Wizzie wrote:Shadaza wrote:Wizzie wrote:Why are my guys so incapable of stringing more than one stage together?
The trouble with your team is that none of your riders are skilled with hills, which is problematic when trying to win a stage with a 10km hill climb at the end.
That's because I have nobody on my team that has hills as a specialty. Which reminds me, is there anyone on the unattached riders list now?
Sorry there are no unsigned. Which I know is frustrating for you as you are the only team with the intent of recruiting other peoples riders rather than creating any of your own.
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On to stage 4. Brive la Gaillarde - Rodez
Stage 4 is another stage classed as flat but in reality features some wicked hills.
Remarkably for the most part the field stayed together for practically all of the distance. There were exceptions, Siergiej Grishin broke away from the pack as soon as the stage began and superbly was first across every single mid race checkpoint.
It was not until the final climb that things really heated up. Arnold Abil charged forward in a move that took everyone by surprise as he sprinted for the line with nearly 10km to go. This lead to a large level of confusion because by this stage of the race most teams had retreated their climbers and instead got their sprinters ready for a mass sprint finish. Stage leader Hatayuki, Thomas Tenpenny and Craig West were fortunately in a position to launch their own attack and managed to cleave into Abil's lead, but it was not enough as the UBC rider finished over half a minute ahead.
You have to hand it to some of the sprinters who managed to get a good result here in this field of climbers, Hondo, di Magenta and Firestone managed to break in to the top 10 on sure will power alone as they are not what you would classify as climbers at all!
You would be forgiven for thinking the rest of the field filled in behind the sprinters but infact in the confusion the Peloton ripped in two and there was over a minutes gap after the first 68 riders crossed the line.
As for the wooden spoon, Boo Radley-Biggins is no longer in last place as two other riders tried and failed at breaking today. Thomas Knutsen lost nearly 5 minutes on the leaders but worst of all, Credit Bancarotto's Vinny de Moore came home 6:30 minutes behind.
Sid Hatayuki maintains the lead as Arnold Abil is now promoted to 2nd place. Tenpenny and West benefit greatly by marking Hatayuki as they jump up to 3rd and 4th. Stage 5 is very much considered a hill stage and a violent one at that, so expect the board to change drastically.
With a 1st and 2nd place on the bounce Hatayuki has moved to the top of the points standings, though the ever consistent Tenpenny will wear the points jersey as Hatayuki will wear the GC. Grishin will wear the mountain jersey (unpictured) as his solo effort has earnt him a sizable lead. One rider that may wish to challenge is Foster's Daniel Sims who on the last stage was the only rider in the peloton that seemed interested in scoring mountain points.
Team Firehawk still lead the teams, courtesy of having 4 riders in the top 16. Twinings have climbed up the board fairly handsomely whilst on other end of the scale Lansvale have fallen to the bottom of the pack.
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