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Tour de Pologne 2013 (July 27 - August 3)
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| admirschleck |
Posted on 28-07-2013 16:35
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ruben wrote:
Also, has nothing to do with Poland, but with the UCI commissars in this race. And they don't come from Poland. Also the rules were not invented by the Polish organisers, but the UCI
So...all the people can stop crying about Poland and Polish chauvinism. As all this comes down to is really the UCI and the UCI dudes fucking up.
Well said ruben, well said.
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| issoisso |
Posted on 28-07-2013 18:07
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But we can still laugh at the Polish, right?
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| carmelobymelo |
Posted on 28-07-2013 18:10
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Domestique
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All that shitty broadcast is Polish tv fault but it's nothing new, would be a surprise if they would do something that we can actually watch and enjoy.
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 29-07-2013 15:14
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I see Henao's amazing high base fitness level already showed, he'll be ready for Vuelta big time.
Ullissi and Atapuma surprised me on first stage a bit, but then they already faded on the next stage.. Riblon seems to have taken another epic stage. He has few in his collection by now.
GC is looking very open and especially as there's no amazing TT'er in that group of 12 within 1 minute of each other.
However there's still time to be made on possibly stage 5 and definitely on stage 6, so few contenders might falter.
Great to see Majka leading the race, absolutely great in this race, although doubt he'll hang on to win it.
If nothing major occurs, Izzaguire might be the favoruite right now, and will be hoping that Riblon will be dropped on stage 6 as he could be his biggest threat.
Than the rest of the favoruites have similar TT, Henao's ITT this year has been to very good standard, and it could be battle between him and Majka for the 3rd in GC, that is if Riblon and Izzaguire stay in contention, as clearly Henao and Majka are the two best climbers in the race, looking from the results that is.
P.S. Just saw Kangert in the results, could be a potential threat too, although more doubtful. Great to see Weening doing so well as well.
Edited by Alakagom on 29-07-2013 15:17
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| Hazard10 |
Posted on 29-07-2013 16:13
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Not bad my boy Elissonde. 
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| ruben |
Posted on 29-07-2013 20:28
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normally riblon is by far the strongest ITT-er, stronger than izagirre.
but he might fail in the hills, we don't know yet. |
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| Smoku |
Posted on 29-07-2013 21:04
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Few thoughts on new UCI rules after two stages
1. Race Appeal - as long as the GC is not split to much this is a great handicap for daring and combative riders. Yesterday Rohregger made the most of it bnut 10 seconds for Riblon proved to be even more crucial. If someone is not that far behind the leader, can get the most of the sprints and climbs and then roll in close to the stage winner, this may prove to be a great way to earn few places and come back within fighting distance. Further into the race, when the gaps are bigger we will probably see more classic breakaways but for short stage races this is a revolution. Especially that...
2. Breakaways are more likely to succeed with 6 man teams. I mean it is more difficult to control the peloton pace when you have a GC conmtender, leuteneant and just 4 guys to do the hard job. Or a sprinter, lead out, maybe someone fighting for a jersey and 3 guys to push the peloton left. Simply there is not enough power in one team to make the chase successful, so some kind of coalitions will need to be established within the peloton if they wish for a sprint finish after a hilly stage for example. And weknow that this may put some riders in a tricky position. This leads us to...
3. Race Appeal may not be as crucial in Grand Tours but reducing the team to 6 will be. In TdF more than everywhere else (on small tours everyone is close and you may want to push the tempo having someone 10 secs behind) the leader's team is expected to push the peloton. And all of us remember what may happen if they fail or do not want to do so - Oscar Pereiro Sio. Thing is - will a team like Sky want to push all stage through with just 6 riders and risk burning out in the crucial, final kilometers? I believe this is why Riblon was gaining on peloton at one point - there was no one left in main group, who would be able to waste themselves in front of the group, as the main contenders with their first class helpers (CAS + Majka, Henao, Basso et cetera - just guessing - haven't seen it...) would keep themselves in check until the final metres. Which is perfectly understandable if they are clean and not wanting to risk a stupid attack which would burn them out in final kilomter. This once again leaves a space for daring and combative to gain some positions and get the stage victory.
Not sure if I'm right with this - I would appreciate feedback, but IMHO all of this looks promising. Well, as long us Froombot is not around...
BTW - Majka says his advantage is too small to consider it safe, so he would certainly try something on Bukowina stage - perhaps to get some seconds from Race Appeal even. He has also underlined it is more difficult to control the race with 6 riders. And since they leave CAS as an ace up the sleeve in case somethin goes wrong, they only have 4 supoorters to do the work. He's mostly worried about Henao in the hills and Weening on TT. Especially that he feels anything may happen on the last stage with him and his form.
https://sport.tvp....l-bukowiny
Edited by Smoku on 29-07-2013 21:13
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 16:54
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| FreitasPCM |
Posted on 29-07-2013 22:40
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I'd be more worried about Izagirre for the time trial... |
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| Malkael |
Posted on 30-07-2013 11:21
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Stage 3 - Kraków to Rzeszów (226 KM)
(Click to Enlarge)
After Monday's rest day, and the transition from Italy to Southern Poland, the Tour de Pologne throws the sprinters a bone. With the reduction in team sizes and a parcours which is hardly pizza pan flat, co-operation between the teams of the stage favourites could be the order of the day. Stage 3 of the Tour de Pologne sees the peloton traverse 226km from the city of Kraków to the city of Rzeszów.
Should all the work be left up to just one team, the breakaway could very well steal one of the two opportunities the Tour de Pologne has organised for the sprinters. The stage will conclude with a three lap criterium within Rzeszów, each lap 6km in length. Before beginning the criterium the peloton shall have to surmount the Category 3 Lubenia.
(Click to Enlarge)
Whilst the ascent of the Lubenia lies just roughly 36km from the finishing line within Rzeszów, there is little chance of a late solo attack surviving. For such a move to be successful larger breakaway would be required to attempt to distance the teams of the sprinters. So the most likely scenario for Stage 3 should be a sprint finish.
As the sprinters and their lead outs approach the finishing line and stream under the Flamme Rouge, they must negotiate some gentle curves and bends in to the finishing straight. With no 90-degree bends to slow the peloton's approach in to the finish, the sprint should be a high octane affair. With the change in team sizes it will be interesting to see how the sprint unfolds, as the sprint trains will be smaller in size and shall have to adjust their efforts accordingly.
The sprint finish should be interesting and unpredictable contest in the absence of a firm favourite, with the world's greatest sprinters absent, resting after a gruelling Tour de France. With the likes of Mark Renshaw (Belkin Pro Cycling), Aidis Kruopis and Leigh Howard (Orica-GreenEDGE), Ben Swift (Sky Pro Cycling), Yauheni Hutarovich (AG2R Le Mondiale), and Luka Mezgec (Argos-Shimano) there are several potential stage winners.
Arguably Australian outfit Orica-GreenEDGE may have been the favourites to help control the breakaway and dominate the lead out phase approaching the sprint finishes. However, the loss of Luke Durbridge leaves the team with just five riders. Regardless, the Australian outfit has dedicated the majority of their team to helping either Kruopis or Howard in the sprints, unlike the other teams with a greater General Classification focus.
With some great performances throughout the year, especially during the Giro d'Italia while up against a quality field of sprinters, Luka Megzec will be one to watch. The Argos-Shimano sprinter has a descent team around him should be chosen for the sprints, with Reinardt Janse van Rensburg also within the six-man squad. Argos-Shimano will arguably be the favourites to help control the breakaway today and lead the peloton from the front during the lead out phase, partly thanks to their still full strength team and mix of riders.
Whilst Belkin Pro Cycling have brought a team arguably focused towards the more mountainous stages just gone and hilly stages yet to come. They do possess a decent sprinter in Mark Renshaw, in spite of lacking the pedigree to become a truly world class sprinter. Against the quality of sprinters arrayed against him in the Tour de Pologne however, he has a great chance of a stage victory.
Another contender for the stage victory who cannot be discounted include Ben Swift, who won a stage and the Points classification during the 2012 Tour de Pologne. However, with Team Sky largely focused on assisting General Classification contender Sergio Henao. It could be left up to Swift to free lance his way through the peloton to a potential stage victory.
Other riders to consider for a potential stage victory on stages three and four of the Tour de Pologne include the likes of Thor Hushovd (BMC), Yauheni Hutarovich, Grega Bole (Vacansoleil-DCM), and Leonardo Duque (Colombia-Coldeportes). Should the sprint teams fail to properly organise and sustain their efforts during the lead out phase, the sprint may be scrappy and open to a surprise victor.
Today's stage should be a day for the sprinters, but will the changes in team size play havoc with the stage outcome? A break down in co-operation, or a strong breakaway, could see a limited opportunity for the sprinters quickly disappear. |
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| CountArach |
Posted on 30-07-2013 12:05
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That profile is so misleading - those climbs are fairly small judging by the height gain. Why can't race organisers do these things properly?
I may just tune in for the finish, but it will be interesting to see what, if any, effect is notable from the weird transfer.
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| issoisso |
Posted on 30-07-2013 12:06
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After yesterday's rest day due to Paulo Martins's birthday (rest day for the fans obviously), we continue the torture today with a flat sprinters stage
As with every single stage Martins is likely to name Seeldraeyers as his favorite. After all, it's only been three days, not long enough for Martins to realize Seeldraeyers isn't here
Also, I wonder if Martins will finally give up the idea of Cancellara winning the GC. Then again he's only 46 minutes down on GC, so Martins might not be deterred just yet
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 30-07-2013 12:28
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And that's the reason I prefer to see on a Polish stream then on Eurosport. |
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| Malkael |
Posted on 30-07-2013 13:23
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Yes the profile is stupidly deceptive in that regard.
Could have sworn I read a reason to mention the Labenia, but I cannot find my source at the moment. Assuming I am not imagining things, it is less the small hill small gradient type and more the small hill punchy gradient type of climb.
Edited by Malkael on 30-07-2013 13:23
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| Housies |
Posted on 30-07-2013 13:26
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Hoping to see Stybar in the front today. Seems more his cup of tea today than last sunday. |
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| cio93 |
Posted on 30-07-2013 13:27
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issoisso wrote:
After yesterday's rest day due to Paulo Martins's birthday (rest day for the fans obviously), we continue the torture today with a flat sprinters stage
As with every single stage Martins is likely to name Seeldraeyers as his favorite. After all, it's only been three days, not long enough for Martins to realize Seeldraeyers isn't here
Also, I wonder if Martins will finally give up the idea of Cancellara winning the GC. Then again he's only 46 minutes down on GC, so Martins might not be deterred just yet
Well, at least our German commentators are quite fine.
...not the guy commentating Tennis on ES atm though.
Summer of 69 is playing in the background and he refers to it and starts talking about The Boss 
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| Malkael |
Posted on 30-07-2013 16:35
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Going over the summit of the Lubenia the breakaway of four have a lead of roughly 2'00", reportedly. With BMC leading the chase back in the peloton for the breakaway, perhaps surprisingly. Though they do have Hushovd if they are working for the sprint.
Breakaway consists of Mestre (Euskaltel), Selvaggi (VCD), Dyachenko (Astana), and Matysiak (CCC).
Edited by Malkael on 30-07-2013 16:39
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| Malkael |
Posted on 30-07-2013 17:18
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THE GOD OF THUNDER! 
Thor Hushovd wins Stage 3 of the Tour de Pologne ahead of Steele Von Hoff and Mark Renshaw.
Edited by Malkael on 30-07-2013 17:20
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| krisa |
Posted on 30-07-2013 17:19
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how can it be
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 30-07-2013 17:20
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Nice win for Thor, and great sprint by Van Hoff, who just keeps steadily improving his results this season.
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| Pitero |
Posted on 30-07-2013 17:24
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And all the sprinters got like 30 minutes of advantage at the finish, because now Swift is 40 seconds behind Majka.
Only happens in Poland. |
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