Volta a Catalunya 2012: Stage 1, Calella - Calella (139 km)

[wirral]

Even if not, I'd have to imagine it would only be a problem if they continually turn up with shortened squads without reason. I'm sure the UCI accept the fact that Illness/injuries happen.

BMC also riding one man short (Hushovd) due to illness.
Lotto-Belisol also (Brian Bulgac).

So, did Sky give a reason?

 

[hatcher]

So, did Sky give a reason?

Sure they did to the organisers.

They will be short for E3 and Dwars door Vlaanderen too unless Knees recovers quickly.

 

[Sylvester]

"Easy enough to give the pure sprinters a chance". Which pure sprinters? Hutarovich and Dumoulin?

I can even see Nicolas Roche win this one in the bunch sprint, frankly, almost no sprinting talent at all here.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

How will that affect UCI rules which mandate all ProTour teams turn up for all World Tour events.

I mean Euskatel could send a depleted team to Harelbeke or all teams could send the bare minimum to the Tour of Beijing along with sick notes for their missing riders.

Will they get fined?

as long as you send a minimum of 6 guys it's ok

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

"Easy enough to give the pure sprinters a chance". Which pure sprinters? Hutarovich and Dumoulin?

I can even see Nicolas Roche win this one in the bunch sprint, frankly, almost no sprinting talent at all here.

Even less sprinting talent since Hutarovich isn't racing.

 

[Havetts]

Is there going to be a stream or none at all?

 

[roundabout]

It should be live on TV.

 

[Andy99]

It should be live on TV.

it is. and see op.

 

[Havetts]

Thanks Andy & Roundabout

 

[wirral]

Eurosport in 15 minutes.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Eurosport in 15 minutes.

Are they showing an hour early in Europe or something?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Eurosport in 15 minutes.

they start at 16 right?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Indeed Eurosport starts at 16:00

they show San Remo before...

 

[wirral]

Eurosport in 15 minutes.

Sorry, on at 11 pm HK time, my bad.

 

[BillytheKid]

No Chris Horner. Out with a bad tendon in the back of the knee. He hopes to be back at the Basque Country.

 

[Frosty]

Breakaway of 5 just got established. Now has an advantage of 6 minutes with over 80km still left

Ben Gastauer (4),
Fumiyuki Beppu (62),
Timothy Duggan (94),
Nicolas Edet (202),
Anthony Delaplace (222)

http://www.voltacatalunya.cat/ca/encarrera/1/

 

[theyoungest]

Biciciclismo have Albasini instead of Beppu. Rather a big difference, Albasini would be favourite to win this stage.

 

[jens_attacks]

i feel albasini has this stage in the bag.the breakaway was formed late

 

[hatcher]

They'll get pulled back. Albasini would be too dangerous for the overall if he gets any advantage, wouldn't he?

 

[jens_attacks]

They'll get pulled back. Albasini would be too dangerous for the overall if he gets any advantage, wouldn't he?

not if he wins with a minute or less gap

only 4:30 now though

 

[search]

Biciciclismo have Albasini instead of Beppu. Rather a big difference, Albasini would be favourite to win this stage.

Edet is quite a reasonable sprinter as well

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

2:30 now. who si pulling them back?

 

[roundabout]

Hail

Nice weather

 

[wirral]

Albasini? Greenedge have Europe terrified

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

first stage could be something for sohrabi btw. he is fast and pretty good climber for a sprinter