Tour de San Luis **Spoilers**

frenchfighter
frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
edited January 2012 in Pro race
Tour de San Luis, whose seven stages cover 1051 kilometres from January 23 to 29, has attracted its strongest-ever field, headlined by five ProTour and seven Professional Continental squads. Also on the start list are six Continental squads plus national teams from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Parcours: 2 sprinter stages, 2 summit finishes, 1 TT and 2 for the breakaway specialists. Can't be beaten. Lovely scenery too.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-san-luis/preview

Startlist:
http://www.cyclingfever.com/editie.html ... d=MjMwNDQ=

Contador, Nibali, Nocentini, Boonen, Chavanel, Leipheimer, Visconti, Sella, Serpa, Pozzato, Rassmussen.

Really enjoyed this race last year. The South American riders are very aggressive.

viewtopic.php?f=40002&t=12753403&p=16723162&hilit=luis#p16723162

Note that the winner tested positive:

viewtopic.php?f=40002&t=12761977&p=16792683&hilit=luis#p16792683

Official site: http://www.tour-sanluis.com.ar/
Contador is the Greatest
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Comments

  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    167502_184673384887636_100000349274741_524479_2313793_n.jpg
    Contador is the Greatest
  • http://movistarteam.com//upload/files/2 ... sl_014.jpg

    Like Visconti's kit, though not quite as cool as last years effort

    edit stupid picture, I'll try and resize it
  • Doobz
    Doobz Posts: 2,800
    Photo finish,

    Aj305NvCMAEByOM.png:large

    Etapa 1: 1. Chichi(OPQ), 2. JJ Haedo (SAX), 3. M. Richeze (ARG), 4. Mansilla (CHI) 5. Casper (ALM), 7. Ventoux (MPG).
    cartoon.jpg
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Very nice shot over the valley.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • Doobz
    Doobz Posts: 2,800
    399828_10150476744680518_53115275517_9274339_938506845_n.jpg
    403316_10150476744875518_53115275517_9274341_811738548_n.jpg
    397139_10150479259120518_53115275517_9284342_1254689307_n.jpg
    cartoon.jpg
  • inseine
    inseine Posts: 5,786
    Nice to see Stefan Schumacher up there.




    Not
  • greeny12
    greeny12 Posts: 759
    Crikey! Rasmussen, Schumacher, Leipy, Sella.... think I'll give this one a wide berth.
    My cycle racing blog: http://cyclingapprentice.wordpress.com/

    If you live in or near Sussex, check this out:
    http://ontherivet.ning.com/
  • shinyhelmut
    shinyhelmut Posts: 1,364
    greeny12 wrote:
    Crikey! Rasmussen, Schumacher, Leipy, Sella Contador.... think I'll give this one a wide berth.

    ftfy :lol:
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Rain looks pretty crazy. Riders took shelter even.

    bettiniphoto_0096135_1_full_600.jpg
    bettiniphoto_0096136_1_full_600.jpg
    bettiniphoto_0096137_1_full_600.jpg
    Contador is the Greatest
  • Doobz
    Doobz Posts: 2,800
    Rain looks pretty crazy. Riders took shelter even.

    I believe it was one of the worst hailstorms that area has had in years..

    Quote below from velonation.com
    “Our Argentine therapist says that in the six years she has been involved in the Tour de San Luis, she never has experienced rain. And not hail, so it was totally unexpected that it would be so bad.”
    cartoon.jpg
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Any idea who won? I can't find much info apart from their twitter: twitter.com/TourSanLuis but don't understand
    Contador is the Greatest
  • archieboy
    archieboy Posts: 1,293
    Apparentley,
    1 Chichi
    2 Boonen
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    Tommeke cracking on with his 2nd places early this season then.
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • qxjas0.jpg
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,234
    Anyone see the sprint?

    Was this by design, or was Boonen not good enough for first?
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    He wouldn't race his team mate, esp as is early season and Chichi is likely lead sprinter in this Tour.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • It was confused. there are some videos here http://www.cyclingfans.com/tour-de-san-luis/videos
    Their plan A was Boonen, but Chicchi (reasonably) thought Boonen had dropped off in the approach to the finish, so raced for himself. But Boonen worked his way back onto his wheel and eventually came alongside him. Then they both pretended not to race each other side by side, and both thought they had won. Chicchi took it on the photo.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,234
    It'd be good to see Boonen properly clear up at these training races.

    When he cleans up he tends to have a good classics season.

    (correlation, not cause, of course)
  • calvjones
    calvjones Posts: 3,850
    It'd be good to see Boonen properly clear up at these training races.

    When he cleans up he tends to have a good classics season.

    (correlation, not cause, of course)

    He's going to have to start on a mountaintop finish then.

    [worldwithoutPip]

    This year might be his last best chance - I can see Radio-LeeOpard not giving a toss/having bedding in issues and Garmin doing their usual tactical masterclass, so as long as Tom can keep Chav in line internally...

    [/worldwithoutPip]
    ___________________

    Strava is not Zen.
  • Doobz
    Doobz Posts: 2,800
    Contador Wins!! Photo Comming
    cartoon.jpg
  • Doobz wrote:
    Contador Wins!! Photo Comming
    bettiniphoto_0096428_1_full_600.jpg
    Leipheimer riding in the shade again.
    Comming?
    Cue a Frenchie love spurt. (lightweight)
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • Doobz
    Doobz Posts: 2,800
    Doobz wrote:
    Contador Wins!! Photo Comming
    Leipheimer riding in the shade again.
    Comming?
    Cue a Frenchie love spurt. (lightweight)

    Decent result for Contador considering he is over his race (GT) weight

    Tour de San Luis - GC after stage 3:
    1. Alberto Contador (Team Saxo Bank)
    2. Levi Leipheimer (Omega Pharma - Quickstep) 00:04
    3. Stefan Schumacher (Christina Watches) 00:19
    4. Daniel Diaz (San Luis Somos Todos) 00:22
    5. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas - Cannondale) 00:36
    cartoon.jpg
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Brilliant stuff. The champion knows how to perform from the beginning of the season.

    Brilliant kit.

    "To tell the truth, I was better than I expected. I worked really hard; I accelerated until the finish. I was able to win by suffering and I'm very happy. It's a prize that I didn't expect."

    Levi - thought it was classic stuff....then see him here stringing them out:
    bettiniphoto_0096503_1_full_600.jpg

    Just noticed Guardini is riding. Hopefully he will show something.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,234
    SO tempting to draw conclusions about stuff from these races.


    Must. Resist. Must. Not. Take. As. Real. Racing. Only. Training.

    Gargh!
  • rich_pcp
    rich_pcp Posts: 113
    Does anyone know if Argentinian beef has the same clenbuterol issues as Mexican meat is supposed to?
  • Doobz
    Doobz Posts: 2,800
    Video of some of the stage footage and finish and podium

    http://youtu.be/_pakO0pr4VA
    cartoon.jpg
  • LeicesterLad
    LeicesterLad Posts: 3,908
    rich pcp wrote:
    Does anyone know if Argentinian beef has the same clenbuterol issues as Mexican meat is supposed to?

    Yawn...
  • cal_stewart
    cal_stewart Posts: 1,840
    just realised Christina Watches have the most evil line up since rock racing
    eating parmos since 1981

    Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Aero 09
    Cervelo P5 EPS
    www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13038799