Volta ao Algarve 2024 - 2.Pro (February 14-18)

[Sciatic]

24 mph for ~30 mins? I'd be pretty surprised if someone here couldn't readily do that. Give me that TT setup and I'd bet even money I could do that in my current fitness, and I'm SURE there are a lot of folks far stronger than my 56-year-old arse on this forum.

You’re probably right—I used to ride at 20 mph rate in our club’s 30-min “tourist” time trial on my touring bike with racks, etc. and I didn’t even know about training back then. Bound to be a lot of folks on here he could do 24 mph pace for 30 min.

 

[houtdffan]

This ITT is an overkill. Reminds me of how horrible were the Indurain's years. Just a reminder of why Grand Tours have changed the way they design races. Not to mention that this is a 5 stage race, LOL.

we have so many racings that are biased toward climbers

we need a few that are biased toward the TTers

 

[HelloDolly]

Free of what chains? He won this race last year at Ineos?

The chains of lack of opportunity , just ask Luke Plapp

 

[DNP-Old]

The chains of lack of opportunity , just ask Luke Plapp

Poor Martinez, was only presented as team (co-)leader in every race he started the last two years. Praise the Lord, for now he has been freed from these chains of labor.

It ain't INEOS' fault Dani heavily suffers from allergies, my guy.

 

[AmRacer]

This ITT is an overkill. Reminds me of how horrible were the Indurain's years. Just a reminder of why Grand Tours have changed the way they design races. Not to mention that this is a 5 stage race, LOL.

Where the Queen stage is the TT stage.

 

[AmRacer]

we have so many racings that are biased toward climbers

we need a few that are biased toward the TTers

Instead of three consecutive mtfs, three consecutive ITT stages.

 

[Extinction]

Has anyone noticed Martinez went better than WVA.

 

[Extinction]

This ITT is an overkill. Reminds me of how horrible were the Indurain's years. Just a reminder of why Grand Tours have changed the way they design races. Not to mention that this is a 5 stage race, LOL.

It should be a balance, like in the 80s

 

[red_flanders]

It should be a balance, like in the 80s

It's swung waaaay to far for my tastes, but the balance in the 80s would be regarded as competition-killing TT overkill today.

The '85 edition had like 215 k.

 

[Extinction]

If

The balance in the 80s would be regarded as competition-killing TT overkill today.

If I've understood you correctly (but probably not), then the great TTs of today, who can climb, should not be allowed to kill the competition. But wasn't it always that way?

 

[red_flanders]

If

I've understood you correctly, then the TTs of today, who can climb, should not be allowed to kill the competition. But wasn't it always that way?

You'll not get me arguing for fewer TT kilometers. Just saying "balance" is subjective and a matter of opinion. I like when well-rounded riders have more of an advantage. That's the cycling I grew up respecting. IMO a better balance was the late 90's and early 2000's. A couple of good, long 50k TT's to separate the men from the boys.

Or at least one 50k TT.

 

[Salvarani]

24 mph for ~30 mins? I'd be pretty surprised if someone here couldn't readily do that. Give me that TT setup and I'd bet even money I could do that in my current fitness, and I'm SURE there are a lot of folks far stronger than my 56-year-old arse on this forum.

On todays course... was a key word.

 

[Salvarani]

You’re probably right—I used to ride at 20 mph rate in our club’s 30-min “tourist” time trial on my touring bike with racks, etc. and I didn’t even know about training back then. Bound to be a lot of folks on here he could do 24 mph pace for 30 min.

On rolling terrain? Doubt it.

 

[red_flanders]

On todays course... was a key word.

Yes.

 

[Extinction]

You'll not get me arguing for fewer TT kilometers. Just saying "balance" is subjective and a matter of opinion. I like when well-rounded riders have more of an advantage. That's the cycling I grew up respecting. IMO a better balance was the late 90's and early 2000's. A couple of good, long 50k TT's to separate the men from the boys.

Or at least one 50k TT.

Ok, my man, however, there should be three multi-mountain passes with a summit finish and then a TT of 50+ kms (at the end) and may the best man win!

 

[repre]

Evenepoel once again taking more time on the faster sections despite his climbing prowess compared to the tanks of the peloton

His biggest plus in ITT is unbelievable aerodynamics, so it's not surprising for those who actually watch cycling. Honestly, i didn't see anything like that before, he has the best shape and biggest power on the bike, also looking effortless while pedaling and lapping guys left and right. If wind is blowing he is even more unstoppable, cause it blows differently for him. He is like F-1 car and guys like Ganna are NASCAR's

 

[red_flanders]

Ok, my man, however, there should be three multi-mountain passes with a summit finish and then a TT of 50+ kms (at the end) and may the best man win!

I'm in!

 

[houtdffan]

It's swung waaaay to far for my tastes, but the balance in the 80s would be regarded as competition-killing TT overkill today.

The '85 edition had like 215 k.

be nice to see a GT that had that TT to climbing ratio again

an 7KM prologue, a 75km TTT, a 65 km flat ITT, a ~30km MTT, and a 45km ITT

 

[ManicJack]

I dont think there is anyone on this forum, who can ride this course at 38,5 km/h just to be within 7 minutes.

That's crazy talk.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Something needs to be done about this fashion trend, they look f***ing absurd, there is only one acceptable piece of apparel for an important time trial and that is a backwards 'go-faster' cycling cap and glasses if youre Laurent FIgnon.

 

[Salvarani]

That's crazy talk.

You could say manic.

 

[shadowrider]

Evenepoel once again taking more time on the faster sections despite his climbing prowess compared to the tanks of the peloton

That's because he rode with a slightly exaggerated front gear of "62" . Enormous. An advantage downhill and on flat. But difficult uphill. He always had to pedal while standing on the pedals uphill. The last few hundred meters he seemed unable to turn the pedals. Still a risk to ride with such a gear the day before a mountain stage.

 

[rghysens]

Where the Queen stage is the TT stage.

Recently there have been stage races that entirely consist of 5km long tt´s. This one is still decent.
All jokes aside, I think Algarve with a tt of around 20lm is quite balanced. Waaay too many other stage races, including GT´s, are completely unbalanced.

 

[shadowrider]

Lost a second or two in the end.

Because of his (too "heavy" ?) gear. A 62 front gear ! Evenepoel therefore found it a little more difficult at the end.

 

[shadowrider]

Remco won so i think his weight is perfect today, good job by the nutrionists from Quick step.

Still no comment coming from "Logic" ?