"PRO" Cycling Discussion

[Antoine]

That was a good move from FDJ to ride fast on the climbs, still 17' lost by the sprinters in 145 km seems a lot to me.

De Gendt in the grupetto, a stomach problem the second day for a GC contender surprises me

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[euan]

Its not silly. What would be silly is once they have been distanced to chase back on and ride threshold on the next climb. They aren't challenging for overall so why waste energy when their job is to complete for the flat stages?

[tymon_tm]

If it was such an easy stage there would have been other sprinters there at the finish. Sagan is a once in a generation type rider who can sprint almost as well as the best sprinter currently out there but can stay with the leaders on medium hilly days.

Sagan, Kwiatkowski, Bennati, Boasson Hagen, Millar.. they were all there. hey i don't mean any offence to Cav, he is how he is, as a matter of fact i'm counting on him to fight with Sagan hand in hand. but his chances are slim if he gets dropped and Sagan gets through in the leading group. that's all

BTW, Sagan isn't the first sprinter to hang on with the main bunch at ascents. wasn't Thor winning his green more or less like this?

[tymon_tm]

By your other posts you need to read more about how the race works and ask questions about things you're not sure about instead of making silly statements.

thanks, next time i'll ask you or just read your posts

[euan]

Sagan, Kwiatkowski, Bennati, Boasson Hagen, Millar.. they were all there. hey i don't mean any offence to Cav, he is how he is, as a matter of fact i'm counting on him to fight with Sagan hand in hand. but his chances are slim if he gets dropped and Sagan gets through in the leading group. that's all

BTW, Sagan isn't the first sprinter to hang on with the main bunch at ascents. wasn't Thor winning his green more or less like this?

These guys are not pure sprinters. Why didn't Kittel try harder to keep the MJ? Why wasn't Greipel there? Of course he won't win the points jersey if Sagan finishes ahead of him on medium mountain stages with a flat finish. That is obvious. I'm explaining to you why Cavendish won't be there and Sagan will.

Cavendish will not be able to complete with Sagan because he simply cannot climb as well as him, this is nothing new. Its also apparent that Cavendish has been on antibiotics for a chest infection so was likely taking it much more easy up the climbs.

I didn't say he was the only one who could do it, but he is the guy who can do it the best. He would outsprint Hushovd any day and probably outclimb him too.

[micky]

Cancellara confirmed at Trek (ex Radioshack) while Shleck brothers got offered 1/3 of actual contract but with bonus.

Team Argos-Giant internet domain seems to have been bought by someone in Holland.

[KWalker]

Kwiatkowski is not a sprinter of any sort AFAIK.

[tymon_tm]

fair enough. i've checked stages' profiles looking for an opportunity for a Cavendish-Sagan duel:

- stage 6 - flat, possibly windy, slightly uphill finish
- stage 7 - few climbs along the way, but the last ~35 kms are downhill
- stage 10 - flat
- stage 12 - flat
- stage 13 - flat, with a 1-2 km (?) climb few kms before finish
- stage 14 - few bigger climbs in the middle of the stage, but if peloton catches the breakes, the remaining 10 kms are flat
- stage 21 - Paris

in reality, given the 'breakaway' cyclists also have their say, i'm counting on 3, maybe 4 bunch sprints with all the important guys present at the front

[wingguy]

If it was such an easy stage there would have been other sprinters there at the finish. Sagan is a once in a generation type rider who can sprint almost as well as the best sprinter currently out there but can stay with the leaders on medium hilly days.

Sagan, Kwiatkowski, Bennati, Boasson Hagen, Millar.. they were all there.

So what? Since when were Millar, Eddy-Boss and Kwiatkowski even remotely similar riders to Cavendish?

Here's a question for you: where were Greipel, Kittel and Goss?

[tymon_tm]

Kwiatkowski is not a sprinter of any sort AFAIK.

agreed. more of a 'classic' cyclist i guess - although in his junior years he was more sprinter-ish (just like Sagan was, they both fought with each other in many races)

[tymon_tm]

So what? Since when were Millar, Eddy-Boss and Kwiatkowski even remotely similar riders to Cavendish?

Here's a question for you: where were Greipel, Kittel and Goss?

i admitt i got slightly carried away expecting some massive showdown including Cav.. was hoping maybe he 'trained' a bit to pass mountains in a better fashion. apparently i was wrong, my bad

[nathanong87]

tymon, it used to be that cavendish verbally said 'im going for the green jersey BUT im doing it by winning stages'. Up until the year where he won the green he never even contested intermediate sprints. Usually the break of the day or something would swoop up all the little intermediates on the day anyways. Riding hard on cat2 climbs where he knows he might not even get to sprint is a waste of energy. Green jersey isn't won on time. The only issue that comes to mind is if sagan starts winning 'non-flat' stages, and swoops up intermediates on days where it starts hard, and sprinters are immediately dropped at the start of the day.

people will argue this, but i still dont think sagan is in the same sprint league as cavendish.

[wingguy]

i admitt i got slightly carried away expecting some massive showdown including Cav.. was hoping maybe he 'trained' a bit to pass mountains in a better fashion. apparently i was wrong, my bad

Oh right, that's much more sensible.

I'm sure if Cavendish just put a little bit of effort in he'd be able to revolutionise his climbing ability while maintaining the extra weight in muscle mass needed to keep winning the flat stages he specialises in.

[ultyguy]

Oh no, Pierre Rolland has measles!.....oh wait, it's just a fasion nightmare

[ave]

What a finish...
I feel sorry for Sagan, but he can easily win the green without a stage win too.