Volta a Catalunya 2015 - General Thread ** Spoiler Tags Required **

dastardly00

Darkglasses wrote: »

GC - https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CA4DVU7VEAAG8g8.png

Good to see Dan in a good position already. Nico will be working for the team leaders presumably

Nico and Dan picked up some bonus seconds for the first intermediate sprint on Stage 1 yesterday. That's why they are so high up on the GC.

dastardly00

Darkglasses wrote: »

Could be just the job for Caleb Ewan

He came last today!

dastardly00

Here's hoping for some half-decent TV coverage today :rolleyes:



Here is Nico's diary.

MPFG

It was today into Girona that I meant Dan would win !!

Brian?

2 in a row for Valverde I reckon.

dastardly00

According to Nico's diary, Contador attacked yesterday on the final climb. But it wasn't steep enough to get away. He might try something again today.

neris

contador is saying he,ll try somthing on stage 4

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/volta-a-catalunya-shorts-contador-aims-to-bridge-gc-gap-in-the-mountains

blobbie

Crashes causing some big splits. 27km to go.

Astana, Saxo & Sky in lead group. Also some Garmin, Eurocar & AG2R. DM reported as being in lead group. Movistar & Valverde in chase group 30s back

neris

contadors shot up the road by the looks of it. time gaps be helpful on the tv

blobbie

This is a great wee climb with very select few - Aru, Pozzo, Contrador, Uran & Porte. DM dropped but still spinning behind them. 11kms down now and then 3 flat.

DM back on with 9km to go. 42s to chase group with Froome, Roland & Valverde.

neris

dans back on the front group and looks like the only one with a team mate in the group

MPFG

They need to let Contador do the work as he is strong and wants to make the time up.....Dan Martin did well to come back...fastest in front group?

blobbie

Chase group closing in. 3km to go. Pozzo sitting at back for a mugging

neris

feck it

neris

dan 3rd and 4th over all 2:20 back.

Brian?

Talansky blew that. He should have buried himself on the front for Dan. They were all looking at each other which made it too easy for Pozzovivo to jump away.Looks like Dan may not have won the sprint anyway though to be fair.

Esroh

WT rankings points are off to a good start. Hopefully this keeps up and our Worlds team might get a rider extra

buffalo

gah! Had Catalunya on in the corner of the screen at work, listening more than watching. Why would you read out the DVV results, you bastards!?

Leroy42

buffalo wrote: »

gah! Had Catalunya on in the corner of the screen at work, listening more than watching. Why would you read out the DVV results, you bastards!?

Well, if you paid more attention to your work that wouldn't have happened. Lesson in that for you!!!:D

dastardly00

Just watched the last 15km. Pozzovivo didn't do a tap in the lead group on the climb and the descent. He must have thought he won the lotto when he attacked on the flat with 2km to go and nobody followed. A bit of a cock-up by Cannondale-Garmin that they didn't get Talansky to close the gap immediately. Fair play to Pozzovivo though for getting his tactics spot on and taking his chance.

Is there any TV footage of Tejay van Garderens trip over the guardrail?

Borderfox

Pozzovivo did a "Valverde" Serious mistake by Talansky though.

On another note, the provider of the pictures are ****, barely any coverage and no time gaps.

happytramp

I'm not sure it was a mistake by Talansky. He'd been on the front for a good bit and maybe didn't have the legs? Also Dan must have been in bits from chasing back on on the climb and then having to chase like mad to get back on on the descent, I don't think today was his day to be honest. However he seems to be building form nicely for the Ardennes.

neris

Borderfox wrote: »

Pozzovivo did a "Valverde" Serious mistake by Talansky though.

On another note, the provider of the pictures are ****, barely any coverage and no time gaps.

theyre bloody rubbish for a race of that stature even the eurosport lads are giving out about and making comments

Lusk_Doyle

dastardly00 wrote: »

Just watched the last 15km. Pozzovivo didn't do a tap in the lead group on the climb and the descent. He must have thought he won the lotto when he attacked on the flat with 2km to go and nobody followed. A bit of a cock-up by Cannondale-Garmin that they didn't get Talansky to close the gap immediately. Fair play to Pozzovivo though for getting his tactics spot on and taking his chance.

Is there any TV footage of Tejay van Garderens trip over the guardrail?

None of his fellow break away members congratulated him after but were seen shaking hands with each other for the collective effort.

blobbie

neris wrote: »

theyre bloody rubbish for a race of that stature even the eurosport lads are giving out about and making comments

They better have it sorted for this afternoon.....

Brian?

blobbie wrote: »

They better have it sorted for this afternoon.....

They won't. It's almost hilarious how bad the coverage is every year.

letape

Brian? wrote: »

They won't. It's almost hilarious how bad the coverage is every year.

Coverage a couple of years back was even more laughable. They almost missed the finish on a few stages, just catching the back of riders as they crossed the finish line!

velo.2010

Saw the last 20 minutes or so yesterday, Regarding the coverage, it genuinely looked like they were using a smartphone or tablet to Skype the footage of the Valverde group as they chased the front group on the last climb. I suppose we should be thankful for any coverage!

Oh, and for the first time in quite some time, Froome looked somewhat 'heavy' on the bike.

dastardly00

It's the queen stage ..... can Pierre Rolland hang on?
Contador will definitely attack early.... but will he wait for the final climb?

TheBlaaMan

De Gendt has abandoned. Danielson up the road in a break with c6 minutes - hopefully there to help Dan Martin in the finale

Let hope we get pics after 2:30.....:(

MPFG

All hell breaking lose on second last climb ....Rolland and Froome already gone

blobbie

Looks a wee bit chilly

MPFG

Nico doing the biz on front of the peloton...Looks like just Poels & Porte left for SKY

Brian?

TV coverage playing a blinder with the time gaps again. FFS

How hard is it to stick the gap up beside the distance left?

dastardly00

Rolland hasn't managed to make it back to the leading group on the descent before the climb to La Molina. It looks like he'll be handing the jersey over at the end of the stage.

MPFG

Here goes Dan

dastardly00

Bertie has attacked

blobbie

Had a feed of beef. Porte on the chase - won't be easy.

dastardly00

Did Dan finish just behind Contador?

blobbie

Was that DM in 4th ??

Brian?

Brilliant win for Teejay.Great recovery by Porte. Thought Contador was going to blow them away in the last 2km, but just didn't have the legs today.

Brian?

blobbie wrote: »

Was that DM in 4th ??

yup

blobbie

Was indeed. Great effort to get the ST

pelevin

blobbie wrote: »

Had a feed of beef. Porte on the chase - won't be easy.

Do we have to have these stupid beef references?

MPFG

Fo rme GC is Porte or Dan....Dan needs to take soem bonus points on a rolling stage

pelevin

Form looking like it's kicking on perfectly for Dan. Sky & Porte might be starting to get hopeful for the Giro against Contador.

Dr. Bre

so what's the chances of the leader losing his jersey from now to finish?

MPFG

Dr. Bre wrote: »

so what's the chances of the leader losing his jersey from now to finish?

It will be hard to dislodge him alright but not impossible ...Porte or Dan are the only two contenders for me who can ...of the 2 the terrain is more suited to Dan

Dan needs the bonus points but Valverde is also very suited to the remaining terrain and will try and win the stages

Nico robbed Dan of a bonus second on Monday...will probably try and stop him taking more

Darkglasses

Dr. Bre wrote: »

so what's the chances of the leader losing his jersey from now to finish?

Not too good. Can't see De Clercq holding off the real killers like Porte, Contador, Martin or Uran. If one of them really wants to go for it, they'll take the 30/40 seconds off him easily.

Darkglasses

By the way, I'm not blind, I'm noticing it creeping in already, so let me give an early reminder - doping speculation, or even ever so subtle suggestions concerning doping are not acceptable on this forum.

Questions, pm me or read this thread. Either way, cut it out. Fair warning, they'll be deleted, and/or cards and bans awarded. No further in-thread warnings.