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

[theyoungest]

the gc is laughable now

2 morabito 3 vandenbroeck

yeah really shows the right strong guys in front. Uran is only 8th or so because he didn't sprint in the first stage

Loved VDB's "attack" today. With Albasini (and the whole peloton) smiling on his wheel.

Kelderman was taken down by a bidon, BTW. He has called for a written and practical test before riders get their license.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I hope that Szmyd will do the job on the climb, and others will drop one by one

yes. man I would love to see if nibali and basso were otu to see what szmyd could do in a giro like this. although he doesn't seem to be a leader very much

 

[barmaher]

General Classification after Stage 4
1 Michael Albasini (SUI) GreenEDGE 12h 25' 24"
2 Steve Morabito (SUI) BMC Racing Team + 1' 32"
3 Jurgen Van Den Broeck (BEL) Lotto-Belisol + 1' 32"
4 Daniel Martin (IRL) Garmin-Barracuda + 1' 32"
5 Samuel Sánchez (ESP) Euskaltel-Euskadi + 1' 32"
6 Rigoberto Urán (COL) Team Sky + 1' 32"
7 Sergio Pardilla (ESP) Movistar Team + 1' 32"
8 Damiano Cunego (ITA) Lampre-ISD + 1' 32"
9 Tom Danielson (USA) Garmin-Barracuda + 1' 32"
10 Robert Kišerlovski (CRO) Astana + 1' 32"

 

[sucotash]

No he is not., maybe it is better to say that he wasn,t

As there ar not so many Polish riders I follow everyone very close. Szmyd attitude changed very much this season. Last year was very poor for him, he had legs but was always working for others and did not have ant significant resule, he was angry at it, and in interviews, in his blog he seemed very motivated that he can do somethig this season.

Szmyd was considered in Poland a rider that can only bring a good result in big mountains with a uphill finish. He thought the same about himself. He was complaining that he can not descend well, that he has problems on faster shorter climbs etc.. Sylwester showed in Paris Nice that he will try to hange it this season. His ride on Mende was very impressive, he was eighth, but had legs to ride with Wiggo, Piti etc. He started the climb way back in the back of the bunch, abd was passing slower riders to finish very high.

I was sure and wrote it on tuesday, that Szmyd has the legs to finish high yesterday. Now I'm sure that he had legs to win the whole race, what a shme for us in Poland that the weather was bad Today on a short climb wich does not suit him only Levi could hang on on his wheel. and with what he did on the downhill, we are all (Polish fans ) in shock I never fought that Sylwester is able to do so well on such a stage.

Hope for a good ride tomrrow, shame because it could have been his race, weather

This year until now Szmyd>>>>>>>>>Basso

 

[iZnoGouD]

As I said Szmyd is super strong, shame for yesterday he would be the favourite as I have written

No terrain today for Szmyd but he looks great

yeah, it sucks so much what happened yesterday, i had my money in really good :|

 

[canyonball]

This year until now Szmyd>>>>>>>>>Basso

Basso had a though start to the season. Sick on Laigueglia and Lugano. Then crash at Paris-Nice. So it's understandable...The fact Szmyd stayed as a solid teammate all these years should tell you something. Either he didn't have any options or he feels comfortable playing this role.Being behind Liqui leaders when needed and taking his chances when the road his clear. I tend to believe this suits him just fine. Part of it for the reasons you stated. Don't think he has what it takes to be a leader on a three week race. Couldn't hurt trying though.

 

[iZnoGouD]

Szmyd shopuld ride more for himself, he is really good

 

[hfer07]

I must confess I was a bit skeptical about what Sky was trying to do with Uran, since he was primarily a Climber, but today we saw a different type of rider-more all-rounded with a much versatile repertoire-including some sprinting skills Now I have to say that I appreciate the work being done by Sky on him to guide him on this new path that may well be fruitful & exciting to pursue.

 

[maltiv]

I must confess I was a bit skeptical about what Sky was trying to do with Uran, since he was primarily a Climber, but today we saw a different type of rider-more all-rounded with a much versatile repertoire-including some sprinting skills Now I have to say that I appreciate the work being done by Sky on him to guide him on this new path that may well be fruitful & exciting to pursue.

He's never been slow but it seems like Sky reckons he has more potential in the ardennes than in the Grand Tours. So far it seems like a quite successful transition, he has more or less improved in everything since he came to Sky. Or well, his climbing is more or less the same but he has significantly improved his sprint, TT and explosiveness without becoming a worse climber.

Looking forward to seeing what he can do in the Ardennes!

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Basso had a though start to the season. Sick on Laigueglia and Lugano. Then crash at Paris-Nice. So it's understandable...The fact Szmyd stayed as a solid teammate all these years should tell you something. Either he didn't have any options or he feels comfortable playing this role.Being behind Liqui leaders when needed and taking his chances when the road his clear. I tend to believe this suits him just fine. Part of it for the reasons you stated. Don't think he has what it takes to be a leader on a three week race. Couldn't hurt trying though.

Ivan has not finished a race this year ..and

22/03/2012
Ivan Basso undergoes MRI scan
The scan was performed following yesterday’s crash in Catalunya. Doctor Corsetti: « The scan shows an effusion but no bone, tendon or ligament damage »



Ivan Basso underwent an MRI scan today on his right knee following yesterday’s crash in the Volta a Catalunya. The examination was performed in Italy where the Liquigas-Cannondale captain returned to late yesterday evening.



The team’s doctor Roberto Corsetti explains, «The scan detected a slight effusion which is linked to the contusion suffered during the fall. No damage was found to bone, tendons or ligaments. As the detected effusion is around the insertion of the goose’s foot, it was decided that the athlete should undergo intensive sessions of physiotherapy from today and for the next few days as a precautionary measure. »



As things stand, there is no apparent reason why Basso should not go to the training camp in the mountains as planned on Monday. «The situation will be monitored constantly over the next few days so any developments can be carefully assessed. Only at the last moment will we decide with the athlete and the team management about whether or not he will attend the training camp. » Doctor Corsetti concluded.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I think Urán has always been more all-round than just a pure climber, thinking back to his win in the abandoned ITT in the 2007 Euskal Bizikleta, his 2nd into Wiesloch in the 2008 Deutschlandtour, sprinting from a bunch of about 30, and of course his Lombardia podium.

He'd already been moving in this direction in his final year with Caisse d'Epargne, you can see - 5th in the Chieti stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, beating the likes of Gesink and Evans on their terrain, top 10 into Macerata 2 days later. Top showings at Amorebieta and Insubrica as well, as well as 2 2nds in the Tour de Suisse - one in the queen stage, but the other on a short, steep finish, when he and Fränk Schleck finished a few seconds ahead of the field. He had been catching the Luxembourger when he lost control in the sprint, and pulled off an amazing save not to crash. Holding on to finish top 10 after being on the attack in the Valdepeñas de Jaén finish as well pointed to a future in medium mountain and hilly stages, which has been borne out since joining Sky.

So I don't think Sky have shaped what Urán has become by trying to turn him into something he's not; but he was just finding his feet as a more versatile rider and one for this kind of stage with Caisse d'Epargne when Sky prised him away; they haven't changed him as a rider, just helped him develop more quickly into the kind of rider he was becoming anyway.

 

[Duartista]

As the detected effusion is around the insertion of the goose’s foot, it was decided that the athlete should undergo intensive sessions of physiotherapy from today and for the next few days as a precautionary measure

What became of the goose?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I must confess I was a bit skeptical about what Sky was trying to do with Uran, since he was primarily a Climber, but today we saw a different type of rider-more all-rounded with a much versatile repertoire-including some sprinting skills Now I have to say that I appreciate the work being done by Sky on him to guide him on this new path that may well be fruitful & exciting to pursue.

uran is many things but climber isn't the first he is and never was. of course he's from colombia so he climbs well but that's no his style really as you can see the way he climbs as well.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

He's never been slow but it seems like Sky reckons he has more potential in the ardennes than in the Grand Tours. So far it seems like a quite successful transition, he has more or less improved in everything since he came to Sky. Or well, his climbing is more or less the same but he has significantly improved his sprint, TT and explosiveness without becoming a worse climber.

Looking forward to seeing what he can do in the Ardennes!

his explosiveness has not increased. that has always been top notch. when he left unibet for caisse many of his skills declines. mostly downhilling, sprinting and itt, of which he great in, in all 3 things. his first win as a pro in europe was a timetrial. he comes from track and won nearly any discipline as a junior in track

 

[auscyclefan94]

the gc is laughable now

2 morabito 3 vandenbroeck

yeah really shows the right strong guys in front. Uran is only 8th or so because he didn't sprint in the first stage

so the strongest riders should always win the race?

Go Steve and BMC!!!!

 

[Angliru]

didn't leipheimer win a sprint in utah or colorado last year to everyone's shock?

I want actual video footage or I'm not believing it.

 

[roundabout]

Ivan has not finished a race this year ..and

Is glucosamine on the banned list?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

so the strongest riders should always win the race?

Go Steve and BMC!!!!

yes


......

 

[roundabout]

so the strongest riders should always win the race?

Go Steve and BMC!!!!

read his post again

 

[Swede1]

Pretty exciting finish. It looks to me like Menchov will not only win the volta but also the Tour de France. Also I think Szmyd should lead liquigas in the giro and not basso. Although didn't Basso suck in the early season of 2010 when he won the race?

 

[canyonball]

Ivan has not finished a race this year ..and

Doesn't seem too serious. But these little things add up. Not best of preparations, but I just don't see Szmyd as Giro leader. Too big of a risk. It's not like Liquigas don't have a plan B, if we get to that point...

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Is glucosamine on the banned list?

Lol

.........
...........

 

[Havetts]

Kelderman fell because of a bidon that bounced back on the road..

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Doesn't seem too serious. But these little things add up. Not best of preparations, but I just don't see Szmyd as Giro leader. Too big of a risk. It's not like Liquigas don't have a plan B, if we get to that point...

Yea,i am not saying Szmyd will be the leader, just that it don't look promising for Ivan in the Giro. The Vuelta will be good for him but we all know who is going to win that one lol

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Yea,i am not saying Szmyd will be the leader, just that it don't look promising for the Giro. The Vuelta will be good for him but we all know who is going to win that one lol

oh man, don't even mention the Vuelta, it will be to awesome to think about in March...