Professional Cycling For the Fans - TdF Stage 1 - Saturday July 4 - 15km ITT - Monaco

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Excellent descent.

Will this be a 'going through the motions' ITT? Or will GC riders be battling from the start?

think the gc boys are gonna have to be very careful on this one not to lose time uphill or lose too much
time on the technical descent. if they're too aggro, it could be crash-out city. the more i look at it, the
more i love this stage. it will reward the aggressive riders vs the conservative ones. menchov handled
the technical descent on the big giro tt but that stage was much longer; this one may favor more of a
classics specialist-maybe gilbert or pellizotti. if bettini were still racing, i'd pick him. it sure beats the
usual prologue nonsense.

btw, thanks to USAZorro for posting the stage threads again!:)

Thanks Z.

Anyone know if they'll cover any of the F1 circuit? The Grand Hotel Hairpin? Nouvelle Chicane? The tunnel? I can't tell from that map.

It seems to me that this course will favor the lighter riders who are good at ITT and technical riding. Looking at the race course it is hard to get a good idea of how really sharp those curves are. Because the overall scale of the course is rather small the curves could be pretty sharp. But it seems to me that riders who can accelerate and slow down easier with less expended energy would have an advantage. That combined with the 200 meter elevation gain.

Near the beginning of the stage there looks to be a couple of really sharp corners. Does anyone know how good and wide the roads are in Monaco.

As far as I know they are going through the F1 tunnel.

It goes through the tunnel, but they don't go around the grand hotel hairpin (you can actually see it on the map, just above the "o" in "casino"). It would be fantastic if they did.

btw, thanks to USAZorro for posting the stage threads again!:)

+1 thanks

I looked over the TdF site but didn't see any start times posted. Anyone know the order? Where would they start Astana riders given they didn't compete in '08?

Looks like a fun course.

1. Fabian Cancellara
2. Cadull Evans
3. Franco Pellizotti

Here's quick preview of parts of the course (at least through the tunnel and round the harbor) hehe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DSRDuL9N7U

Okay, I'm sure this is a stupid question. The climb is marked at Category 4, but how will they assign KOM points in a time trial? And if there are no points, what is the point of classifying the climb?

Okay, I'm sure this is a stupid question. The climb is marked at Category 4, but how will they assign KOM points in a time trial? And if there are no points, what is the point of classifying the climb?

Hmm that is weird. Wonder if there is a chance they may do a time split from the start to the summit and award the jersey from that?

Okay, I'm sure this is a stupid question. The climb is marked at Category 4, but how will they assign KOM points in a time trial? And if there are no points, what is the point of classifying the climb?

The KOM jersey has a sponsor that's paying a lot of money to see someone get awarded that jersey on TV on the podium every day including kisses from the KOM podium girls. This is true also of 3km flat prologues.

Anyone know if they'll cover any of the F1 circuit? The Grand Hotel Hairpin? Nouvelle Chicane? The tunnel? I can't tell from that map.

In addition to what was said above, they're starting on the start-finish straight and the teams are going to be based in the pit area.

Anyone know if they'll cover any of the F1 circuit? The Grand Hotel Hairpin? Nouvelle Chicane? The tunnel? I can't tell from that map.

They are indeed.

Strange TT, twisty, technical and a decent climb.

The gearing will be tricky with the descent.

If it rains the switchbacks will be difficult.

I pick Cancellara (I'm taking a big risk there:rolleyes:). Want to see Wiggins win.

Nothing like riding around an F1 track. Managed it last year in Singapore.

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http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb73/rollinjack/P9280024-1.jpg

Lance in 3.....2......1.....

The madness starts.

Cancellara running a 44/54 front 11-23 back

Cancellara running a 44/54 front 11-23 back

I wish I was beasty.

USA looking good for now

Ouch, a minute lead and you get passed within a few kilometers...

millar almost into barriers...

Voight's bars, any idea?

Fun TT.... love the tricky downhill!

Anyone else getting the feeling that someone's about to destroy 20 and make Levi et al look like they are at the kiddie table?

It's heating up...

Anyone else thinking Levi et al (Lance) might not even be top 10?

It's heating up...

Anyone else thinking Levi et al (Lance) might not even be top 10?

not yet

Come on Bradley, lets see what you've got!

Eurosport reporting thunder. I wouldn't want to ride that descent in the wet on a tt bike!

Guesses on Contador's time???

Contador's on the road.

He's off! I'll say he's gonna beat Armstrong...

Here comes Evans...

Sastre is out of the gate.

He's off! I'll say he's gonna beat Armstrong...


going out on a limb there?:rolleyes:

not really, but it's a tricky TT. You think he can beat Levi too?

Guesses on Contador's time???

With or without rain? :D

not really, but it's a tricky TT. You think he can beat Levi too?

Sorry I was being sarcastic.

I think Contador will be the fastest Astana rider today.

fun finish..... Lot of things to "prove" for a few that are still out there.

Impressive.

Good man Bradley!

Good show Wiggins! Next!

That lead should last a few minutes :)

All the cards are falling into place, as Cadel resumes his position as Bridesmade.

Omg

or seconds!

Wtf

holy **** cancellara