Stage 1: Strasbourg - Strasbourg
#2
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Wow. Big George was sooooo close. I was really rooting for him.
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I'm at the campground until Tuesday (have a seasonal site)....BUT, just got wireless internet up here . So...."camping" will be a bit more tolerable. And thank God for DVR, too.
I hate to see many riders not being there (even though I like Lance, I was actually really looking forward to this year to see what would happen), but it should still be an interesting fight; just among those who some of us may not have been pulling for before. Months ago I wold've liked to have seen Hincapie do well, but there was no way he was going to beat Basso or Ullrich.....or even Vino. Now it seems it could be open to quite a few guys, so we may actually have a race to watch.
As much as the whole thing sucks, hopefully this will be a step in the right direction to clean things up. If the ultimatim is "ride clean or don't ride at all", perhaps more teams and riders may not be so willing to take those potentially career-threatening risks. I'm sure the racing will be just as exciting, and the results would probably be similar....just at a slightly lower pace.
I hate to see many riders not being there (even though I like Lance, I was actually really looking forward to this year to see what would happen), but it should still be an interesting fight; just among those who some of us may not have been pulling for before. Months ago I wold've liked to have seen Hincapie do well, but there was no way he was going to beat Basso or Ullrich.....or even Vino. Now it seems it could be open to quite a few guys, so we may actually have a race to watch.
As much as the whole thing sucks, hopefully this will be a step in the right direction to clean things up. If the ultimatim is "ride clean or don't ride at all", perhaps more teams and riders may not be so willing to take those potentially career-threatening risks. I'm sure the racing will be just as exciting, and the results would probably be similar....just at a slightly lower pace.
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What was up with Hushovd? I didn't think that guy could time trial and he beat a bunch of TT specialists including zabrisky??? And Floyd, where was he? Ditto for levi????
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He has been the Norwegian TT champ 3 or 4 times in his Career.
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Originally Posted by Snicklefritz
And Floyd, where was he? Ditto for levi????
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My pick for Stage 1 win is gonna be Tom Boonen in a bunch sprint. With Robbie McEwen 3rd, and hmmm Zabel 2nd to make it really interesting, I think Milram's gonna really deliver him to the line this year sans Pettachi
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Originally Posted by Snicklefritz
What was up with Hushovd? I didn't think that guy could time trial and he beat a bunch of TT specialists including zabrisky??? And Floyd, where was he? Ditto for levi????
#10
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....flat course, a day for the sprinters. Thor has enough time to hold the yellow from the other sprinters, provided he gets a top ten finish (or so). My picks:
Boonen
McEwan
Hushold
O'grady
Boonen
McEwan
Hushold
O'grady
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Originally Posted by Hitchy
....flat course, a day for the sprinters. Thor has enough time to hold the yellow from the other sprinters, provided he gets a top ten finish (or so). My picks:
Boonen
McEwan
Hushold
O'grady
Boonen
McEwan
Hushold
O'grady
Does Thor need to get a top 10 finish? How many places are awarded the time bonus? If only 3 places, can't Thor technically finish in the 100th and still keep his yellow if the time bonus won't beat Thor's time?
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Originally Posted by kunsei83
Does Thor need to get a top 10 finish? How many places are awarded the time bonus? If only 3 places, can't Thor technically finish in the 100th and still keep his yellow if the time bonus won't beat Thor's time?
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I can't imagine anyone getting away with anything sneaky with the 83 dead flat km after cote de heligenstein. Flip a coin, McEwan or Boonen. Anyone know what the finish is like? Its supposed to be on part of the prologue course but I can't find any details.
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Originally Posted by Hitchy
depends who wins the stage....I think it's 20secs bonus for winning (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong), so in theory, if Thor doesn't score any bonus time in the sprints, anyone who finished within 20 secs of him can take the yellow. Most of the favoured sprinters did Ok in the prologue, so if say McEwan or Boonen win & Thor gets no points, he'll lose the yellow. I think 'bonus' time goes to at least the 1st 10 over the line....so If Thor gets say 10 secs bonus & is 20 secs in front of McEwan after the prologue, Mcewan can't take the yellow even if he does win the stage
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Originally Posted by Hitchy
depends who wins the stage....I think it's 20secs bonus for winning (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong), so in theory, if Thor doesn't score any bonus time in the sprints, anyone who finished within 20 secs of him can take the yellow. Most of the favoured sprinters did Ok in the prologue, so if say McEwan or Boonen win & Thor gets no points, he'll lose the yellow. I think 'bonus' time goes to at least the 1st 10 over the line....so If Thor gets say 10 secs bonus & is 20 secs in front of McEwan after the prologue, Mcewan can't take the yellow even if he does win the stage
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Looks like Thor maybe cut his arm on the barrier when flying by, he seemed to be looking at it as he crossed the line, and it looked red. Did he go down after the line?
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#17
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Originally Posted by Smoothie104
Looks like Thor maybe cut his arm on the barrier when flying by, he seemed to be looking at it as he crossed the line, and it looked red. Did he go down after the line?
He had blood on his arm as he crossed the line -- I saw it on the side view
a spectator's camera, maybe?
Last edited by 531Aussie; 07-02-06 at 09:41 AM.
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On OLN they just showed him him hitting a spectators camera with his helmet - dunno how that explains the arm.
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he hit one of those green cardboard gloves. Its not a big wound but a bit deep so thats why it was bleeding like hell. McEwen and Boonen were also both hit by something thrown out of the public. McEwen was thinking it was some kind of waterbottle. Strange finish.
(btw: source is the belgian tv station Sporza)
(btw: source is the belgian tv station Sporza)
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He got a two inch long cut according to sport manager Roger Legay, and he's taken to hospital. They believ he'll be on the starting line tomorrow.
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Talk about your paper cuts. I feel bad for Thor.
But that was a real cool move by Hincapie to pick up that sprinter's time bonus. It gives him the Maille Jaune, at least for a day.
But that was a real cool move by Hincapie to pick up that sprinter's time bonus. It gives him the Maille Jaune, at least for a day.
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#22
Unique Vintage Steel
Dang near missed the end taking a nap, woke up with 4km to go. Thankfully I didn't miss all the action at the end.
Thor was certainly bleeding at the cross of the line. One of the slow motion shots at the line clearly showed his arm was red at the line. Most likely it was one of those green hands from the replays, but it could have been any number of other less visable objects to do it. In any case I wish him the best and that he's able to stay in the race.
George made quite the move to pick up the little bonus needed to land himself in the yellow though. Not sure if it was smart to go for it on the first stage, but suppose having never been in yellow before I wouldn't want to hold back either. Being Discovery team it will be interesting to see if the team is strong enough this year to keep George in the yellow for a while, let alone have him in it when the race reaches Paris. There's a whole lot of miles left to ride.
Thor was certainly bleeding at the cross of the line. One of the slow motion shots at the line clearly showed his arm was red at the line. Most likely it was one of those green hands from the replays, but it could have been any number of other less visable objects to do it. In any case I wish him the best and that he's able to stay in the race.
George made quite the move to pick up the little bonus needed to land himself in the yellow though. Not sure if it was smart to go for it on the first stage, but suppose having never been in yellow before I wouldn't want to hold back either. Being Discovery team it will be interesting to see if the team is strong enough this year to keep George in the yellow for a while, let alone have him in it when the race reaches Paris. There's a whole lot of miles left to ride.
#23
Unique Vintage Steel
Originally Posted by 240GL
He got a two inch long cut according to sport manager Roger Legay, and he's taken to hospital. They believ he'll be on the starting line tomorrow.
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Yes, awsome move to get in yellow. I am still wondering though what could have caused Thor to go down after the line, unless the fan made him unstable? Crossed wheel?
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Originally Posted by 240GL
He got a two inch long cut according to sport manager Roger Legay, and he's taken to hospital. They believ he'll be on the starting line tomorrow.