how well he finished relative to the rest. Tommy D said it best about altitude as to something like it's not so much the lack of ability, but realizing how your body reacts to it. Your sensations feel bad, but so does everyone else's. True, some are more acclimated, but I would agree a lot depends on adapting to slow-motion feel of it.

I fear the Columbians today. If they get most of their guys over that first climb, the other favorites are going to have to work together if isolated. Look for small groups like the latter half of PR.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Well I know Gesink is often complaining there is not enough 1500m+ climbs in Europe where he has an advantage. Now he can show if there's any truth to that or he not

 

[patrick767]

Beautiful scenery. Safety tip for the riders: Don't stare at the stunning scenery so much that you ride off the mountain!

There are many riders on US teams that base their training home in Colorado. Look for a couple of these guys to be seen in the front group on these climbs, and keep in mind that these same riders would have a 0% chance of hanging on during any mountain stage of a GT.

I wonder why so much training at high altitude doesn't help them more at lower altitudes. I'd think being able to climb at 10,000 feet plus would make the lower altitude races feel easy by comparison and they'd be able to keep up in Europe, but it doesn't necessarily seem to work that way. Altitude is a funny thing.

 

[Anonymous]

This should be stickied.

 

[WillyWoet]

Where is the gravel, non-tarmac section? Thanks

 

[jobiwan]

Where is the gravel, non-tarmac section? Thanks

It's the first climb up Cottonwood Pass

 

[jobiwan]

EVERYONE! Coverage is already on!!

 

[krebs303]

tour tracker is live at start at the moment. coverage from start to finish? Got to to town for foods

 

[jobiwan]

They're getting all their adds in the neutral section, to hopefully show the climbs ad-free!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

tour tracker is live at start at the moment. coverage from start to finish? Got to to town for foods

damn still got to eat

 

[Mellow Velo]

tour tracker is live at start at the moment. coverage from start to finish? Got to to town for foods

Advertised coverage from early morning so yes, the whole, all 6...............or 7..............or 8 hours of it.

Yes, picture break up has already started!
Still, we have commentary, too.

 

[jobiwan]

I love watching the early attacks and breakaways. Don't get to see it too often!