Cycling

Lost it just as quickly, although it was to be expected.

Seems like the podium challengers were decided yesterday. Aru, Contador and Porte in good form.

Would've been nice if Chaves held on for a fourth overall classification leader for greenedge. Can't think of too many teams to have done that (maybe in some of the farcical early Tours with 10-11 TTTs)

Contador says he will carry on despite a dislocated shoulder suffered in a mass sprint for the line. Brave words but i can't see it with half the race to go. Another rider came off far worse.
Just watch the vision:

http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/article/2015/05/15/contador-soldier-despite-dislocated-shoulder

Well, Dirty Bertie made it through today's stage... might be a few tougher ones for him over the next couple of weeks though.

Remember Tyler Hamilton finishing in the top 10 of the Tour de France riding most of it with a broken collarbone... he was doping though, wouldn't happen these days would it?

Quite possibly Contador and his team being their usual drama queens unlike Hamilton. Not like it would be the first for him, did it just last year with his broken knee at the tour that would keep him out of racing.... only to win the Vuelta.

Definitely a drama queen. No sign of difficulty at all. Snoozefest of a mountain stage.

tricycle wrote:Definitely a drama queen. No sign of difficulty at all. Snoozefest of a mountain stage.

Aye. All the commentators were of the opinion that Contador was milking the bad arm.

Interesting stage today/nite. Could be a good stage for Porte to grab some time back. He looked untroubled yesterday.

Was looking forward to this stage. Usually produces some fine racing.

As it is, yesterday's winner Inxausti was dropped in the first hour of racing. Been a furious pace so far.

Good stage and a good start to the race. Astana are about as believable as.... Astana. But they've lit up the race, to be fair.

Contador 3 seconds ahead of Ari and 22 ahead of Porte.

The sprinters will be at the forefront today:

Bad luck for Porte. A puncture with just 5km to go has cost him big time. He's going to have to put in an incredible time trial to get back in the running.

Bye bye Richie Porte. He can't complain about his 2 minute penalty as a standalone, harsh as it may be. The rules explicitly state that riders cannot receive assistance from another team's riders.

But it has to be enforced properly. Lotto's Gianni Meersman received no penalty despite receiving a wheel from Sky just 10 days ago. Utter shambles by the UCI referees. And just to add to that, in the paris Roubaix, there should have been around 40 DQs for crossing a closed level crossing (which has resulted in DQs in the past).

Funny though
https://twitter.com/giroditalia/status/600704412940685312

tricycle wrote:Bye bye Richie Porte. He can't complain about his 2 minute penalty as a standalone, harsh as it may be. The rules explicitly state that riders cannot receive assistance from another team's riders..

how about sanctions for the guy that helps? otherwise could be used as a dirty way of getting someone out of contention

He's also sanctioned. In this case it was Simon Clarke. But inter team help is fairly common, as mentioned with Meersman (Quickstep, not Lotto), it happened in this very race. Heck, in days past, teams could be bought for a day's help if so necessary.

and what did they pay the officials to have then give the right rulings?

Well, a paid holiday for Hein Verbruggen and a few more kickbacks were enough to bribe get a spot for a specific discipline of cycling into the Olympics.

Compared to the toughness on drugs in comparison to other sports these days, nobody gave a shit about doping/cheating previously. Theunisse was given a grand 10 minute penalty for testing positive for testosterone in the '88 Tour.

Aru takes the Pink after Contador & Porte were caught up in a crash. Porte came off worst & lost more ground. It will almost be impossible for him to come back now.

Contador back in pink after the TT. Porte lost even more ground with a poor run. Would'nt be suprised if Sky pull him from the rest of the race to rest up to support Froome in the TdF
Another stage that should consolidate Contador today. He looks unstoppable.

I think this race has shown the difference between Porte and Evans. Evans lost a minute or more to a mechanical in the 2009 Vuelta which Valverde won and the time lost due to the neutral service mechanics' incompetence. He still finished third.

Porte otoh is already supposedly thinking of the Tour and given up on the GC in this race. Konig proving sky's safest Giro pick.

FWIW, Landa won tonight. Contador strengthened his hold on the GC.

As expected, Porte withdraws citing injuries from his crash...Hmmmm.
Aru is also struggling leaving Contador in charge. One would think only an accident will prevent him winning now.

Big Dog wrote: Contador in charge. One would think only an accident drug test will prevent him winning now.

fixed

Is Bertie taking on Le Tour this year? Not many seem to seriously contend in Italy and France back-to-back these days, and presumably Froome and Nibbly will be turning up there with fresh legs. I know someone (Tinkoff?) was promoting a prize for the three Grand Tours combined so maybe he will have a genuine crack at that?

He is, but I'm writing it off as a pipe dream after tonight's performance. First time I've seen him so comprehensively blown to pieces on a mountain stage of a grand tour.

Astana's tactics were crazy. With Contador's last two days, they could've easily challenged him if they backed Landa. Instead, by not backing him they lost a crack at the win and the mountains jersey.

Quintana's going to be a massive threat at the Tour too. Without any meaningful TT this year, may even give him a very slight edge over Froome.

tricycle wrote:He is, but I'm writing it off as a pipe dream after tonight's performance. First time I've seen him so comprehensively blown to pieces on a mountain stage of a grand tour.

Astana's tactics were crazy. With Contador's last two days, they could've easily challenged him if they backed Landa. Instead, by not backing him they lost a crack at the win and the mountains jersey.

Quintana's going to be a massive threat at the Tour too. Without any meaningful TT this year, may even give him a very slight edge over Froome.

Aye. All the commentators were critical of their lack of gumption. Did'nt seem to be much communication between the riders & their team manager.
Great ride by Aru to take back to back stages. We should see him in the TDF team as backup for Nibali.

Critérium du Dauphiné kicks off tonite with no clear favorite but Valverde, Nibali & Froome & maybe TeeJay are certain to be in the mix.