TOB Stage 2 Spoiler *****

Pokerface

FWIW - Greg Henderson of Sky won the sprint from the break to take stage 2 of the Tour of Britain

frenchfighter

Porte seems to have been pretty active the last couple of days. Do you know how much time the break had on the peloton?

afx237vi

15 riders left in the GC after 2 stages...

http://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/_ns_resu ... e=2&page=5

Sinkewitz is in good form recently. The man to beat tomorrow, I reckon.

gsk82

jesus how did those time differences arise? would i be right in assuming that wiggins and thomas were in the break and did all the work before somehow ending over a minute down?

frenchfighter

That is absolutely ridiculous. How can this type of race be taken seriously when we have these kind of time gaps...

And why can't Wiggins finish in the top group......

gsk82

frenchfighter wrote:

That is absolutely ridiculous. How can this type of race be taken seriously when we have these kind of time gaps...

And why can't Wiggins finish in the top group......

its obviously been taken very seriously by the non uk teams :?

frenchfighter

Although, on reflection, I guess the main problem is the vast majority of teams were represented so no one was going to chase apart from those not represented and the either were not good enough or didn't have the motivation.

gsk82

no one from columbia but maybe greipel didnt fancy the monster climb into stoke city centre

frenchfighter

Ture HTC could have ridden and have the ability. Tony Martin is riding although he must not have form or desire as he was well back.

BlackdownBuzzard

frenchfighter wrote:

That is absolutely ridiculous. How can this type of race be taken seriously when we have these kind of time gaps...

And why can't Wiggins finish in the top group......

What on earth are you on about?

I'd be more concerned about a race with everyone finishing with the same times all the time. THAT isn't being taken seriously.

When there are time differences you know some racers are taking it seriously and hurting the rest of the peloton. You got it completely back to front. So what if only 15 riders are still in the GC? If more wanted to be in contention they should of ridden a better race.

As for Wiggins not finishing in the top group, why risk a four year contract worth millions for a bit of juice? It's obvious he's trying to race clean since he has been given a gold platter covered in £20 notes. Why risk that for the Tour of Britain?

RichN95.

frenchfighter wrote:

That is absolutely ridiculous. How can this type of race be taken seriously when we have these kind of time gaps...

And why can't Wiggins finish in the top group......

Because Wiggins and Thomas did loads of work chasing down attacks for Henderson.

Art Vandelay

Very picturesque - the climb of Hollinsclough Moor looked good.

afx237vi

Stoke looked nice too. A KFC and a McDonalds! Lovely.

Pross

FF Martin made the break of 18 but was one of 3 that got dropped. All main teams were represented hence the time gaps, not unusual in this type of race. Wiggo and G did massive turns in the last 5km to prevent attacks and then just rolled in. Not sure if it was a good tactic or not as they won the stage but lost 2 potential GC candidates in the process. Very tough finish tomorrow 25 to 30% cobbled climb. Will be watching on Black Mountain and hopefully get a few snaps. 2 Welsh riders in top 15 :-)

nickwill

BlackdownBuzzard wrote:

frenchfighter wrote:

That is absolutely ridiculous. How can this type of race be taken seriously when we have these kind of time gaps...

And why can't Wiggins finish in the top group......

What on earth are you on about?

I'd be more concerned about a race with everyone finishing with the same times all the time. THAT isn't being taken seriously.

When there are time differences you know some racers are taking it seriously and hurting the rest of the peloton. You got it completely back to front. So what if only 15 riders are still in the GC? If more wanted to be in contention they should have ridden a better race.

As for Wiggins not finishing in the top group, why risk a four year contract worth millions for a bit of juice? It's obvious he's trying to race clean since he has been given a gold platter covered in £20 notes. Why risk that for the Tour of Britain?

What a mean spirited baseless remark, If you'd watched the highlights you would have known that Wiggins and Thomas buried themselves for Henderson! If you are that cynical why do you bother following the sport.

BlackdownBuzzard

Nickwill wrote:

What a mean spirited baseless remark, If you'd watched the highlights you would have known that Wiggins and Thomas buried themselves for Henderson! If you are that cynical why do you bother following the sport.

I love Vinokourov and I cannot lie.

Knowing that cyclists dope is not the same thing as getting emotional over it. I don't see how it's cynical to state things as they are. I'm happy to say that cyclists dope and also to cheer them on. For me it's not a problem.

I'm trying to catch the highlights on itv player but it doesn't seem to of uploaded yet. Should be exciting viewing! I love breakaways.

frenchfighter

Pross wrote:

FF Martin made the break of 18 but was one of 3 that got dropped. All main teams were represented hence the time gaps, not unusual in this type of race. Wiggo and G did massive turns in the last 5km to prevent attacks and then just rolled in. Not sure if it was a good tactic or not as they won the stage but lost 2 potential GC candidates in the process. Very tough finish tomorrow 25 to 30% cobbled climb. Will be watching on Black Mountain and hopefully get a few snaps. 2 Welsh riders in top 15 :-)

Ah I see. That finish sounds unreal :shock:

cougie

We rode from cheshire down gun hill and looped round over some b@stard hard climb and onto the race route to come over the moor. It was a bit wet and wild up there - in hindsight we should have stayed on gun hill basking in the sun !

Then after they passed we followed their route.
The descent down the A road from the moor to gun hill was horrible - nasty sidewinds all the way - the peleton didn't have any probs though ! :-)

I think the moor was harder than gun hill - maybe due to the wind, but neither seemed to phase the pros at all...

Buckled_Rims

Did anyone else see the "headbut" at Wiggins near the end? When Wiggins pulled way from the front he seemed to block another rider who became annoyed and overtook on Wiggins left and then tried to head but him.

I only saw the action once but it looked quiet clear.

thamacdaddy

Pross wrote:

FF Martin made the break of 18 but was one of 3 that got dropped. All main teams were represented hence the time gaps, not unusual in this type of race. Wiggo and G did massive turns in the last 5km to prevent attacks and then just rolled in. Not sure if it was a good tactic or not as they won the stage but lost 2 potential GC candidates in the process. Very tough finish tomorrow 25 to 30% cobbled climb. Will be watching on Black Mountain and hopefully get a few snaps. 2 Welsh riders in top 15 :-)

Are you saying wiggins and thomas are now out of GC? Haven't they just helped reduce the amount in GC contention and kept themselves in it. Wiggins is only a minute or so off? I know its only a week long but out of that top 15 they have to be two of the favs.

RichN95.

thamacdaddy wrote:

Are you saying wiggins and thomas are now out of GC? Haven't they just helped reduce the amount in GC contention and kept themselves in it. Wiggins is only a minute or so off? I know its only a week long but out of that top 15 they have to be two of the favs.

The history of this race and the parcours suggests they aren't GC contenders. But as neither are on great form at the moment, I doubt Sky's tactic was to back either for GC. As long as they get Henderson up Constitution Hill OK, he should win now. And Geraint may be able to have a crack into Swansea.

cougie

Constitution hill is a bitch - it was bad enough driving up it - let alone cycling. Hope it doesn't rain for them or it will be carnage trying to get traction !

Percy Vera

What happened with Team Sky yesterday?

Phil Ligget Tweeted this:

Poor show by SKY after the ToB. Hnderson is not like that and they need publicity not bad PR


Have I missed something?

Kléber

Percy Vera wrote:

What happened with Team Sky yesterday?

Phil Ligget Tweeted this:

Poor show by SKY after the ToB. Hnderson is not like that and they need publicity not bad PR


Have I missed something?

They skipped the post race press conference, saying Henderson had a big day the next day. It might have something to do with the marathon transfers, riders are getting late to their hotels. Still, bouncing the local media is not good practice.

But of course Hendy is going to give exclusives to The Times and Sky News and other parts of the Murdoch empire.

DaveyL

Percy Vera wrote:

What happened with Team Sky yesterday?

Phil Ligget Tweeted this:

Poor show by SKY after the ToB. Hnderson is not like that and they need publicity not bad PR


Have I missed something?

I'm not sure this is a genuine communication from Ligget. I've read it several times, both forwards and backwards, and can't see the word "Lance".

Pross

thamacdaddy wrote:

Pross wrote:

FF Martin made the break of 18 but was one of 3 that got dropped. All main teams were represented hence the time gaps, not unusual in this type of race. Wiggo and G did massive turns in the last 5km to prevent attacks and then just rolled in. Not sure if it was a good tactic or not as they won the stage but lost 2 potential GC candidates in the process. Very tough finish tomorrow 25 to 30% cobbled climb. Will be watching on Black Mountain and hopefully get a few snaps. 2 Welsh riders in top 15 :-)

Are you saying wiggins and thomas are now out of GC? Haven't they just helped reduce the amount in GC contention and kept themselves in it. Wiggins is only a minute or so off? I know its only a week long but out of that top 15 they have to be two of the favs.

No, I'm saying that it will be harder for them than it would have been had they not done that work and finished in the same time as the others. Probably a calculated risk to get Henderson the stage and race lead but I'm not sure it was a risk they needed to take. They may have been better just chasing down any attacks that came rather than riding that hard to prevent them occuring? I thought Thomas may have been their man for the GC. Hopefully he'll get his chance in front of a home crowd today.

thegibdog

cougie wrote:

We rode from cheshire down gun hill and looped round over some b@stard hard climb and onto the race route to come over the moor. It was a bit wet and wild up there - in hindsight we should have stayed on gun hill basking in the sun !

Then after they passed we followed their route.
The descent down the A road from the moor to gun hill was horrible - nasty sidewinds all the way - the peloton didn't have any probs though ! :-)

I think the moor was harder than gun hill - maybe due to the wind, but neither seemed to phase the pros at all...

That descent was a nightmare, probably the most scared I've been on a bike since I first rode without stabilisers!

I rode down from Manchester and did the two climbs in preparation for the Tour Ride in a couple of weeks, have to say I found Gun Hill harder although I think the previous climbs had taken their toll. Also did Long Hill en route, what a great climb that is, I've never been on a hill so long with such a consistent gradient.

As far as the race goes obviously Sky weren't bothered about keeping Thomas and Wiggins in contention for the overall, I would've thought it'd have been good to keep them in there for backup in case Henderson blows though.

timturpinfleck

thegibdog wrote:

As far as the race goes obviously Sky weren't bothered about keeping Thomas and Wiggins in contention for the overall, I would've thought it'd have been good to keep them in there for backup in case Henderson blows though.

I agree it would have been much better for them to have stayed with the front group. If breakaways had merged they would have only got a few seconds, which is much better compared with being 2 minutes down for Thomas who finished 6th last year with a much smaller team in Barloworld. Thomas has to break away today to regain some of that time. Pity Downing missed the break as he would be better placed than Wiggins to win the overall having finished 5th last year with a much smaller team.

The home fans want to see a British team coming to their home tour to put a British rider in contention. I don't give a stuff whether Henderson wins, especially after the usual media unfriendly approach of our media-sponsored cycling team. Personally I'd prefer to see Richie Porte win than see a British team put all their efforts into placing a non-Brit on the podium.

nevman

watched the break go through Hollinsclough-it was obvious even then that Wiggo and G were burying themselves for Greg and good on them as they got the result.
Nothing but admiration for the way they savaged the peloton earlier on and shows the difference in class at the front of the field-chapeau to the Aussie as well for the solo break on Gun Hill,took b*lls to try that.

Tom Butcher

Well they got the stage into Stoke (they may have done anyway) but in terms of the GC it's not looking a good move now. [/quote]