Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2023, stage 2: Mataró - Barcelona, 181.8k

[QueenStagiaire]

Milesi wrong time for mechanical.

He‘s actually painting his jersey more red.

 

[RedheadDane]

Milesi crashed.

 

[Mayomaniac]

The péloton wasn't as large in older times, because the difference in quality between the best and worst rider in the bunch was bigger. So while there may have been no fewer crashes (although there may have been because people would have more room to pick their own lines), fewer people would typically be involved.

That and the rise of roundabouts and other modern road furniture.

 

[tobydawq]

Milesi wrong time for mechanical.

He crashed. Bleeding from the elbow. He won't make it back.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

So times are taken at the 9km, but positions at the end. But (if bonuses irrelevant) is it 9km or 0km that Movistar and DSM want to get the first of the 11 men on the same time over to get red?

Or will that be decided later this evening?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Seems like that but all riders are crashing, just Jumbo & Ineos crashes all get spoken about is all.

Are you trying to suggest that Thomas and Roglič don't have a significant history of crashing out of races compared to other GC riders? Because I don't think it's a case of focusing on their teams, those are two riders who have a reputation for crashing in big races.

 

[KZD]

Milesi wrong time for mechanical.

He crashed so not sure if its a mechanical or he is feeling badly.

This crash might give hope to the two breakaway riders as the gap is now 1 minute. Piccolo should take red.

 

[Samamba]

So Piccolo will be in red? Like almost guaranteed? lmao that's stupid.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Piccolo will take red.

 

[dgodave]

The péloton wasn't as large in older times, because the difference in quality between the best and worst rider in the bunch was bigger. So while there may have been no fewer crashes (although there may have been because people would have more room to pick their own lines), fewer people would typically be involved.

Interesting.

I ask because the first week of GTs gives me more of a horror movie vibe than a sporting vibe - where the viewing experience is more about dread than excitement.

 

[Pirazziattacks]

Red Rick, Izzyviel and Hellodolly must be salivating. The city parcours and rounadabouts are coming, and GC riders can suddenly break a collarbone and game over. That's what they want, no?

The riders must be punished. Unless they do actually crash, in which case they'll be derided for their poor bike handling skills.

 

[JosefK]

The red jersey battered and bruised. Tough day out there.

 

[tobydawq]

So times are taken at the 9km, but positions at the end. But (if bonuses irrelevant) is it 9km or 0km that Movistar and DSM want to get the first of the 11 men on the same time over to get red?

Or will that be decided later this evening?

Definitely the finish line.

 

[samhocking]

That and the rise of roundabouts and other modern road furniture.

The reasoning is all teams are fighting with the same data now, before the race data was who remembered what, there was randomness. Primarily though there was hierarchy, you couldn't just race who you wanted, you had to earn the right to battle the big guns otherwise your life was made a misery so there really only ever were a handful out of the bunch actually allowed to race for a win, today everyone can win.

 

[Jumbo Visma Fan :)]

JV masterclass today

 

[Jagartrott]

Sad that the red jersey is left all alone.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Is there a 3 km rule before the 9km mark? (a 12 km rule)

 

[Tricycle Rider]

More riders crash, I'm losing track of all the crashes!

 

[roundabout]

Hope Milesi is not too badly hurt

 

[Danskebjerge]

I’m immensely tired of Jumbo Visma and their policeman-like behaviour.

 

[noob]

That red rollercoaster looked so cosy!

 

[tobydawq]

Is there a 3 km rule before the 9km mark? (a 12 km rule)

I hae been wondering the same thing.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Interesting.

I ask because the first week of GTs gives me more of a horror movie vibe than a sporting vibe - where the viewing experience is more about dread than excitement.

It's something where the other problem we have is that everybody still has something to protect. You aren't seeing flat stages like in the 70s or 80s where the flyweights get turfed out the back and the number of contenders is reduced. So you often get a situation where you have every team and their leaders trying to crowd the front of the bunch. The race organisers are still trying to figure out the best way to respond to this trend and we're seeing a variety of different attempts to set an early GC separator that reduces the danger in the bunch by sorting contenders from pretenders, but without having such a significant impact on the GC that it negatively impacts racing later in the race.

 

[SafeBet]

Sad that the red jersey is left all alone.

DSM can keep the jersey so I understand that.

 

[dgodave]

Burger King????

I thought Spain was all about the good food.