Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Freewheeling => Racing => Topic started by: αdαmsκι on 28 August, 2009, 11:20:22 am
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A thread to follow La Vuelta, which starts tomorrow :thumbsup:, with the Prologue taking place in Assen. Yes, that's Assen in The Netherlands :-\. None of the top 3 from 2008 will be riding, so who knows who'll win. Andy & Frank Schleck are riding, but have been claiming that they're not interested in the GC and instead would like to use La Vuelta as a springboard for the World Championship. Vino is back, but unlikely to be able to compete for the GC after two years out. Cadel Evans will be riding, but after the TdF, is Cadel's head shot to pieces? How about Basso? Anyway, I predict Cancellara win the Prologue. We'll find out tomorrow if I'm right.
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An unsurprising result yesterday, although Boonen coming 2nd to Cancellara was a surprise. Today, Roger Hammond was 3rd in today's sprint finish :thumbsup:.
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Quite an interesting sprint today. Most big guns started too early, only Ciolek timed it right.
Some films about the Vuelta on youtube (more on NOS.NL (http://www.nos.nl) and www.sporza.be but they are only available within the right regions).
Cancellara's race:
YouTube - Olympic champ leads Vuelta - from Universal Sports (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7li3LDgi7zk&feature=fvsr)
Barredo slipping away on the ramp;
YouTube - Barredo victim of Vuelta rain - from Universal Sports (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQIAhIjZwWU&feature=fvsr)
Today's cobble stretch:
YouTube - Wielrenne Vuelta D'Espana Etappe 1 Assen Emmen Kasseien strook (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFVoBQWKDKA)
Today's sprint:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FGn6Fq86BA[/url%]
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Some comments by Millar:
As for us being in Holland and racing on a motor circuit, all I can say is, genius. I remember when I used to look at old black and white photos of bike racing when it would finish in stadiums that were packed to the brim with people. I thought that was a thing of the past, and in all truth thought that we were going to face empty stands today. So when we approached the circuit and began to realise that the massive traffic jams were people coming to watch the race we were a little baffled.
This bafflement turned into wonder as it became clear the place was rammed, so much so I started taking photos because it seemed like one of those moments that I'd seen photos of. When we got through to our pit where we were to warm up, I immediately walked through to look at the track and the stands. They were full to the brim just like in the old black and white photos and the Dutch commentator was working them into a frenzy.
It really was something quite special and I can't imagine what it was like being a Dutch rider. There would be a wall of sound every time they started or finished.
Unforgettable.
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Today's stage. The breakaway guys today are Lars Boom (former cyclecross WC and U23 TT WC), Johnny Hoogerland and Rosendo. The peloton is slowly reeling them in, but the breakaway group managed to get all the bonifications. So no time lost by Cancellara on Farrar/Ciolek/Boonen.
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Three blokes on the parallel cyclepath were doing a good job of keeping up with the break 15 minutes ago.
http://www.channelsurfing.net/watch-la-vuelta-a-espana.html (http://www.channelsurfing.net/watch-la-vuelta-a-espana.html)
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Horner and Farrar crashed although there were no difficulties in the course. Both are rapidly back in the pack.
Rosendo still solo ahead, only a few dozen kilometres. The peloton is not all to keen in reeling him in too soon.
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Another problem for Garmin, Julian Dean has a puncture.
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Excellent work by Vacansoleil. They took the better line in the final corner with 3 riders. But it wasn't enough for the victory, Henderson took it before Bozic and Freire. Hammond on 7
2nd edit. Henderson moves up to #2 in the GC, Boom to #7 both due to bonifications.
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Final 3k with Dutch comments:
YouTube - Vuelta Ciclista a España 2009 Stage 3 Final Kilometers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCcMBkTMBwc)
at 2.40 the action of Vacansoleil destroying all the sprint preparations of the big guns.
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Thanks for the video links.
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I'm a very amateur viewer, but even I noticed "Excellent work by Vacansoleil. They took the better line in the final corner with 3 riders."
Nice riding I thought.
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Today's stage sounded viscous and there was a horrific crash within the last 3 km - clicky for the video (http://www.youtube.com/user/BTVSportchanal2009#play/uploads/1/lOEouq6rWiY). The outcome, however, was another win for Columbia HTC, this time for Greipel. And remember that Cavendish isn't even riding La Vuelta.
It sounds like the Benelux stages have been a success and I'm sure the Dutch stages of the Tour de France will be equally, and even more, successful. However, the early rest stage to allow the transfer down to Spain doesn't impress Wegelius:
It’s not good, no. When they have the rest day early like that to enable the transfer it’s a pain in the ass; it makes for a long block of racing until the second rest day.
And it’s a serious pain in the ass for the soigneurs and mechanics; they have to get all the vehicles from Belgium down to Spain, that day – there’ll be lost of cups of strong coffee getting drunk!
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However, the early rest stage to allow the transfer down to Spain doesn't impress Wegelius:
Irrelevant for him now. He abandoned today.
From @wegelius on Twitter
Vuelta over. When your tired, you get crook, then you get dropped. Need some serious rest. Like until next season.
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Ah, I hadn't seen that. However, it's not unsurprisingly considering some of the stuff that was in the interview I quoted previous, such as:
PEZ: What’s your role in the race?
Charly: The team is aware that I’m coming into this race maybe not at 100%, I didn’t expect to be riding so I’ll have to use the first week to ride myself in – I’m here to help Cadel but it’s really squeezing the last few drops of juice from the lemon, as far as my form goes.
PEZ: Is this your last race of the year?
Charly: I hope so! Perhaps I could enlist Pez readers to start a ‘Let Charly Have a Rest’ email campaign?
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Today's stage sounded viscous and there was a horrific crash within the last 3 km - clicky for the video (http://www.youtube.com/user/BTVSportchanal2009#play/uploads/1/lOEouq6rWiY).
One of the first riders in the bunch apparantly slipped away on a white line. The rest couldn't evade him or crashed while trying to.
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Did you see the Danish rider hit the parked truck ? awieee ouch ouch ...
Its been played on BBC news a few time this morning
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Trust some little Cuthbert TV station to get the coverage rights.
Bit of a PITA watching it squashed into 4:3.
Not Eurosport's fault, they just provide the commentary to the beamed coverage.
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Today's stage sounded viscous and there was a horrific crash within the last 3 km - clicky for the video (http://www.youtube.com/user/BTVSportchanal2009#play/uploads/1/lOEouq6rWiY).
One of the first riders in the bunch apparantly slipped away on a white line. The rest couldn't evade him or crashed while trying to.
Looks like the riders in 8th and 9th place (same team as 7th place rider, maybe, dark shirts with large horizontal white stripe) both slipped on different dark areas. Don't think they were near white lines. (Harder tyres than the other teams?)
Serious mayhem ensued!
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Did you see the Danish rider hit the parked truck ? awieee ouch ouch ...
I have now. Ouch ouch ouch ouch.* (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4xjhb07-9M&feature=channel)
Looks like the riders in 8th and 9th place (same team as 7th place rider, maybe, dark shirts with large horizontal white stripe) both slipped on different dark areas. Don't think they were near white lines. (Harder tyres than the other teams?)
Serious mayhem ensued!
I've watched that video a few times and I agree the crash began before they crossed the white line.
*The video comes with American commentary. Don't say I didn't warn you!
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Did you see the Danish rider hit the parked truck ? awieee ouch ouch ...
Its been played on BBC news a few time this morning
Just seen it. WTF? He just peeled off the peloton and hit a perfectly innocent tanker that was nowhere near in the way? Are they all on crazy belgian beer or something?
..d
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Did you see the Danish rider hit the parked truck ? awieee ouch ouch ...
Its been played on BBC news a few time this morning
Just seen it. WTF? He just peeled off the peloton and hit a perfectly innocent tanker that was nowhere near in the way? Are they all on crazy belgian beer or something?
..d
You lot don't look very hard do you? ;) I think this guy gets side-swiped by a team-mate whom he is half-wheeling*. OR at least swerves suddenly to avoid the impact.
Still a pretty bizarre crash!
(*Hope I've used the term correctly.)
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Another weird crash just before the finish:
YouTube - Another crash in accident filled Vuelta from Universal Sport (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgwpCvGGuhA)
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Another weird crash just before the finish:
YouTube - Another crash in accident filled Vuelta from Universal Sport (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgwpCvGGuhA)
OK, I give up. I can see a rider swerving off to the left mid-pack, but I can see NO reason why he did it!
It must be the Belgian Beer theory.
(PRo bike racing doesn't look so glamorous in these films, does it?)
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OK, I give up. I can see a rider swerving off to the left mid-pack, but I can see NO reason why he did it!
Another triumph for the Mavic R-SYS perhaps?
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The usual full bodied Australian whine. ::-)
STFUAJGOWI.
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The usual full bodied Australian whine. ::-)
STFUAJGOWI.
I assume that's native Aboriginal ;)
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I think he's suggesting that Cadel Evans ought to talk less and ride better.
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Ah, I hadn't seen that. However, it's not unsurprisingly considering some of the stuff that was in the interview I quoted previous, such as:
PEZ: What’s your role in the race?
Charly: The team is aware that I’m coming into this race maybe not at 100%, I didn’t expect to be riding so I’ll have to use the first week to ride myself in – I’m here to help Cadel but it’s really squeezing the last few drops of juice from the lemon, as far as my form goes.
PEZ: Is this your last race of the year?
Charly: I hope so! Perhaps I could enlist Pez readers to start a ‘Let Charly Have a Rest’ email campaign?
I spoke to Charly's mum yesterday and basically she said that he had nothing left in the tank after the Tour of Italy and the TdF. He was just completely drained and she wasn't surprised that he abandoned. He's gone to Finland for some rest.
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Clearly the Peloton were happy for the breakaway to succeed today, seeing as they came in 25 mins behind stage win Boom!
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The usual full bodied Australian whine. ::-)
He's still complaining... (http://www.velonews.com/article/97851/evans-puncture--probably-cost-me-the-win-of-the-vuelta-)
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you'd better call that whining.
He could have taken the rear wheel out himself, saving some seconds. He wasn't taking the bottle normally but holding it for quite a number of seconds while the car accellerated a bit. That was clearly visible. And he lost some time yesterday, couldn't follow the other main contenders. He simply was shot when he had his puncture, a fit rider will prepare his bike to the maximum before the mechanic arrives, he simply stood and waited.