Volta a Catalunya 2012 - Stage 4; Tremp - Ascó "La vostra energia" (199km)

[Dekker_Tifosi]

not being from europe, do you mean they never should have held this race in these mountains this time of year? Is this a freak weather occurrence, or should the organisers always have a backup plan?

its a random occurence, it can happen but usually not this late in march (regardless of what others might say, it really doesn't happen that much).

They should have abandoned plan A a lot sooner than they did though. Would have saved a lot of trouble

 

[Richeypen]

its a random occurence, it can happen but usually not this late in march (regardless of what others might say, it really doesn't happen that much).

They should have abandoned plan A a lot sooner than they did though. Would have saved a lot of trouble

Exactly. Back up plan or not if they had moved faster when it was obvious that the race would have to be shortened we wouldnt be in this mess.




However given the weather forecast for the week it was always a real possibility that this would happen. Not devising even a short term back up plan is pure incompetence.

 

[hatcher]

There was certainly talk at least two days before that there might be a problem. To blindly go on with the plan, even allegedly lying to riders that the finish area was fine, was ridiculous.

 

[theyoungest]

They did have bad luck because it has been good weather on Port Aine for weeks already.
Gesink reconned the climb twice and there was good weather then.. and that was a week earlier!

The Garmin boys did the same... I think Christian VDV even said that it was really hot.

when they arrived in Ascó two years ago Jens Voigt won the stage, Paul Voss was third, so the Coll de Paumeres is not that difficult after all.

It might be a different szenario today, but I can't see him losing 1 1/2 minutes - even if you consider Allan Davis as his best mountain domestique.

Voigt won from a breakaway though, Taaramae bridged up to him from the peloton. So it is possible to create a gap, certainly if there's all out war on that climb twice. If it's enough to shed Albasini, I doubt it. It's not a hard climb.

 

[wirral]

The five teams are Katusha, Saxo, Omega Pharma, AG2R and FDJ.

 

[Richeypen]

The five teams are Katusha, Saxo, Omega Pharma, AG2R and FDJ.

Let the rest ride and just give everyone the same time at the finish. Sorted

 

[DominicDecoco]

Lets just cancel this race already.

 

[search]

The Garmin boys did the same... I think Christian VDV even said that it was really hot.


Voigt won from a breakaway though

I wouldn't call it a breakaway, he attacked on the last climb, Taaramäe (and Kreuziger) bridged on the descend after having attacked on the top of the climb. (Kreuiger has gone lost somewhere afterwards)

 

[King Of The Mountain's]

This is a joke albasini will win this and get 100 points at this rate greenedge will win UCI WT.Chunky lead's the UCI at the mo how TDU gets same points as the tirreno i dont know in my oponion 3rd at MSR and 1st at T.A is worth more than 1st at TDU and 1st at MSR but thats me.

 

[Jaunty Monty]

There was certainly talk at least two days before that there might be a problem.

Only in the UK and not in Spain apparently.

 

[Lexman]

anyway wether this race goes alog or not, will be canceled or not, it certainly will be a memorable race altogether and deserves the gold medal of most comic stage race of the year...

 

[Alpechraxler]

This is a joke albasini will win this and get 100 points at this rate greenedge will win UCI WT.Chunky lead's the UCI at the mo how TDU gets same points as the tirreno i dont know in my oponion 3rd at MSR and 1st at T.A is worth more than 1st at TDU and 1st at MSR but thats me.

well that 1st in TDU is controversial as well.

 

[vladimir]

I cannot understand why someone thinks this is in the bag already for Albasini. Greenedge doesn't have a strong enough team to control everything, and both today and tomorrow are semi hard stages. I would give Albasini less than 50 % chance of winning overall. But for people who thinks this is all over and done with already; current odds at Betfair is 1,75-1,76 for over 450 euros. So why don't you go there and grab 300+ euros instead of whining here that Albasini has already won this

 

[hatcher]

Only in the UK and not in Spain apparently.

This is what happens when they don't listen to us.

 

[Benotti69]

not being from europe, do you mean they never should have held this race in these mountains this time of year? Is this a freak weather occurrence, or should the organisers always have a backup plan?

freak occurrence that no one can plan for. there has been freak weather all over europe at various times this winter.

Race organisers are trying to please everyone, sponsors, TV, fans and teams. It aint easy.

 

[hatcher]

anyway wether this race goes alog or not, will be canceled or not, it certainly will be a memorable race altogether and deserves the gold medal of most comic stage race of the year...

It has certainly been entertaining, and has kept a lot of us posting.

 

[hrotha]

Only in the UK and not in Spain apparently.

There was, too. But there's only so much you can do in two days in an area with not many hotels.

The organizers haven't done too well, but to be fair these were extraordinary circumstances.

 

[FF'Wilco]

Seems all fixed. The race will start at 12:30

 

[pastronef]

"Los equipos que durmieron en Port Ainé han llegado a la localidad de salida de la cuarta etapa de la Volta, Tremp. La salida estaba prevista para las 12:30 y puede ser hasta que se salga en hora. Los camiones de esos equipos todavía están bajando el puerto escoltados por las máquinas quitanieves."

from bic i ciclismo

the 5 teams who were up the mountain, have arrived at the star, so they could even start on time. 12.30 pm

the trucks are still on their way down from Port Ainè

 

[cineteq]

"Los equipos que durmieron en Port Ainé han llegado a la localidad de salida de la cuarta etapa de la Volta, Tremp. La salida estaba prevista para las 12:30 y puede ser hasta que se salga en hora. Los camiones de esos equipos todavía están bajando el puerto escoltados por las máquinas quitanieves."

from bic i ciclismo

the 5 teams who were up the mountain, have arrived at the star, so they could even start on time. 12.30 pm

the trucks are still on their way down from Port Ainè

Any of the riders who abandoned yesterday is starting today?

 

[hatcher]

I'm predicting a soft-pedal protest stage.

Starting on time apparently. Could still be a great stage if raced hard.

 

[King Of The Mountain's]

well that 1st in TDU is controversial as well.

Tell me about it we all know Alejandro Valverde 1 the crappy race

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

the tdu is a bead of the anal variety.
hate the wt system, but it is what it is and greenedge have delivered where it matters.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

I'm predicting a soft-pedal protest stage.

Would be kind of funny if the peloton gave yesterday's breakaway riders a 15 minute headstart although they'll probably be frazzled

 

[hatcher]

Abandoners evidently not riding.