Felt bad for Hincapie
07-18-09, 01:50 PM
#26
wavylines
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bull City
Posts: 541
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Where to start ...
If George had "stepped up his game" and worked harder, he would have been dropped when the attacks started and come in even further back. He's not an idiot -- he was going for the yellow, and he did it as smart and as hard as he could.
Astana wasn't "slowing the pack down." You can't slow it down from the front. They wanted George to win, but only by a little bit, and they just cut it too close. Like most who are very very arrogant, they can't see beyond their own noses and assumed that the gap would stay wherever their highnesses had left it. So they left George about a minute up on the yellow, not realizing that the normal acceleration at the end, plus a little work from AG2R, plus teams protecting their GC guys (Garmin, Lotto), plus a bit of a grudge match (Garmin vs. Columbia) meant that George's gap disappeared.
George has a legitimate beef against Astana. The fact is that Astana did most of the work in the chase, meaning they were controlling the gap. If they'd left him with two minutes, instead of one, then Columbia could have controlled the finish like they usually do and George would be in yellow while Cav would have won the pack sprint. But they didn't.
Columbia can hardly claim to have a legitimate beef against Garmin. They've been looking down on Garmin since before the Giro. Garmin currently has arguably the 2nd fastest sprinter and the 2nd best GC placement, but Astana and Columbia keep treating them like a junior team. Today, Garmin sent a message: F with us and there are consequences. It's a card right out of Lance's playbook (most famously with Simeoni), and it's part of Garmin's establishing itself as a major team.
If George had "stepped up his game" and worked harder, he would have been dropped when the attacks started and come in even further back. He's not an idiot -- he was going for the yellow, and he did it as smart and as hard as he could.
Astana wasn't "slowing the pack down." You can't slow it down from the front. They wanted George to win, but only by a little bit, and they just cut it too close. Like most who are very very arrogant, they can't see beyond their own noses and assumed that the gap would stay wherever their highnesses had left it. So they left George about a minute up on the yellow, not realizing that the normal acceleration at the end, plus a little work from AG2R, plus teams protecting their GC guys (Garmin, Lotto), plus a bit of a grudge match (Garmin vs. Columbia) meant that George's gap disappeared.
George has a legitimate beef against Astana. The fact is that Astana did most of the work in the chase, meaning they were controlling the gap. If they'd left him with two minutes, instead of one, then Columbia could have controlled the finish like they usually do and George would be in yellow while Cav would have won the pack sprint. But they didn't.
Columbia can hardly claim to have a legitimate beef against Garmin. They've been looking down on Garmin since before the Giro. Garmin currently has arguably the 2nd fastest sprinter and the 2nd best GC placement, but Astana and Columbia keep treating them like a junior team. Today, Garmin sent a message: F with us and there are consequences. It's a card right out of Lance's playbook (most famously with Simeoni), and it's part of Garmin's establishing itself as a major team.
07-18-09, 02:06 PM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 1,690
Bikes: Serotta Nove
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Jeez where to start with this.
If George had ridden hard in the last 5 km instead of sitting up coasting and looking for help he could have made up the 5 seconds. I don't see how you can argue that. Even if he was dropped in the last 5km his speed would have been better than coasting.
Where do you slow the pack down from the back?
Astana was riding tempo and while they were the gap to the breakaway continued to increase. Finally AG2R came to the front and got it down to around 6 minutes. They ran out of gas, and Astana went back to the front and the gap went back up over 7 minutes. AG2R came up front again and got help from Garmin and Lotto and the rest is history.
Should Astana have called the group in for a picnic break to get the yellow for george? They did as much as you can expect considering he is not a teammate. To say George should be upset with them is idiotic.
Richard
If George had ridden hard in the last 5 km instead of sitting up coasting and looking for help he could have made up the 5 seconds. I don't see how you can argue that. Even if he was dropped in the last 5km his speed would have been better than coasting.
Where do you slow the pack down from the back?
Astana was riding tempo and while they were the gap to the breakaway continued to increase. Finally AG2R came to the front and got it down to around 6 minutes. They ran out of gas, and Astana went back to the front and the gap went back up over 7 minutes. AG2R came up front again and got help from Garmin and Lotto and the rest is history.
Should Astana have called the group in for a picnic break to get the yellow for george? They did as much as you can expect considering he is not a teammate. To say George should be upset with them is idiotic.
Richard
Where to start ...
If George had "stepped up his game" and worked harder, he would have been dropped when the attacks started and come in even further back. He's not an idiot -- he was going for the yellow, and he did it as smart and as hard as he could.
Astana wasn't "slowing the pack down." You can't slow it down from the front. They wanted George to win, but only by a little bit, and they just cut it too close. Like most who are very very arrogant, they can't see beyond their own noses and assumed that the gap would stay wherever their highnesses had left it. So they left George about a minute up on the yellow, not realizing that the normal acceleration at the end, plus a little work from AG2R, plus teams protecting their GC guys (Garmin, Lotto), plus a bit of a grudge match (Garmin vs. Columbia) meant that George's gap disappeared.
George has a legitimate beef against Astana. The fact is that Astana did most of the work in the chase, meaning they were controlling the gap. If they'd left him with two minutes, instead of one, then Columbia could have controlled the finish like they usually do and George would be in yellow while Cav would have won the pack sprint. But they didn't.
Columbia can hardly claim to have a legitimate beef against Garmin. They've been looking down on Garmin since before the Giro. Garmin currently has arguably the 2nd fastest sprinter and the 2nd best GC placement, but Astana and Columbia keep treating them like a junior team. Today, Garmin sent a message: F with us and there are consequences. It's a card right out of Lance's playbook (most famously with Simeoni), and it's part of Garmin's establishing itself as a major team.
If George had "stepped up his game" and worked harder, he would have been dropped when the attacks started and come in even further back. He's not an idiot -- he was going for the yellow, and he did it as smart and as hard as he could.
Astana wasn't "slowing the pack down." You can't slow it down from the front. They wanted George to win, but only by a little bit, and they just cut it too close. Like most who are very very arrogant, they can't see beyond their own noses and assumed that the gap would stay wherever their highnesses had left it. So they left George about a minute up on the yellow, not realizing that the normal acceleration at the end, plus a little work from AG2R, plus teams protecting their GC guys (Garmin, Lotto), plus a bit of a grudge match (Garmin vs. Columbia) meant that George's gap disappeared.
George has a legitimate beef against Astana. The fact is that Astana did most of the work in the chase, meaning they were controlling the gap. If they'd left him with two minutes, instead of one, then Columbia could have controlled the finish like they usually do and George would be in yellow while Cav would have won the pack sprint. But they didn't.
Columbia can hardly claim to have a legitimate beef against Garmin. They've been looking down on Garmin since before the Giro. Garmin currently has arguably the 2nd fastest sprinter and the 2nd best GC placement, but Astana and Columbia keep treating them like a junior team. Today, Garmin sent a message: F with us and there are consequences. It's a card right out of Lance's playbook (most famously with Simeoni), and it's part of Garmin's establishing itself as a major team.
07-18-09, 02:26 PM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: K.F., Orygun
Posts: 905
Bikes: 08 Giant Boulder, 08 Scattante XLR
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The first big disappointment for Columbia in more ways than one. Just the other day they were saying "ride like a junior team, get results like a junior team", referring to Garmin I think. Given Cav's remark about how much self-loathing he feels when he loses, Garmin ought to send a few gallons of Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Therapy over to the Columbia guys.
07-18-09, 02:40 PM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 1,717
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
According to the TDF website:
"at 53km, the advantage was 1’00”. Astana led the peloton from 55km onward. Hincapie was the best place on GC of those in the escape group and, at 78km, he became the virtual leader with the peloton at 5’30”.
The maximum gain of the escape was 8’50” at the 120km mark. At 145km, the AG2R team moved ahead of Astana at the head of the peloton and by 150km, the deficit of the peloton was 8’00”."
As you can see while Astana led the chase George increased his lead. When other teams took over the chase the lead came down.
"at 53km, the advantage was 1’00”. Astana led the peloton from 55km onward. Hincapie was the best place on GC of those in the escape group and, at 78km, he became the virtual leader with the peloton at 5’30”.
The maximum gain of the escape was 8’50” at the 120km mark. At 145km, the AG2R team moved ahead of Astana at the head of the peloton and by 150km, the deficit of the peloton was 8’00”."
As you can see while Astana led the chase George increased his lead. When other teams took over the chase the lead came down.
Astana wanted George in yellow.
Garmin, for whatever reason, helped AG2R bring it back and take George out of yellow. I'm sure there will be more stories on this one and I don't think Garmin did itself any favors in the peloton.
07-18-09, 02:43 PM
#30
wavylines
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bull City
Posts: 541
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
As for Astana riding at the front, when you seem to feel they were growing George's lead: what would have happened if they had stopped pedaling?
07-18-09, 02:55 PM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: silicon valley
Posts: 1,774
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't understand why people are not coming to the same conclusion.
Astana wanted George in yellow.
Garmin, for whatever reason, helped AG2R bring it back and take George out of yellow. I'm sure there will be more stories on this one and I don't think Garmin did itself any favors in the peloton.
Astana wanted George in yellow.
Garmin, for whatever reason, helped AG2R bring it back and take George out of yellow. I'm sure there will be more stories on this one and I don't think Garmin did itself any favors in the peloton.
ed rader
07-18-09, 03:18 PM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 1,690
Bikes: Serotta Nove
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Assume what you want.
No one in the breakaway cared whether the gap was 10 minutes or ten seconds with two pssible exceptions the French rider that moved up in the standings, and the AG2R rider who wanted the smallest possible gap. The other riders didn't care about George in Yellow. Likely between 20 & 30 km to go the break realized they were going to have the stage winner.
Look back at Oscar's 30 minute stage victory in 2006. He was working his butt off to get yellow even though he knew the other rider would win the stage.
George spent his time trying to re-organize the break, and it was a waste of time, because again they did not care what the gap was to the main field. Did you watch the stage? I am going to assume you didn't since we are making assumptions. Once the winner attacked the break there was no benefit or time advantage to be had. For the most part it was a disorganized mess. George wasn't even up front. Maybe he didn't have the gas to go. If he didn't that is not Astana's fault or Garmin's fault.
George had three minutes in pocket to take yellow. If he didn't have the legs to preserve a three minute virtual lead then how is that Astanas fault?
Why would Astana stop pedaling? What is the benefit to them? I will tell you what would happen. Exactly what did happen. AG2R came to the front to cut the lead.
Richard
No one in the breakaway cared whether the gap was 10 minutes or ten seconds with two pssible exceptions the French rider that moved up in the standings, and the AG2R rider who wanted the smallest possible gap. The other riders didn't care about George in Yellow. Likely between 20 & 30 km to go the break realized they were going to have the stage winner.
Look back at Oscar's 30 minute stage victory in 2006. He was working his butt off to get yellow even though he knew the other rider would win the stage.
George spent his time trying to re-organize the break, and it was a waste of time, because again they did not care what the gap was to the main field. Did you watch the stage? I am going to assume you didn't since we are making assumptions. Once the winner attacked the break there was no benefit or time advantage to be had. For the most part it was a disorganized mess. George wasn't even up front. Maybe he didn't have the gas to go. If he didn't that is not Astana's fault or Garmin's fault.
George had three minutes in pocket to take yellow. If he didn't have the legs to preserve a three minute virtual lead then how is that Astanas fault?
Why would Astana stop pedaling? What is the benefit to them? I will tell you what would happen. Exactly what did happen. AG2R came to the front to cut the lead.
Richard
I'm going to assume you've never raced and try to be kind. When you know an attack is going to come, you have to keep a little in reserve to call upon when the punch gets thrown. If you don't, you'll be spit off the back, and once you're solo you won't catch back up. Even an un-cooperative group of eleven is faster than you solo. So, as paradoxical as it sounds, there are times when your fastest path to the finish line is to coast momentarily. If George had gone to the limit in the last 5km, he wouldn't have come in 5 seconds faster, he would have come in dozens of seconds slower.
As for Astana riding at the front, when you seem to feel they were growing George's lead: what would have happened if they had stopped pedaling?
As for Astana riding at the front, when you seem to feel they were growing George's lead: what would have happened if they had stopped pedaling?
07-18-09, 03:24 PM
#33
wavylines
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bull City
Posts: 541
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If they'd let George have another minute, then Columbia could have done their normal finish and Garmin, Lotto and AG2R would have stayed out of the way. Cav would have won the pack sprint legitly and George would be in yellow. The cover photo of every paper tomorrow would be Lance and George hugging at the finish. Big win for both teams.
Instead, Columbia lost big (yellow and green), Astana lost in that they look like d*cks (George knows this), Garmin won by showing they can give as well as take, and Cervelo won out of dumb luck.
07-18-09, 03:28 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 1,690
Bikes: Serotta Nove
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Dude did you watch the stage? Really? Astana gave him almost 9 minutes. That is a 2.5 minute GC leader on the road. Is that not a gift enough? If you were a GC hopeful on Astana how much time would you have given George? Really?
Richard
Richard
Sure, but their failing was that they wanted him in yellow by just a little bit. They failed to see past their noses and realize that if it was just a little bit, then other teams had reasons to jump all over that gap and erase it. Which is what happened.
If they'd let George have another minute, then Columbia could have done their normal finish and Garmin, Lotto and AG2R would have stayed out of the way. Cav would have won the pack sprint legitly and George would be in yellow. The cover photo of every paper tomorrow would be Lance and George hugging at the finish. Big win for both teams.
Instead, Columbia lost big (yellow and green), Astana lost in that they look like d*cks (George knows this), Garmin won by showing they can give as well as take, and Cervelo won out of dumb luck.
If they'd let George have another minute, then Columbia could have done their normal finish and Garmin, Lotto and AG2R would have stayed out of the way. Cav would have won the pack sprint legitly and George would be in yellow. The cover photo of every paper tomorrow would be Lance and George hugging at the finish. Big win for both teams.
Instead, Columbia lost big (yellow and green), Astana lost in that they look like d*cks (George knows this), Garmin won by showing they can give as well as take, and Cervelo won out of dumb luck.
07-18-09, 03:29 PM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: silicon valley
Posts: 1,774
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sure, but their failing was that they wanted him in yellow by just a little bit. They failed to see past their noses and realize that if it was just a little bit, then other teams had reasons to jump all over that gap and erase it. Which is what happened.
If they'd let George have another minute, then Columbia could have done their normal finish and Garmin, Lotto and AG2R would have stayed out of the way. Cav would have won the pack sprint legitly and George would be in yellow. The cover photo of every paper tomorrow would be Lance and George hugging at the finish. Big win for both teams.
Instead, Columbia lost big (yellow and green), Astana lost in that they look like d*cks (George knows this), Garmin won by showing they can give as well as take, and Cervelo won out of dumb luck.
If they'd let George have another minute, then Columbia could have done their normal finish and Garmin, Lotto and AG2R would have stayed out of the way. Cav would have won the pack sprint legitly and George would be in yellow. The cover photo of every paper tomorrow would be Lance and George hugging at the finish. Big win for both teams.
Instead, Columbia lost big (yellow and green), Astana lost in that they look like d*cks (George knows this), Garmin won by showing they can give as well as take, and Cervelo won out of dumb luck.
.ed rader
07-18-09, 03:30 PM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: K.F., Orygun
Posts: 905
Bikes: 08 Giant Boulder, 08 Scattante XLR
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Less than complete information, maybe, but maybe too he had good info that Astana was for him in yellow, but playing tactics to keep it down to a few seconds - which backfired.
Astana's been making a big production out of controlling the race so far, so its no wonder they get blamed for stuff like that.
Astana's been making a big production out of controlling the race so far, so its no wonder they get blamed for stuff like that.
07-18-09, 03:33 PM
#37
so whatcha' want?
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,709
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I like Hincapie a lot. No, I don't feel bad for him. It's racing.
07-18-09, 03:36 PM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sugar Land, TX (outside Houston)
Posts: 259
Bikes: '08 Specialized Allez Elite, Trek 7200, Specialized Hardrock
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
From VeloNews.com: https://tour-de-france.velonews.com/article/95404/
07-18-09, 04:28 PM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: julian, ca
Posts: 598
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
George didn't have it in him today. If he would of gotten yellow today it would have been a gift, not because of anything special George did. All those guys couldn't have bridged to the leader who went solo for how many K's?? He didn't deserve it cause he wasn't doing much work at the end.
I am more impressed with Nocentini (sp??). Who would have thought he would have been in yellow this long?
I thought today's stage was a fun watch. Tomorrow the fireworks should start.
I am more impressed with Nocentini (sp??). Who would have thought he would have been in yellow this long?
I thought today's stage was a fun watch. Tomorrow the fireworks should start.
07-18-09, 04:30 PM
#40
wavylines
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bull City
Posts: 541
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
[QUOTE]Did you watch the stage? I am going to assume you didn't since we are making assumptions./QUOTE]
Then I'll let you know: your assumption is incorrect. I also timed the last few kms. You might try it. Then compare to what George could do on his own.
07-18-09, 04:40 PM
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: julian, ca
Posts: 598
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I read the Velo News article. Man it seems like the Tour has become just one big lovefest for George and a Jr. High School pissing match at the same time. George already has a Yellow Jersey. George is as much to blame for losing those 5 seconds as much as Garmin is.
07-18-09, 04:49 PM
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: julian, ca
Posts: 598
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Let's compare George to Tom Watson. Do you think the other players at the British Open are going to roll over so the old man can have his last shot at glory? Gifting people yellow Jerseys reminds me of all those good citizen bumper stickers and awards that they hand out like candy in grade school.
07-18-09, 04:58 PM
#43
370H-SSV-0773H
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Penniless Park, Fla.
Posts: 2,750
Bikes: Merlin Fortius, Specialized Crossroads & Rockhopper, Serotta Fierte, Pedal Force RS2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i lost some respect for Hincapie today... from what i little i understand of professional cycling, i never would have guessed a rider would expect external team management or riders from another team to help a stage win or the wearing of the yellow jersey...
i suppose this happens not infrequently in the TDF?
i suppose this happens not infrequently in the TDF?
07-18-09, 05:00 PM
#44
Space for rent
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: South East
Posts: 278
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
And another thing....
How many times this tour has Hincapie helped pull the peloton along as they run down some rider in a breakaway who REALLY REALLY REALLY wants to win a stage in order for Cavendish to have a go at a sprint?
Sorry George, its racing. Everybody wants to win.
How many times this tour has Hincapie helped pull the peloton along as they run down some rider in a breakaway who REALLY REALLY REALLY wants to win a stage in order for Cavendish to have a go at a sprint?
Sorry George, its racing. Everybody wants to win.
07-18-09, 05:01 PM
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 1,690
Bikes: Serotta Nove
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ok I concede it was Astana's fault George didn't get yellow.
Of course the stage winner didn't have any problems with the lightning fast pack George was in. 16 second advantage with celebration.
Oh well I guess somehow Astana planned that to.
Richard
[QUOTE=curveship;9306029]Other rider singular. One on one is not the same tactics as eleven on one. And by the way, Pereiro didn't exactly concede to Voigt. He still sprinted, just Voigt beat him.
Of course the stage winner didn't have any problems with the lightning fast pack George was in. 16 second advantage with celebration.
Oh well I guess somehow Astana planned that to.
Richard
[QUOTE=curveship;9306029]Other rider singular. One on one is not the same tactics as eleven on one. And by the way, Pereiro didn't exactly concede to Voigt. He still sprinted, just Voigt beat him.
Did you watch the stage? I am going to assume you didn't since we are making assumptions./QUOTE]
Then I'll let you know: your assumption is incorrect. I also timed the last few kms. You might try it. Then compare to what George could do on his own.
Then I'll let you know: your assumption is incorrect. I also timed the last few kms. You might try it. Then compare to what George could do on his own.
07-18-09, 05:10 PM
#46
so whatcha' want?
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,709
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i lost some respect for Hincapie today... from what i little i understand of professional cycling, i never would have guessed a rider would expect external team management or riders from another team to help a stage win or the wearing of the yellow jersey...
i suppose this happens not infrequently in the TDF?
i suppose this happens not infrequently in the TDF?
meaning, they all sorta feel this way; they just don't say it in public :)
07-18-09, 05:15 PM
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: silicon valley
Posts: 1,774
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
ed rader
07-18-09, 05:29 PM
#48
Lance Hater
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,403
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
07-18-09, 05:30 PM
#49
Junior Member
i just got done watching the re-air a few minutes ago as i had to work today.
I am new to cycling( been in about a year) and have never raced a bike (though i have competed in both cross country in high school and crew(rowing) in college).
I thought George sounded like a fat kid who just lost a game in little league baseball but still got a trophy for competing. I understand being a "classy" rider like if you are going head to head with your closest contender and one of you flats, you slow down and wait for them, etc etc. But come on, the break away had almost 9 minutes at one point, ~5 1/2 at the finish.
I don't understand, did he just want astana to roll over and hand all of those guys including himself in the break 8+ minutes heading into the alps? This is a race. Ideally the fastest man wins, not the most popular.
Its not even like astana was bridging the gap when they were on the front.
I am new to cycling( been in about a year) and have never raced a bike (though i have competed in both cross country in high school and crew(rowing) in college).
I thought George sounded like a fat kid who just lost a game in little league baseball but still got a trophy for competing. I understand being a "classy" rider like if you are going head to head with your closest contender and one of you flats, you slow down and wait for them, etc etc. But come on, the break away had almost 9 minutes at one point, ~5 1/2 at the finish.
I don't understand, did he just want astana to roll over and hand all of those guys including himself in the break 8+ minutes heading into the alps? This is a race. Ideally the fastest man wins, not the most popular.
Its not even like astana was bridging the gap when they were on the front.
07-18-09, 05:32 PM
#50
Rower
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Posts: 96
Bikes: Specialized
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What a bunch of wankers! George most definitively included. Cycling is indeed a strange sport....
