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benotti69

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[WT] Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #90 on: March 21, 2012, 18:13 »
Sean Yates on Sky website;

Quote
“Rigoberto, Xabi and Appollonio finished today and the other guys pulled out because of the cold. The race obviously finished at kilometre 155 and the commissaires said on the radio that a decision would be made this evening about what happens.

“I don’t think the result can stand for GC. They can’t say the finish is 10k up the road when the break has a 10 minute lead. The bus is still at the finish and there’s around a half a metre of snow and it has to come back down. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.

“The reason Bradley and Richie pulled out was because they were too cold to continue. They set out to get a result but they couldn’t keep warm enough. We’re in the dark as to whether they could start tomorrow. It’s a shame for us and everyone else that the conditions were such that they had to abandon the queen stage. The people who run the ski station said ‘you can’t come any further’ as it was too dangerous.

Not a good situation to be in at the end of a race and no bus. It seemed from the Video linked by bicing that riders were having to put on rain gear and cycle to somewhere......a mess.
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Dim

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #91 on: March 21, 2012, 18:41 »
Snow
Vc 12-3

mew

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #92 on: March 21, 2012, 18:45 »
jeebus that is a lot of wet snow!

what is forecast for next few days in that area??  guess I'll check the world's weather   :P

GreasyMonkey

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #93 on: March 21, 2012, 19:39 »
Forecast is for rain, with snow down to 1400 metres tomorrow AM. http://www.aemet.es/en/eltiempo/prediccion/municipios/camarasa-id25062

The riders will only be going up to 680 metres, so just wet & cold.

The wind is turning from the south tomorrow here in Miraflores, with temps forecast to go up to 17 or 18C on Friday to Sunday (at 1100 metres altitude), so I guess the weather will clear in Catalunya.

flicker2.0

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #94 on: March 21, 2012, 20:03 »
For a race of this type, the stage should have been cancelled before it started. Very dangerous, riding in cold fog, for a minor stage race, early in the season. Checking out the video, you can see how wasted the riders are, spread out, going slowly, plus look at all the DNFs.
Also check out how quickly the team cars are booking out of the finish, to take care of their riders. Protecting the safety and health of the athletes is of paramount significance.
A lot like the ToC stage one cancellation, a good call. Protect the athletes before spectacle, under all circumstances.

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #95 on: March 21, 2012, 21:25 »
It would appear from the GC posted on CN, that today's stage PLACINGS won't count towards GC either. With no itt or stage likely to generate timegaps, large swathes of the GC will be determined by stage placings on Monday's stage. Of course in a race with no boni seconds it always worth trying to place as high as possible on every stage, but it shouldn't determine the majority of the positions.

In the event they don't alter a stage to add some 'selectivity' perhaps a split stage with a short TT would be a sensble addition and add a small element of credibility.
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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #96 on: March 21, 2012, 22:14 »


In the event they don't alter a stage to add some 'selectivity' perhaps a split stage with a short TT would be a sensble addition and add a small element of credibility.

 I'm not sure how replacing today's big mtf, with a ITT would add any credibility, unless you mean by splitting the group currently at 1'32".
 Best case scenario would be to toughen up one of the remaining stages.

In any case,  the teams already had an idea that today might get scrubbed, yet still allowed a rider of Albasini's quality to ride off into the stage one sunset..........
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flicker2.0

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #97 on: March 21, 2012, 22:22 »
They could also throw everyones name in a hat and pik-o-winner.

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #98 on: March 21, 2012, 23:46 »
For a race of this type, the stage should have been cancelled before it started. Very dangerous, riding in cold fog, for a minor stage race, early in the season. Checking out the video, you can see how wasted the riders are, spread out, going slowly, plus look at all the DNFs.
Also check out how quickly the team cars are booking out of the finish, to take care of their riders. Protecting the safety and health of the athletes is of paramount significance.
A lot like the ToC stage one cancellation, a good call. Protect the athletes before spectacle, under all circumstances.

absolutely

Dim

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #99 on: March 21, 2012, 23:57 »
the rumour is that one of the later stages will be adjusted to include a mtf, but who knows. Green eggs to win their second World Tour race of the year.

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #100 on: March 22, 2012, 01:16 »
I'm not sure how replacing today's big mtf, with a ITT would add any credibility, unless you mean by splitting the group currently at 1'32".
 Best case scenario would be to toughen up one of the remaining stages.

In any case,  the teams already had an idea that today might get scrubbed, yet still allowed a rider of Albasini's quality to ride off into the stage one sunset..........

Indeed I was talking about splitting the 27 riders on 1.32, and agree that a toughening up of a stage would be most beneficial to the credibility of the race.  However it wouldn't be the first time I/we would end up being disappointed by a) rumours not coming true or b) race organisers not finding the best case scenario.

Perhaps if Ventoso had been in the Movistar team (or indeed the race incentivised teams bringing more sprinters) there would have been more urgency in the chase.  But again you're right #pelofail on stage 1.

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #101 on: March 22, 2012, 04:07 »
If the stage and results were cancelled and loads of riders were DNF'ing because of these conditions, shouldn't those that did DNF be allowed to race tomorrow/today?

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #102 on: March 22, 2012, 07:35 »
Roche tweeted this picture this morning...
https://twitter.com/#!/nicholasroche/status/182720766670938113/photo/1/large

and followed up with this; "At this stage we have no idea on how to get to the start of race. And question n•2 is there a race today?"

pee up.  Brewery etc...
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DinZ

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #103 on: March 22, 2012, 07:40 »
Just chaos. Roche saying he does not even know if they are racing today

Timmy Duggan has obviously gone home then finding out he may be able to race

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #105 on: March 22, 2012, 08:47 »
Roche Update

https://twitter.com/#!/nicholasroche/status/182746978327855104/photo/1/large
How do you think this will affect the later campaigns of Basso Menchov Schleck JvdB Hesjedal etc.? Couldn't be going well for them! I particularly note Basso, who's been looking horrible in all his races so far and the Giro is not far away.
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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #107 on: March 22, 2012, 08:52 »
If the stage and results were cancelled and loads of riders were DNF'ing because of these conditions, shouldn't those that did DNF be allowed to race tomorrow/today?

The result stands, but the time gaps were annulled, presumably due to the fact that the decision, when it was made, meant that the breakaway could not be caught.

Those who DNF had climbed off and failed to cross the new finishing line.

Let them back in and you might end up with the GC being won by a guy who had ridden less kms and one less climb than the rest.

Now it seems there biggest headache is to get to today's start.

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #108 on: March 22, 2012, 08:59 »
Time gaps today wont count apparently which is probably the right decision.

You cant give the peloton 10 km warning that you are chopping 60km off the stage. What should have happened is decision made before the race. Organisers messed up.
:fp

how can it be the right decision? They had 8 minutes with 50km to go. The winner of the GC was in that group. And then they suddenly decide to annul the time gaps. GreenEdge gets rewarded for doing nothing or being weak. That's ridicolous.

Then they should have annuled the time gap of Albasini as well. After all, the big gc men wouldn't let him go if they knew the mountain stage would be cancelled.
Either you do something right or you don't do something at all.
The way it is now, the leaders of yesterday rode for nothing.

Unfair.

DinZ

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #109 on: March 22, 2012, 09:04 »
:fp

how can it be the right decision? They had 8 minutes with 50km to go. The winner of the GC was in that group. And then they suddenly decide to annul the time gaps. GreenEdge gets rewarded for doing nothing or being weak. That's ridicolous.

Then they should have annuled the time gap of Albasini as well. After all, the big gc men wouldn't let him go if they knew the mountain stage would be cancelled.
Either you do something right or you don't do something at all.
The way it is now, the leaders of yesterday rode for nothing.

Unfair.

Sounds like a mess. think the teams are taking advantage of the fact that the decision was made too late. but it was a big break (12 i think) so going to be very hard to pull back. shame that such a nice race is suffering

ram

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #110 on: March 22, 2012, 09:09 »
Not going to help them in the long run is such haphazard organisation.

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Mellow Velo

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #112 on: March 22, 2012, 09:40 »
:fp

how can it be the right decision? They had 8 minutes with 50km to go. The winner of the GC was in that group. And then they suddenly decide to annul the time gaps. GreenEdge gets rewarded for doing nothing or being weak. That's ridicolous.

Then they should have annuled the time gap of Albasini as well. After all, the big gc men wouldn't let him go if they knew the mountain stage would be cancelled.
Either you do something right or you don't do something at all.
The way it is now, the leaders of yesterday rode for nothing.

Unfair.

 It's not unheard of though, is it?
I was watching stage 11 of the 2008 Giro on Monday. It rained, it was a cobbled finish. That's exactly what they did. Sprint for the win-no time gaps. Same again in the Year of Our Lance -twice. The Milan crit?

Of course, you position has nothing to do with a certain Mr Kruijswijk being up there? ;)

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #113 on: March 22, 2012, 09:55 »
It's not unheard of though, is it?
I was watching stage 11 of the 2008 Giro on Monday. It rained, it was a cobbled finish. That's exactly what they did. Sprint for the win-no time gaps. Same again in the Year of Our Lance -twice. The Milan crit?

Of course, you position has nothing to do with a certain Mr Kruijswijk being up there? ;)
Kruijswijk shouted "El Paso" as he crossed the finish line, which is the trigger for DT to make a fuss about something. Don't think DT realises though, that the shout was because he didn't know there was a finish line (that's a #rabofail).

The complaining is for nothing though, because Janez Brajkovic would have won the GC if the gaps were included.

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #114 on: March 22, 2012, 10:04 »
But the point is that they peloton were riding thinking the stage was at the normal finish - then they get told its going to get shortened - with 20km to go. So how is it fair on the whole peloton that the break was allowed to win with such a time gap?

There's always going to be losers in this sort of situation, you just have to go with the most objective and fair for the majority, decision.

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #115 on: March 22, 2012, 10:30 »
http://c-cycling.blogspot.se/2012/03/no-luck-for-team-saxo-bank.html

todays stage - (0 km) Bon dia. Avui etapa de 199 km entre Tremp i Ascó. Amb 3 ports de muntanya de 2ª cat. Esperem que el dia acompany... #voltacatalunya

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #116 on: March 22, 2012, 10:52 »
http://c-cycling.blogspot.se/2012/03/no-luck-for-team-saxo-bank.html

todays stage - (0 km) Bon dia. Avui etapa de 199 km entre Tremp i Ascó. Amb 3 ports de muntanya de 2ª cat. Esperem que el dia acompany... #voltacatalunya

The day after a very long day, the Volta a Catalunya resumes today started with the dispute of the fourth stage, again a long journey of 199 kilometers, and the double pass through the Coll I Paumeres (2 nd), 8 , 6 km / 5.6% at the end of travel. The final climb is only 18 kilometers from the finish line.

With Michael Albasini leader, the decision of judges to disregard the time of the stage, the stage will begin at 12:30 and end by around 5 pm. One day more, you can follow BiciCiclismo Online.

Step 4: Tremp-Ascó "The Vostra energy", 199 kms.
km Alt Fontllonga 27.8 (2 nd)
Km Coll I Paumeres 150 (2 nd)
Km Coll I Paumeres 179.8 (2 nd)

The fourth stage between Tremp and Ascó and 199 km, has all the numbers to decide on a breakaway. The two final climbs to coll I Paumeres decide the winner. In Ascó have gained in recent years Pierrick Fedrigo and Jens Voigt, two runners with similar characteristics and the most militant in the international peloton.

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #117 on: March 22, 2012, 10:56 »
Seems it is the original stage



but your guess is as good as mine

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #118 on: March 22, 2012, 11:11 »
Kruijswijk shouted "El Paso" as he crossed the finish line, which is the trigger for DT to make a fuss about something. Don't think DT realises though, that the shout was because he didn't know there was a finish line (that's a #rabofail).


Very funny, sir. ;D

And possibly not far off the mark. ;)
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mc_mountain

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Re: Volta Catalunya - 19th to 25th March
« Reply #119 on: March 22, 2012, 11:33 »
Kruijswijk shouted "El Paso" as he crossed the finish line, which is the trigger for DT to make a fuss about something. Don't think DT realises though, that the shout was because he didn't know there was a finish line (that's a #rabofail).

The complaining is for nothing though, because Janez Brajkovic would have won the GC if the gaps were included.

Brajkovic was further down on GC after stage 2 (in the group at @ 51secs on the stage), top 3 decided on countback would be  Cherel, Carrara, and Kruiswijk - in that order at present by my reckoning.

Is there some merit in creating a contrived time gap that mitigates the argument from the 'peloton' that 'we'd have closed the gap if the stage had gone the distance' but still rewarding the breakaway (not suggesting this will actually happen but interested in people's views) - you could give y'day's breakers 1.32 and suddenly you still have a race for GC.  Are there any precedents for this?
« Last Edit: March 22, 2012, 12:42 by mc_mountain »

 

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