[Burkni]

In the live feed for today, CNews says something I'm not sure Kiwi will agree with:


So much depends on Hondo and Renshaw today. They're the leadout men for Petacchi and Cavendish, probably the best two leadout men in the world.

[wildeone]

Ale-Jet!

[N.B.O.L.]

Would someone please explain to me how Garmin can be in such good position with 600 m to go, and then not even contend for the finish.

[N.B.O.L.]

After looking at the sprint a few more times, I think it wasn't the original move where Petacchi came to his left that Cav so upset, but that when Cav then started going to Petacchi's right, that he then moved to the right.

I'm also not sure how Cav stayed upright when his wheel slipped about 50 meters from the finish.

[N.B.O.L.]

Burkni, on 08 May 2011 - 02:20 PM, said:

In the live feed for today, CNews says something I'm not sure Kiwi will agree with:


So much depends on Hondo and Renshaw today. They're the leadout men for Petacchi and Cavendish, probably the best two leadout men in the world.

Well if Kiwi doesn't agree then I am with him. I don't know how you talk about the best leadout men in the world and not mention Dean somewhere in the comment.

[MrHarm]

Ale-Jet!

And Cav can just shut up. If that should lead to a declassement, you won't have a lot of sprints that aren't decided in the jury room.

Funny how Petacchi has started a tradition of sorts of jumping Cav in the first sprint in a GT. Never lasts, though

Robbie Hunter straight-talking on Tiwtter as usual:
@RobbieHunter: Good job by Petacchi, nothing wrong with his sprint..some ppl just don't know how to lose..

This post has been edited by MrHarm: 08 May 2011 - 03:49 PM

[N.B.O.L.]

MrHarm, on 08 May 2011 - 03:40 PM, said:

Ale-Jet!

And Cav can just shut up. If that should lead to a declassement, you won't have a lot of sprints that aren't decided in the jury room.

Funny how Petacchi has started a tradition of sorts of jumping Cav in the first sprint in a GT. Never lasts, though

Robbie Hunter straight-talking on Tiwtter as usual:
@RobbieHunter: Good job by Petacchi, nothing wrong with his sprint..some ppl just don't know how to lose..

I agree that there should have been no penalty. I do think it was enough that it was worth an extra look by the jury.

[MrHarm]

N.B.O.L., on 08 May 2011 - 04:15 PM, said:

I agree that there should have been no penalty. I do think it was enough that it was worth an extra look by the jury.

I can agree with that

[micomico]

What Petacchi has done both times is take off at around 250 meters, forcing Cav to abandon his leadout and follow Petacchi for 250 meters, and have to pass him. Cav needs to come up with 250 meters of top-end speed, instead of less than 200, to make sure that Ale doesn't gain too much separation. Ale used Cav's leadout against him.

It is Petacchi's best chance being the older, wiser, more experienced (and slower) oponent. I think they will have to rethink how they go at this again, since Cav cannot expect much mercy from the jury if there is some mild blocking going on, and after today's histrionics he knows he is better off keeping quiet about it and keep his head down.

Ale will attack!


Well, experience took the win, youth the pink.

[Burkni]

micomico, on 08 May 2011 - 08:06 PM, said:

What Petacchi has done both times is take off at around 250 meters, forcing Cav to abandon his leadout and follow Petacchi for 250 meters, and have to pass him. Cav needs to come up with 250 meters of top-end speed, instead of less than 200, to make sure that Ale doesn't gain too much separation. Ale used Cav's leadout against him.

It is Petacchi's best chance being the older, wiser, more experienced (and slower) oponent. I think they will have to rethink how they go at this again, since Cav cannot expect much mercy from the jury if there is some mild blocking going on, and after today's histrionics he knows he is better off keeping quiet about it and keep his head down.

Ale will attack!


Well, experience took the win, youth the pink.

The distance may have worked in Ale's favour too - possibly blunting that crazy top-end speed of Cav's.
But Cav's moving up in the finale will have cost him, even though it was impressive.

[buddy]

Hey guys,

I am going to disagree with most of you. I say this without being a great fan of the way Cavandish can behave however I believe he is justified in his complaints. Please look at the video over and over and just look at how much lateral movement across the road Pettachi does.

Firstly he moves 2/3 the way across the road to be in front of Cavendish. To me that move right there should have seen him relegated. That was at least 6-7 metres off a straight line. He then moves to his right another 3-4 metres to take away that overtaking option and is he finished ....NO ..... he has another little go at Cavendish at the end. Compare that to when Cav was relegated in the Tour virtually gifting Hushovd the green jersey and in that instance Cav hardlly deviated his line but the barriers weren't straight. Yet he was still relegated.

If the positions had have been reversed and it was Cav or Farrar doing that to an Italian rider they would have been relegated. It is a very ordinary home town decision that will now set the standard for some very messy sprints to come. Lucky for the commissaiares there aren't meant to be too many sprint stages in this Giro.

Thanks,

Buddy

[Burkni]

Frankly I'm not sure whether Peta should have been relegated (I have watched the replay) but as much as Cav's comments sound like whining, he and Buddy are probably right in that he would have been relegated for the same stunt.