Tour de France 2012 (with SPOILERS)

[oldroadman]

I too am beginning to question Sagan's 'preparation'. On his two stage victories he's not even looked out of breath or even a mild sweat. Either he's a genetic freak or he's doped. All the other riders involved in the finishes (even EVB and Spartacus) have looked tired given the hard and very fast finishes and steep grades, but not Sagan. I smell something here. I would dearly love to believe he's THAT good, but to look that fresh at the end....hmmm.

Well as a stage winner he will be tested every time he wins, and any adverse results take up to 5 days so we shall see. Having watched his progress from last season, it's not a miracle jump, he has been getting steadily better, is only 22, and is still gaining strength. Who questioned Gilbert's wins last season?
It's a metter of form and progress, people have been asking the same about BW, his preparation with a modified and much harsher raining routine in the mountains has brought a big improvment, so unless anyone knows otherwise, Sagan may be in just the same spot. And remember he didn't see the front until 200 metres to go!
Saronni won a worlds back in 1982 in a very similar fashion, armchair ride to 300 metres to go, and bang! World Champ.

 

[oldroadman]

I just had a look at the current overall standings to see who's down that end of the field. Surprised to see Brice Feillu currently bringing up the rear but presumably he'll claw back a few places in the mountains. Marcel Kittel is just ahead of him and looks like a contender. Quite a few other Argos boys down there - six in the bottom 20 places, in fact.

d.

Kittel has "intestinal problems". code for D&V usually, or at least the D bit, which causes dehydration and weakness. He ain't been having a great time. But if he pulls through he'll be up there on the sprinters stages again.

 

[yello]

BW was with a small group who were impeded behind the fall, and under the rules get the same time as the group they were with, if inside the last 3km.

It took a while for the commissionaire to confirm it. On't tele, they posted the times of the first 10 riders, but not further and not the updated GC. It didn't help that I heard the commentator say 'Wiggins has lost time' but I admit it could easily have preceded by 'it is possible that' or somesuch! Or perhaps he was remarking on his time as he crossed the line... dunno... ....whatever, I must admit, I was getting concerned! Guess I'm getting into the cycling!

 

[Crackle]

Hectic finish with riders going straight on at turns and everyone bouncing off everyone, hard to keep track. Great effort by Chavanel, he clearly knew that finish but no chance of holding them off a they came up the last hill.

I'm not yet suspicious of Sagan but my jaundiced eye has turned towards him.

 

[raindog]

Who questioned Gilbert's wins last season?

don't you read The Clinic?

 

[smutchin]

Another thing to remember about Sagan is that he's not just about physical strength - he seems to be very tactically astute too, especially for someone so young and inexperienced. His win in stage one was as much about his tactics as his strength.

And looking fresh after the short, sharp hills of northern France (aka Belgium) is not at all the same as looking fresh after the Very Big Hills of southern France.

d.

 

[raindog]

I was really willing him on when he attacked. It was a great move but suicidal and didn't really have much chance of success. Shame.

d.

He won the French Champs a couple of years back on exactly the same roads and same finish, so he knew every hill and corner and the commentators suspected he'd have a good go at it today. Unfortunately the national championships can't be compared to a Tour stage with that rabid mass all after a stage win. Still, he tried.

 

[smutchin]

Broken tibia for Siutsou. Ouch.

d.

 

[lukesdad]

Another thing to remember about Sagan is that he's not just about physical strength - he seems to be very tactically astute too, especially for someone so young and inexperienced. His win in stage one was as much about his tactics as his strength.

And looking fresh after the short, sharp hills of northern France (aka Belgium) is not at all the same as looking fresh after the Very Big Hills of southern France.

d.

Compare the pictures of Sagan today and Cav yesterday. I think youll find Cav is rather more tactically astute than Sagan, one would assume similar exertions and drain on reserves would be required for both victories.

 

[smutchin]

Maybe I'm naive or over-optimistic but I'm holding on to the idea that Sagan is clean for now.

d.

 

[VamP]

Maybe I'm naive or over-optimistic but I'm holding on to the idea that Sagan is clean for now.

d.

Yep. Me too.

Also agree with you about the Chavanel move. Would have been beautiful if he'd brought it off though!

 

[Noodley]

Today's not-very-interesting fact is to do with the Yellow jersey.
The most riders to wear the yellow jersey in a single year is 8: 1958 and 1987
The least number of riders to wear the yellow jersey in a single year is 1: 1924,1928, 1935

 

[lukesdad]

Westra and Voeckler 8 mins back. Guess thats sorted out the Europcar quandry.

 

[PpPete]

Maybe I'm naive or over-optimistic but I'm holding on to the idea that Sagan is clean for now.

d.

Likewise... but then I held on to the belief that Lance was clean for longer than most.

 

[zizou]

Sagan had great results as a junior in mountain biking, cyclecross and road, he had great results when he first became a pro and is now having great results in his first tour. He's not come from nowhere to deliver unexpected victories, he is just living up to the promise and expectations that alot of people have had for him over the last 2 years or so.

It is a sad situation that people suspect doping immediately not based on any evidence or even innuendo but on him looking fresh. When putting in big efforts (in whatever sport) some people look like that, some grimmace and contort their faces...it isnt a good signifier of how hard they are pushing it.

Is Sagan an a__hole or is his attitude lost in translation? Reminds me of the riders who don't wave to you unless you have on a team kit and riding full carbon Perhaps LA is his role model Sagan is looking amazing none the less.

Apparently he is a really quiet, polite and unassuming person away from the bike

Don't forget the chase back on after the puncture, getting, through the peleton and finishing that fresh ?

Not sure if you saw it live or not but on the live footage it showed him getting towed most of the way back by the Katusha team car.