Cancellara won stage 9 in the Tour de Suisse. You can watch 2 perspectives on the finish of this race.
The first is the TV coverage. The second is a fan's video from the finish line. TOTALLY different stories being told. Just make sure you watch the TV coverage at least thru 2 minutes in. You'll see the toll that last 1km took on Cancellara.
Posted at 04:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Fabian Cancellara is the man. There was never any doubt, but he's had a couple wins this season (one at Milan-San Remo and then at the Tour de Suisse) which are now getting referred to as wins in his hallmark fashion. Basically, he takes off with anywhere from 1km to 6km to go and time-trials his way to a victory. I can't help thinking that he's sort of like Robert Horry, who was hitting game-winning shots for years then all-of-a-sudden got known for it.
Cancellara had one of the gutsiest and strongest Tour de France stage wins last year, taking off with 1km to go and holding off a charging peloton and the sprinters. He also won Paris-Roubais by literally riding everyone off his wheel.
But take a look at this video of the Tour de Suisse Stage 7 and you'll see something very subtle but amazingly effective. The first video is the beginning of the break and the 2nd is the finish of it. Total of 10 mins. But in the 2nd video, pay attention at the 2:50 mark, they show they peloton chasing, one guy is driving hard off the front and then a gap appears. Well, that gap appears b/c Cancellara's CSC teammate Bobby Julich was sitting second wheel in the peloton. And he lets that gap open up. That bit of gap and basically of blocking the peloton's chase was essentially the difference b/w Cancellara winning or not. That's why cycling is a team sport. If Julich doesn't force the gap, Cancellara probably doesn't win.
Oh yea, Cancellara won today's stage 9 by taking off after Philippe Gilbert in the final 1km.
1st Cancellara Video
Posted at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
Here's your daily dime for this Friday, June 20th...
1. Frank Schleck had what is appropriately called a spectacular crash in the Tour de Suisse this week. Frank Schleck Crash . I'm not sure how he climbed out, as there is no video of that, but amazing nonetheless, that he finished the stage.
2. In the "all our cassettes go to 11" department, Campy has introduced an 11-speed cassette for its Super Record Groupo. No word on how much more black they'll make it. Campy 11-Speed
3. For all you try-atha-letes out there - A nite-time triathlon? Yes, brought to you by the folks in Singapore. Might be a cool experience (um, sure). Don't ask how you sight - maybe they attach fireflies to everyone's swim cap? Singpore Night Triathlon
Stay Cool, Los Angeles
Posted at 09:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
You wouldn't think there would be that much happening in a couple days, but what do you know, so much to say. I may actually save something for tomorrow so that I have some good stuff for tomorrow.
1. First off, team Slipstream-Chipotle is now Garmin-Slipstream. AYes, Garmin as in the GPS company. Actually, they are now Team Garmin-Chipotle Presented by H30. Sort of like the Rose Bowl presented by AT&T, except a whole lot more ridiculous. You know that if any one on that team goes off course or makes any sort of directional error, the jokes they will be a-flyin'.
2. RAAM riders have been finishing for the past few days. Slovenian military man Jure Robic won his 3rd solo race. And he finished 2nd in his rookie year. I am curious what kind of toll this has taken on him. Clearly, he is well-trained and better designed for this event, but riding x-country 4 times, not to mention the other races he does, must do something to his bum...
3. also want to give a shout out to the 2-person team of Gran Fondo Fixies. That's right, a 2-person team riding fixed gear x-country. Note this isn't single speed. This is fixed gear. Yikes...
4. Thx to Brooklin for passing along this video. Absolutely hilarious... Rasmussen Video
Keep on keepin' on.
-Babak
Posted at 01:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
if you thought yesterday was a great day in sports (tiger's amazing put (btw, the playoff has begun), lakers squeaking an ugly one out, the college world series, and world cup soccer), well, you are correct.
in cycling news, however, we're off to a great start to the week:
1. Team High Road has become Team Columbia (as in Columbia Sportswear), starting at this year's Tour de France. But it sounds like they may ride under both names for the remainder of the season. yea, i don't understand it either.
2. ASO and AEG have formed a partnership. ASO run the Tour day France thing and just bought a 49% stake in the Vuelta. AEG runs the Tour day Cal-ee-forn-nee-uh, plus they own a bajillion other sports-related entities. they says it's some cross-marketing/promotion thing. we'll see what it ends up looking like.
3. Boonen is now saying that he was trapped, that someone dropped a mickey into his drink at a bar, and that's why he tested positive for cocaine. i love that he says this 10 days after the positive test. you took 10 days to come out w/ a statement and the best you came up with was "my dog ate my newspaper?"
4. lance has pegged cadel evans to win the tour. he has also said cunego has no shot b/c he can't do the tour climbs. but the best part is that lance says he doesn't follow cycling that closely these days. no, of course not. he's been too busy running w/ his shirt off w/ matthew mcconaughey and hooking up w/ every celebrity (i've lost track but i think his last foray was w/ kate hudson - first owen wilson trained like lance in me, myself and irene, and then the real life lance takes his girl...).
5. most importantly, jure robic continues to lead the solo raam division. he's averaging 14+ mph and has 300 miles to go, a full 200+ miles ahead of his closest competitor. plus, the 4-person male team has been a good competition. the difference b/w 21. 08 vs. 20.75 mph becomes more pronounced over 3,000 miles...http://stats.raceacrossamerica.org/2008/reports/overview.html for more info...
keep those derailleurs greased and those tires inflated to 104...
-babak
Posted at 09:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
