Bike Forums - Stage 18 [spoiley]

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Stage 18 [spoiley]

13 H 06 - Results Of The Montendre Sprint
The points at the first intermediate sprint were won by:
1. Robbie McEwen (LOT) 6pts
2. Jan Ullrich (TBI) 4pts
3. Lance Armstrong (USP) 2pts

Wowsers. What do yall think of that?

About the win... who didn't think that Canada would get caught? That was exciting.

Does this change the times any???

Yes. It moves Jan up 2 seconds on Lance.

Why didn't Zabel or Cooke go for that first sprint?

Dont tell me that Lance and Jan are better sprinters than them :lol:

I wondered about that myself. :confused:

I don't know why Cooke and Zabel didn't contest the sprint,
but it sure as hell confirms that Jan is serious about contesting
the CG all the way to the Champs Elysees.

Marty

Quote:

Originally posted by brent_dube
Why didn't Zabel or Cooke go for that first sprint?

Dont tell me that Lance and Jan are better sprinters than them :lol:

Here's my thoughts as an armchair directeur sportif. The Green Jersey contenders had a strategy based on their expectation that a large breakaway would rule the day...which, in fact, happened. They probably expected the break to form earlier. If it had, the intermediary sprint points would all have gone to members of the breakaway. Therefore the sprinters were all sitting in the peloton conserving their energy for the finish line where they could try to gain points on each other. So approaching the first sprint, they didn't bother to send up their lead out men.

Meantime, since a break didn't form early, and the sprinters weren't contesting the first sprint, it gave Jan an opportunity to get a couple of seconds on Lance. Jan made his move. Lance marked him. Jan got two seconds back on Lance and decreased the margin he will need to make up in the Time Trial tomorrow if he is to wear yellow in Paris.

That's my take, anyway. I'm happy to listen to any one else's analysis. All I can say for sure is, it has been a great race!

Here's a bit of analysis stolen from letour.com

Quote:

When the riders took the left turn that led to the first intermediate sprint there two distinct groups keen to bid for the bonuses which were on offer in Montendre. It might be one of hundreds of towns which have hosted intermediate sprints, but the top three in Montendre were far from ordinary. Robbie McEwen timed his sprint to perfection. He claimed the six points he needed to put himself on equal terms with the rider in the green jersey, Baden Cooke. The next two over the line were Ullrich and Armstrong. What the hell? Was their effort just a practice run for what is yet to come? If so, the dress rehearsal augured well for the German. He easily got clear of the rider in the yellow jersey after beginning his sprint about 600 meters before the line.

Quote:

Originally posted by RegularGuy

Meantime, since a break didn't form early, and the sprinters weren't contesting the first sprint, it gave Jan an opportunity to get a couple of seconds on Lance. Jan made his move. Lance marked him. Jan got two seconds back on Lance and decreased the margin he will need to make up in the Time Trial tomorrow if he is to wear yellow in Paris.

If the sprinters weren't contesting... then why did McEwen happen to get first? Wouldn't the others monitor what he is doing when they are coming to the sprint point? Judging by how they are racing as if every point means a lot, its odd that they let him get away with 6 free points.

Quote:

Originally posted by brent_dube
If the sprinters weren't contesting... then why did McEwen happen to get first? Wouldn't the others monitor what he is doing when they are coming to the sprint point? Judging by how they are racing as if every point means a lot, its odd that they let him get away with 6 free points.

Point taken. Could Cookie and Zabel simply have been caught with their bibs around their ankles? I'm not sure where they finished up, but do note that Ullrich sprinted from 600 meters. I don't think either Cooke or Zabel can match that kind of distance. They may have more explosive speed, but not long-haul speed. Did Jan and Lance pass Cooke and Zabel?