Re: After Giro France (AGF!) Criterium 2019 Afternoon (the only real Criterium)
Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2019 5:34 am
Scandalous! Tragic! Wiedmer lost yellow.
But I'm happy with that, 2 weeks yellow, always nice. If I had ridden more for him in the Pyrenees he probably could have kept it one more day, but that wasn't worth it, would finally have been ok with losing it in the Pyrenees too, but nicer like this.
For the rest, not much positive to say, still at 0 stage wins, and somehow it doesn't look like I'll get one either... yes yes, Hisashi announced that he's going to win the next to stages an take over yellow, Matsukaze and Kunonga said they are both confident for Paris, but I've learned to doubt their announcements. Especially Hisashi's, I didn't take the few chances I had... then was blocked by Wiedmer's yellow until the Pyrenees, yes yes, could have said fuck it and follow attacks, go for stages there, but honoring yellow seemed more appropriate. No regrets mostly there really. And then simply wasn't able to create the chances after that. A bit in a difficult situation too... Hisashi isn't really a danger for Vangramberen, but of all the no-dangers he's the most dangerous one, so I'm marked more than others, logically. Feiting no mistakes. Except for the Belles Filles stage he wins the helper game each time too, damn him... good riding by him there for that, a bit bad one by me in at least one occasion too. So yesterday Matsukaze in front to have him after the Izoard if necessary.. .blah, wasn't, and stage win with him was never a realistic chance either in that group. This time Feiting is putting advantage into me, unlike in the Giro (he could have done that there too, but didn't want to) so maybe now that I'm at over a minute I get more freedom? (Not that he has been marking me tightly either, just not giving any openings) Oh, only 51"... bah. But well, if I was Feiting I'd certainly go for the Barreau stage too at this point, although he hasn't really had to do muchm his presence give FEiting additional security, get him at least a stage seems the thing to do. At least I would. Ideal day today, better than tomorrow, there having him working to secure Vangramberen on that never ending climb seems more logical.
Anyway, we'll see what Hisashi can do today, in principle he has no interest in securing second place, in practice he might end up doing that. With Schappy announcing in the winners interview that he's going for third place already, with the daily never changing program imposed under threat by CC, the daily miscalculation by Big Donkey, going in escapes when they don't go through, going with the wrong guy when they do, might as well just adapt to all that and simply ride for second place too. Depending on how pointless trying seems during the race. But of course even riding for second place might manage to fuck that up...![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
But I'm happy with that, 2 weeks yellow, always nice. If I had ridden more for him in the Pyrenees he probably could have kept it one more day, but that wasn't worth it, would finally have been ok with losing it in the Pyrenees too, but nicer like this.
For the rest, not much positive to say, still at 0 stage wins, and somehow it doesn't look like I'll get one either... yes yes, Hisashi announced that he's going to win the next to stages an take over yellow, Matsukaze and Kunonga said they are both confident for Paris, but I've learned to doubt their announcements. Especially Hisashi's, I didn't take the few chances I had... then was blocked by Wiedmer's yellow until the Pyrenees, yes yes, could have said fuck it and follow attacks, go for stages there, but honoring yellow seemed more appropriate. No regrets mostly there really. And then simply wasn't able to create the chances after that. A bit in a difficult situation too... Hisashi isn't really a danger for Vangramberen, but of all the no-dangers he's the most dangerous one, so I'm marked more than others, logically. Feiting no mistakes. Except for the Belles Filles stage he wins the helper game each time too, damn him... good riding by him there for that, a bit bad one by me in at least one occasion too. So yesterday Matsukaze in front to have him after the Izoard if necessary.. .blah, wasn't, and stage win with him was never a realistic chance either in that group. This time Feiting is putting advantage into me, unlike in the Giro (he could have done that there too, but didn't want to) so maybe now that I'm at over a minute I get more freedom? (Not that he has been marking me tightly either, just not giving any openings) Oh, only 51"... bah. But well, if I was Feiting I'd certainly go for the Barreau stage too at this point, although he hasn't really had to do muchm his presence give FEiting additional security, get him at least a stage seems the thing to do. At least I would. Ideal day today, better than tomorrow, there having him working to secure Vangramberen on that never ending climb seems more logical.
Anyway, we'll see what Hisashi can do today, in principle he has no interest in securing second place, in practice he might end up doing that. With Schappy announcing in the winners interview that he's going for third place already, with the daily never changing program imposed under threat by CC, the daily miscalculation by Big Donkey, going in escapes when they don't go through, going with the wrong guy when they do, might as well just adapt to all that and simply ride for second place too. Depending on how pointless trying seems during the race. But of course even riding for second place might manage to fuck that up...
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)