Olympic RR

NervexProf
NervexProf Posts: 4,202
edited August 2008 in Pro race
I read this bullish review of the US of A chances in the Olympic mens RR and wonder...can they pull it off?

http://tiny.cc/VyAXd

-or will the Spanish/Italian teams prove too strong?
Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom
«1

Comments

  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,549
    It's a vanity piece. Who from the US team is good enough to beat proven one day classics winners like Bettini, Valverde or Rebellin?

    Hincapie if he gets lucky? But even then the course is probably too tough for him. The rest are one day novices.
  • Arkibal
    Arkibal Posts: 850
    They are daydreaming.

    Unless something drastic happens, none of the US members have any change for a medal in the RR....

    TT is a different story though..
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    I wonder if the trade team links will play out - CSC have the most riders in the event with, I think, Columbia next.

    I could see the no-hoper countries for the RR (Sweden / Denmark / Switzerland) helping out their fellow CSC / Saxo team mates.
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • NervexProf
    NervexProf Posts: 4,202
    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 486888.ece

    I warm to Brailsford's comments re: Bellis and Swift - 'they are not scared....'
    Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    Bugger

    If there is a smog problem they may delay the mens RR until Sunday. This would not please me as I'll be away.
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • donrhummy
    donrhummy Posts: 2,329
    I would love the U.S. to place in this race but our only chances (barring a miracle) are Levi in the time trial and Taylor Phinney in track.

    BTW, did anyone else notice that Bettini has spent about 10 minutes (twice) hanging on to the team car for a conversation? LOL.

    Also, the smog is so bad that the arial views are useless. You can't even see where the cyclists are or any of the amazing historical sites. :x
  • hammerite
    hammerite Posts: 3,408
    edited August 2008
    Just in case...... http://live.cyclingnews.com/

    watching on the red button and it's a bit of a task to know what's happening with no sound or commentary*.

    Before anyone wanders in not wanting to know what's happening should this have a spoiler warning?




    *just realised that the mute button was on for some strange reason! :oops:
  • hammerite
    hammerite Posts: 3,408
    Feed zones look bad enough as it is in pro races, it's absolute mayhem with so many countries involved!
  • campagone
    campagone Posts: 270
    It's hard to watch without timing info on screen like you get on eurosport. What are the gaps between the groups, how far to go? Quite poor coverage actually, commentary is bearable though.
  • NervexProf
    NervexProf Posts: 4,202
    Live coverage here: http://tiny.cc/NuDNX
    Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom
  • NervexProf
    NervexProf Posts: 4,202
    Humidity is 90% - it's 'boil in the bag racing' !
    Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom
  • Nickodemus
    Nickodemus Posts: 94
    campagone wrote:
    It's hard to watch without timing info on screen like you get on eurosport. What are the gaps between the groups, how far to go? Quite poor coverage actually, commentary is bearable though.

    It is on, on eurosport, but there's still no data on the screen. Bit of a dull race to be honest.
    "Bite off more than you can chew, and chew like hell!!"
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    It's not dull - It's following the pattern of these kind of events, ie a race of attrition. The race will get harder and harder now shelling the weak riders and then the big boys will come out to play on the last lap. Serious attacks should start on the next lap.
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • Nickodemus
    Nickodemus Posts: 94
    Yeh i know you're right...i'm just nakered and and commentary (on eurosport at least) isn't exactly electric!!
    "Bite off more than you can chew, and chew like hell!!"
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    Nickodemus wrote:
    Yeh i know you're right...i'm just nakered and and commentary (on eurosport at least) isn't exactly electric!!

    I always find it best to watch first lap to see the course, go do something else and then come back at the end of the race :D
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    This is fantastic racing!

    Andy S! What a guy!
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • hammerite
    hammerite Posts: 3,408
    Yep, he's giving the others a test. Like the Olympic rings on his bike!
  • Odelay!
    Odelay! Posts: 58
    and that Luxembourg kit is ace
  • hammerite
    hammerite Posts: 3,408
    Odelay! wrote:
    and that Luxembourg kit is ace

    just said exactly the same to the Mrs, she's not too keen :D
  • Nickodemus
    Nickodemus Posts: 94
    I'll be gutted for Schleck if those two catch them and he doesn't medal!
    "Bite off more than you can chew, and chew like hell!!"
  • NervexProf
    NervexProf Posts: 4,202
    Here comes Cancellara !!!
    Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom
  • sing_for_absolution
    sing_for_absolution Posts: 1,908
    great finale. Cancellara was just :shock: haha.
  • hammerite
    hammerite Posts: 3,408
    Bummer for Schleck! Good warm up for the time trial in the last couple of km for Cancellara!!
  • ruswilks
    ruswilks Posts: 72
    Absolutely unbelievable last 5km for Cancellara! :o Hope he's not burnt himself out for the TT though.

    Well done to Sanchez, Spain seemed to be doing a lot of work when the group was all together so they certainly earned the gold.

    Hopefully Andy Schleck learned a valuable lesson from Rebellin today, Andy did way to much on the front while Rebellin was happy to just sit there!
  • iainf72
    iainf72 Posts: 15,784
    ruswilks wrote:

    Hopefully Andy Schleck learned a valuable lesson from Rebellin today, Andy did way to much on the front while Rebellin was happy to just sit there!

    He wanted to keep the group to 3 people so he'd medal that's why he worked so much. TinTin knew he could stand a chance in a sprint.
    Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.
  • sing_for_absolution
    sing_for_absolution Posts: 1,908
    iainf72 wrote:
    ruswilks wrote:

    Hopefully Andy Schleck learned a valuable lesson from Rebellin today, Andy did way to much on the front while Rebellin was happy to just sit there!

    He wanted to keep the group to 3 people so he'd medal that's why he worked so much. TinTin knew he could stand a chance in a sprint.

    Yup, which is why Schleck looked so concerned at Kolobnev/Rogers slowly coming back and Cancellara then bridging to them and eventually to his group.
  • Cumulonimbus
    Cumulonimbus Posts: 1,730
    Amazing acceleration from Cancellara. I think the three in front were partly to blame though as i think they slowed a bit. Interesting to see Botero come 7th.
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    Congrats to Sanchez and all other competitors - Andy Schleck again looked the most impressive rider in the whole race (as he did in the TDF), not a bad "achievement" in itself. He seemed to be able to attack at will (and with relative ease) when the going got really tough, and few if any could stay with him - very impressive.
  • LangerDan
    LangerDan Posts: 6,132
    Anyone else think Chinnys attack was solely to bring Kolobnev to the front group and increasing the chances of a Saxo - CSC win. Andy Schleck was always going to get worked over by riders like Rebellin and theres no way Cancellara was going to pull away from that lot on the final climb.

    Pity it all went to cr@p and CSC riders ended up 3rd, 4th and 5th out of 6 riders.
    'This week I 'ave been mostly been climbing like Basso - Shirley Basso.'
  • Moomaloid
    Moomaloid Posts: 2,040
    Gutted for Andy, dunno why the other two didn't pull more to keep it to 3 of them.

Categories