Professional Cycling For the Fans - Congrats to Tyler!

Tyler Farrar becomes the first American to win the Vattenfall Cyclassics. Biggest win of his career and some consolation after so many close calls at the TDF.

1. Farrar
2. Breschel
3. Cioleck

Nice win for the kid. Good to see an American sprinter getting some prominent wins out there.

Hopefully, with a little experience, he'll be able to take it to Cavendish. That's a tall order, but the potential is there. One thing that Cav has going for him, is a team pretty much completely dedicated to him winning sprints. In the GT's they don't have a serious GC contender to worry about, so they can gas the whole team out on the sprint stages. That makes Cav almost impossible to beat.

What happened to Bonen. I was banking on him to win but Pez, velonews nor cyclenews even say how his race ended. I don't even think he was in the top 30.

Very happy that he finally got a win under his belt since before the TdF. I am hoping next year he can do the "unthinkable" as some people say.

I wonder if with a stronger train, he might actually beat the Cav?

Then he follows it up with a nice second place finish today in the Eneco prologue. 1 second back from Chavanel.

I wonder if with a stronger train, he might actually beat the Cav?

I've wondered that as well. I think the key to beating Cav is having a strong train that is leading down the stretch. Cav has proven that he's damn near unbeatable when he's got the lead. But we really haven't seen him have to come from behind. Much easier said than done.

The big problem is that his team is totally dedicated to the sprints. They throw a lot of guys into controlling it. During the TdF, Columbia had the whole team pulling at times to bring back breakaways. And lets not forget that they were the ones that broke the peloton on that stage during the heavy cross winds. That's a strong team with really good tactics.

well i hope Tyler can get a little more support on his lead-outs, he has alot of potential.

I've wondered that as well. I think the key to beating Cav is having a strong train that is leading down the stretch. Cav has proven that he's damn near unbeatable when he's got the lead. But we really haven't seen him have to come from behind. Much easier said than done.

The big problem is that his team is totally dedicated to the sprints. They throw a lot of guys into controlling it. During the TdF, Columbia had the whole team pulling at times to bring back breakaways. And lets not forget that they were the ones that broke the peloton on that stage during the heavy cross winds. That's a strong team with really good tactics.

True. Columbia is an odd one out, since it has no GC contenders, and focuses entirely on its sprinting star in Cav. Like QuikStep, you might say, although Boonen has disappointed this year.

Who the hell is Boonen?

Glad to see Mr. 2nd Place is breakout out of that role. I'd like him to be Mr. 1st Place.

Farrar = gun

Who the hell is Boonen?
.

Two time winner of the Tour of Flanders? Three time winner of PR (including this year)? Green jersey winner and former world champ?

Tyler wins Stage 1 of Eneco and takes the overall lead.

Two time winner of the Tour of Flanders? Three time winner of PR (including this year)? Green jersey winner and former world champ?

Exactly, thank you very much.

And to add to that regading the Mr. 2nd Place comment: Tyler finishing 2nd consistently to Cavendish is nothing to be ashamed of. Cav has an entire time dedicated to winning sprints. Beating Cav is going to take a very strong team to challenge Columbia train on leadouts to even put a rider in position to contest against him. Cav is great front runner. I wanna see someone put pressure on Columbia and make Cav win from behind. Like a McEwen.

Tyler wins his second stage in a row at Eneco. The kid is in amazing form right now.

Anyone know if Tyler is riding in the US Nats? Interesting card to play for Garmin if he'll be there.

Don't know, but I'd think he'd have to be one of the favorites. He's got some good form now.

Yep chalk another one up for the guy. Ol Bonen gave up mid sprint this time. It sure was a LLlooonnnggg sprint though. I felt winded just watching it.

perhaps these three big victories in roughly a week's span will be just what farrar needed to get
"over the hump." he wouldn't be the first sprinter that came agonizingly close for an entire
season (or more), then takes it to the rest of the sprinters for a good chunk of time.

A couple of good wins is just what he needed.

Boonen pips Tyler at the finish today. Tyler still in white.

who is leading Tyler out? I notice Dean is not there and there don't seem to be any other Garmin guys finishing in the top 25, where leadout guys often are.

No idea. He may be doing a McEwen and latching on to whatever train he can.

Found videos of the sprints here: http://www.sport.be/enecotour/2009/nl/video/

Thanks, Ratfish!

Did anyone notice the Milram rider sorta grabbing the Cofidis' riders hand as he went past him? What was that about?

And Tyler wins another Eneco stage. !!

Tyler sure seems like a good kid. I don't like how he wears the whole earring stuff though, I find that a bit queer, but hopefully he could build some confidence and eventually take on Cav.

Post reported.

Sheeesh, for a second there I thought we were congratulating Hamilton. :wtf:

That took a bizarre turn...

That took a bizarre turn...

In the never ending struggle between hater and fanboy, this brief moment in time has been captured by the hater. The saga continues...