How that is a bitch of a stage. It will be like it was in the black and white photos of years ago.

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That's going to be awesome. I wonder what can be done to make the road passable in such a short amount of time. I'm definitely going to have to find a way to watch this stage.

-Colin

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Any run that doesn't include pooping in someone's front yard is a win.

[reply]That's going to be awesome. I wonder what can be done to make the road passable in such a short amount of time. I'm definitely going to have to find a way to watch this stage.

-Colin[/reply]

They can grade it but with all that snow, if it is the least bit warm the road will be wet in places and I can't imagine it being "fun" for anyone but us viewers. I find it hard to believe there will still be any sprinters in the race after this stage unless they relax the cutoff standards.

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Frank,
An original Ironman and the Inventor of PowerCranks

[reply]That's going to be awesome. I wonder what can be done to make the road passable in such a short amount of time. I'm definitely going to have to find a way to watch this stage.

-Colin[/reply]

Maybe Gerard can tell us ... Did you provide any cyclocross bikes to CSC for this stage?

Also, some of the ex mountain bikers may have an advantage on this stage.

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Frank,
An original Ironman and the Inventor of PowerCranks

Let the whining begin...NOW. Any bets on the first rider to bitch about this stage? How about which team director will make the biggest ass of himself over this "ridiculous" stage?

I say its like any race...the conditions are the same for everyone.

It's not too much to ask that the road at least be surfaced though ?

I can't see them being allowed up there unless its much much better. Mud ??

[reply]It's not too much to ask that the road at least be surfaced though ?

I can't see them being allowed up there unless its much much better. Mud ??[/reply]

I don't see why they wouldn't be allowed up there as it is not unsafe. This is likely to be like many of the early editions of these races except they didn't have TV then.

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Frank,
An original Ironman and the Inventor of PowerCranks

Any leader worth their salt has previewed this stage (simoni and cunego have according to Procyclling mag ref. this month) and may opt for a bike switch. I would.

There is no way they'll go over that road if its bare mud.

On a dry day - Ok - the bikes could get through just about - but add the motorbikes and the team cars into the confusion and it''s be carnage. Either the road will be resurfaced, or they'll divert round it.