[N.B.O.L.]

Burkni, on 14 June 2012 - 11:03 PM, said:

Sorry guys, I can't stop quoting Tweeter Sagan:

I know what you mean. I now follow him.

[shag]

Totally agree on Tweeter Sagan. That stuff is gold, Jerry, gold!

Finally got to watch the Stage 6 finish. Sagan is just toying with everyone, it's stupid ... though surely for a second there today, as he was getting pinched against the barriers and was hopelessly boxed in behind Swift, he must have briefly thought "Yikes, I might not win!" ... a thought that can't often cross his mind these days.

[N.B.O.L.]

So with a long time trial today, does Spartacus resume his place a TT king or does the young upstart get another one to go with his collection.

[Burkni]

Today's TT goes up the Pfannenstiel, often the race decider in the now defunct Züri Metzgete, wonderful race that it was.
Judging by the profile, it is way too hilly for Cancellara, at least at this point in his build-up: (Having said that, Frederik Kessiakoff of all people just bested his time by 2secs)

[N.B.O.L.]

Quote

TweeterSagan: Sagan scoop for Nový čas: tonight Sagan lead GC in #tds2012. All 61 rider who start TT after Sagan disqualify for benefit from slipstream.

It will have to be by disqualification, his time was 2 & 1/2 minutes down.

Quote

TweeterSagan: Last time Sagan let Juraj borrow time trial bike #tds2012

This post has been edited by N.B.O.L.: 15 June 2012 - 02:17 PM

[Leafcake]

shag, on 14 June 2012 - 04:03 PM, said:

Not to take anything away from Sagan's straight-up sprinting ability, which is clearly very good, but these dicey finishes really favor him, as he can use his superior bike handling and incredible nerve to maximum advantage. I am really curious to see how he fares in a wide-open, high-speed Tour finishes with the big trains launching Cavendish et al. for the drag race. I just don't see him beating Cav in that scenario.

Yes, he'll probably be less dominant. Although I think he can beat Cavendish on the day.

shag, on 14 June 2012 - 04:03 PM, said:

Yeah, Farrar's poor sprinting this year is a puzzle. If I'm Vaughters ... well, I don't think I leave Farrar off the Tour team, but I certainly limit how many guys I'm bringing along to support him. With Hesjedal, Martin, Danielson all solid GC candidates - any of the three could go top-5 and all should go top-10 - that's where I would put my focus and support.

crockett, on 14 June 2012 - 10:47 PM, said:

I say leave him home and bring an entire team for gc and support of gc riders. Pull a Kelme. Farrar hasn't been close this year. Y

With the UCI pointing system being as it is, it doesn't make sense to keep a top 5 sprinter at home. Valuable points even without a win. Besides, I like teams to be versatile in their goals. So agreed with Shag on this.

Riding top 5 on GC makes it difficult to go for stage wins at the same time, especially when one doesn't have a superior kick alla Rodriguez. Kelme would go on those long breaks and get a stage in the process. There have been fewer of those in recent years, although A.Schleck pulled one off last year. Something for D.Martin perhaps.

***

TdS st.7. Close, but again no cigar for Radioshack. Some strange times in this ITT. Would have expected for some riders, such as Gutierrez to make more of an effort here with the nationals and all coming up. Ah well, need to rest from defending that gelbes Trikot.

[Strategy]

Franck Schleck looking like a possible winner of the Tour de Suisse now - will be tough, but if he is on his best form, he can do this.

[Leafcake]

Very nice final stage. Kangert finally gets his worth.
Props to F.Schleck for attacking so (too) early and making it interesting with subsequent sets of pursuits to follow. Great ride by Da Costa who defended his lead well with the outstanding help from Valverde; it's just great to see a rider of his stature pacing and pulling so selflessly on the front.

Leipheimer seems to be back in his wheelsucking condition, and Nieve still going strong 3 weeks after the Giro. All in all Euskaltel, who incidentally are rumoured to have Festina on board for next year, rode a pretty strong race. F.Schleck would rather have been caught dead than ride together with Danielson. But Danielson, no smarter than F.Schleck, should have backed off from his lonely chase much earlier. Not buying Radioshack's united team thing. Much more enjoyed the Rabobank tactics, especially with Kruijswijk, although Gesink not as strong as the top climbers.

[micomico]

Strategy, on 09 June 2012 - 06:44 PM, said:

I think the Sky is going to fall on our heads...

[Strategy]

Strategy, on 16 June 2012 - 09:05 PM, said:

Franck Schleck looking like a possible winner of the Tour de Suisse now - will be tough, but if he is on his best form, he can do this.

Oh well, jinxed it. Should know better than to suggest that Radioshack would actually have some success this year.

[Burkni]

Leafcake, on 17 June 2012 - 04:48 PM, said:

Very nice final stage. Kangert finally gets his worth.
Props to F.Schleck for attacking so (too) early and making it interesting with subsequent sets of pursuits to follow. Great ride by Da Costa who defended his lead well with the outstanding help from Valverde; it's just great to see a rider of his stature pacing and pulling so selflessly on the front.

My thoughts exactly - I don't recall Valverde working for another rider since his beautiful leadout for Freire at the 2004 Worlds.

[N.B.O.L.]

Frank Schlecks attacks didn't work, but he tried both of the last two days, which raises is stock with me even if it didn't work out for him. Was also impressed with Valverde's work for Da Costa. I'm hoping that this all means that we will have at least a little bit of excitement in the Tour when it starts.

[Burkni]

The 2013 route has been announced (although no detail) and the first speculations about the results come from no other than Tweeter Sagan:

Quote

@TweeterSagan: Tax Haven Tour 2013 route already announced http://t.co/Ra316dxO. If other rider start now might be close race...