Stage One
Well, a fairly typical first stage. There was a breakaway early of some fairly anonymous riders. they held the lead most fo the day, only to have the peleton reel them back in and set up a final mad dash for the line for the sprinters.
Except that a sprinter didn't win. Fassa worked hard all day to get Petacchi a shot at the stage, and there wasn't a person watching who didn't think he would win the stage. Hell, the OLN crew pretty much conceded the stage to Petacchi from the outset. However, the final 100 meters weren't exactly flat. So Paolo Bettini attacked in the final km and nipped that whole sprinting thing in the bud. Thanks for the help Fassa.
Even better, McEwen won the sprint in much the same way he always has. Since his team sucks out loud, McEwen is free to simply stalk the biggest rival (Petacchi until he decides to drop out). Fassa does all of the work for its man, but McEwen reaps just as much benefit by sitting on Petacchi's wheel. In a straight sprint with no help, Petacchi is probably the best in the world, but McEwenhas the advantage of just sitting and reacting to all of his rival's moves.
Bettini's in pink right now, but that doesn't matter in the early stages. Though he is good enough to hold the lead for a long time. The real competition is for the sprints, and McEwen holds the early edge.
Well, a fairly typical first stage. There was a breakaway early of some fairly anonymous riders. they held the lead most fo the day, only to have the peleton reel them back in and set up a final mad dash for the line for the sprinters.
Except that a sprinter didn't win. Fassa worked hard all day to get Petacchi a shot at the stage, and there wasn't a person watching who didn't think he would win the stage. Hell, the OLN crew pretty much conceded the stage to Petacchi from the outset. However, the final 100 meters weren't exactly flat. So Paolo Bettini attacked in the final km and nipped that whole sprinting thing in the bud. Thanks for the help Fassa.
Even better, McEwen won the sprint in much the same way he always has. Since his team sucks out loud, McEwen is free to simply stalk the biggest rival (Petacchi until he decides to drop out). Fassa does all of the work for its man, but McEwen reaps just as much benefit by sitting on Petacchi's wheel. In a straight sprint with no help, Petacchi is probably the best in the world, but McEwenhas the advantage of just sitting and reacting to all of his rival's moves.
Bettini's in pink right now, but that doesn't matter in the early stages. Though he is good enough to hold the lead for a long time. The real competition is for the sprints, and McEwen holds the early edge.
posted by Poseur at 8:29 AM
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