Tour of California

Lichtblick

Tour of California starts today, some great names in there

Gilbert
Hushovd
Voigt
Schleck A
Chavanel
Van Garderen
SAGAN
and 151 more

HiCadence

Sagan probably to win most of the stages :P

thomthom

Such an awful, boring race.

tailwindhome

Havent looked at the route but i assume its 5 sprints and a climb

Fancy Deignan to do something. He won a stage race in Mexico last week hope thats a sign of good form

RichN95.

TailWindHome wrote:

Havent looked at the route but i assume its 5 sprints and a climb

Two stages with climbs and a TT with a climb - the rest sprinters stages although one will be with a reduced bunch.

I quite like this race but it has two problems - the big names are basically on holiday and the roads are too wide.

deejay

RichN95 wrote:

I quite like this race but it has two problems - the big names are basically on holiday and the roads are too wide.

So a walk in the park for Tejay Van Garderen and lots of stages for Cannondale, I would think.

Mad_Malx

RichN95 wrote:

I quite like this race but it has two problems - the big names are basically on holiday and the roads are too wide.

California has outstanding scenery, but all the roads can fit huge Winnibagos, so no twisty roads or killer granients. Also, I think the National Parks are forbidden from commercial activities (like pro bike racing), so having Half Dome as a backdrop isn't an option.

inkyfingers

Bet Wiggins is starting to wish Sky (and he) were riding this, rather than the Giro.

Route looks ok actually, TJVG should walk off with it. Would be good to see Schleck at least in the mix.

Richmond Racer

inkyfingers wrote:

Bet Wiggins is starting to wish Sky (and he) were riding this, rather than the Giro.

Route looks ok actually, TJVG should walk off with it. Would be good to see Schleck at least in the mix.

Guaranteed sunny days and dry roads? Yeah, I'm sure Wiggins at least wishes he was riding Cali instead of Rainy Descent Land.

If Tejay doesnt win this BMC should sell him to the Carrots.

mididoctors

the race is growing on me as it evolves

greasedscotsman

What's not to like? What else are you doing from 10pm at night?

blazing_saddles

A shame, but it looks like the wonderful tour tracker has no live video, until tv starts up, this year.
Well, at least not this evening.
It's going to be slow, though, with the reported temperature of 39C (101F)

Pross

I like the mountain stage, the road might be a bit wide but it's a serious climb by any definition. The other stages are a bit meh though and the time trial has been a farce in the past.

Paul 8v

Wonder how long Schleck can hold out for?

Loving the American football style motorbike rider, "It's goooood!"

blazing_saddles

Eurosport is live. 68kms to go.

For those without Eurosport:

http://tourtracker.amgentourofcalifornia.com/

With Phil and Paul. :P

magliaceleste

Don't care. Thankfully it's a different timezone so doesn't clash with anything worth watching.

ianbar

download the app, its pretty good. keeps you very much unto date and even gives you gradients they are doing

RonB

I like the way that the official site has Strava segments of parts of the route

jerry3571

Has this race been delayed by snow in the past?? I've been looking at nearby weather stations there and most are saying 35-40c. Bonkers hot!!
Shreck up there and I think Mancebo is gunning for his old form. Stupid Americans on the road though. :?

Wiggins would love these roads; dry, wide with almost no bends. Too hot for him though.

RonB

It has, which is why they are riding pretty much from South to North this year. Might avoid snow issues, we'll see later on. Downside is the heat for the european riders during the first few days as they acclimatise.