Professional Cycling For the Fans - Felt bad for Thor

Until Cav was demoted. Rightly so, imho. Check out the video: i think it is clear that Cav blocked Thor.

http://www.steephill.tv/players/tinypic/?title=tdf-09-st14-cavendish-finish&id=33c11z5


Hincapie on the other hand, I don't understand what the fuss is all about. Its called racing, remember?.

No Way! Thor tried to sneak into his slipstream

No Way! Thor tried to sneak into his slipstream

If you look at the overhead video clip of that last 100 meters, you'll see a narrowing of the course along the right side barriers, which Thor narrowly missed. Had MC simply looked straight ahead and powered away to the finish like he always does, then I doubt he would have been relegated. Instead, as he crossed the line, he made an exaggerated effort to look behind and to his left, as if to say, "Where's Thor? I don't see Thor? What happened to Thor? I know nothing about what's going on to my right. Don't think I want you to ignore what's going on to the right side of me. I'm worried about Thor. I hope he's alright..."

I agree, henry.
Astana raced the same tactics that they have since Nocentini has been in yellow.
George really has no reason to complain, why would Astana TRY to put him in yellow. Him having or not having the yellow affects Astana in no way (except that Alberto and Lance would have dropped back in GC, which they do not want).

Yeah, it looks like Cav screwed with him. They always screw with each other a little, but this was such a narrow lane it was more noticeable and (unfortunately for Cavendish) completely effective.

I have to disagree. Cav didn't move to his right at all after he chose his line, and he really isn't obligated to then move to his left to allow more space to his right. If the barriers had been set up with proper attention to detail, this would not have been an issue.

Yeah frankly it didn't look like a bad sprint on Cav's part. I've seen the officials let a lot more squirrely behavior than that go unpunished. I saw Thor gesturing to Cav after the line, and I interpreted as a "dang almost got you" gesture.

However I will say the rest of the Columbia team was all over the place inthe last few hundred meters, and definitely were riding dangerously as they looked around and tried to sprint while not really sprinting. Perhaps that was the source of Thor's problem and the official's decision? That I can buy.

I have to disagree. Cav didn't move to his right at all after he chose his line, and he really isn't obligated to then move to his left to allow more space to his right. If the barriers had been set up with proper attention to detail, this would not have been an issue.

Looking at it again - it did look to me like Cavendish started out right in the middle, then veered to the right of the screen shutting down Thor's window there. The barriers were also badly placed, and cut Thor off at least as much as Cavendish did - so I agree with you there: without the crooked line of barriers and the narrow road to begin with, Cavendish didn't do anything unusual.

You'd think on a narrow sprint finish they'd be particularly careful to stage things well, given the history of terrible crashes.

I agree that it was a terrible call. How many of us would expect officials to step in and DQ someone in a sanctioned race because we were poorly positioned and missed our chance to sprint freely at the end of a crit. Seriously guys, that's what racing is about. Sometimes you make poor decisions and don't get the chance that you hoped for. This entire race the Columbia train has effectively lead Thor out in each sprint, and it's been Cavendish's sprint alone that's kept Thor behind him. For Thor to expect to have that same one on one opportunity in every race is a bit absurd. Every sprint is going to involve some kind of gamble. And this one just didn't pay off. It's pretty easy for Thor to speak about how appropriate this is when it puts him well ahead in the sprint competition.

I enjoy a fair sprint as well as anyone, but the green jersey competition shouldn't be decided so casually without the opportunity to appeal. I felt the same way about the time split a few days ago at the finish, and was going to be pretty upset about such a ridiculous call until they withdrew it. This one looks like it's going to stick, which is a real shame.

-Jeremy

I have to disagree. Cav didn't move to his right at all after he chose his line, and he really isn't obligated to then move to his left to allow more space to his right. If the barriers had been set up with proper attention to detail, this would not have been an issue.

qft

cav did nothing wrong I dont think he should have to make extra room when the barricade moves. is dq was unjust imho

qft

cav did nothing wrong I dont think he should have to make extra room when the barricade moves. is dq was unjust imho

disasterous day for Columbia. They were trying a non-sprint sprint in hopes they could slack the pace off a bit more to help George. If you watch the last KM all of the columbia guys are looking around. They aren't seaching for Cav -- he's sitting pretty in fourth certainly screaming at them "im here im here" -- they are looking to make sure no one starts a sprint/leadout.

So they try to keep the pace low to make up for Garmin's antics, and instead lose two jerseys in the process. No overnight yellow for Big George and no Green in Paris for Cav.

So Thor wins the green jersey by *****ing. Empty win IMO

So Thor wins the green jersey by *****ing. Empty win IMO

Recalling 2006 when Thor was booted out of the green jersey running in a very similar circumstance. I think they're harsh in their rulings because of how easy it is to have bad accidents in the sprint - they certainly didn't give the rider the benefit of the doubt in either case.

Until Cav was demoted. Rightly so, imho. Check out the video: i think it is clear that Cav blocked Thor.

http://ww w.steephill.tv/players/tinypic/?title=tdf-09-st14-cavendish-finish&id=33c11z5


Hincapie on the other hand, I don't understand what the fuss is all about. Its called racing, remember?.

if you actually knew what it's like to race a bike, that might mean something. :thumb:

So Thor wins the green jersey by *****ing. Empty win IMO

No, the officials stated they would have called it regardless. Cavendish was acting the fool, if you ask me. He generally has no need to do this sort of thing.

No, the officials stated they would have called it regardless. Cavendish was acting the fool, if you ask me. He generally has no need to do this sort of thing.

To do what sort of thing? Riding in a straight line?

if you actually knew what it's like to race a bike, that might mean something. :thumb:

your world tricycle championship means nothing here botto

your world tricycle championship means nothing here botto

try again. fail again. fail better.

try again. fail again. fail better.

:wtf:

I'll tell you what: I fail to understand what this means or how your previous post in this thread contributes meaningfully to the discussion.

If you want to be constructive -- please try again. :)