Romandie Stage 5 **Spoiler**

dave milne

Blazing Saddles wrote:

Mind you, did I hear a backhanded swipe at USPS/Disco being "medically enhanced" for the Tour? I think I did.
So, why would that leopard have changed it's spots, Mr H, seeing that we now have old geezers riping the legs off the field?

yep I heard it too. Really enjoyed yesterday's stage, the descent at the end was quality, looked really tricky

greasedscotsman

frenchfighter wrote:

This debate comes up often and I am not going to continue it again. I don't lie it when riders so that, simple as that. As for Valverde in Liege, look at the replay, he did his turns, maybe not as much as Gilbert (who was arguably more motivated not having won it twice already like Valverde). He also led out the last 500m or so (slow) then won the sprint. VERY different to Anton.

So why was Gilbert waving at Valverde to come through at the bottom of the Cote de st Nicolas? Valverde was missing turns hoping the other two would take him back to Vino and Kolobnev so he could then win from a sprint. Up to him if wants to do that and then up to the other riders he's with to attack him if their not happy about it. Didn't look like Valverde, Spilak or Menchov were really bothered.

I don't have a problem with either Valverde or Anton sitting on or missing turns, I've even done it myself in a few "chippers". Missed turns on the last lap in one race and won the sprint! Don't think any of the other riders even noticed. Suppose you don't like me now. But we'll never know as you won't be posting on this subject any more

shockedsoshocked

greasedscotsman wrote:

frenchfighter wrote:

Glad Anton didn't knick the win - he didn't take any pulls for at least the last 8km then tries to jump and take the win - not very admirable riding. Valverde and Menchov doing the lion's share:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2eOje5FqDc

Bit like Valvderde sat on Gilbert and Evans at Liege then? Valverde, Menchov and Spilak were going for GC placings, Anton can sit on for the stage win if he wants, it's up to the other riders in the break to do something about it if they're not happy...

As a team mate (very successful may I add) who was notorious for sitting on told me:- "It's my job to win, it's their job to drop me".

At the end of the day the bloke who gets across the line first wins. Doesn't matter how they get there.

blazing_saddles

Anton didn't deserve the win, having done all the attacking on the climb?
It's lucky that Frenchie doesn't fan worship, or he might lose his perspective. :roll:

Is he really that much of a misty eyed poster boy, or just a troll?

frenchfighter

As I said previously I am not in agreement with most people's attitude of 'win at all costs' or 'win anyway you can'. I am much more interested in riders winning, or even not winning but trying, in a respectable way. I wouldn't get all worked up because your opinion of this is different to mine.

FransJacques

Rogers didn't really stand a chance but I was hoping he could have held on. Did his crash in the 07 (06?) Tour end his only chance of a top 10 in the Tour? I used to think No but now am not so sure.

Well done on Valverde, yes he has a somewhat dark could over him but I reckon that history will remember him well as one of the winningest most versatile riders of the 2000s. He can sprint climb and TT like few others.

Kléber

Anton attacked but couldn't stay clear but put in a big effort to pull out a lead on Valverde and others. But once caught, he knew Valverde was desperate to win the GC. So it made sense to sit on, working would have brought nothing especially since he can't sprint.

But a lousy sprint, leading from the front, tut tut.

greasedscotsman

frenchfighter wrote:

As I said previously I am not in agreement with most people's attitude of 'win at all costs' or 'win anyway you can'. I am much more interested in riders winning, or even not winning but trying, in a respectable way. I wouldn't get all worked up because your opinion of this is different to mine.

Who's getting worked up? Not me, although I am very sad, you might like my funky sock/shoe combo, but not the way I race...

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... &start=100

Anyway, thought you weren't posting on the subject anymore

RichN95.

FransJacques wrote:

Rogers didn't really stand a chance but I was hoping he could have held on. Did his crash in the 07 (06?) Tour end his only chance of a top 10 in the Tour? I used to think No but now am not so sure.

He'd already been in the TopTen by then. He finished 9th in 2006.

disgruntledgoat

Hang Valverde winning whilst he should be banned... Stuff Anton not taking his turn... Valverde should be ejected for racing in leg warmers. Mick Rogers got his just desserts for that.

avoidingmyphd

FF you have weird priorities.You applaud the winner even though his blood was found in a bag (which is cheating) and you moan about Anton's tactics (which are racing).

Do you really prefer cheating to racing?

Pross

So let me get this right - if you are racing and in a break with a rider who has a renowned sprint and there is no chance of being caught from behind you would expect a rider to keep pulling through and gracefully watch the other rider sprint past? Even in the event that you have made a concerted effort to get away from this rider in your own strongest environment (and led to an increase in pace behind which has seen of the said rider's main contender for the overall) you haven't earned the chance to sit in and try to win for yourself? :roll: