Volta a Catalunya *spoilers*

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I suppose it would be ridiculous to consider the broadcasting when designing key points in a race?

Or placing the camera to consider the course.

 

[SWSteve]

Or placing the camera to consider the course.

It looks like it's pretty closed in, and this is the best spot for the camera to provide a continuous shot of the end of the race, which is also undulating, if the camera was placed any lower it may not have been able to capture the final 700m/1km. Static cameras are few and far between.

The reason I said about moving the finish line is because that may have been the easiest way to achieve the best results for the viewer at home, and also for the sponsors, both of the race and the teams, to get maximum coverage on the first stage's winner.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

The camera was poorly sited. That's really the rub of it. You'd be as well telling them not to go up hills and round corners, or to slow down a touch.

 

[Crackle]

I think it was the banner by a flutter.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

After he won the Handzame Classic, I had a look at Mezgec's palmares... because I had this feeling I'd seen him there and thereabouts but couldn't quite recall where - then I realized he had absolutely blatted the Tour of Qinghai Lake in 2012 - 5 stages from almost nowhere. This is a difficult race, at altitude, and often with extreme temperatures. Last year, his only win came at the Tour of Beijing but he was competitive all year, and I had totally forgotten that he was on the podium 3 times in the Giro (albeit 3rd each time).

 

[Flying_Monkey]

The Inner Ring also commented on the second place for Julian Alaphilippe - he's one of this season's most interesting neo-pro's along with the Yates brothers, and he managed to get 2nd yesterday despite not really being a sprinter - he's far more of an all-rounder / climber. I can't think that he or his team would seriously imagine he can win this race, but it's an amazing start and he does look a really exciting prospect.

 

[Strathlubnaig]

An interesting race, I always prefer the stage races without ITTs that allow someone to build up a GC lead that they can sit on for 5 days to win. Everybody works in this one.

 

[smutchin]

I had totally forgotten that he was on the podium 3 times in the Giro (albeit 3rd each time).

Ah, that's probably why the name seemed vaguely familiar to me. But only vaguely.

 

[rich p]

Richie Porte's prep for the Giro isn't going to plan with another withdrawal through sickness.

 

[rich p]

...filthy weather in Spain with the riders well wrapped up apart from Josh Edmondsen doing a long pull on the front wearing a short sleeved jersey and no gloves, rain jacket, gilet or arm-warmers . Tough kid.

 

[thom]

Mezgec again - somewhat cunning in the sprint there - chapeau

 

[Crackle]

Mezgec, there's something about that name, it's a trifle Bond villain like. That's the only thing I have to add: Thank you.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Not bad for the team's 3rd sprinter...

 

[rich p]

It looks like Orica have found a handy replacement for Goss. Howard is equally as good at almost winning.

 

[thom]

Mezgec, there's something about that name, it's a trifle Bond villain like. That's the only thing I have to add: Thank you.

It just reminds me of north african sausage - not sure of the pronunciation though