General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Maybe I'm missing something here ......... Rss Feed  
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2009-07-01 8:24 AM

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Cycling Guru
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Subject: Maybe I'm missing something here .........
But this year's course looks really weak!!

I just looked at the route on Cyclingnews much closer.  3 mountain top finishes and a whole bunch of flat stuff.  And not much TT time.

With the chance to have some really epic battles since there is no clear favorite, it would have made more sense to beef up the course more.

Did they just say, "Aw, screw it, let's just putz around until Mt. Ventoux and let that decide the winner!"  That seems to be the approach as there are hardly any HC climbs this year and it looks like they barely do anything in the Alps.

Disappointed ..........


2009-07-02 10:47 AM
in reply to: #2255268

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Master
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Loughborough, England
Subject: RE: Maybe I'm missing something here .........
I have to agree.  At first I though it looked a really interesting course but like you say, when you look at it properly there is very little to it.

The Tour will be won and lost on Ventoux so I can see a lot of the GC guys playing a waiting game, which will make for some boring racing.
2009-07-02 1:02 PM
in reply to: #2255268

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Master
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South of SLC
Subject: RE: Maybe I'm missing something here .........
I am stoked to see the speeds this year. Rick you have to agree that it will be sweet to see the peleton day after day smoking the course. I love the mountain stages, but the flats will be really cool this year.

I wish I could sit in on some of the team strategy sessions. Can you imagine the debates in the Astana Camp? No, Lance, you take the lead...It is alright Alberto, you go for it.

That would be cool.

Mike
2009-07-02 1:21 PM
in reply to: #2258728

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Cycling Guru
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Subject: RE: Maybe I'm missing something here .........
Yeah, it will probably be one of the fastest Tours on record.  Also, because of the route the majority of the sprinters should make it to Paris which will make the last stage interesting!
2009-07-02 9:03 PM
in reply to: #2258788

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Maybe I'm missing something here .........

Daremo - 2009-07-03 4:21 AM Yeah, it will probably be one of the fastest Tours on record.  Also, because of the route the majority of the sprinters should make it to Paris which will make the last stage interesting!

Would be good to have the Green jersey genuinely close and in contention up to the Champs!

But yeah Id like some more real serious mountain stages

Also... Im curious to see how the two stages that are being run WITHOUT radios playout... whether it makes the way those two flat stages play out any different...

Then again... I guess they can still drop back to the team cars...

2009-07-03 9:25 AM
in reply to: #2255268

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Master
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Subject: RE: Maybe I'm missing something here .........

Agree, to a point.  Most of the sprinters should be around come Stage 15, but this Stage and 16 & 17 - all contested in the Alps, with 4 Cat 1 climbs in Stage 17, could produce lots of carnage.

This said, agree with the post above that it would be great to see Green and some of the other sprinters make it to Paris and be in contention for GC.



2009-07-06 9:22 PM
in reply to: #2255268

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Expert
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St. Louis
Subject: RE: Maybe I'm missing something here .........
If the crosswinds hit again just like stage 3 (today) every flat stage could be interesting.  I remember last year CSC Saxo broke the pack into 6-7 groups because of the crosswinds.  Very fun to watch.
2009-07-07 12:22 AM
in reply to: #2259571

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Maybe I'm missing something here .........
kaqphin - 2009-07-02 10:03 PM

Also... Im curious to see how the two stages that are being run WITHOUT radios playout... whether it makes the way those two flat stages play out any different...

Then again... I guess they can still drop back to the team cars...



Which are the 2 stages that they're doing this for?

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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Maybe I'm missing something here ......... Rss Feed