Well, i don't have anything against Cycling commentators at Serbia. They're (we have 2 commentators) really informed about everything , since they're travelling alot with riders , giving us interviews (bicisvet.com) and all of that.
Also, they're visiting most popular cycling sites often (comparing to other sport's commentators). I have both of them on facebook and we have some kind of game , where we send emails during every race, and they're reading every question and suggestion. Many times my suggestions were applied, and my informations was said, on TV (Eurosport)!
Just watched the catch up of stage 3 and i have to give a big pat on the back to Taylor Phinney for doing all the work in the build up to Thor's win, Chapeau
admirschleck wrote:
Well, i don't have anything against Cycling commentators at Serbia. They're (we have 2 commentators) really informed about everything , since they're travelling alot with riders , giving us interviews (bicisvet.com) and all of that.
Also, they're visiting most popular cycling sites often (comparing to other sport's commentators). I have both of them on facebook and we have some kind of game , where we send emails during every race, and they're reading every question and suggestion. Many times my suggestions were applied, and my informations was said, on TV (Eurosport)!
Hahaha I'm glad I'm not the only one who takes it as a matter of pride that their question /comment was read on Eurosport. I had a question read out at the Dauphine last year. It was boring and inane and about Wiggins because I knew that the Eurosport guys couldn't turn that down
Spilak23 wrote:
No matter what nationality, people here are complaining about their commentators. Except of the Belgians. They have Sporza
Hey, I'm usually happy with the Swedish guys!
They've both got tons of knowledge of the sport and rarely make mistakes with identification of riders and pronunciation of names.
The only thing that bothers me is the nationalism towards Scandinavian riders. Incredibly annoying to listen to at times.
Same as the norwegian ones, except they match Phill/Paul when it comes to bias towards Hushovd. Of their 3 experts, there's Mads Kaggestad and Dag Otto Lauritsen, both personal friends of Hushovd, and Johan Kaggestad, Mads' father. The latter one spent half the summer nagging about BMC ditching him from the Tour team, and after winning the Tour of Pologne stage they're shocked that he hasn't been selected for the world champs yet (Hagen and Nordhaug taking 2 of the 3 spots).
admirschleck wrote:
Well, i don't have anything against Cycling commentators at Serbia. They're (we have 2 commentators) really informed about everything , since they're travelling alot with riders , giving us interviews (bicisvet.com) and all of that.
Also, they're visiting most popular cycling sites often (comparing to other sport's commentators). I have both of them on facebook and we have some kind of game , where we send emails during every race, and they're reading every question and suggestion. Many times my suggestions were applied, and my informations was said, on TV (Eurosport)!
Hahaha I'm glad I'm not the only one who takes it as a matter of pride that their question /comment was read on Eurosport. I had a question read out at the Dauphine last year. It was boring and inane and about Wiggins because I knew that the Eurosport guys couldn't turn that down
Ex-Eurosport commentator and cyclist Danny Nelissen read my questions twice, he also mentioned my correction when he stated a fact wrong. Also, I won a prize when he was commentator
admirschleck wrote:
Well, i don't have anything against Cycling commentators at Serbia. They're (we have 2 commentators) really informed about everything , since they're travelling alot with riders , giving us interviews (bicisvet.com) and all of that.
Also, they're visiting most popular cycling sites often (comparing to other sport's commentators). I have both of them on facebook and we have some kind of game , where we send emails during every race, and they're reading every question and suggestion. Many times my suggestions were applied, and my informations was said, on TV (Eurosport)!
Hahaha I'm glad I'm not the only one who takes it as a matter of pride that their question /comment was read on Eurosport. I had a question read out at the Dauphine last year. It was boring and inane and about Wiggins because I knew that the Eurosport guys couldn't turn that down
Ex-Eurosport commentator and cyclist Danny Nelissen read my questions twice, he also mentioned my correction when he stated a fact wrong. Also, I won a prize when he was commentator
Well, i won jersey (cycling jersey) last year on Tour, for betting Sagan on stage-win and being fastest. I can still wear it. We had same competition this year on Tour , i was correct in few cases, but never first, so i didn't get it.
Are there any YouTube examples of Paulo Martins quotes?
Or even better, a live stream where I can watch today's stage with his commentary?
Edited by MartijnVDD on 31-07-2013 10:13
according to ducrot everyone is "een ongelooflijke hardrijder" (unbelievable baroudeur) so everyone is an amazing machine on the flat. Even riders like Sicard
ruben wrote:
according to ducrot everyone is "een ongelooflijke hardrijder" (unbelievable baroudeur) so everyone is an amazing machine on the flat. Even riders like Sicard
Yeah, it's a good thing that Ducrot isn't making stats for PCM
Before the 2013 Tour de Pologne ventures in to the hills of Southern Poland, the sprinters receive another opportunity to claim a stage victory. With, arguably, just one opportunity left for the sprinters, the competition for the stage victory will be feirce. The peloton will journey 231.5km from the old city of Tarnów to the city of Katowice.
Whilst Thor Hushovd, of BMC, was the eventual winner of yesterday's stage, some disorganisation and unwillingness to co-operate almost cost the sprinters dearly. It will be vital once again for the peloton to co-operate to keep any breakaway in check, lest the sprinters lose control and miss out on a limited opportunity nab a stage victory.
The parcours are hardly flat, however, the stage profile should easily still favour the sprinters. With a breakaway probably only likely to succeed if the peloton sit up and look at each other. Similarly to yesterday, Stage 4 shall end with a circuit around a Polish city. There shall be four laps at a distance of 12.3km per lap, and incorporating two small hills.
Stage Route
(Click to Enlarge)
Approaching the finishing line the peloton will have just under 600-700 metres of straight road to build up speed for a high octane drag (sprint) down the finish straight. Compared to Stage 3, where there were some bends and pinches to slow the peloton. Stage 4 should hopefully avoid any such options. The only notable obstacle within two kilometres to go within the road book, provided by the race organisers Lang Team, is a 180-degree turn around a rather large roundabout.
Gradient shouldn't be much of a factor in the sprint. With a mere five metres of elevation difference within the final 1000 metres of the stage. The “hills” visible on the stage profile during the circuit finish phase of Stage 4 should not cause much difficulty, with the small climb found at the end of the stage profile that small gain in elevation mentioned earlier. Whilst the Flamme Rouge will arrive roughly half way around that aforementioned hairpin bend.
Stage Contenders
Should yesterday's top three finishers, for the stage, continue their fine sprinting form than, arguably, either Hushovd, Mark Renshaw, or Steele Von Hoff should claim the stage victory. Based on his performance in the sprint, the slight favourite to claim the Stage 4 victory should be Hushovd. The 'God of Thunder' was perfectly positioned to draft behind Renshaw's sprint until he was prepared to launch his own sprint.
Belkin Pro Cycling performed admirably during Stage 3's conclusion to lead out Mark Renshaw, and should they perform similarly during Stage 4 he factors in as a favourite. Arguably, Renshaw tried to launch his sprint from too far out from the finishing line and gave Hushovd time to blow past him. Should Renshaw find himself in a more favourable position before launching his sprint, or able to draft an opponent's wheel, he could claim the stage victory.
Most impressive of yesterday's top three stage finishers must have been Steele Von Hoff, the Australian just managed to pip Renshaw for second position. Should Von Hoff be able to position himself correctly, he could have the speed to defeat the competition. His chances will be determined by the quality of any prospective Garmin-Sharp lead out and his ability to draft his opponent's wheels.
Considering, arguably, both their selected teams are arguably focused on helping lead out their sprinter. The duo of Argos-Shimano and Orica-GreenEDGE will be disappointed by their efforts yesterday. Stage 4 offers both teams a chance to redeem themselves with a dominant performance around the four lap circuit within the city of Katowice. Positioning will be key for Luka Mezgec (Argos-Shimano) along with either Aidis Krupois and Leigh Howard (Orica-GreenEDGE), as it cost them during Stage 3.
Other riders to consider for a potential stage victory on stages three and four of the Tour de Pologne include the likes of Ben Swift (Sky), Yauheni Hutarovich (AG2R Le Mondiale), Grega Bole (Vacansoleil-DCM), and Leonardo Duque (Colombia-Coldeportes).
Epilogue
Seemingly another stage for the sprinters, but we witnessed just how close a call thing can become if the peloton starts to become disorganised. Will this be another stage victory for Thor Hushovd and BMC? Or will the likes of Steele Von Hoff and Garmin-Sharp defiantly claim the stage victory?
Alakagom wrote:
Well this is a very balanced route anyway though, better than most WT races.
We already had 2 very tough moutain stages. Now we had one sprint and should have the 2nd today.
Then one easy-ish hilly stage, and the next day a really hilly stage where gaps will be made.
And to finish off, an ITT, 37km.
When talking about a balanced route, I think they striked a perfect note at least in this department.
Except for the start in Italy, the ridiculously long stage transfers even in Poland itself, and the ridiculously long 230km+ stages... yeah, real balanced
The route itself is very balanced, and there's nothing wrong with long stages. Yes, the Italy -> Poland transfer was ridiculous, but the transfers in Poland are all quite normal. I think the longest one is the Katowice -> Nowy Targ, and it's not that long (and in one of the few places connected by highway in southern Poland ).
