"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Spoiler. 3-week long century ride in the land of the surrender monkeys

Titled so to avoid traffic from the 41

Anyways, pick your GC favorites along with points favs, and stage contenders if you feel like it

GC:

1. Cuddles
2. Wiggo
3. S Sanchez

Points: Sagan

Prologue: meh

Stage 1: I say Gilbert gets first win of the year

Wiggins to win GC

Green to Goss

Polka to Chris Anker Sorenson

Team classification to Garmin

Cav, Greipel, Gilbert, Valverde and Sagan get 2 stages each

Prologue to Brett Lancaster

wow, Gilbert seems to have his short-term power back. tipping him ftw tomorrow

& looks like Tejay is the real deal

Im a Cadel fan. Have been. Mostly because he got a bit of a bad rap in tours past...finishing runner-up with basically no help when he was with Lotto. And because he's got a nutty personality, and gives good (wacky) interviews. Unlike guys who will ****in bore you to death, like Wiggo, and Lance (by far the most painful to listen to), and Boonen. I listen to these guys and want to stick a knife in my ear.

So Im hoping Cadel is coming into form and maybe Wig will lose some steam...but clearly he's going very well.

I believe there will be races. Lots of wondering on who will win. Then several anti-climatic stage finishes. I estimate that 40-50% of "fans/viewers" tune out before the mountains.

I usually tune out until the mtns.

I've tuned out already this year. Aint the same, without Contador and Andy. I am more excited about the Vuelta.

I hope anyone except Wiggins wins, b/c in case Wiggins does win, the British media is going to be absolutely intolerable for about 6 months after the Tour. I cancelled 2 subscriptions to Brit cycling mags after Froome came second in the Vuelta (really - under normal circumstances, who gives a crap about a second-place Vuelta finish?).

I usually tune out until the mtns.

Ditto. For the early flat stages, ffw to the last 10 min for the sprint.

steephill's collection of last 5-10 km videos ftw for the first couple of stages!

1. wiggins
2. evans
3. Menchov

green: sagan
polka: hoogerland
white: kruijswijk
team: sky

1. wiggins
2. evans
3. Menchov

green: sagan
polka: hoogerland
white: kruijswijk
team: sky

gesundheit

Im a Cadel fan. Have been. Mostly because he got a bit of a bad rap in tours past...finishing runner-up with basically no help when he was with Lotto. And because he's got a nutty personality, and gives good (wacky) interviews. Unlike guys who will ****in bore you to death, like Wiggo, and Lance (by far the most painful to listen to), and Boonen. I listen to these guys and want to stick a knife in my ear.

So Im hoping Cadel is coming into form and maybe Wig will lose some steam...but clearly he's going very well.

boonen is actually quite entertaining in interviews. at least he is in flemish.

I could've sworn I posted in this thread. I like the Tour.

chicken and egg question: is Cancellara tactically obtuse, or is Sagan a wheelsucker?

chicken and egg question: is Cancellara tactically obtuse, or is Sagan a wheelsucker?

Sagan wheelsucker??? no way

Cancellara is just too strong for his own good. Once he had the gap, he tried to slow down and get the other two to take a quick pull, but who the hell would. Fabian is like a flipping motorcycle when he is on. And winning is all that matters.

Luckily Cadel's effort and Gilbert's sprint closed the peloton back to those three, otherwise Tejay would have lost his white jersey to BHagen

If it was only Sagan and Cancellera I would have thought that they would work together because it would make sense: Sagan mostly wants the win and Cancellera mostly wants the time. Hagen showing up changed that. Now Sagan wanting the win means that he cannot work. He played it smart.

Sagan wheelsucker??? no way

Cancellara is just too strong for his own good. Once he had the gap, he tried to slow down and get the other two to take a quick pull, but who the hell would. Fabian is like a flipping motorcycle when he is on. And winning is all that matters.

Luckily Cadel's effort and Gilbert's sprint closed the peloton back to those three, otherwise Tejay would have lost his white jersey to BHagen
you think that just happened or was it intentional?

you think that just happened or was it intentional?

I'm thinking that catching Cancellera and limiting his time was more important than the white jersey, but that is just my take on it. This tour route has more of a TT emphasis than usual.

At first while watching I thought, Cadel was riding smart near the front, then got stuck on the front when Fabian went. Those 3 are not GC threats, so Cadel seemed to be tempo-ing more than chasing... readbing body language, didn't seem like he was riding to launch Gilbert.

But, Gilbert did launch... almost got there, so who knows what Cadel was thinking.

The more I hear about Sagan the more I like him. Quiet, shy, doesnt't like the limelight, but starting to accept the fact that he's becoming a star.

The more I hear about Sagan the more I like him. Quiet, shy, doesnt't like the limelight, but starting to accept the fact that he's becoming a star.

Shy? Have you seen his victory salutes?

you think that just happened or was it intentional?

Cadel's pull was intentional for Gilbert's chance to win, so I believe Tejay benefited through a bit of fortune, otherwise BHagen gets the white, even if they only were awarded a single second.

Shy? Have you seen his victory salutes?

That's fairly recent, I don't think he did that last year in the ToC. By shy I mean interviews and and comments. Maybe humble is more appropriate. I want to see him head to head with the big guns.

I feel like in Milan San Remo and yesterday's stage Fabian is holding back a bit. He's riding like 90% because he doesn't want a wheelsucker so he can eventually win the stage/sprint. But the thing is, no one can hold fabian's wheel if he guns it. If he went balls out that whole time yesterday, or in Milan San Remo, he would have won both of those. He's backing off the throttle a bit when people are bridging to him, when those people are at the max, if he kept full throttle he would get those wins simply by dropping them.

Cav is such a wheel sucker. He didn't take a single pull.

I feel like in Milan San Remo and yesterday's stage Fabian is holding back a bit. He's riding like 90% because he doesn't want a wheelsucker so he can eventually win the stage/sprint. But the thing is, no one can hold fabian's wheel if he guns it. If he went balls out that whole time yesterday, or in Milan San Remo, he would have won both of those. He's backing off the throttle a bit when people are bridging to him, when those people are at the max, if he kept full throttle he would get those wins simply by dropping them.

I think if you think this through a little bit more, you'll realize how foolish and illogical it is. But I'll give a hint: if he's only going 90% to try and get "wheel suckers" to pull through, and could win if he just went "balls out" the whole time, why would he be worried about wheelsuckers? Sheesh.

ETA: Sorry, not trying to be a jerk. I just find excessive Cancellara-fawning at the expense of common sense so tiresome. He's very strong, and his trick is a very good trick, but if anyone can make it to his wheel, he's not strong enough, and anyone who makes it to his wheel and doesn't take advantage of the fact that a huge attack is his only trick is a fool. Pulling through for Fabian Cancellara in any situation like that is just a boneheaded thing to do.

He's very strong, and his trick is a very good trick, but if anyone can make it to his wheel, he's not strong enough, and anyone who makes it to his wheel and doesn't take advantage of the fact that a huge attack is his only trick is a fool. Pulling through for Fabian Cancellara in any situation like that is just a boneheaded thing to do.
That's my thought. I would love to see Fabian on a team that could support his attacks, maybe anothestriding TT type that would throw in a spacer block so Fabian could get that 10m he needs for the attack to stick.

It really kills me in the classics season to see him more or less alone out there.

Wouldnt it be awesome if he won the tour? Not gonna happen though...

I think Fabian could use a few tips in "the art of the attack" from CDR or somesuch.

He's always seated, gradually winding it up from near the front. I can't recall seeing him do a classical, "out of the saddle balls-out sprint from 15 guys back" in order to get a clean gap.

.02

I think Fabian could use a few tips in "the art of the attack"
He's always seated, gradually winding it up from near the front. I can't recall seeing him do a classical, "out of the saddle balls-out sprint from 15 guys back" in order to get a clean gap.

.02

Even when he goes from 15 guys back, it seems to be in the saddle.
Almost like he's trying not to project his intentions, but there is always someone who can get there.

I like the "classical" attacks as you called them.
More showmanship involved

He's always seated, gradually winding it up from near the front. I can't recall seeing him do a classical, "out of the saddle balls-out sprint from 15 guys back" in order to get a clean gap.

.02

That's part of the trick, isn't it? He doesn't look like he's attacking when he's attacking, so it catches people off guard.

That's not to say he's not going "balls-out". He managed to drop Boonen in the 2010 Tour of Flanders while staying in the saddle and keeping it "balls-in", and he got a clean gap.

Then there's this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJNLMYpr2TM

Cav is such a wheel sucker. He didn't take a single pull.


did you watch any cycling in the last 3 years?

Titled so to avoid traffic from the 41

Anyways, pick your GC favorites along with points favs, and stage contenders if you feel like it

GC:

1. Cuddles
2. Wiggo
3. S Sanchez

Points: Sagan

Prologue: meh

Stage 1: I say Gilbert gets first win of the year

Without the "surrender monkeys" we would still be an English colony...just saying!

That's part of the trick, isn't it? He doesn't look like he's attacking when he's attacking, so it catches people off guard.

That's not to say he's not going "balls-out". He managed to drop Boonen in the 2010 Tour of Flanders while staying in the saddle and keeping it "balls-in", and he got a clean gap.

Then there's this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJNLMYpr2TM

That is absolutely my favorite bike racing clip of all time. And he almost pulled it off again on Sunday.

But. In 2007 he was clear with nobody on his wheel from over a K out. He got lucky / or / he wasn't as marked then as he is now. That same move doesn't work anymore.

When he dropped Tommeke in De Ronde, that was the steepest part of the hill, a pure power move. Legs v legs, Fabian wins.

But Sunday's finish was different; not even Gilbert could break away on the steepest part of the hill, and Fabian was still way back until he made his move at the switchback (which btw was the perfect spot to go).

I'm not suggesting that something as simple as "sprinting out of saddle" might've won him the stage... naaah ok, yes I am. Who knows.

/ back to my armchair.

did you watch any cycling in the last 3 years?

It was sarcasm. Playing off of the various "Sagan is a wheelsucker" comments yesterday.

I've tuned out already this year. Aint the same, without Contador and Andy. I am more excited about the Vuelta.

I hope anyone except Wiggins wins, b/c in case Wiggins does win, the British media is going to be absolutely intolerable for about 6 months after the Tour. I cancelled 2 subscriptions to Brit cycling mags after Froome came second in the Vuelta (really - under normal circumstances, who gives a crap about a second-place Vuelta finish?).

You're right... it's better.

Needed to be embedded :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn-oHTCgR84&feature=player_detailpage

Sounds strange but I think for some TT types, they can put power down much more comfortably and efficiently from the saddle. Its not really the sprint that he can do, its the 1k power. Maybe if he spent some time out of the saddle, that total 1k power would be less. I think he 'crescendo's' with those sort of attacks (aka he doesn't have a jump that would do enough damage for the energy it takes).

From all the titles that that guy carries, I trust that he is using himself as efficiently as he can.

It was sarcasm. Playing off of the various "Sagan is a wheelsucker" comments yesterday.
fail on my part...

That is absolutely my favorite bike racing clip of all time. And he almost pulled it off again on Sunday.

But. In 2007 he was clear with nobody on his wheel from over a K out. He got lucky / or / he wasn't as marked then as he is now. That same move doesn't work anymore.

When he dropped Tommeke in De Ronde, that was the steepest part of the hill, a pure power move. Legs v legs, Fabian wins.

But Sunday's finish was different; not even Gilbert could break away on the steepest part of the hill, and Fabian was still way back until he made his move at the switchback (which btw was the perfect spot to go).

I'm not suggesting that something as simple as "sprinting out of saddle" might've won him the stage... naaah ok, yes I am. Who knows.

/ back to my armchair.
tbf, Gilbert was way out of position on that hill. He used to be a real fighter, getting up there for the good positions. I was surprised to see Hincapie towing Cuddles up but that GIlbert was no where to be found

Going w/ Phil Gil tomorrow. Just 700m of drag racing upwards. Either that or Old Man Cuddles pulls something out of the bag


Without the "surrender monkeys" we would still be an English colony...just saying!

speaking of English, what's a proletariat like yourself doing in the sanctum of the inner party?;)

I have always wondered how great Cancellera would be on the track in the pursuit.

Imagine a pro in a land speed record thing? The hour record is something like 50 mph and the guy that broke it "had to hold 270 watts" or something like that. The "dial it up to 400w" thing would hold true here.

The top speed one is over 80 mph but I think they had legitimate track kilo riders doing them. I remember reading their wattages and thinking "omg how do they accelerate once they get up to speed?!" It was something like 800w to get up to speed, 1000-1200 watts once up there, and a 1500-1600 watt kick. Something like that. I remember the 800w part and thinking "Um, okay, I can barely do that for about 20 seconds, this guy did it and then went even harder."

I have always wondered how great Cancellera would be on the track in the pursuit.

Scary good.

I think it's pretty funny that people would believe they know better than Fabian how Fabian should race his bike. I'd have to defer to the guy. He's probably one of the most marked people in bike racing.

FWIW, at times I drop people and get separation without getting out of the saddle. Often it gives you an extra second of hesitation before folks react.

Peter Sagan picks good wheels, but he's still got some learning to do. Next year...he's going to be scary.

I spent the day reading some good FB arguments amongst track sprinters talking about how Cavendish can't even pull out an endurance medal at the Olympics, and how female track riders have better 200 times than the pro tour sprinters. Good stuff. These weren't 41 guys arguing either. Stars and stripes. Track sprinters get worked up.

Like Ex said, i think Fabian knows what hes doing. Im not sure what all the fluff is about yesterdays stage...of course sagan sat on fabians wheel. Why wouldnt he? He wanted the stage win and doesnt care about gc, and fabian wanted a few seconds
to stay in yellow a few more days and possibly the stage for the cherry on top.

PSA for today: Don't chop Cavs wheel.

I think if you think this through a little bit more, you'll realize how foolish and illogical it is. But I'll give a hint: if he's only going 90% to try and get "wheel suckers" to pull through, and could win if he just went "balls out" the whole time, why would he be worried about wheelsuckers? Sheesh.

ETA: Sorry, not trying to be a jerk. I just find excessive Cancellara-fawning at the expense of common sense so tiresome. He's very strong, and his trick is a very good trick, but if anyone can make it to his wheel, he's not strong enough, and anyone who makes it to his wheel and doesn't take advantage of the fact that a huge attack is his only trick is a fool. Pulling through for Fabian Cancellara in any situation like that is just a boneheaded thing to do.

This is not foolish and illogical. He's just lacking the confidence right now to go full out because of his crash. Instead of being confident that he can ride away from everyone, he's hesitating, and worrying about who's on his wheel. This gives Sagan or whoever a chance to recover. Once they have a chance to recover it's game over. If he kept going full bore, those guys wouldn't recover and eventually be dropped. Just because someone is strong enough to close the gap on Cancellara, doesn't mean they are strong enough to hold that pace after the catch.

It's the same thing for climbers. They all think they need to "attack" in order to win climbing stages. That's not necessarily what you have to do. Riding a hard tempo on the front will drop guys too, and often times its more successful to drop people if you are strong than trying to be punchy, and then everyone follows and you all play chicken and recover for a while.

I just watched the stage 3 finish in flemish. Did you know that "chickendance" is the same in flemish as it is in english? cray.

Peter Sagan picks good wheels, but he's still got some learning to do. Next year...he's going to be scary.

...next year?

I just watched the stage 3 finish in flemish. Did you know that "chickendance" is the same in flemish as it is in english? cray.
i'm pretty sure you meant Dutch or Flemish Dutch. Flemish is a group of people.

...next year?
well, no wins in the classics yet, but there are a few more left (San Sebastian, two in Quebec, and Lombardia) plus the Olympics & World Championships.

i'm pretty sure you meant Dutch or Flemish Dutch. Flemish is a group of people.

well, no wins in the classics yet, but there are a few more left (San Sebastian, two in Quebec, and Lombardia) plus the Olympics & World Championships.

yea, I did. I was pretty sure I was getting something wrong.

jus yanking your chain :)

though a lot of people make that mistake, which is on par with calling what we speak in the United States as "American."

jus yanking your chain :)

though a lot of people make that mistake, which is on par with calling what we speak in the United States as "American."

I speak American...