longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 05/22/2022 08:51 PM |
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If today's stage started 80 km later, there would have been more racing. Stage racing has long been an ultramarathon event, which made sense when the GTs were tours around pretty large countries and transfers were not easy.
That's all irrelevant now beyond "we've always done it this way".
What if by reg the average stage had length had to be, say 125km?
Answer: Fireworks almost every day. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 05/23/2022 01:00 AM |
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| Lots of tired legs from previous day. Boras commentary on CN says it all. |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 05/24/2022 07:50 AM |
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What if by reg the average stage had length had to be, say 125km?
Answer: Fireworks almost every day.
I've had that opinion for years. After a stage was substantially shortened due to weather back in the Indurain days it was a full on race from the drop of the flag. Loads more exciting than usual. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 05/24/2022 09:44 AM |
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It baffles me that race organizers can't get past the idea of long, monstrous stages. History over the last 10-20 years has shown that shorter stages, with smaller, more frequent climbs leads to more exciting racing.
I honestly don't care who the "strongest" rider is....I want to see good racing. If a more tactical / strategic rider can then capitalize on it, I'm fine with that. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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6ix
Posts:485
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| 05/24/2022 09:59 AM |
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Second that, Dale! Agree with CK about shortening the stages in order to increase excitement. Let's face it, for the most part the first 3-4 hours of a Grand tour stage is a snoozefest.
I distinctly recall that stage Dale was talking about. Believe it was 1996 when Berzin was wearing yellow and the stage was shortened to something like 50km due to snow. This being a mountain stage, it was like a Pro/1 criterium right from the gun. Riis blew them all away, thus ending Indurain's quest of 6 straight wins. Honestly, kinda a sad day to see him struggling at the back with Zulle in tow. |
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79pmooney
Posts:3189
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| 05/24/2022 10:34 AM |
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The classic aged Italian cheeses sitting in GC 5th and 10th. Nibali and Valverde.
As much as you guys like the shorter, faster, more exciting stages, I like the length and really hard ones that allow great older riders to show their strength. (That said, I'll be glad when the last of the EPO riders is retired. I still wonder how much EPO permanently boosted the capacities of those who used more than small amounts of it.) |
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smokey52
Posts:498
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| 05/24/2022 10:47 PM |
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| Similar to other sports. In the NBA, the deciding plays are usually in the last two minutes which last an hour and a half with the ridiculous times-out and intentional fouls. |
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79pmooney
Posts:3189
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| 05/24/2022 11:01 PM |
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Posted By smokey 52 on 05/24/2022 10:47 PM
Similar to other sports. In the NBA, the deciding plays are usually in the last two minutes which last an hour and a half with the ridiculous times-out and intentional fouls.
Pro basketball - 5 quarters. The first 4 and the last two minutes. (Now the game that just happened only went 4 quarters but they did have a rain delay.)
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79pmooney
Posts:3189
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| 05/25/2022 09:42 AM |
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| Someone needs to tell Van de Poel he's not a climber. Seems he forgot that this morning. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 05/25/2022 09:51 AM |
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| The Giro social media team is getting scared LOL. Is there pineapple pizza in their future? Maybe not. Leemreize not only put VDP under pressure in descending now also uphill. Head is going down. That’s it for show I think. Meanwhile with Almeida dropped podium seems set. Just which order. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 05/25/2022 10:45 AM |
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| Looks like it will be Equador versus Australia for top step. That's pretty genius. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 05/25/2022 07:15 PM |
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Broken record here.
B O R I N G
Shorten the stages!
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 05/26/2022 09:36 AM |
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| Yesterday was awesome. The action was quite descent and a number of cyclists were photographed being handed pineapples by chefs and the general public. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 05/26/2022 10:30 AM |
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| Third win by DAF. Only one by VDP. Good team showing in Giro. |
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79pmooney
Posts:3189
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| 05/26/2022 10:58 AM |
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| I was rooting for Affini but De Bondt deserved it Think some teams are going to hear about not bringing that pesky little 4 man break back? |
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