Milano Sanremo Post-Race Thread
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 21, 2009 11:30 AM EDT
in Live Races
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Helluva conclusion! As 300km marches to an inevitable bunch sprint go, that was cool. Congrats to Mark Cavendish on a great sprint, after some great sandbagging this week. And to Heinrich Haussler for the move of the race.
As for the VDS, it's safe to say that teams not picking Haussler are in big trouble. D'oh!
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - Highroad 2 Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Cervélo TestTeam 3 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervélo TestTeam 0.02 4 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step 5 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini 6 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas 7 Aitor Galdos (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 8 Enrico Rossi (Ita) Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce 9 Luca Paolini (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo 10 Peter Velits (Svk) Team Milram
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Scheiss!
I mean, Tschuss!
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 21, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Fucking right!
Bennati went but I was able to get past him quite easily.--Mark Cavendish, Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 7
not for me
worked ok all day then froze with 2 k. Had to switch to Eurosport to see finish. Hopefully it’ll be better with the move to Silverlight
I had issues up front but then all was smooth.
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
I volunteer! I'm sure I have some oil around here somewhere...
Bennati went but I was able to get past him quite easily.--Mark Cavendish, Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 7
Haussler, Cavendish... the next generation...
Boonen, Hushovd… looking … not as new any more. But we’ll see when we get to the cobbles.
Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?
Although still... Cav closed five acres of distance in 100 meters...
That boy has a Veyron for legs.
Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?
over 1,000 comments on four threads. That's quality. ;-p
Speed on the descent can easily be lost when you slam into a tree.
Unbelievable..
Cav and Haussler where the only one how could get out of the sadel
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
no he'd made a big
deal last week that he was saving it for this week
formerly known as cyclingchallenge
Bennati
Can we just call him a grand tour flat stage sprinter now? He can do some good work in races like this, but when has he ever closed out a classic?
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 21, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions
He's usually quite decent on slightly hilly courses.
More so than most sprinters. He made a successdul break on a hilly stage in Giro last year I remember. Not his day sadly (sadly for me anyway!)
Well at least its not the coal shoveling championships like the last time
Just spinning the pedals in the hills of Western Maryland
That race must have been way harder than it looked
2 guys could kick in the end………….
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
Hmmmm..
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
What.. Amazing finish.
Never though Cavendish could win MSR.. He does it in his frirst try.. Like Merckx.. He’s gonne ba Big…
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
yeah, Happy Spring!
and what i great start to it with these two young riders creating a finish like that! had to miss it live but loved the replay!
You may very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment.
amazing thing for Cav isn't even the finish, exactly.
That’s a classic track racing sprint. But just being there and functional after that fast a trip over the poggio? That’s amazing.
think the french announcers said it was the 2nd fastest ride...
to that point…in the history of the race. They could be wrong, or I could have mis-heard.
Oh sure
The race as a whole was fast (because of the wind) but except for the Cipressa, all of the climbs were relatively slow.
RAI said
that it was the second fastest recorded ascent of the Cipressa. 9:45 as opposed to 9:28 when Bettini won. That’s the only stat I remember hearing.
top 10
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia – Highroad
2 Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Cervélo TestTeam
3 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervélo TestTeam 0.02
4 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step
5 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes – Farnese Vini
6 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas
7 Aitor Galdos (Spa) Euskaltel – Euskadi
8 Enrico Rossi (Ita) Ceramica Flaminia – Bossini Docce
9 Luca Paolini (Ita) Acqua & Sapone – Caffe Mokambo
10 Peter Velits (Svk) Team Milram
milramfan.
I'm so depressed
I was shaking in that final km, I was so full of hope and thought HH had won, than I realized he didn’t, errr, oh well our football team is still better than England’s.
Jay Cutler is an ungrateful punk....but please don't trade him!
Still German for now, how many times do I have to tell you that?
Jay Cutler is an ungrateful punk....but please don't trade him!
i hear you Phil
i was so hoping for HH in this one and seeing that canny break of his made me want it for him all the more. but i’m not too depressed, being a Brit and all :)
You may very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment.
Come on commentary dudes...
… not time to go rewritting the Cervelo sprint leadouts quite yet.
Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?
If by rewritting them you mean switching them to leadout HH if he's racing then yes it is
Jay Cutler is an ungrateful punk....but please don't trade him!
Di Stephano to Zabel:
“This is the first time I’ve seen you cry.”
Zabel: “Yes, because it is so emotional.”
by Susie Hartigan on Mar 21, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions
God, can you imagine...
I’ve seen several stories about Zabel teaching him this finish…
good mentoring is a beautiful thing
always felt we were seeing the “self taught” Cav. This version is even better.
Great shot of Cav and Zabel hugging...
… and touching… and smiling… looking fondly at each other…
Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?
OK
if Ete approves, I approve.
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 21, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Just what I was thinking
If it has made Ete happy, then I’m cool with it ;-)
Top ten: VElits!
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia – Highroad
2 Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Cervélo TestTeam
3 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervélo TestTeam 0.02
4 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step
5 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes – Farnese Vini
6 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas
7 Aitor Galdos (Spa) Euskaltel – Euskadi
8 Enrico Rossi (Ita) Ceramica Flaminia – Bossini Docce
9 Luca Paolini (Ita) Acqua & Sapone – Caffe Mokambo
10 Peter Velits (Svk) Team Milram
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 21, 2009 11:39 AM EDT reply actions
Veeeeliiittsss! He saved the day... And Petacchi.. Not so bad as I though..
If only Velits couls make more point as Hausselr I’m gonna do well
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Waiting
for the Manx-to-English translator.
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 21, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Credit to George
for putting him there.
(tho as I was watching, I was wondering why we were seeing GH and Cav 3-5 wheels apart)
Cavendish on RAI
“It’s the biggest day of my life!”
by Susie Hartigan on Mar 21, 2009 11:40 AM EDT reply actions
First British winner?
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 21, 2009 11:40 AM EDT reply actions
nice one for the homeland
and Cav has my sincere apologies for not taking him on my squad this year
You may very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment.
No second.. Don't remeber the other name..
Commentators said something like that I believe
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Cav very emotional
Bennati went but I was able to get past him quite easily.--Mark Cavendish, Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 7
I'm still amazed. Go, Cav! Just a brillliant finish.
Mighty pleased for HH, too.
Bennati went but I was able to get past him quite easily.--Mark Cavendish, Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 7
50-50 split
50 italian winners
50 non-italian winners
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
that's what makes a team great
If only Rabo could eat some of that attitude with their breakfast wheaties…
Big time NEEDS big hair. HH understands that.
Bennati went but I was able to get past him quite easily.--Mark Cavendish, Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 7
The real question with HH is what the FUCK were Gerolsteiner thinking last year...
to have pretty obviously squandered him so badly.
Do you have the rest of the top 20?
Bennati went but I was able to get past him quite easily.--Mark Cavendish, Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 7
Awww, how fucking cute for little Cav(grumbling and cursing silently)
Jay Cutler is an ungrateful punk....but please don't trade him!
That's it I am changing my signature, just wait a sec
Jay Cutler is an ungrateful punk....but please don't trade him!
Geez... the australian comes in second, and suddenly...
… it’s all “whiny grumbly cursy” and “our football is better than anyone elses football”. Isn’t there a new zealander to go verbally abuse somewhere?:)
Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?
That's Ok, just keep going
I will still bask in his glory until he actually changes his nationality again.
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Can I stop with the VDS yet....
I so gonna go down and more down and more and more.. And I’m sixth from the bottom..
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
:)
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?
Haha
That’s the worst thing of my team! Can’t even beat you and win the bet
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Just put al my money on Franzoi..
That;s gonna be ok ;)
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Thanks! That didn't work
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
The season is only just begun
How many 10+ pointers do you have that are still pointless? Things will get better.
True but had Gerdemann and Gaspa..
They supposed to rock in the Tirreno.. And where were they?
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Mark it zero dude
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
"my children need to be fed and clothed yada yada yada.................."
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
Also, CTV
at least avoids at DNF. I got logged in and ran at high/mid for the duration. Turned into a slideshow around 5-2 km, and then came back (mostly). So good job not screwing it up for once, guys.
Hushovd
Should be leading out haussler for the rest of the season…
He's done the cannonball move twice now
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
Cervelo- Haussler-Hushovd
Now do orther folks see what I thought I saw? That Haussler hesitated just a but waiting for Hushovd?
I trust your eyes over mine
but instead of second-guessing this race, I instead forsee a fricking fantastic cobbles double-threat
My packing and watching MSR
didn’t quite work out. In 2.5 hours I managed to pack 4 pairs of pants. I blame Cav if I’m late for my plane.
We'll call the airline for you...
… they’ll hold it on the tarmac.
Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?
and who do you blame for going topless?
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
That's what i was saying
must’ve been higher speed than it looked.
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
Cav's time
was something like 6:42. Cancellara’s last year was about 7:15. So, quite fast, I reckon.
Viva la Lactique
Fast but not hard...
… I think. Pozzato told post-race that they rode way too slow on La Mànie and lost the race there. I wouldn’t say they gave the victory to Cavendish but they certainly didn’t do much to prevent him from taking it. This was like the very opposite of the recent Paris – Nice and reminded me of the 2007 L – B – L – like an anti-race. Sad with no Cancellara, Schleck and Ballan.
by Forstoppelse on Mar 21, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
No legs? At the finish there were 2 cyclist how had an accelaration
Scarponi rode fast on the pre-Poggio
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
"who" :-) (or are you doing it to screw with crashdan?)
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
Haha no.. If i typ this is what you get..
I have to learn to think before I typ
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
I thought I saw a couple of tries, but at that speed, and with curves coming up...
laws of physics and self-preservation might have come into play.
namby pambys...."self preservation"
Do they have no respect for the viewing public?
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
OK Bed time here Night all !!
Thats another day down, and I didn’t have to sleep it away :-)
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
Sweet dreams! May all your favorite cyclists go up your Poggio.
Bennati went but I was able to get past him quite easily.--Mark Cavendish, Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 7
Uuuuh?
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
sometimes it's best to
just step back and let it happen, Frinking, without trying to get involved . . .
Or does that only occur strange in Dutch/English?
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Is that the new nickname for it :-)
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
?? OK i'm going to google
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
Too bad there isn't a big race coming up in 15 days or so
unless someone can tell me of one, Chris maybe?
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Oh and E3 next Saturday, and the Tour of the Basque Country starting on the 6th
but I just feel like I’m missing something
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Go Jens!! Criterium is his
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
But you get the figure skating world championships
to keep you busy. It’s just like cycling, only with a lot more sequins.
Well,15 days from now is April 5
looking like a good day to take a break and sleep in, eh?
OHHH and Steph
I have got on my knees and apologized about saying Cav wouldn’t be there at the end :-))
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
I've seen no replays. WTF happened to Tommeke?
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
It seems that way doesn't it?
Except for HN and KBK he’s not even been in contention for the sprints (though, to be fair, it’s really only been T-A and MSR where he’s had the opportunity, iirc). I’m wondering if maybe he’s somewhat injured
appparently he was complaining
reckons he didn’t get enough water…
Stop bitching tommeke and friggin win!!!
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
Boonen said..
He drank to few after the pre-Poggio.. Always forrget the name of that mountain?
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
What Cyclegirl said
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
So will that be the new excuse when a rider doesn't do as well as expected
“oh I did the Contador or else I would have won”
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
That guy can complain about eveything..
But he’s always the best man/men in course.. Luckily the Belgium believe them
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
I believe in him. he had me the first time he said hello :-)
BUt just need to stop whinging
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
There there
I think people tend to say “Ah, that’s just one of Boonen’s excuses” instead of taking it as an explanation. Not that there hasn’t been bad explanations.
He got cramps at Cipressa and realized that he had a bad day. Therefore, he decided to help Davis in the sprint.
by Forstoppelse on Mar 21, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Boonen's problem is that he always have an excuse..
It’s never: Their was someone in the race who was better than me.. No always:
Drank to few water, De Jongh didn’t work, etc, etc,, Getting sick of it.. But that’s personal..
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
To be fair to Boonen
He did say, after the race, that
“Even in top shape I would have been third to Heinrich Haussler and Mark Cavendish, they were so strong.”
Saving it for Dwars on Wed.
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
May I say it..
I officialt hate Germany now! So it’s out.. Blame Haussler.. Or VDS
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
It's important to vent your feelings...
… but Germany might not be the best target. they tend to get all marchy and blitzkriegish
Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?
Besides, Haussler is Australian.
Bennati went but I was able to get past him quite easily.--Mark Cavendish, Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 7
That's right, we just invaded Australia apparently
a reason why the Frinkster should watch it ;)
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Well we already got the Hoff a long time ago
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Yeah... but he still insists on working out at my gym.
Swear to god.
Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?
Now do i need to come in and officiate this
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
btw. thanks for the tip,
the Swedish commentators were excellent
by Bruce Suomi on Mar 21, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Glad you liked them
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
Top 15--still need the rest of the top 20
1. Mark Cavendish (G-B, Team Columbia-High Road) en 6h42’31"
2. Heinrich Haussler (All, Cervélo Test Team)
3. Thor Hushovd (Nor, Cervélo Test Team) à 0’02"
4. Allan Davis (Aus, Quick Step)
5. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita, LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini)
6. Daniele Bennati (Ita, Liquigas)
7. Aitor Galdos (Esp, Euskaltel-Euskadi)
8. Enrico Rossi (Ita, Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce)
9. Luca Paolini (Ita, Acqua e Sapone-Caffé Mokambo)
10. Peter Velits (Slo, Team Milram)
11. Lloyd Mondory (Fra, Ag2r-La Mondiale)
12. Martin Elmiger (Sui, Ag2r-La Mondiale)
13. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel, Silence-Lotto)
14. Karsten Kroon (P-B, Team Saxo Bank)
15. Tom Boonen (Bel, Quick Step)
Bennati went but I was able to get past him quite easily.--Mark Cavendish, Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 7
looks like the stars helped, majope!
i called 1,2,3,4,5,13,15 and finally hit the big time at CF :)
i have been tempted to put Mondory on something – nice to see him in 11th
You may very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment.
Holy cow! That's a great haul.
One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs. .--Mark Cavendish, MSR
8th? who won?
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Cavendish?
I thought this was Farrar’s year?
They forgot to tell Hincapie and Cavendish
Just logged on (been out with the family).
I let out a little yelp when I saw the result. My wife thought I’d sat on something painful ;-) Hoping to find some highlights later. Love the bit about Zabel, and Cavendish getting all tearful on the podium. What is he like….
Formerly known on PdC as ruralwales.
LoL
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
All that extra horsepower from being on a Yamaha and he still couldn't catch Cav!
1 Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia – Highroad
2 Haussler (Ger) Cervélo TestTeam
3 Hushovd (Nor) Cervélo TestTeam 0.02
4 Davis (Aus) Quick Step
5 Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes – Farnese Vini
6 Bennati (Ita) Liquigas
7 Galdos (Spa) Euskaltel – Euskadi
8 Rossi (Ita) Ceramica Flaminia – Yamaha
9 Paolini (Ita) Acqua & Sapone – Caffe Mokambo
10 Velits (Svk) Team Milram
Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?
Oh Fuck, you got me
but doesn’t motogp start this weekend as well?
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
No it starts on the 12th
blame Cav!
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Aah how sweet.. But vut you can't help..
You’re German
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
vut isn't a word
but WHAT you can’t help is that you’re still Dutch :)
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Look out..
In 5 years Germanny is a province of The Netherlands..
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Maybe our countires can talk about it in a G8 meeting
oh wait…silly me…the Netherlands aren’t part of the G8, I guess NATO will have to do.
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
*countries
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
What shortshighted
It isn’t all about space! It’s about eeeeh… water!
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Space, people and money
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
G8 isn't about space either, it's about power and influence
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Space is power and influence..
Take that!
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Well than the Netherlands is still less powerful than Germany
so you still lose
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
You see it wrong...
But you’ll learn that when you get older ;)
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
It's OK, you're just in denial
when you get older you’ll understand
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Nope... April 12th in Qatar...
Just manufacturer test days for the time being.
Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?
Still try to figure out if his post was on purpose
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Finsih video up now
<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E88WsOW3uc&eurl=http3A2F%2F”http://www.velonews.com" target="_blank">www.velonews.com2Farticle2F89477%2Fcanvendish-wins-san-remo&feature=player_embedded" target="new">Right here
I want a real finish photo!
Not a blurry video still from behind the line! If I were Haussler, well then lots, but also I would not have accepted the decision that Cav won and I lost based on this crappy shot.
Breaking News!- Lance Armstrong declared winner
after officials noted that he was already several days ahead of the others seeing he orbited the Earth as a result of his launching into orbit early in the race.
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Thanks.. Had a bad dream of Cavendish winning MSR on his first try..
While I always said he couldn’t do that…. Ever
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Just got back from a ride, HOLY SHIT
Shut my mouth, i was onl;y quietly hoping he could do it, but I was not betting on a bunch sprint at all.
It wasn't a bunch sprint. It was Cav chasing down Haussler like he was standing still...
…and a bunch of other guys sitting behind watching and going “holy fucking shit”
Now that doesn't do Haussler the credit he deserves
he launched a great spint waaaay out and almost held on, saying Cav was unbelivable is true but HH wasn’t standing still, he was by far 2nd best and was probably just trying to lead out when he started his sprint.
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Um...
Yes I agree. I meant to suggest that they were the only two even competing, which covers what you just pointed out. I’m a huge fan of both.
All good, I'm real curious to see what HH will do in the spring
and if Cav wins P-R then I will stop watching the sport!…..for a week.
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
That I don't think he does this year.
But this, given especially the high pace for the first part of the race, suddenly makes Cav’s interest in Paris Roubaix seem much more realistic.
My idea of what Cavendish can be as a rider has changed fairly drastically after this.
Tough to say, getting over the Poggio is impressive but it isn't P-R cobbles
I am more interested in HH at P-R, don’t forget Cav will be on the bottom of the pecking order when it comes to being team leader at P-R.
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Yes.
I meant to say Cav at PR in the future. Not this year. But I would say that he has a realistic chance to win it at some point.
Cav started in BMX
just saying he must have some bike handling skills and his finishing kick is only getting faster. He hung onto the the front of the lead group today and finished it off. With a bit of help he can win almost anything if he can smell the finish line. BTW, I don’t like him yet.
Finally! Top 20
I’ll start a VDS thread to keep the non-VDS people from getting bored—come over and crow or commiserate there.
Final Results (top 20):
1. Mark Cavendish 350
2. Heinrich Haussler 300
3. Thor Hushovd 275
4. Allan Davis 250
5. Alessandro Petacchi 225
6. Daniele Bennati 200
7. Aitor Galdos 175
8. Enrico Rossi 150
9. Luca Paolini 125
10. Peter Velits 100
11. Lloyd Mondory 90
12. Martin Elmiger 80
13. Greg Van Avermaet 70
14. Karsten Kroon 60
15. Tom Boonen 50
16. Assan Bazayev 40
17. Francesco Gavazzi 30
18. Christian Knees 20
19. Julian Dean 10
20. Manuele Mori 5
Bennati went but I was able to get past him quite easily.--Mark Cavendish, Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 7
Ok..
Petacchi 225
Velits 100
van Avermaet 70
Total 395…
I doubled my VDS score :O
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
1, 2, 3, 4 and 11
I’m tranquilo.
No longer that I call them tights, I call them freedom ware.
by TheFigurehead on Mar 21, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Hold on!
we decided to keep VDS and race talk seperate, if you want to discuss VDS then go to majope’s post please.
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Would have been interesting to see him head to head against Cav
I mean starting the sprint at the same time, both showed incredible accleration, HH just didn’t have any gas left at the end but he also started his sprint earlier. Hopefully we will see HH have his chance against the worlds best as team leader, maybe GW
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
A lot of us here didn't give Cav a chance this year here at MSR
So being a critic of what this kid won’t or will do in the future isn’t a strong bet. I lean towards going along with whatever he attempts to do. TDF green this year, anyone betting against it now?
Not me
TDF green is his for the taking… But PR? Cav surviving to the end of MSR is one thing, but to the end of PR? Maybe, but I won’t take that bet. But, if he does get to the Velodrome in the final group, all my money is on Cav :)
More Muur...
LOL...
Cav beating anyone else on the road in a Track Sprint? Ya Think!
But seriously, I completely agree
Theo would have to get there...
and he’s got way less chance than Cav. Like, none, at the moment.
Cav is doing the track worlds
that’s were we find out if Bos could take him on the track
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Yeah, not this year, maybe in the future
but Milan-San-Remo as been won by pure sprinters before, not saying this isn’t surprising but this isn’t like Cav winning up Ventoux….if that happens then I will never bet against him again.
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Yeah, if he finishes he wins, I've been convinced now he will get green
the bigger question, if he finishes the Giro will he win the sprinters jersey? Will any sprinter win it? I say No and No.
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Last I heard he wasn't planning to finish the Giro.
Bennati went but I was able to get past him quite easily.--Mark Cavendish, Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 7
Last I heard the Blockhaus said it was going to make sure of that
bigger question, will any sprinter finish the Giro?
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
heh
good question. judging from the course this year someone like – wait I know who’s going to win the sprinter’s jersey it’s THE VICIOUS ANGEL OF COURSE!!!!!
by plinytheelder on Mar 21, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Last I heard
he wasn’t planning to win in San Remo.
Yeah, but there Cav had an interesting slip of the tongue in one of the interviews.
He was going on about riding MSR for the experience, etc. The interviewer said something along the lines of “Suppose you do win?” and Cav said “That’ll be massive.” Not that would be massive, but that will be massive. He had that win planned.
One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs. .--Mark Cavendish, MSR
The Giro points jersey will be hard for any sprinter this year
With that course I can well imagine an attacking climby guy winning it and not Cav or Benna or Petacchi or anther sprinter.
Oh, I agree with you all the way
It looks like he’s been planning this one for quite a long time. I was just making the point that Cav saying that he isn’t going to finish the Giro isn’t the same thing as Cav really planning to drop out.
Good point. But he wants that Tour green jersey bad,
so I’m thinking he really might drop out of the Giro to keep from overdoing it.
One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs. .--Mark Cavendish, MSR
I think he's got to be the prohibitive favorite for the maillot verte now
barring injury, of course. The one knock on him up to this point has been his ability to get over small hills before sprint finishes (remember that stage in the Tour right before the Alps where he essentially lost any chance of winning the GJ because he was out of the finish where Friere won due to a small climb shortly before the finish?) If he can hold on the Cipressa and Poggio, that knock seems a little less relevant. Of course, he may have been trying to peak this week. We’ll see…
The Giro jersey's one of the many
variations on a theme of purple that they have, isn’t it. Ciclamina? Will we see Boonen heading off into the distance on one or two days to pick up the bonuses on offer? A sort of King of the not-quite-the-Mountains break.
apologies if this has already been posted,
but did anyone see this quote from Cavendish? I believe Hons has found his rivalry (from VeloNews):
Q: Some sprinters said you couldn’t get over the climbs?
MC: Absolutely, I knew what they were saying after Tirreno. Tom Boonen said I was getting dropped on all the climbs. If you count the times I got dropped in Tirreno, it was one time, no other times. I knew I had to play it easy in Tireno, because I knew I had good form and a good team. One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs.
And may I just say...HA!
Bennati went but I was able to get past him quite easily.--Mark Cavendish, Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 7
Ha! Nice jab, respect, and I don't even like the dude that much
but, he isn’t including the climbs were all the sprinters were dropped, like the Lupe and on stage 6, he was dropped more than once overall, but I guess he means once on a climb were the other sprinters weren’t dropped.
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
Shorter Cav 2
“suck on this trophy bitch!”
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
ah you posted it already?
my bad, didn’t see it
by plinytheelder on Mar 21, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
you're right about the need for reposting though
f***ing fantastic quote.
by plinytheelder on Mar 21, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
It appears to me that Boonen doesn't get motivated by such comments
too bad, I want to see him win Flanders and Roubaix and then talk some shit back, I want some sprinter drama heading into Le Tour…c’mon Tom, get motivated!
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
speaking of which...
what the hell does Cavendish do for an encore? Do we need to start talking about him for P-R? I wouldn’t have thought so…but hell, with bloody Hincapie on his team? What if those 2 get into a break together? (Do all the other teams just lay down their bikes and give up?)
by plinytheelder on Mar 21, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
it would be beautiful to see them ride into the velodrome together...
and then for Cav. to sit up while Hincapie crossed the line. OK OK I know it won’t happen but it would be nice.
by plinytheelder on Mar 21, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions
That would be fun
But now the peloton has to re-evaluate Cav. They just can’t let him come to a bunch sprint like they just did. What we just saw was a bunch of teams content for the bunch sprint, thinking their guy stood a decent chance. Now they know better. Now they know they have to specifically attack Cav.
So at P-R you have to think that teams will now be playing off of him and the breaks will come harder then what we just saw.
+1
What surprised me the most today was seeing how many teams had not just their sprinter up there, but also a lead out or two. Cervelo had Thor, Haussler and one other, LPR had Petacchi, Di Luca and Pietropolli, Quickstep had Boonen, Chavanel and Allan Davis, Liquigas had at least 4 that I saw, and all Cav had was Hincapie who pulled off pretty early too. In fact if HH hadn’t jumped it looked like Cav was going to burn out 500m before the line because everyone shielding him from the wind was someone else’s leadout and they wouldn’t have been keen to carry him any closer.
Haussler: "I looked behind and I saw bloody Cavendish coming"
from velonews
Full quote: "I saw Cavendish coming. If I sprinted for myself, I wouldn’t have gone so early. I was leading out for Thor. I wanted to get off with 100 meters, but I had to keep going," Haussler said at the line. "I looked behind and I saw bloody Cavendish coming, really fast. My legs were just dying. It’s disappointing. Second place is the first loser. No, no, no, I cannot be satisfied. I know my form is good — (expletive)."
+1
didn’t you say it looked like HH hesitated a bit like he was waiting for Thor? Looking at the replay it looks that way to me, too. Think what might have happened if he hadn’t.
It actually looks worse than that.
I sort of think that Cav more or less jumped HH’s wheel in front of Thor. Thor let a little gap open and Cav slotted right in, halfway blocking Thor. It was brilliant on Cav’s part. He shut Thor down before he really got started, then managed to haul HH in.
no mistake here, I think
HH went to do his job, and then saw that Thor couldn’t live up to his end of the deal. HH tried to salvage what he could, coming within a few mm’s of the biggest win of his career. I’d say he did alright.
Didn't Cav do pretty much the same thing for Ciolek
one day back in Cali last year? Not being able to keep up with your own lead out is never good.
Yup
although I’d make some allowance for this being an outlier – again, a 2 second gap between HH and Cav over the rest in a bunch sprint? Crazy.
+1
They torched everyone else…which says something about just how hard this was raced on the way in.
as well as something
about the kind of form MC and HH are in…
that's a great quote...
another funny think about that story is how Haussler claimed to be leading out Pettachi…and how VN seemed to question this claim. I’ll have to go back and look at it again but that’s how it seemed to me.
by plinytheelder on Mar 21, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, this could be like the generic quote of the year before its over...
“…I saw bloody Cavendish coming, really fast…”
More Thor thopughts
Since his wife is due any second now, maybe Thor just kept riding and is just now setting up his final sprint into Monaco.
Is that finish slighly uphill?
No longer that I call them tights, I call them freedom ware.
by TheFigurehead on Mar 21, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Hilarious photo of Tom
It moments like in that photo that define Tom for me. Did he forget that he was in the race and not a spectator?
The other thing I like about the picture
is Hincapie over on the left, sitting up to watch and see if Cav makes all his hard work pay off.
One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs. .--Mark Cavendish, MSR
+1
He’s already to lift his arms in celebration.
Speed on the descent can easily be lost when you slam into a tree.
It's less funny
if you put him on your VDS team because of his potential in the spring classics. I didn’t think he had much chance of winning the green jersey in the Tour but I thought he might have managed better than the back of the bunch sprint at MSR. If this is indicative of how he’ll perform in RvV and PR, I’m going to need Allan Davis to have a monster spring or my team is in deep merde (HH helps but not that much since everyone else has him, too).
It almost looks as if Boonen is thinking “damn those guys are fast. Good thing I don’t have to get mixed up in that sh!t.”
Why, I believe it's the gentleman whose horoscope said
You will be too optimistic about your chances of success and your ambitions will be greater than your ability to carry them out.
One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs. .--Mark Cavendish, MSR
And on another planet, somewhere
The Sporting Life gave the sort of lead paragraph that makes you wonder what race they were watching
Mark Cavendish produced a superb sprint finish to claim victory in the 298-kilometre Milan-San Remo road race and put Lance Armstrong firmly in the shade.
Well...
I’d say it was annoying when CN had about 20 photos of LA and one of Cav in the middle of the race up for awhile. No podium shot, no finish shot. But Lance looking ‘pensive’ before the race, and a bunch of other teeny bopper fan magazine crap.
I didn't think so
which made that comment seem especially bizarre. I mean, they might as well have said that Cav left Tiger Woods “firmly in the shade” and it wouldn’t have been much less inapt.
He finished 8:05 down
So Lance finished in the big group. To be fair it looked like he was in the lead group off the Poggio but then just coasted in. At least several others were leading out the lead group who finished 8:05 back: Lulu, Nibali, Hunt, etc.
well... this is what's annoying me.
He rode fine, but by his own admission this is not his type of race and there was no particularly good reason to think he’d be a factor. So to treat him, in terms of volume and silliness of attention, as if he were somehow the prohibitive favorite — to the point of ignoring even the winner — becomes obnoxious, in a real way.
Somewhere along the way if he actually wanted to do the sport a favor he’d start trying to deflect some of that attention to the other riders who are worth noticing in some of these situations rather than just feeding the f’ing circus that surrounds him. As it is its becoming a gross and tasteless spectacle.
I think that the timings published to date are total rot
George Hincapie and Danilo Di Luca are also showing as 8:05 down. Big George couldn’t have taken that long to finish even if after leading Cav out he had dismounted and pushed his bike across the finish line with his nose.
Official results have Hincapie 7 seconds back.
One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs. .--Mark Cavendish, MSR
They are
One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs. .--Mark Cavendish, MSR
So Gerard Ciolek didn't even finish
I’m sure I saw him at the foot of the Poggio. Tyler Farrar was another dropout, contrary to all the earlier predictions that he would be there to lead out Julian Dean.
I have the sense that Farrar crashed.
Though I haven’t seen much explanation of that yet. IIRC that’s what was being reported in the thread where his dropping out was noted.
Oh no! That's a pity.
One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs. .--Mark Cavendish, MSR
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunk!
Did your favourite rider just win Montepaschi Strade Bianch Eroica Toscana? OK then.
thanks for that
I was also confused by the results posted at CN that had Hincapie at 8 minutes back – if so, how could he have been in one of the finish shots I’d seen?
Lulu and Nibali finished with the first group.
No longer that I call them tights, I call them freedom ware.
by TheFigurehead on Mar 21, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
In a similar vein, here's the AP story -
Cavendish wins Milan-San Remo; Armstrong trails.
Three of the first four paragraphs are about Lance.
Of the twelve paragraphs of the story, six are about Lance.
I know this kind of thing is to be expected, but when are people going to come to their senses and realize that there are actually other cyclists out there, a lot of whom are currently much better than Armstrong?
At the rate we're going
several years after Lance passes away, even if that’s 60 years from now.
What makes it so sweet, for me, is that this beautiful Monument was won by a guy who is a
vehemently clean rider. Outspokenly clean. Amazingly clean.
"I don't expect the victories to come rolling off like they did in 2008. It just won't happen.....I can't just turn up to something like Milan-SanRemo and win it." -Mark Cavendish, CycleSport American, March 2009.
Another reason Cav is going to rule the (cycling) world this year
Last year, his first win was April 2.
This year he’s already won 5 sprint stages and one freaking monument. And it’s still only March.
One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs. .--Mark Cavendish, MSR
And some people picked Boonen over Cav, huh?
Oh I should talk, like my team is killin’ it or something.
Haussler could be even hotter!
I just rewatched the final 5km or so. Hasusler did a lot of work on the front, presumably looking after Thor, more than once he closed a little gap or had his nose in the wind. And then when he jumped he hesitated to look back for the guy he was meant to be leading out.
I know hindsight is wonderful, but if HH had been a little more protected, say with Thor working for him, then presumably he would have had a little more left in those legs and, well how many inches were in it at the end???
All I’m saying is that I really hope that we get to see HH and Cav go head to head a few more times this year and if we do, I don’t know that Cav is a sure-fire bet, certainly not in these longer races.
To top it off, if you had to wager $100 on HH or Cav winning PR or Flanders would anyone really pick Cav?
Yea I'd pick Cav anytime we're talking head to head...
But HH was one impressive BMF at the end of the race today. And I agree if he wasn’t thinking about anything other than winning for himself it might have been a different story. But this is the longest race of the season, if you’re going to beat Cav, this was a good place to do it. Also, still not taking anything away from HH, Cav had a big gap to close on him to then come around and nip him at the line. That’s just fucking mind over tired ass legs. Anyway, big props to both those guys today, without them at the end it would have been a boring drag to the line.
You would pick Cav even when he isn't racing(Flanders)...that's dedication
but one thing, Haussler had to create that gap Cav had to close, so props on him for doing so with a steller acceleration, a acceleration that can be deadly if he gets the chance to be leader and accelerate with only 100m left, not 500.
Heinrich Haussler (GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Cervélo TestTeam
"Haussler had to create that gap"
Yeah, and to think he dropped nearly all of the world’s best sprinters in one of the biggest one-day races of the year!
Cavendish credits Zabel in the post-race: “Without his help I wouldn’t have won today.”
Also, “We had 3-4 guys who could have won, but they sacrificed their chances to let me help me win.”
They can be proud of themselves. What can it be like to know you’re in with a good chance of having your name on that historic list only to slog your guts out for someone else?
Formerly known on PdC as ruralwales.
The only thing that I question about that is um...
well aside from Haussler, it sure as hell didn’t look like anyone but Cav could have won. It was a nice thing to say, but seriously…
Cav's said he's not doing Flanders?
Any idea if he’s racing PR?
Roubaix/Flanders
I was getting bummed about the fact that Cance and especially Ballan look unlikely to be at full strength for the cobbles. But hopefully some of the young’uns will show up as new big protagonists.
Viva la Lactique
Best shot of the day?
Haussler basically collapsing off his bike after crossing the line (watch the video through past the finish as they ride into the run off area). He truly left nothing out there today.
yes that was something
he just laid right down on the pavement – as you say, truly spent
You may very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment.
Photo from Cor Vos
More photos here—can’t link directly, but go there and search for Milan Sanremo.
One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs. .--Mark Cavendish, MSR
thanks
great pics! that must have hurt HH in more ways than one…
You may very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment.
Amazing pic Haussler
Just watched the finish, and watched him collapse… Damn he gave it all, Mwuuuahhh HH great race.. a kiss for you.
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
Another nice photo
Cav: “Erik [Zabel] came up to me and said he got this [a silver bracelet] as a gift when he won his first Milano-Sanremo. He gave it to me today.”
One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs. .--Mark Cavendish, MSR
It was a great race from Mark Cavendish
… and the result is almost perfect.
I only missed Thor from the first six, meaning more than doubled my points.
1325 points today, just under 900 in the past weeks :-)
Let’s see what Castilla y Leon will bring next week….
Did you see
Cav’s quote about Cippo in Velonews?
He congratulated me. He’s a nice guy. After I made a fuck-up last year in California and lost him as a friend forever (ed – when he passed Cipollini in the prologue pedaling with one leg), he’s a real nice guy. I’m glad when someone of that statue in the sport can be happy for me, that makes me really happy also.
RAI interviewed Cipollini just after the finish
He said something along the lines of how lucky he had been to have had the chance to race against Cav last year in California. No mention of the leg incident at all.
I don't recall the incident offhand
but I’m guessing Cav feels worse about it than Cipo does…
It was in the TT
Cipo was taking it easy, saving himself for the next day’s sprint. Cav happened to be his one minute man, caught up with him, and as he came passed he pulled one leg out of the pedal and waved it at Cipo. The sort of thing that might be funny on a training ride, but looks really bad when the video gets flashed all the way around the world.
Tyler Farrar
I’m really bummed. Seeing the way the race finished and that Farrar has been one of the few that can hang or beat cav in the end it could have been a great day for tyler.
Gets worse. VN says he might miss the classics with fractured collarbone.
They’re trying to determine now.
Stuey
Per the Sexy Back website, no fractures for Stuey :-). Mind you, it still had to have been a bloody awful knock, for Stuey to get shipped off in an ambulance.
Great news
Glad all is ok, I’ll be chatting to those boys when i get there….
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
You know, I'm actually feeling quite patriotic about all this.
I have surprised myself. I may actually be starting to like Cav. I have so much admiration for him winning a race like this when I honestly didn’t think he could hack it…the fact that he’s so emotional about it actually is making me quite emotional! Strange things going on in my head….!
We are Borg. Resistance is futile.
One of the sweetest things today was seeing Tom Boonen go past me backwards on the climbs. .--Mark Cavendish, MSR
You should.
He rode a great race, showed real appreciation for everyone who had helped him, and more than that, a real sense of the gravity of the moment that a lot of 22 year olds with his resume wouldn’t have. He seems to me to be the opposite of the cocky little **** that so many seem to think him to be.
well put
though there indeed is a video of him somewhere referring to himself as a “cocky little northerner”
by plinytheelder on Mar 21, 2009 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Are we going to need a second post race thread? 407 comments. Wow.
What a beautful win and exciting race.
Gazetta's home page has the official finish line photo
It was a bit bigger margin than I would have thought, but still close. They say 11cm. I thought it was like 1 or 2, looking at the other fotos.
"....Up Sestriere on a rental clunker in jeans and loafers? Brother, lemme buy you a beer."
by Rolls on Mar 21, 2009 8:48 PM EDT reply actions
Thanks! They say 6 miliseconds
(because photofinish photos measure time not distance) and they figure 11 cm, so I guess they estimated Cav was going 66 km/h or 41 mph.
A very odd photo
or does Cav really ride 24" rims?
Weird, isn't it
And he rides with big knobby mtb tires. Imagine if they gave him some road wheels. Damn…
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It's a strange perspective
Let Father Ted explain it.
It's not a regular photo
but a true finish photo, taken through a vertical slit on the line. So the horizontal dimension is not space but time. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photo_finish
Jean-Francois Bernard in L'Equipe on Cav's Sprint...
“C’est vraiment un sprint qui vient de l’au-delà.”
Or…for the francophone challenged: “It is truly a sprint which comes from the beyond.” Rather nicely put.
Wow... 420 comments in a post race thread? You people starved for racing or what :D
hehehehehe… 420… Thor is pleased.
Dude... why WOULDN'T Thor ride the chicken?
Chapeau to Cav for what he did today
And, for those who claim that his too arrogant, that his head has grown too large, here is the boy’s response:
“I wanted to prove I am more than just a sprinter, but a great rider – that is what I did today.”
Such a likable guy…
Sean Kelly was a great rider, and I doubt he has ever told anyone so in his entire life.
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 21, 2009 10:16 PM EDT reply actions
Except that...
1) He just won one of the monuments, which is pretty much a dividing line between good and great riders.
2) Nothing in the tone of that statement seems to involve anything more than a pretty healthy self-affirmation. I can’t see any reason at all to begrudge him that.
Cav is a great rider?
Healthy self-affirmation? Distasteful pompousness? What’s the diff?
Winning MSR doesn’t make you a great rider. Shall I list the non-great riders who have won it?
He simply rubs me the wrong way. Everything he says is so gratuitous and vulgar. He got some great jabs in against Boonen today, and that is gonna come back to haunt him.
He’s won the weakest of the five monuments, that’s great. It just doesn’t give him the right to…confirm everything I ever thought about the boy.
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 21, 2009 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Well...
Given that your entire self-presentation here, including your nick, seems to be about knocking other people down, I’m not surprised you can’t tell the difference.
Speaking of distasteful.
That's such a good point.
Putting people in the gutter is about racing aggressively in cross-winds. Have you ever raced in a cross-wind before? If I put you in the gutter, it means that I’ve strung out the race and forced you to ride in the gutter if you want to get a draft. It’s not about shoving anyone or riding dirty. It is the essence of bike racing. It is one of the few ways a difference can be made in a race besides attacking up hill.
And, working with sprinters in breakaways is part of the sucker culture that exists in American racing.
Admittedly, these are esoteric issues, as is my reaction to Cav.
Really, it isn’t necessary to make this about me, especially since your grasp of the issues seems to be thin at best.
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 21, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Sure it is.
I’m trying to discuss whether or not winning MSR gives you the right to talk about yourself in the same category as Sean Kelly or Eddy or Moser or you pick.
And further, I’m saying that even if you are in that category, saying so is distasteful. And, he’s done it over and over in the past two years. The issue keeps coming up and people keep defending him, saying that it is just youthful exuberance and that he always backs up the smack he talks…
I suppose I prefer my champions with a little humility, maybe some respect. I betcha this stuff will occur to Cav at some point. The sport is too political for him to be allowed to keep running his mouth without repercussions.
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 21, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
So you think someone in the Peloton is going to take Cav out
because he is cocky? Even though he consistently backs it up with his abilities? Seems unlikely to me, but who knows… As you say, it sounds like you have a problem with people who point out their own abilities, which is your right certainly. I don’t read his statement as him comparing himself with the all time greats of the sport (the Merckx’s, Kelleys, Mosers, etc). And I think it’s unfair to say Cav has no respect… he has respect for the traditions of the sport, respect for his teammates who sacrifice so he can wins, and respect for those who came before him. I hear him acknowledge these whenever he is interviewed, but the thing he does not do is that false humility nonsense that so many in his position do, where they downplay themselves entirely. Doesn’t bother me when he shows what he showed today. He was on another plane today from the best riders in the world.
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I doubt if someone takes him out, but certainly there are many, many ways that someone could punish him for his arrogance. Do you think that Boonen is his best friend at this point? Do you think that Tom lacks juice in the bunch? I think he should show more respect toward Boonen. I realize that Boonen has said things in the press as well, but Tom is one of the greats. No one would exclude him from that group.
I don’t think he showed that he was on another plane today among the best riders in the world. Rather, I think he showed that he was on another plane among the best sprinters in the world.
False humility… If it doesn’t bother you, that’s cool. Is it ok if it bothers me?
I hope you guys are enjoying this as much as I am. There are moments when you don’t seem to be…
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Respect to Boonen?
Why? Yeah he won a lot of sprints nut it isn’t a guy how is respectfull to others.. It’s nice, for some, to see him cheer when a teammate wins but I never see any respect to others..
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
"He won a lot of sprints"??!
What the hell? The reason he’s great is he has won RVV and P-R twice each, and Worlds.
I'm assuming that you were writing
“Yeah, he has won a lot of sprints but he isn’t a guy who is respectful to others.” Is that right?
I don’t remember Tom talking a great deal of trash. Maybe he has, but that seems to miss the point. Tom certainly never talked himself up before he won the Ronde. Now that he’s won the big races, the issue is whether or not other riders treat him with respect. Look at what he said about Cav and HH after the race. I’ll paraphrase because the comment didn’t involve much subtlety. He said that even if he’d been in top condition he probably couldn’t have beaten Cav or HH on Saturday. I think that is an interesting statement for a champion to make.
If you are wondering why Boonen should be respected, I can’t help but feel that we are engaged in two separate conversations. Hasn’t he earned a great deal of respect?
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
So someone might "put him in the gutter"?
Or something like that? I’m just curious what repercussions you are talking about. I am not a racer. Sounds like you are and that you have some insight into what exactly happens to someone in the peloton who mouths off too much. Please share some specifics.
And if you read what I said, I said that false humility does bother me. Falsity bothers me. So if it bothers you too, then we are in agreement.
Also, not sure you noticed, but I mentioned that you are entitled to your opinion.
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Specifics
People can leave small gaps for you you to close, teams can refuse to give you a wheel when you don’t have other support, they can refuse you a bottle, fans can become abusive along side the road, you are super-vulnerable in a cross-wind section (friends can help each other a great deal)…
Cav seems to be really good at taking space when he really needs it in a race, but that’s not usually how space is exchanged in the bunch. Usually, someone gives you space because you ask for it or because they don’t care about it that much. However, when people target you, they can deny you any inch of space that that they want to. Here, I’m not talking about the last few k’s of the race, I’m talking about those other 5 hours. Maybe this stuff seems petty to you, but do you really think that these races are anything besides cutthroat? If you are involved in the finale of a difficult race, you are not going to have 5 teammates to watch out for you. And, as a sprinter, people have even less incentive to play nice with you.
My prediction is that Cav gets religion sometime very soon.
When I refer to “putting people in the gutter,” I’m referring to the art of racing in cross-winds. I think it is an absolutely under-utilized tactic in racing, and it is completely fair/honest/ethical. When you ride at the very edge of the road in a cross-wind, others must ride in the gutter in order to draft. It is a tactic that punishes weak riders. When I’ve gone to the cycling hotbeds of the country (Boulder and Sac), riders have understood how to use cross-winds, but in the peripheries I don’t see an awareness of tactical racing. I see people talking a lot about wheel-sucking and attacking early and often…then I see those same people dropped on every climb. They may have their vaunted honor (because they shared equally in all the work), but they are dropped just the same. I see people stringing out criteriums for no reason at all. I see people complaining because the rest of the group won’t work when there is no reason to work. I see people chasing breakaways, and towing the field, instead of trying to bridge.
Podium Cafe, in my mind, has elevated the quality of debate about these issues a great deal. My sense is that in Belgium, you learn about racing from people who have raced, a lot. Here in America, you generally learn about it by reading magazines or you have a friend who is a triathlete or you ride a century. You’ve read the discussions here at the Cafe about blocking, right? Well, that crap happens all the time, and it shouldn’t.
I was in a race a few years ago where a guy swerved around like a maniac the entire race. He was doing it because he thought that was racing. He wasn’t nervous or a poor bike handler, he simply thought that swerving was blocking. He thought that he could prevent people from drafting him by swerving. In the last lap of that race he took a horrible line through the last corner (because he knew no one would be on his wheel if he rode there) and a young kid was pinched into the gutter on the exit to the turn and slammed into a tree at over 30mph. The kid was in the hospital after that for, I think, 5 days.
Cycling is a political sport. It isn’t structured like other American sports with specific rules for every situation, shot clocks, game clocks, boundaries and time-outs. Wouldn’t you agree that the number of unwritten rules exceeds the written down kind in bike racing? It seems to me that our very own LA went through the same learning curve that Cav is on right now. Back in the 90’s, you couldn’t read one story about him that didn’t mention the words brash and cocky (sorry for the double-negative). Look where he came from; he was a triathelete. He thought that he could attack in every race and ride away from people. And, he thought he could talk smack and there would be no fallout as long as he won. He didn’t win. But for the Fleche and San Sebastian, he didn’t win much after his rainbow jersey ride in Oslo, did he? He began to shut the heck up at some point if I remember correctly. Now, maybe this is a case of mistaking correlation for causation, but I’m not so sure.
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
interesting points
Kind of a downer to hear about that guy swerving all over the place though – I assume if you’ve been racing for several years that you race at a fairly elite level? I’d have hoped that kind of stuff only occurred among the beginners or lower category riders.
by plinytheelder on Mar 22, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Elite level?
I’m done racing. My body won’t handle the training anymore.
Are you aware of the genetic-freakishness of the guys racing at the elite level? I know guys that can ride a 40k TT at over 27mph, and they are no where near the elite level. I could ride a 40K at just over 25mph, so you can see where that put me. I didn’t suck, but come on.
My level of strength allowed me to train with pros occasionally and race to win in lower categories—and I didn’t win very often at all. But, I’d say I made a lot of my meager ability. I was probably one of the top 10 Cat 3’s in the NorCal region several years ago. I was pack fodder in Cat 2.
Anyway, part of what I’m saying is that in the early years of my cycling life, there was no way to learn anything. Sure, you knew about Greg LeMond and his exploits, but that doesn’t help you when it comes time to race. We need some grizzly bastards in this country to step up and say, “Racing is war.” You don’t win a war by having the best weapons, or talking smack to your enemy, or glomming onto the next personality cult, i.e., Cav, LA, whomever. You win by fighting and you win by understanding the war better than your opponent.
The swerving thing did happen at a lower level. It was probably the last race I ever road in my life. It shouldn’t happen at any level. We need a club system that teaches a rider some manners in this country.
I live in a fairly active cycling area, and I swear that when I took over leadership of the club races in 2000, I took it over from a triathelete. Can you imagine that? What kind of education does that give club racers?
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't mean any offence,
“elite level” was probably the wrong choice of words, I was just hoping this wasn’t happening in a cat. 1 race. I agree that it shouldn’t be happening anywhere, and that better coaching is needed.
by plinytheelder on Mar 22, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I wasn't offened
I’m sorry too if I seemed defensive.
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
There is hope
meaning as far as opportunities to learn how to race from experienced vets goes, or at least there is in my part of Nor Cal. There is an excellent junior team called “Team Swift” with coaches who really seem to know their shit, at least to my eye, and who definitely have experience at the elite level. I believe that Steven Cozza started riding with them. Like I said, I don’t race, my only experience is riding in a couple of office park crits last year in the all-comers race with kids and grandmothers and one-legged pirates who all dropped me, but once I got comfortable enough so that I didn’t think I was going to crash every second, and before I got dropped, I found myself struggling to hang close to the Team Swift coach, trying to listen in as she was helping out this kid, who was probably 12 or so, telling him to close a gap, to change his line, even how to apologize to someone he had cut off, really basic stuff like that. It was pretty cool to see and it gave me a huge amount of respect for what it takes to really race. I wish something like that had been available to me growing up. I talked to her after the race and told her how great I thought it was that she was doing what she was doing. I know from other athletic endeavors that I don’t have anywhere close to the engine required to be a pro, or a cat 2, or even a cat 3, but it would have been nice to have had the opportunity to learn when I was young enough to get into it.
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You're probably dead on about Team Swift
I raced against Cozza when he was young and I was old. He raced with us for a year when he was 16, I think, and then the next year he was on to bigger things.
That is exactly what I’m talking about, though. Who was the coach you are referring to?
I think Michael Hernandez was involved with that team for a while. That guy has been an extraordinary asset to the sport. He’s one of the guys I was talking about who can ride 40k at 27mph but isn’t really elite.
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Laura Charameda, I think
I honestly didn’t catch her name when we talked, which was for maybe 30 seconds tops, but looking at their team website, her name is mentioned. Just googled her and yep, she’s the one. Here is her bio. Wow…
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Thanks for looking that up.
One of my favorite things is acknowledging the retired pros at the races. I like for them to know that they aren’t forgotten. Cindy Olaverri comes to mind, John Peeters, Nicole Freedman…
I wouldn’t be surprised if I’ve run across Laura before and had no idea who she was. Thanks!
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Hm, I don't know why you'd think that he's refering to YOUR dividing line...
Everyone has their own categorization of “good” and “great.” Cav broke a barrier in his own categorization.
He also seems to have impressed the hell out of Eddy in the process (see photos).
Now, you are quite welcome to set your cutoffs for greatness higher than Eddy does. Heck, you can demand that the man first walk on water, or ascend amid angels. But if you project YOUR cutoffs on CAV’s statement, you’re setting up a straw man argument. He didn’t say, “I am Eddy.” You’re the one making that claim for him. That, my friend, we will call you on. It’s not an excess of subtlety, it’s a gap in eithe your rhetoric or your logic.
Finally, not to flog a dead horse, but different cultures and different people have different attitudes towards plain-speaking. Cav gives endless credit to others. Yes, he also speaks very plainly about his own chances and his own results. That could mean he’s not humble. It could equally mean he was raised to tell the unvarnished truth. Neither you nor I know what’s going through his head, so we really can’t disentangle those two possibilities.
You make some good points.
So, where is your cutoff between just a great sprinter and great rider? That’s the claim Cav is making, right? But, that is a small part of this. I just can’t see any standard for “great rider” that he has lived up to. I doubt if Eddy would place Cav alongside the great riders, yet.
As for cultural differences… Even if he was raised that way, I don’t think it is a good excuse, and nor does it need to be disentangled. I’m comparing him to the greats in the sport, and I’ve never seen one acting that way. I think that is a good thing. I can see what you are saying about “unvarnished truth” and whatnot, but are you sure you aren’t seeing this with your rose-colored glasses? Modesty doesn’t need to be false.
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Why can't Cav be a great rider?
I think he and Boonen and Andy and HH and many others are great riders. That doesn’t mean I think they are part of “the Greatest” yet but I think they’re great riders.
It sounds like too much is being put on words used. Cav doesn’t strike me as one of the PR machines selecting choice words to start something. He’s backing up is words these days and I’m letting him celebrate this win with smiles. It was a great finish.
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
“It sounds like too much is being put on words used.”
That could be…but he is so well known for saying such things, isn’t he?
I should probably let him celebrate his win, too. I considered that when I began this conversation, but jeesh. Are ya’ll really defending someone who says, “I am a great rider.” Is that defensible? It doesn’t make you want to vomit?
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Well I think I'm Great at a few things!
and I tell anyone who wants to hear it, or experience it ;-)
Cav is just doing the same, He can say he is Great at Riding, I can say I’m Great at things, and you can even say you Great at something..
Really, it isn’t worth all this heartache…
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
It isn’t heartache, it is just a conversation. I’m enjoying it, and I doubt if you really do tell nearly anyone how great you are in your everyday life…that’s my point.
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Ummm Yeah I do
If i didn’t then I wouldn’t be where I am today :-)
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
Oh, I hope you'll agree to dicertate on that theme...
Is dicertate a word/verb? Tell me where you are today. Where has self-promotion gotten you? Maybe this is the key to life that I’ve been looking for? It would sure explain a great deal about my life…
I’d be willing to pay you if you’d agree to elaborate. Does the grin on my face come through the words?
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions
LoL yes the Grin came through
Well telling people how great i am has helped me at my work: I am a Great leader.
I know that a platoon of soldiers will follow me into a Battlefield and risk their lives with me, not because they have to, but because I’m a Great Leader. Not only do I tell them this, they see this in my actions. They are great soldiers, and they tell me this everyday too.
There’s one example.. I can keep going..
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
Please do!
Do you believe that if you didn’t tell them, they wouldn’t know? Would they be less likely to follow you? Do you believe it is possible to diminish your credibility, in general, if you take self-aggrandizement too far?
Please, be as philosophical as you need to be.
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 2:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Philosophical Shit, I'm lucky to spell that right.
I’m not here to answer questions about what people would or wouldn’t do, if i did or didn’t tell them.
My point is: If he wants to tell people, thats his choice… He probably doesn’t care what other people think about him, he is confident enough to know himself, and will continue to say what he feels like. Why shouldn’t he, the microphone is shoved in his face…
I for one, tell people what i think, If they like it or not, I don’t care, I don’t answer to anyone except myself. and yes plenty of times I’ve had people disagree with me, but it hasn’t stopped me.
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
I think i need another beer now...
Anyway,
The race was an awesome race!!
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
Because, he'll fly too close to the sun, and his wings will melt, that's why.
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 2:55 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm now having images of that!!
But I can see Goergie Baby grabbing him and pulling him down.. He always has help.. LoL
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
See, all that shit up there about "What's the diff?"
That’s my gripe about something being opinion vs. say something being ignorance. Shady difference sometimes, but that example up there is a little more clear.
I don't quite follow you.
Could you say that again in a different way?
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 21, 2009 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Simply that there is a difference between the two...
Your question implies that there is no difference between healthy self-affirmation and distasteful pompousness.
I was being ironical????
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 21, 2009 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions
So, we are agreed?
Cav is a pompous guy and he has a ways to go before he has lived up to his own hype?
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 21, 2009 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Hardly
“he has a ways to go before he has lived up to his own hype?”
The vast majority didn’t give the guy a chance to make it to the finish today. What hype are you talking about?
Yeah, that is a good point (and, I'm not being ironical this time).
The hype I’m talking about is where he calls himself a great rider. I don’t think that is justified.
You’re right that lots of people, including me, didn’t think he could make it over the Paggio. It definitely raises his status.
But, is self-promotion really all that charming? Does winning MSR make you a great rider? That other guy says yes, I say no. I say that MSR is a bit of a lottery, and so the praise heaped on those who manage to win it should be attenuated to match.
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
If it were his first win, ever, you'd have a strong point.
As it is, given his penchant for winning “normal” sprints—and the fact that he’s been training for this, and being trained by Zabel, and focusing on extending his climbing and his range—I tend to forgive him for feeling that his win was not entirely a fluke.
I'm not sure I follow your reasoning here.
I’m not saying he is a fluke winner. I’m saying that winning MSR doesn’t make you a great rider. And, that even if it did, proclaiming it yourself (as opposed to letting other people make that judgment) is unseemly.
You guys are meh-ing me, and that’s cool, but I don’t hear you making a very good argument for Cav’s greatness. Maybe I could handle his remarks a little bit better if he could manage to win something like PR or the Ronde, but he hasn’t and I doubt he will. Feel free to come back and rub it in my face if he does.
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Which riders - riding now - do you consider great riders?
Or do you classify them all as good riders? You referred to Boonen. Is he one, because of races he’s won in his career so far? Cav’s pretty young and I’m hoping he continues to grow and accomplish great things over time. For now, I think he already has. Would you give him credit for being a great track rider or is this about the road?
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
I absolutely apprecieate the tone of your questions.
As a cursory thing, I suppose that winning several monuments (or Rainbow jerseys) or GT’s would put you there. How about four of either?
That would place Bert on the threshold, Tom, ValVerde, Friere, who else?
I’m hoping he continues to grow as well; and I’m also hoping someone will stuff a sock in his blow-hole!
Track…That would be like me commenting on the status of Becham. I don’t even know if I’m spelling the guy’s name right. I don’t know anything about track racing. I would give Cav credit for being a truly great road sprinter, though. I think he has done enough in his young career to establish that. He has crushed people in sprints in ways that guys like Van Poppel or Cipo or Bontempi used to. His sprinting chops are above reproach.
How many great riders do you think are out there today? Who would you place in that category? I think there is/should be a historical connotation to that word. Is that reasonable? Maybe I am making too much of it??? Qui sais. It’s just chatter.
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree that it's way too early for anyone to call Cavendish one of the greats.
Though he’s certainly not far off, with all those TdF wins and a monument…if he stopped riding tomorrow people would still be talking about him 50 years from now, just for this crazy explosion of success, at such a young age.
However I do wonder if you’re not making a mountain out of a molehill here. This whole discussion began with this quote from Cavendish:
"I wanted to prove I am more than just a sprinter, but a great rider – that is what I did today."
And you took issue with the fact that someone so young and relatively unaccomplished compared to someone like, say, Kelly (the example you used) would call himself “great.” But I have to say, I read this quote in a very different way: I think you could replace the word “great” with “excellent” here. To wit: how many times have you been out on a group ride or a club ride, and there’s one dude who’s really strong and attacks again and again, and a couple of people say: “wow, he’s a great rider.” They’re not comparing him to Kelly when they say this, they’re just saying he’s excellent, really capable.
Well, when I read Cavendish’s quote, that’s what I “heard”: a guy saying I’m not just someone who will go out and win sprints, I’m someone who is a threat to win the classics, or some of them anyways. In other words: “watch out for me, because I’m not just a great sprinter, I’m a great rider.” This sounds fine to me. On the one hand, I don’t think he’s necessarily comparing himself to Kelly by saying it; on the other hand, and to echo someone from above, I find it refreshing when someone puts aside the false modesty. Given how awestruck he was by Zabel, Cipo, Merckx, etc., I don’t think that he’s disrespecting the sport in any of what he says, which is what I’d take to be the measuring stick of this whole thing.
by plinytheelder on Mar 22, 2009 3:09 AM EDT up reply actions
+1
Exactly. Cavendish was not saying “I put myself amongst the greats today”, or “I am now one of the greatest cyclists.”
Trying to pretend he was making comparisons between himself and Merckx, Kelly or Moser is nonsense.
I read into his comment a response to all that chat that he would not make it up the hills, and that he was just a ‘flat’ rider. He wanted to prove he was more than that.
And he did.
Agreed
I read his statement as more along the lines of … “I am more of an all around rider than people think”. He proved that he can get himself to the end of the big classics with the front group, and that if he does, he owns everyone.
More Muur...
Yeah, those are great points.
I’m going to re-think my position. It is hard for me to accept that calling yourself a great rider is similar to saying, “I am more of an all around rider that people think,” but maybe I am splitting hairs. Vive le Cav.
Never, ever, work with a sprinter.
by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Mar 22, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
there
are light years of difference between being “a great rider” and “one of the great riders.” Also “a great rider” could be meant in a number of ways – we throw around the word great very lightly – sometimes it means next to nothing, other times we mean it seriously, as in true greatness.
First of all you’d want to actually hear his quote rather than just read it – or maybe you’d need to be inside his head to know what he meant by it. Put em, i think you’re predisposed to see his comment as him being very arrogant, so you read it that way. Others don’t have that view, so they don’t see much in it. Myself i don’t know enough so i give him the benefit of the doubt – well even more than that – that comment didn’t strike me as being such a big deal. But i’m not familiar with the guy other than to know he is one hell of a sprinter.
For all i know you could be right about him, but seriously, that comment of his about becoming “a great rider” could really be taken a lot of ways.
MSR is making you a great rider..
Look how won their.. You are big.. With 4 Tour stages, and 1 in Italie I would say you are one of the greatest in the peleton.. Who did better than him? Their are not too may living riders who can say that.. 1 Classic, 5 stages in a GT..
If you can say you are great? I’ll stick with you.. To say that by yourself is as making your own nickname.. It hasn’t any value.
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
MSR is making you a great rider..
Look how won their.. You are big.. With 4 Tour stages, and 1 in Italie I would say you are one of the greatest in the peleton.. Who did better than him? Their are not too may living riders who can say that.. 1 Classic, 5 stages in a GT..
If you can say you are great? I’ll stick with you.. To say that by yourself is as making your own nickname.. It hasn’t any value.
Crashdan: "Veni Vidi Vici beats Wing Kong Exchange... … and I’ll change my signature to a backwards smile for a month."
Franzoi wins Parijs-Roubaix and I win a date with the VDS of Team Txirrindulariak..
Haussler new Hottie
After checking out many of the photos from MSR, I must say that Haussler is being upped on my Hottitude ranks.. Yes, I have added him in the past to hottie threads, BUT
Damn, after seeing him in many photos today, His eye are bedroom eyes….
They kept saying to me – Oh you know what i mean… WoW, always like having a new Hottie..
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
Ohh I'm sure I can do that haha
I did read he didn’t ride the worlds or olympics (Not sure which one) for germany, as he wanted to keep the option open of representing Australia.. Once an aussie always an Aussie, it’s in his Blood…
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
HaHa Frank proposed and then left.
He needs to call me… LoL or is that someone else i’m thinking about…
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950
McEwen claims breathing problems today
from twitter: mcewenrobbie – the breathing problems followed me all the way to San Remo – what a bad day on the bike. Congrats Cav. – about 4 hours ago from web
and previously: breathng Milan air is like being slowly choked – cough – 8:10 AM Mar 19th from web
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