Tour de Georgia: Stage Two (starts 11a, EDT)

by Sui Juris on Apr 17, 2007 1:55 PM EDT

[editor's note, by chris] Since people are already using this for the live commenting, let's stay with it.

Well, Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff) won first stage of the 2007 Tour de Georgia. While it was a decisive win (:29) over second place Doug Ollerenshaw (Health Net), there's only 1'22 between him and the rest of the peloton. So he'll have to work pretty damn hard to keep his yellow jersey out of the hands of the likes of Tom Danielson, Pat McCarty, and Ivan Dominguez.

From a TdG press release:

The 33-year-old Contrini said it was "the biggest win of his career", when asked about the significance of the victory. He said the win also helped set up his team leader Tyler Hamilton of the United States. "We (Tinkoff) basically talked this morning and we only had six guys versus two guys down to start with but we knew there would be a relatively early breakaway and it was clear we wanted to have at least one rider in that breakaway. .... Luckily for us (Daniele) Contrini got in the break... and that was it."

Amusingly, the press release goes on to say that Hamilton is "best known as the gold medalist in the Time Trial at the Athens Olympic Games[.]" Really, now? I think I'll just let that stand on its own.

In addition to the leader's jersey, Contrini also won the most sprint points. The sprint jersey, however, will be worn by Viktor Rapinsky (who hit the wall in a really unfortunate way right near the end, not only losing his place in the breakaway, but ultimately a full minute on the peloton). Ben Day gets the Most Aggressive Rider jersey. The Best Young Rider jersey went to Australia's Tommy Nankervis (Jittery Joe's). If the race video had worked, I might be able to tell you why. But since it didn't, I've no clue. So make up your own story.

Stage 2 will be tougher than Stage 1. Not only is it longer (135 miles), but the first half is something of an uphill run. Leaving Thomaston at 11:00 a.m., it is to finish between 4:00-5:00 p.m. Not only are there are two sprint points opportunities (Newnan and Rockmart) in this stage, but the initial lap of the finishing circuit in Rome brings us the first King of the Mountain points.

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Comments

So a team's PR people

are supposed to highlight the negative things?

by Toyota on Apr 17, 2007 12:59 AM EDT reply actions

Well

it was a race, and not a team, release. So it doesn't get the pass of being team-boosterism. In any event, you can certainly highlight his accomplishments without bolstering it with such an obviously untrue superlative. It's sorta like introducing Bill Clinton as "the President that never lied to you!" when you could have introduced him as the "President who presided over the best economy in X years" or "the man that could probably win a third term!" You've got enough else to stand on that you just really don't have to go there in the first place.

by Sui Juris on Apr 17, 2007 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I missed that it was a race release

But still, the comment about Hamilton may be true, that he is best known for his Olympic gold medal.

The Olympics are still far bigger than even the Tour de France or cycling.

Winning a gold medal is the highlight of most any athlete's career. And for most people, Hamilton's not being stripped of his gold medal surely means that he is still the gold medalist beyond the mere title, whatever you or I may think with more reason to be suspicious.

Some may suspect that Hamilton doped his entire career. He wouldn't be the only one, not by a long shot. So again, just what is a race organizer supposed to highlight as his career greatest win, some high school criterium?

by Toyota on Apr 17, 2007 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

Olympics yes

but Olympic time trials bigger than the Tour? I know I live in a bubble where the Tour is shown on big screens in public parks, but surely the rest of the nation knows Hamilton more for his broken-collarbone Tour than his TT medal (putting aside the doping elephant). The Olympics may be huge, but cycling is lost in a haze of track, gymnastics and "Dream Team" nonsense. I bet the Tour plays in Peoria these days.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Apr 17, 2007 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

That stage is the one I always think of

when it comes to Tyler, even before all the doping allegations.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

There is no way

that Hamilton got more publicity generally in the U.S. for his broken collarbone than for his Olympic gold medal.

It's not even close.

Very few Americans even watch the Tour.

Now if we just look at the population of cycling fans, then sure most fans remember the broken collarbone.

While most cyclists no doubt would prefer overall Tour victory to an Olympic gold medal, they tend to value an Olympic gold medal more than a Tour stage win. Olympic gold is huge to any athlete...and obviously far more rare than a Tour stage win.

by Toyota on Apr 17, 2007 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Ok . .

I spent a few minutes trolling through Lexis/Nexis and however most americans remember Hamilton, the news services clearly favor id'ing him as "Olympic Gold medallist," or, "disputed Olympic gold medallist."

by R Mc on Apr 17, 2007 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

hey! that's my company you're talking about

by Scott. on Apr 17, 2007 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess I'm

hanging on the "best known for" phrasing. Highlight and call the Olympics his greatest achievement ever. That's fine. But the "best known for . . . " just invites exactly the conversation that's occurred here.

by Sui Juris on Apr 17, 2007 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

It is debatable that Hamilton

is best known for doping.

I seriously don't think he is.

Was Hincapie or Zabriskie involved?

;)

by JohnSFO on Apr 17, 2007 11:32 AM EDT reply actions

Anyone see

Haussler starting?

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 11:34 AM EDT reply actions

New Toy

Firefox has a split browser addon now that will allow you to have the race thread open in one side and the Tour tracker open in the other side. The Left side is a static page with no Tabs but it is refreshable without having to jump from one window to the other.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

hook me up bro, what's it called?

by Scott. on Apr 17, 2007 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Here you go

Split Pannel

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

Anyone familiar

with the streaming audio playing in the race radio right now?

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

don't know the music

It's apparently some guy's ipod. Not sure why they're doing it (esp. considering that they're technically liable for webcasting copyright fees, now . . .).

by Sui Juris on Apr 17, 2007 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

now where's the plugin to

actually make the tracker work? (Seriously, all credit to Allan Padget there, who seems to really be on top of things. It's the broadcast mobile link that doesn't seem to be worth a damn.)

by Sui Juris on Apr 17, 2007 11:42 AM EDT reply actions

Are you on the

http://www.tourdegeorgiatracker.com/ website?
It appears to be working ok for me today.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Yup.

It's working in that I'm on it. But no video, of course, and the cell link to the GPS is making the tracking pretty useless. You getting something different than that? (I'm MB, in the chat, btw.)

by Sui Juris on Apr 17, 2007 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I am seeing the tracking on the map pretty

well. What works for me is that if you click which "car" you want to follow it will stay on that so you do not have to do anything with it. I have not checked out the chat area yet. I have only audio over the race radio button right now and it is streaming some music right now.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

CN reports riders in crash were from

Predictor-Lotto, Saunier Duval, and the USA Cycling Development team. also Kirk O'Bee of the Health Net team. Are Bobby J's criticisms of the caliber of the domestic riders in this and the ToC valid? I've forgotten, what caused George's crash in ToC?

by Scott. on Apr 17, 2007 11:46 AM EDT reply actions

Break is away with 12 riders

not sure on any time gaps yet.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 11:50 AM EDT reply actions

All together again

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

love this new split browser toy,

works great, thanks C-dale. will be very handy for a lot of other stuff i do.

by Scott. on Apr 17, 2007 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

Three man break may

be going now, actually made it up to about 30 seconds.
Austin King, Glen Alan Chadwick, Garrett Peltonen

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

Video

now showing stuff, Commercial..Garmin Edge

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

Break out to over 1.40

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

lead group has increased their gap to 5:45

by Scott. on Apr 17, 2007 12:38 PM EDT reply actions

Yawn. Gap up to 9:15. Still no video

by Scott. on Apr 17, 2007 1:00 PM EDT reply actions

What exactly do they mean

by "coming soon"?

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Apr 17, 2007 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Ha!!!

That is a good one.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

My race ticker is not even

updating right now. I have the commercials running and the map is working but no ticker.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

There are two tickers

at http://www.cyclingfans.com/

They also explain what the problems were yesterday getting live streaming.

Looks like the problems continue. Argh.

by Toyota on Apr 17, 2007 2:24 PM EDT reply actions

The business of live streaming

The Adobe rep on cyclingfans chided the Tour de France for not providing free video on their website, but I'm wondering how they would benefit? They sell the broadcast rights, do they not? As much as I'd like to see the race live on the internet for free, I can't see why they would want to provide it. Just idle curiosity on my part I suppose.

by ghisallo on Apr 17, 2007 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

Clash of two

business models really, the old network syndicating type vs the new broadband up and coming type. Give it ten years and the latter will be more prevalent and the ad dollars will be spent more there than on the networks. Already you can watch most of your favorite TV shows on line.

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hooray!

I have video as well.

by JohnSFO on Apr 17, 2007 3:39 PM EDT reply actions

Gap coming down still

3:15 now.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

peloton

stretched out pretty good.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

I love the info

at the bottom of the tracker. Especially the part about when the catch is going to take place.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Apr 17, 2007 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

And someday

when this info is available on everyone's handlebars, the catch will always take place in the last 2km.

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Apr 17, 2007 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

nah, if they're any good, the last 2m

by Scott. on Apr 17, 2007 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I've got audio

it just sounds like it is two miles away.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

Speaking of which...

does anyone know how to turn the audio off? The volume control under the video seems to have disappeared.

by Hons on Apr 17, 2007 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

You may have to reload your window

to get the controls back.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 4:04 PM EDT reply actions

Video

must be off of the ticker because they are saying that there are only two riders left in the break and they are close to being caught

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

Anyone getting audio that is worth

a crap?

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 4:11 PM EDT reply actions

Mine

is pretty staticy and it sounds like they are commentating from a dance club somewhere.

And the commentating makes me really appreciate Anthony and Brian that much more.

by Hons on Apr 17, 2007 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

x- nay

by Scott. on Apr 17, 2007 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry, it is 2.35

back to the peloton. It was the dropped rider about to get caught

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

Chadwick going it

on his own now, King has started to crack.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 4:23 PM EDT reply actions

On his own with as difficult as the

finish is it does not look like his chances are very good.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 4:25 PM EDT reply actions

gap drops to 1.30

he'll surely be caught

by JohnSFO on Apr 17, 2007 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

1 minute gap

as Chadwick hits the city limits of Rome.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 4:36 PM EDT reply actions

Does anyone know

who the commentators are?

by Hons on Apr 17, 2007 4:36 PM EDT reply actions

2 laps to go.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

OK, I give up

I can't take the shouting heads any longer.

by ghisallo on Apr 17, 2007 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

I thought

this was cycling, not wrestling.

by Hons on Apr 17, 2007 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

They ust have grabbed these guys

from some motorcross arena. There are very few things that are more annoying than when he starts his "2TOGO2TOGO2TOGO" spiel.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

1 lap to go

There he goes again.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 4:53 PM EDT reply actions

I thougth

that was a blip in the audio feed. He's actually saying that!!!! [shaking head]

by Hons on Apr 17, 2007 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

Damn

holy mother, who is this friggin guy?

Suffering is good for the soul.

by CannonDowell on Apr 17, 2007 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe he does auctions on the

side.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 4:55 PM EDT reply actions

Disco trying to control things

before the final climb of the clock hill.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

DZ!

by Sui Juris on Apr 17, 2007 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

David Z.

tries to get away but nothing doing.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

here comes the sprint...

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

Ivan Stevic launches from way out

and takes first ahead of JJ. He went from about 6-700 meters out.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

Stevic takes the stage

With JJ Haedo taking second.

by Sui Juris on Apr 17, 2007 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

stevic wins

by JohnSFO on Apr 17, 2007 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

the screaming is the announcer's way of

filling the void so as to cover up his lack of knowledge

by Scott. on Apr 17, 2007 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

one of these guys

actually appears to make a living at this. http://davetowle.missingsaddle.com/ Boggling.

by Sui Juris on Apr 17, 2007 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

sheesh,

if he's "the voice of american cycling," as his website suggests, we're doomed here in the states.

by Scott. on Apr 17, 2007 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

the video

is way delayed...

that's too bad

by JohnSFO on Apr 17, 2007 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

Have not even

made it to the circuits yet.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds like Stevic caught everyone by suprise

going so early and they did not reel him in quick enough. Brilliant tactics.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 5:01 PM EDT reply actions

beating haedo

in the form that he's currently in has got to be a big confidence-builder for stevic

by JohnSFO on Apr 17, 2007 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

JJ would have beaten him but you cannot give

away a hundred meters in the final 600. I am looking forward to seeing the finish to see how far he managed to come back to him.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

Results after stage 1 for the VDS

Tour De Georgia

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 5:34 PM EDT reply actions

Ha!

At least I crushed the U-7 Project today...

Got a problem? Va fa Napoli!

by Chris Fontecchio on Apr 17, 2007 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

1,2,3

1 Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United)
2 Juan José Haedo (Team CSC)
3 Fred Rodriguez (Predictor - Lotto)

Contrini remains GC leader

by JohnSFO on Apr 17, 2007 5:36 PM EDT reply actions

Video is now showing the final laps.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 5:53 PM EDT reply actions

Just watched the "Live" video

and Ivan hit the gas about 50 meters before the top of the Clock Hill climb. The climb is followed by a quick little downhill that gave him all the momentum he needed to hold off the peloton through the last turn. Great job of launching at just the right time.

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by Clydesdale on Apr 17, 2007 6:09 PM EDT reply actions