Weight Weenies

MattSoutherden wrote:What's the deal with Rolland and the spots - urely he can't be gunning for a good GC result if he's willing to burn matches like that in the first week?

europcar are still looking for a 2014+ sponsor so they need to be seen. perhaps that is part of the decision? rolland probably won't win the GC though he could place highly, but he can win the mountains classification. maybe they consider that to be a higher priority than just a good GC result?

ave wrote:

pastronef wrote:(so the news about Giant leaving blanco-belkin should be confirmed)

Sure they can't afford to sponsor two teams? Specialized can do three.

Can't tell if there was sarcasm in that? You think Giant have less cash than Specialized?

Does it make sense to sponsor multiple teams? Maybe? Maybe not? They may not drop Belkin though

But to me, moving to Argos-Shimano doesn't seem like a huge surprise. Felt surely aren't cashed up like Giant and the team, like Giant themselves seem to have a strong link with Shimano.

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ultyguy wrote:An extremely good re-taking of the lead-out by 'bus under the banner' so that 'wheel sucker extraordinaire' could win.

Came in here to say this

Where are the usual suspects, slating Gerrans?

Pure speculation on my part... but Belkin is an American company (I think) with a desire to promote their brand to a more international audience. I read recently that they intend to have a more international squad in 2014 as Rabobank/Blanco have always tended to have a mostly Dutch roster. Perhaps they want to move to one of the marquee names in bicycles?

Giant makes great bikes and, in my opinion, they make great bikes at every price point and for every type of rider. I've owned several and never been unhappy with them. But they tend not to have the same "sex appeal" as a Colnago or DeRosa... one of the classic names with a historic pedigree. If Belkin is going to end their relationship with Giant, I suspect it will be to ride one of the "older" brands.

Again, pure speculation on my part. I only know what has been posted in this forum.

Gerrans won fair and square. They both had a leadout, only that Impey did it better on that final bend to muscle his way in on the barrier. That give him a couple of lengths, Sagan went wider and didn't quite make it.

pastronef wrote:

ave wrote:

pastronef wrote:(so the news about Giant leaving blanco-belkin should be confirmed)

Sure they can't afford to sponsor two teams? Specialized can do three.

I tguess they can afford, but de Telegraaf said Giant would switch from Belkin to Argos

Bianchi's deal with Vacansoleil expires this year.

millar replaces farrar and gerrans replaces goss hehe

i like gerrans and his leadout man. bullied through the inside, gerrans dropped the wheel, and sick throw! really classy =)

Great shot! ^^^

TTT- to me, you've gotta have big boys who can throw down huge for 2-3 minutes, their effect is far greater than a skinny GC guy pulling. It's gonna be a handful of seconds between OPQS, BMC, OGE, Garmin for me. I see Sky and Katusha 10 seconds back from those.

All digital odds...(subtract 1 to get the payout odds net of bet)

Garmin- 3.05 (I think this is a lay, they have more climbers than usual, no honeybadger)
OPQS- 3.5 (mostly depends on Der Panzerwagen)
Sky- 5.4 (no Wiggo, G was going to be their most powerful rider, don't think they do it)
Movistar- 11.25 (stupid, all their good results are w/ Dowsett who's not here)
BMC- 19.5 (fantastic odds)
OGE- 30 (not bad for a punt, they have Meyer and Lancaster in there)

So....backing BMC and OGE for the win, laying Movistar, anyone else wins I'm flat, we'll see....

Please no more Gerrans hating. I really don't get it quite honestly. Good win by him yesterday and a very dramatic finish. I like the guy personally. Don't see what all the fuss is about.

Right now? I love the fukking guy!!!! 30-1 baby!

Can Orica make it through a day without their bus getting hung up somewhere?

ultyguy where were those odds from? I don't know why I put money on Garmin, after losing on them at the Giro.

betfair.com the only way to do it, 2 way odds

Ted, that is awesome! Didn't slow them down at all, either.

You know that's photoshopped right?

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