whitemax

Most assuredly correct.

Kind of Blued

I'm not necessarily attacking Farrar, by the way, I'm just stressing the reality of his abilities, as opposed to some unrealistically nationalistic American cycling fans who think Farrar has a shot at any race that isn't a mountaintop finish.

Giacomo 1 

The reality seem's to be that he is a pure sprinter and that's what he should stick with. Funny, everyone say's that Farrar can't ride when he is out of position, but I guess the same can't be said about Sagan?

I said in my post that he had a great leadout by the way...

Giacomo 1 

Wow, what a stage! This stage had everything, wind, echelons, lead changes, breakaways, tactics, just everything. Very exciting!

Jens Voigt is the man! What a great move at the end to take the sprinters out. He made the only move he could have to win and he did it in fine style. Acevedo missed the big break and lost the lead to TJ. I have to think that TJ is the tour winner now.

Oh, and Farrar had no problem with Sagan!

Jseis 

I vaguely recall Xmas of '80 was like 94 F in Irvine. Worked in the Mojave catching lizards for science at 108-110 F and we were dressed like Arab sheiks. Can't imagine cycling in that weather. As I recall from living around Orange county, late Feb, March and April seemed to be the cool months. But I did cycle on the Canadian plains at 100 degrees and the only thing keeping us cool was lots of water and appearant wind. Was way to hot to stop and take a break as there was no shade.

cthenn

This was the first stage I actually sat up a bit in my chair. Great crosswinds race that developed, it was fascinating to watch the guys ride in those amoeba-like echelons. European pros who actually looked like they were trying today. Perhaps everyone is finally over the ludicrous first two days in the heat, the guys are racing now...perfect time to come up to NorCal!

Zinger

Alright Tejay!!!

From 12 seconds down yesterday to 42 seconds up today. If BMC pulls a win out of this I'm stoked !

canam73

Sagan spent time pulling in the attempt to catch Voigt. Farrar didn't.

So if by 'no problem' you mean he road smart to score 2nd place, sure.

whitemax

All things equal, Farrar would be wiping Sagan's chain lube off his face.

Giacomo 1 

I see the #agan apologists are out in full force.

Face it guys, Farrar was the better and stronger rider. Your excuses don't wash...

canam73

To the naive. It will make sense to anyone who understand bike racing.

Giacomo 1 

Naive not.

Sagan is certainly the better all around rider, but I think Farrar is the better pure sprinter. He looks very stron
g in this tour.

You failed to mention Farrars flat. He could have given up considering the point that it happened...

Papa Wheelie

When people want to drink their Farrar Hater-Aid, they will not be denied! No, Tyler did not help much when the group of 16 broke away, but neither did Sagan. I LIKE Sagan, by the way, but this is getting stupid. On Stage 3, Cannondale had their lead-out perfectly in line for Sagan, and Tyler had to ride Sagan's wheel. When it came to the sprint out, Tyler had to beat Sagan, by a bike length, if he were to win. Sagan won by a half-length. That tells me that they are close. Much closer than the Hater-Aid drinker will accept, evidently. Stage 4, Tyler won. Stage 5, both were basically on their own, and Tyler beat Sagan. Enough of the bashing of Tyler Farrar. He looks like he is ready to make the sprints competitive.

dalameda

I'll let you guys argue about Sagan vs. Farrar, but for today Jens Voigt has to be the superstar (at least to us more senior - in age - riders) Check out this post ride interview on bicycling.com "I'm motherf@#king Jens Voigt!"

https://www.bicycling.com/video/jens-...ll/created/d/1

dstrong 

I could watch a group of riders ride an echelon all day...it's a thing of beauty. Getting it established is also amazing...it's sort of like musical chairs...there are only so many spots across the road and if you get there and there isn't a spot for you...you're not getting in.

DXchulo

Just got back from Santa Barbara (beautiful area) where I watched stages 4&5.

Here's the Stage 4 report: https://centuryperweek.blogspot.com/2...n-tour-of.html

I'll try to have the Stage 5 report done tomorrow.

Papa Wheelie

As an aside, why the bashing on Tyler? I think the kid carries a pretty heavy load. I lived in Wenatchee when his father, who is a neurosurgeon, got plowed into by a car while riding to work, and is now confined to a wheelchair. If anybody deserves a touch of slack, I think it might that family.....

shoota 

It was really fun watching Jens win that stage, you gotta love that guy!

humansaretrash

I'm spending my free time every night watching the Giro, Tour of California, and the Tour of Norway.
I hate to be a hater, but I hate the Tour of California.
I think the only part I throughly enjoyed so far was watching Voigt kick some ass in that breakaway to the finish.
I don't really know, but the wide as a city block roads, crappy commentating, and the fact that it's splitting the field for the Giro makes the ToC suck in my eyes.
I know that they race where they do because of population, but California has much prettier areas then that, but it's where they choose to hold it.
Giro for the win.

canam73

I'd don't know if consider my posts bashing or not. I've commented that he crashes a lot, but he does. It may be not much more than other sprinters, but seems like it to me.

I also think if Sagan hadn't been trying to pull Jens back even going under the 1K banner that he would have finished 2nd on yesterday's stage.

I'm not a Farrar hater or a Sagan fan. I'd prefer watching the climbing stages. Those are just my observations and opinions based off them. I'm sorry to hear about his father, but it doesn't affect my assessment of his cycling abilities.

Zinger

Tejay van Garderen keeps in yellow with a stage 6 win

That's 23 seconds up on runner up for the individual TT. He's 1:47 up in the General classification. He'd have to crash and burn to lose it now.

DXchulo

Here are my pictures from Stage 5: https://centuryperweek.blogspot.com/2...our-of_18.html

Most of the big names are there.

Beaker

As if the way he won stage 5 wasn't enough, he was hi-5ing fans *during* the TT.

Cat4Lifer

I'd bet a paycheck that Farrar doesn't win another stage of the TDF and I wouldn't make that bet against Sagan.
farrar is such a whiny baby...love how he tries to play the tough-guy and "force" his way onto the bus and they easily pull him back

Giacomo 1 

We're talking about the Tour of California right now, not the TDF, and Farrar really looks like he has Sagan's number this time around. He look's very strong, and yes, he is staying out of accidents to. Last year was a pretty bad season for him in nearly every way and he admits that. I think he was trying to be a better all-around rider, but now he is back to being a pure sprinter, and I think it is really showing. Obviously Garmin still believes in him as they still all ride for him in the sprint stages. One bad season shouldn't mark a riders career forever.

And please don't try and tell me something silly like Sagan isn't trying, because he owned this tour last season and would certainly have loved to own it again.

We might see another showdown between Sagan and Farrar today in this last stage. Should be a good one!