Giro Stage 1 - Spoiler Thread

inkyfingers

Trying to explain to our guests this afternoon just why that was such an awesome sprint, they were like whatever, so i banged on about it anyway, then I drank some more.

petemadoc

inkyfingers wrote:

Trying to explain to our guests this afternoon just why that was such an awesome sprint, they were like whatever, so i banged on about it anyway, then I drank some more.

Aha, the old talking to friends about the intricacies of sprinting thing, or anything else to do with cycling for that matter. Everyone's taking an interest these days, until we start talking and they get bored...

ocdupalais

inkyfingers wrote:

Trying to explain to our guests this afternoon just why that was such an awesome sprint, they were like whatever, so i banged on about it anyway, then I drank some more.

Then did you sit there pretending to be interested about whatever it was they changed the subject to, whilst not really being able to think of anything other than Cav being brilliant in warm Italian sunshine?
Been there so many times!
Perhaps right now you're dredging up your favourite YouTube clips as they scramble for their coats and the door...?
Despite today's stage being largely a bit of a dull procession, it's set a few things up quite nicely and has possibly raised more questions than it's answered (in the non-GC area, anyway)...

I'm sure someone could do a good re-edit of some of Cav's wins (particularly sans lead-out) with some comedy sound effects from a Wile E Coyote Vs Roadrunner cartoon (old car horns and Swanee whistles, etc), or perhaps Foghorn Leghorn... Thought that was either stupid or cynical from Hondo.

rick_chasey

Just saw the overhead. Bosh!!

Different league to the others there.

Are we coming around to the idea that electronic shifting isn't reliable enough yet??

mroli

OPQS are on Sram though aren't they (as noted above)?

rick_chasey

Fair enough.

Take it back then.

It's a good lesson for manufacturers. The public need reliability even more than pros do. So sort it out!!

ddraver

No Rick, we re not...

joelsim

knedlicky wrote:

Joelsim wrote:

Cannondale tactics nearly got Viviani in, OPQ lead out train doesn't cut the mustard

I thought Cannondale were up front too far out, leaving Viviani on his own too early, so was a bit surprised, and glad, when he was still there at the finish. I expect they'll learn and improve. They did look strong, but need the right timing.

Will be interesting to see how they continue. They know Cav has the outright speed, maybe they feel that Viviani can stay in the red zone for a bit longer and that is the only way to beat that sudden burst of pace.

gpreeves

mroli wrote:

OPQS are on Sram though aren't they (as noted above)?

Yep, Sram Red according to the GCN video I watched yesterday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdpyKgxEjZA

Abdoujaparov

Pross wrote:

Did Bouhanni get relegated? I still can't work out why he was shoulder barging Blythe, it's not like he moved off his line and there was loads of road. Bernie may have gone a bit OTT but Bouhanni does look a bit of a liability.

He was being ironic - a reference to Renshaw in the Tour.

Impressive sprinting by Cav there.

petemadoc

Cav seems to suggest that Sram is to blame for the mechanical problems, well that's how I interpret the interview.

I'm sure I heard somewhere that one of the group sets is regarded as a bit cr4p by the peloton. Wonder which one that might be then.

ed_209

It seems bizarre that pros are getting held up by something as easy as gearshifting. Was there any comeback after Wiggins had his nightmare at Giro Trentino when gear problems dropped him from the lead group? I notice he's running mechanical Dura Ace on his timetrial bike today.

ddraver

He says "Gert had mechanical problems again, it's happened too many times this year..."

How in the name of all that's holy is that suggesting that SRAM is to blame?

above_the_cows

ed_209 wrote:

I notice he's running mechanical Dura Ace on his timetrial bike today.

He always uses mechanical shifters on his TT bike, it gives him extra length on the bars.

Abdoujaparov

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but how did Steegmans manage to ship his chain shifting up one gear? I could understand some issues shifting from the big chain ring to the small, but one sprocket?!

ms_tree

Macaloon wrote:

Sean Kelly sounding relaxed, engaged and positively loquacious. I'm enjoying this coverage immensely.

Have to agree. Perhaps it's because Declan asks Sean a question and gives him time to answer. Also asks his opinion etc. Really enjoying commentary thus far.

frenchfighter

Bouhanni did a great job in the sprint. I was all eyes on him the whole way and it was great viewing. Pretty boy Eisel should know that Nacer was a boxer.