Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Racing => Topic started by: Rig of Jarkness on 27 March, 2010, 04:51:48 pm

Title: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 27 March, 2010, 04:51:48 pm
Just reading the reports of todays E3 whatever race.  A 'break royale' of Cancellara, Boonen and Flecha.    Cancellara left them for dead with 1k to go.  That takes some doing !
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Salvatore on 27 March, 2010, 05:14:29 pm
I watched it on sporza.be (with Ballerup on a different session).

When Cancellara went with perfect timing, Boonen couldn't catch his wheel (and it didn't help that there was a sharp turn at a roundabout), and Flecha wouldn't chase because  Boonen is a better sprinter, so the chase just petered out.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Salvatore on 27 March, 2010, 10:35:51 pm
Final few kilometres

E3-Prijs Harelbeke 2010 - Final kilometers
    (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JqHXuUbUUc)
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Noodley on 27 March, 2010, 10:43:37 pm
Cancellara is full flight is a sight to behold  :thumbsup:

He must count as one of my favourite riders at present and over the past few years.  You never know when he's going to 'perform' outside of the TT but when he does it's a sight to behold!!
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Rhys W on 27 March, 2010, 11:19:01 pm
I think he's a one-trick pony. Solo break with 1km to go. Doesn't work every time.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 28 March, 2010, 10:40:05 am
I think he's a one-trick pony. Solo break with 1km to go. Doesn't work every time.
If I had my choice of any one trick then that would do it for me  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Phil on 28 March, 2010, 11:15:04 am
Final few kilometres

E3-Prijs Harelbeke 2010 - Final kilometers
    (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JqHXuUbUUc)

Love the commentary as he starts to sprint - flemish-flemish-flemish-risky-business-flemish-flemish-oy-oy-oy-oy-oy-oy!
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Aidan on 28 March, 2010, 11:41:48 am
I think he's a one-trick pony. Solo break with 1km to go. Doesn't work every time.

No, but he is very good at it!  and knows just when to jump to make it stick.  Getting enough air and being able to keep enough speed that even Boonen cant get back up sprinting is impressive to watch
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Blah on 29 March, 2010, 09:52:08 am
There's not many that can go around corners at speed like Spartacus can either, hence it stuck on Saturday.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Thor on 29 March, 2010, 10:50:38 am
Final few kilometres

E3-Prijs Harelbeke 2010 - Final kilometers
    (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JqHXuUbUUc)

Thanks for posting that  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 March, 2010, 01:28:36 pm
There's not many that can go around corners at speed like Spartacus can either, hence it stuck on Saturday.

how the hell does he do it?  I've just watched the vid, and that corner at the roundabout, the other two couldn't corner on his line at all, I thought they were going to clip the curb.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 March, 2010, 03:36:32 pm
Never mind the kerb, I thought Boonen was going to hit the island before the roundabout!
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Salvatore on 01 April, 2010, 08:31:47 pm
Final few kilometres

E3-Prijs Harelbeke 2010 - Final kilometers
    (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JqHXuUbUUc)

Love the commentary as he starts to sprint - flemish-flemish-flemish-risky-business-flemish-flemish-oy-oy-oy-oy-oy-oy!

The same commentator when DM's intermediate time flashed up during today's time trial at De Panne:

"David-Millar-oy-oy!"

Only 2 oys but enough to win the TT and the overall.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: pumpkin on 01 April, 2010, 08:58:55 pm
I think he's a one-trick pony. Solo break with 1km to go. Doesn't work every time.

Let's see, TdF stage wins/Maillot Jeune, Milan-San Remo,Paris-Roubaix, Olympic Gold. Whatever trick he has it seems to work.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: mattc on 02 April, 2010, 03:29:03 pm
I think he's a one-trick pony. Solo break with 1km to go. Doesn't work every time.

Let's see, TdF stage wins/Maillot Jeune, Milan-San Remo,Paris-Roubaix, Olympic Gold. Whatever trick he has it seems to work.
The point is, the conditions need to be right. Hence Cavendish wins more Tour stages, several riders finished higher on GC ...etc

But he's great for the sport - he goes for it when others dither.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Rich753 on 02 April, 2010, 11:18:35 pm
I think he's a one-trick pony. Solo break with 1km to go. Doesn't work every time.

Let's see, TdF stage wins/Maillot Jeune, Milan-San Remo,Paris-Roubaix, Olympic Gold. Whatever trick he has it seems to work.

This "Maillot Jeune" - is that the young riders award  ;)
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Aidan on 04 April, 2010, 03:46:29 pm
And again!   Classy win
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Hot Flatus on 04 April, 2010, 03:48:06 pm
Did you see him gobble a gel about 5 minutes before that very steep cobbled climb where he attacked?  He knew exactly where to go, as Boonen was out of the saddle whereas he looked so smooth.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Salvatore on 04 April, 2010, 04:00:49 pm
It looked to me as if Boonen was stuck in too high a gear when Cancellara went away.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Aidan on 04 April, 2010, 04:02:56 pm
It looked to me as if Boonen was stuck in too high a gear when Cancellara went away.

Or Boonen was on traditional gearing and Cancellara was using a compact?
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Hot Flatus on 04 April, 2010, 04:09:21 pm
Wouldn't have been a compact.  At a guess I'd say they'd have had a 11-25 cassette.

It was a predictable attack.  Cancellara had no choice about it, as Boonen would have easily outsprinted him if it had come to that.  Don't forget Boonen is the heavier rider and so was disadvantaged on the Muur.  Boonen knew it was coming.  Did you notice Cancellara backing off a little just before he attacked?
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Aidan on 04 April, 2010, 05:56:58 pm
Wouldn't have been a compact.  At a guess I'd say they'd have had a 11-25 cassette.

It was a predictable attack.  Cancellara had no choice about it, as Boonen would have easily outsprinted him if it had come to that.  Don't forget Boonen is the heavier rider and so was disadvantaged on the Muur.  Boonen knew it was coming.  Did you notice Cancellara backing off a little just before he attacked?


Fabian Cancellara's Specialized gets a last minute tune-up Photos  | Cyclingnews.com (http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/on-the-start-line-at-the-tour-of-flanders/113566)

looks like he did have a bit of a dinner plate on the back ;D

Might have been predictable, but it was certainly impressive and not alot anyone could do about it
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: clifftaylor on 04 April, 2010, 06:08:47 pm
I'd die of happiness if I looked as good as he does on a bike for 100 metres, never mind 262 kilometres.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Aidan on 04 April, 2010, 06:26:59 pm
I'd die of happiness if I looked as good as he does on a bike for 100 metres, never mind 262 kilometres.
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Hot Flatus on 04 April, 2010, 06:32:31 pm
Might have been predictable, but it was certainly impressive and not alot anyone could do about it

Agreed!  I'm not criticising him for it.  It was stunning.... but we all knew it was in the post  ;)
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Aidan on 04 April, 2010, 06:59:30 pm
Might have been predictable, but it was certainly impressive and not alot anyone could do about it

Agreed!  I'm not criticising him for it.  It was stunning.... but we all knew it was in the post  ;)

Sorry, way I worded my post, didn't think you were being critical. 
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Rich753 on 06 April, 2010, 10:40:00 pm
Roger Hammond got 7th, he seems to be riding better than ever - tho' he must be mid-thirtys by now?

Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Aidan on 07 April, 2010, 07:00:19 am
Roger Hammond got 7th, he seems to be riding better than ever - tho' he must be mid-thirtys by now?



Be interesting to see how he goes in Paris Roubaix at the weekend.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Jord on 07 April, 2010, 11:15:23 am
I was at the start of the Tour of Flanders and 'Spartacus' got the second biggest cheer riding to the start behind Boonan but more than Lance Armstrong.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: DrMekon on 07 April, 2010, 11:41:26 am
Love the commentary as he starts to sprint - flemish-flemish-flemish-riskeeey-business-flemish-flemish-oy-oy-oy-oy-oy-oy!

Made me giggle too.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: gonzo on 07 April, 2010, 08:59:48 pm
I think he's a one-trick pony. Solo break with 1km to go. Doesn't work every time.

That's about the most bizarre thing I've heard in an internet discussion board to date!
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 11 April, 2010, 08:23:46 am
I just watched Sporza's highlights of last week's Tour of Flanders. sporza: wielrennen (http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/wielrennen)
The way that Cancellara powered away from Boonen was just awesome. 
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: gonzo on 11 April, 2010, 08:26:33 am
Apparently he was producing 1450 Watts at the time. After 3 hours of racing too!
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Gus on 11 April, 2010, 03:34:19 pm

And Spartacus have done it again,
Boonen  relaxed one minute and never saw him ride away  :smug:
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: GruB on 11 April, 2010, 04:15:56 pm
Good to see Flecha and Huschovd so close too.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: αdαmsκι on 11 April, 2010, 04:18:23 pm
And Hammond in 4th.

Amazing ride from Spartacus.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 11 April, 2010, 04:49:05 pm
What's the story with Boonen ?  You'd think he'd have been watching Cancellara like a hawk but apparently not - from the Sporza highlights it looks as if he was caught napping.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: SpaceBadger on 11 April, 2010, 04:52:59 pm
I don't think that Boonen, or anyone else for that matter, could have done anything about it, whether napping or not at the crucial moment. Cancellara is in simply stunning form. Another fantastic ride from him.

The only down side was that it made the later cobbled sections almost redundant due to his brilliance.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Justin(e) on 11 April, 2010, 05:44:38 pm
Wow, such a great race and such a worthy winner.
Hats off to this bloke for his unbelievable 'one-trick'.
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: gonzo on 11 April, 2010, 06:54:33 pm
Gonzo's guide to how not to watch Paris Roubaix:
1) Head out for a heavy night the night before and sleep on friends floor thus having about 4 hours of disturbed sleep
2) Walk for 1.5 hours to get home the morning of the race
3) Pay for a months access to eurosport
4) Prepare food and drink and collapse on sofa just in time for start of coverage
5) Fall asleep for 3 hours
6) Wake up to see an emotional Cancellara crossing the finishing line

Could someone fill me in on what happened between about 80km to go and Spartacus getting emotional? ;)
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: disrail on 11 April, 2010, 08:35:24 pm
Hahahahahahaha.


Cancellara was in the main peleton with Boonen at 70kms to go. 6 Odd riders 30s up the road.

They were pulled back and the bunch (looked about 40 odd riders to me) was split in a crosswind on a pave section the head of the course consisting of 12-15 riders.

At 55kms, a couple of riders (no hopers) went off the front at this point, and boonen started attacking out of the saddle on cobbled sections to bridge. Each time Cancellara pulled him back slowly, not getting out of the saddle. After 3 attacks by boonen in about 10 minutes, there were 3 riders being pulled in up the road. Cancellara bridged the 20m to them, sat in for 5 seconds, then shot off like a rocket up the inside, still seated throughout. He opened up 20 bikelengths in a matter of 15 seconds!! One rider tried to follow him for over 2 minutes and then gave up. This was at 45km mark.

Tom Boonen with 8ish other riders in the chasing group tried to get everyone working on the road sections. He'd drop to the back of the chain, pushing riders forward with his arms, move up and through and they wouldn't follow him, leaving him on the front. Cancellara quickly built up a minute+ gap, so he could get his team car across, and the rest is history, with a 3m10s gap being the maximum gained before Flecha and Hushovd broke away from the chasing group.

Boonen had little hope. Cancellara was the stronger and the one who broke away succesfully. After that the rest just hung on boonens wheel waiting for a 2nd place.

Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: disrail on 11 April, 2010, 09:33:32 pm
Or just read here for a description by a professional.  ::-)
Tom Boonen Angry With Roubaix Quitters - BikeRadar (http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/tom-boonen-angry-with-roubaix-quitters-25690)

Boonen was hard done by, but I didn't see the point in his attacks. It was too far for him to go alone. It did whittle down the group a little (Pozzato looked screwed), but didn't seem to trouble the danger man cancellara. 
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: gonzo on 11 April, 2010, 09:57:11 pm
Hammond looked quite strong at the finish, how come he wasn't with Hushovd and Flecha in your opinion?
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: David Martin on 11 April, 2010, 10:08:02 pm
Hammond looked quite strong at the finish, how come he wasn't with Hushovd and Flecha in your opinion?

If your team mate atacks you don't counter attack. When Flecha and Hushovd set off, Hammonds job would be to police the remainders, not chase.

..d
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: kcass on 11 April, 2010, 10:54:09 pm

      YouTube
            - Paris-Roubaix 2010 - Cancellara attacks
    (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7xjsPqHg3o)

Commentator does a nice reworking of the Apollo 13 quote.

"Boonen, we have a problem" 

Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: tlottrike on 12 April, 2010, 09:30:08 am
Commentator does a nice reworking of the Apollo 13 quote.
"Boonen, we have a problem" 

Funnily enough today is the aniversary of Apollo 13's launch.... I'll get my coat
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Ray 6701 on 12 April, 2010, 05:32:50 pm
Boonen should take a look at his own team when winging about loosing.  His team were nowhere to be seen for the entire coverage on eurosport (other than Devolder crashing & p*n*t*r*ng).  At the end of the day he was beaten by the better man again.  
One trick pony indeed  :o
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: mattc on 12 April, 2010, 06:03:39 pm
Boonen should take a look at his own team when winging about loosing....  At the end of the day he was beaten by the better man again.  
Perhaps by saying something like this?

And then Cancellara just went. But you can't argue with that. I would probably have done the same thing. I'm obviously disappointed. But if Cancellara attacks and I can't follow him that's fair enough.

<stolen from the BikeRadar comments>
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: gonzo on 12 April, 2010, 06:20:05 pm
Hammond looked quite strong at the finish, how come he wasn't with Hushovd and Flecha in your opinion?

If your team mate atacks you don't counter attack. When Flecha and Hushovd set off, Hammonds job would be to police the remainders, not chase.

..d

I know that you don't counter attack, but I was wondering why they didn't both go with Flecha. a 3 man break with 2 team mates is a very good thing for the team mates!
Title: Re: Spartacus takes off
Post by: Rich753 on 13 April, 2010, 12:30:09 pm
Hammond looked quite strong at the finish, how come he wasn't with Hushovd and Flecha in your opinion?

If your team mate atacks you don't counter attack. When Flecha and Hushovd set off, Hammonds job would be to police the remainders, not chase.

..d

I know that you don't counter attack, but I was wondering why they didn't both go with Flecha. a 3 man break with 2 team mates is a very good thing for the team mates!

But then Flecha would have stopped working and just taken a tow to the finish.  hammond/Hushovd might have been strong enough to outsprint a much fresher Flecha (see what i did there?) but safer to let the two get away knowing that Thor is much the better sprinter