[N.B.O.L.]

Not only was the first stage cancelled because of snow, but now they have changed the depart time , city, and route of Stage 2 (The new stage 1?). I have not been able to find any information on if this effects the TV time or not. If anybody sees anything about the TV coverage, please post it.

This post has been edited by N.B.O.L.: 16 May 2011 - 03:12 PM

[Burkni]

Although I would very much have liked to see Stage 1 ridden, as it looked awesome on paper, and although I very much like the TOC and California as a region, I can't help feeling the slightest bit of Schadenfreude to see the organisers' plan (no doubt condoned and probably even engineered by Pat McQuaid) to move to May and collide with the Giro backfire.

The whole "globalization of cycling" scheme is looking more and more like a pathetic attempt to de-centralize and weaken the foundations of the sport, namely the teams and races.

[N.B.O.L.]

I admit to finding some irony in the fact that they moved to May for "better weather" and now have had two stages affected by snow.

[Burkni]

N.B.O.L., on 16 May 2011 - 04:27 PM, said:

I admit to finding some irony in the fact that they moved to May for "better weather" and now have had two stages affected by snow.

My whole point.

[Jayhawk]

That event should be renamed "Tour de France Training Camp for Non-Giro Participants." I've got a feeling the riders aren't too put out because they missed some racing. They just want to get some miles in without burning themselves out for the TdF.

[N.B.O.L.]

The opening stage won by Ben Swift of Sky. Sky took control of the peloton as the final lap started and never let go. Goss appearing to me to be a little frustrated because his HTC train just never seems to get well organized and able to pull him up equal with Sky, went early and looked to have a chance but spent too much time in the wind and faded to third. An exciting conclusion to what was otherwise a pretty boring abbreviated stage.

Tomorrows stage also looks to be one for the Sprinters.

This post has been edited by N.B.O.L.: 17 May 2011 - 01:17 AM

[vaunTrevi]

Burkni, on 16 May 2011 - 03:35 PM, said:

Although I would very much have liked to see Stage 1 ridden, as it looked awesome on paper, and although I very much like the TOC and California as a region, I can't help feeling the slightest bit of Schadenfreude to see the organisers' plan (no doubt condoned and probably even engineered by Pat McQuaid) to move to May and collide with the Giro backfire.

The whole "globalization of cycling" scheme is looking more and more like a pathetic attempt to de-centralize and weaken the foundations of the sport, namely the teams and races.

Hi Strat,
I hadn't looked at it quite that way... but yeah it was bound to back fire.
Originally the concept was to include some of the world class climbs that California offers. But to be honest none of them were on the stage schedule. There are some massive climbs in California and Nevada that could have been included. In fact they could have opened with a time trial on the Lake. It really is a beautiful setting for a race (on sunny day.)
Stage 2 might have descended out ot Tahoe into Nevada and tqaken in a few of the huge Hors Cat climbs up the Eastern Sierra Nevada Escarpment - old stage coach roads (much more like the Giro and Vuelta) and returned to Tahoe for the finish.
California is coming off 7 years of drought and had record rain and snow fall this year. Any other time might have worked out fine.
The race will probably have to be in June to include some of the real monster climbs.
It might actually be better placed during the Tour of Switzerland as a real preparation for the Tour. "
The amount of registered racers in California and Nevada is almost 1/2 of all usa count. Add in Oregon and Colorado and its a over 50%.

[Burkni]

vaunTrevi, on 17 May 2011 - 08:06 PM, said:

Hi Strat,
I hadn't looked at it quite that way... but yeah it was bound to back fire.
Originally the concept was to include some of the world class climbs that California offers. But to be honest none of them were on the stage schedule. There are some massive climbs in California and Nevada that could have been included. In fact they could have opened with a time trial on the Lake. It really is a beautiful setting for a race (on sunny day.)
Stage 2 might have descended out ot Tahoe into Nevada and tqaken in a few of the huge Hors Cat climbs up the Eastern Sierra Nevada Escarpment - old stage coach roads (much more like the Giro and Vuelta) and returned to Tahoe for the finish.
California is coming off 7 years of drought and had record rain and snow fall this year. Any other time might have worked out fine.
The race will probably have to be in June to include some of the real monster climbs.
It might actually be better placed during the Tour of Switzerland as a real preparation for the Tour. "
The amount of registered racers in California and Nevada is almost 1/2 of all usa count. Add in Oregon and Colorado and its a over 50%.

Firstly, although Strat is someone who it is flattering to be compared to, I am not he

I think the May date is actually quite alright, this snowstorm thing is obviously an oddity. Of course I don't know the climbs like you residents, but on paper this seemed (and still seems) like an amazing race. Clashing with the TdS might be too late for Tdf contenders to get properly over the time difference?

[vaunTrevi]

Burkni, on 17 May 2011 - 09:02 PM, said:

Firstly, although Strat is someone who it is flattering to be compared to, I am not he

I think the May date is actually quite alright, this snowstorm thing is obviously an oddity. Of course I don't know the climbs like you residents, but on paper this seemed (and still seems) like an amazing race. Clashing with the TdS might be too late for Tdf contenders to get properly over the time difference?

Whoops!! sorry Burkni and as well to Strat. Too tired too many tours this week and too few staff. I'd be pleased if I was named with either of you or mistaken for either.
It may well be that the ToCA in June would conflict with a return to Europe.
To be honest I've always thought that if the UCI is intent to expand the scope of pro cycling around the world (a worthy goal) that the answer would simply be to bring back the World Cup with one day races and a few short 3- 5 day stage races on each of the continents.
This follows what is already successful and familiar with sports fans with Soccer, and Formula 1 racing. In the end I think it would be more practical. But even with that there is going to be some conflict on an already crowded race calendar.
Just sayin...
Vaughn

[N.B.O.L.]

I really don't know what to say about todays 3rd stage. Greg Henderson from Sky wins, in a totally disorganized sprint. JENS! falls over another rider who had already fallen, and then has someone fall over him, who looked to be the most serious hurt of the three. On the final there were at least two people that shot out from about 10 men back, at separate times, who went down for no reason I could see including the most awkward looking fall I've ever seen.

On to Sierra Road tomorrow. Maybe the climbers will put a little order to this race.

[Burkni]

Are Jens! et. al alright?

On a different note: What is with poor Oscarlito Freire? He seems to be on a sharp decline?
(yes, trying to get Smug out of hiding but anyone can discuss this)

[shag]

Well, Horner has said he was bringing crazy form into the race . . . I guess he was not kidding. That was a very, very impressive effort he put in on Sierra Road - you could see the entire stage he was just floating, so it was not a surprise to see him ride away, but the margin was surprising. Who will be RS's protected rider for the Tour this year???

[bodomaniac]

vaunTrevi, on 17 May 2011 - 08:06 PM, said:

Hi Strat,
I hadn't looked at it quite that way... but yeah it was bound to back fire.
Originally the concept was to include some of the world class climbs that California offers. But to be honest none of them were on the stage schedule. There are some massive climbs in California and Nevada that could have been included. In fact they could have opened with a time trial on the Lake. It really is a beautiful setting for a race (on sunny day.)
Stage 2 might have descended out ot Tahoe into Nevada and tqaken in a few of the huge Hors Cat climbs up the Eastern Sierra Nevada Escarpment - old stage coach roads (much more like the Giro and Vuelta) and returned to Tahoe for the finish.
California is coming off 7 years of drought and had record rain and snow fall this year. Any other time might have worked out fine.
The race will probably have to be in June to include some of the real monster climbs.
It might actually be better placed during the Tour of Switzerland as a real preparation for the Tour. "
The amount of registered racers in California and Nevada is almost 1/2 of all usa count. Add in Oregon and Colorado and its a over 50%.

What the organizers should have done to reduce the potential of the high sierra mountain stage being cancelled due to snow was start the race in San Diego and have it work it's way to the north, not the other way around. Instead of having this be the first stage it should have been reserved as the "queen stage" with the last stage taking place in San Francisco. Can you imagine the crowds and the exciting racing that would take place the final day were they to incorporate the old S.F. Grand Prix route? That would be much more scintillating and dramatic a finish than the boring flat circuit the races concludes at in Thousand Oaks.

[bodomaniac]

shag, on 19 May 2011 - 01:34 PM, said:

Well, Horner has said he was bringing crazy form into the race . . . I guess he was not kidding. That was a very, very impressive effort he put in on Sierra Road - you could see the entire stage he was just floating, so it was not a surprise to see him ride away, but the margin was surprising. Who will be RS's protected rider for the Tour this year???

I think Horner, Leipheimer and Klodi will all be pretty much given free reign at the start and the JB will decide who the protected rider is as events unfold. As of now I'd say Horner and Klodi are their two best bets going in, as I think Levi's stomach problems really affected his training and he is just now starting to round into decent form. That said, a lot can change between now and the start of the Tour. It will be interesting to me to see the squads JB goes to the Dauphine and TdS with. I suspect Levi will do the Dauphine and Klodi the TdS, but have no idea where Horner will end up or how much say he has in the decision.

[shag]

bodomaniac, on 19 May 2011 - 05:02 PM, said:

I think Horner, Leipheimer and Klodi will all be pretty much given free reign at the start and the JB will decide who the protected rider is as events unfold. As of now I'd say Horner and Klodi are their two best bets going in, as I think Levi's stomach problems really affected his training and he is just now starting to round into decent form. That said, a lot can change between now and the start of the Tour. It will be interesting to me to see the squads JB goes to the Dauphine and TdS with. I suspect Levi will do the Dauphine and Klodi the TdS, but have no idea where Horner will end up or how much say he has in the decision.

Out of those three I would like to see Horner featured if for no other reason as he's the most exciting of the three. I mean Levi is a strong little diesel but about as boring as it gets on a bike. Because Horner can't simply fall back on his TT like Levi and Kloedi, he's a lot more apt to stir the pot with some attacks.

[bodomaniac]

shag, on 19 May 2011 - 05:09 PM, said:

Out of those three I would like to see Horner featured if for no other reason as he's the most exciting of the three. I mean Levi is a strong little diesel but about as boring as it gets on a bike. Because Horner can't simply fall back on his TT like Levi and Kloedi, he's a lot more apt to stir the pot with some attacks.

I couldn't agree with you more, Shag. I liken Levi to the little engine that could. LOL!

[vaunTrevi]

bodomaniac, on 19 May 2011 - 05:12 PM, said:

I couldn't agree with you more, Shag. I liken Levi to the little engine that could. LOL!

Let Horner do it... If they let the Levi and Chris ride free on the Solvang ITT Horner might just keep the golden Fleece. But what could be better than a NorCal-SoCal duel for the win of the Home Tour!

[shag]

vaunTrevi, on 19 May 2011 - 07:25 PM, said:

Let Horner do it... If they let the Levi and Chris ride free on the Solvang ITT Horner might just keep the golden Fleece. But what could be better than a NorCal-SoCal duel for the win of the Home Tour!

I was thinking ahead to Le Tour and whether Horner has earned the right (finally) to a free ride there . . . if he's not the guy in Cali something's wrong inside RS - he's the strongest guy in the race by a country mile.

[Burkni]

vaunTrevi, on 19 May 2011 - 07:25 PM, said:

Let Horner do it... If they let the Levi and Chris ride free on the Solvang ITT Horner might just keep the golden Fleece. But what could be better than a NorCal-SoCal duel for the win of the Home Tour!

+1
Although Levi is strong, he will hardly take back 1min+ over 24kms. Horner even won a TT of similar distance last year in Pais Vasco, albeit with more climbing.

[bodomaniac]

So, would anyone rank this as Horner's biggest victory yet? I don't. I still think his victory at Pais Vasco last year was more impressive, as it came against a much deeper and stronger field. Great to see him get a big win on American soil, however and bodes well for his and the teams podium chances at the TdF. The Mt. Baldy stage was a great day of racing for anyone that caught it.