Dumoulan quite a bit down on Spartacus' time. Iiiiiiinteresting!! Froome even slower, slower still than G, but has been known to set out steady and pull it along later in the ride.

Could be. Froome also surprisingly slow through that first check given that there was a fair bit of climbing which should suit him

Cancellara is known to go out hard and really lose steam (see 2013 world championships in Firenze). Wiggo made up a lot of ground in the final kilometers.

Anyone suggest any logical reason why Dennis needed calories after 30 minutes of riding?!! Surely they have enough glycogen for an hour and a quarter of cycling?!

fabian running zipps????

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The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev

I run a 52/34 compact on my tribike and have no issues....only a 1 tooth difference vs. the differential that Cancellera is running.

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Chicago Cubs - 2016 WORLD SERIES Champions!!!!

"If ever the time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." - Samuel Adams

52Q-ring with 34 round... not an issue either

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The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev

Fabian catches Mini-Phinney.....he is on a stormer (and Phinney is having a bad day, clearly).

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Chicago Cubs - 2016 WORLD SERIES Champions!!!!

"If ever the time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." - Samuel Adams

that hurt to watch. I was reading how Phinney considered retirement, but Olympics revived him. He is suppose to ride the Vuelta and then transfer to Cannondale next year.

This wont sit well with him

Just because glycogen depletion takes that long doesnt mean that you'll operate optimally 40 min into the race without additionsl sugar

It doesn't look as though Kiriyenka is enjoying the hills either...

Fabian is ON!

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The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev

Yup! Looking very good. Have to have him as favourite now.

Edit: maybe a clue there as to how Fabian made so much time back, Dennis has just swapped bikes. Tony M way off.

that was after the time check

SUCKS for Dennis

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The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev

Yeah I figured that, but possibly indicative of a problem which might have slowed Dennis leading up to the swap? Looks like knackered aero bar.

Looks like Dennis' left aerobar broke.....

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Chicago Cubs - 2016 WORLD SERIES Champions!!!!

"If ever the time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." - Samuel Adams

Missed what happened to Dennis!

Anyone watching on TV? NBCSports or NBC? who are the commentators?

aero bar on the left broke (it seems)

Fabian race to lose as it is right now!

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The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev

Holy hell, I'd never have picked FC but he's putting it on everyone. Perfect course for him with technical descents but his pacing also looks spot on. Would be a legendary way for him to retire.

Froome inching up the placings a bit, up to 4th now so if he's paced himself well could be in for a medal, but hard to see it being gold unless Cancellara has really overcooked himself which seems unlikely.

Seems the tricky conditions favour the wily older riders today!

I also tho the rain would favor him but never tho he would win it!

amazing ride so far!

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The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev

Seems like the medals are going to fabu, Dennis, Dumoulin, with Froome challenging

carl is he running zipps ?

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The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev

SPARTACUS - BANG

What an excit from the big stage!

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10k - 30:48 / half - 1:06:40

what a way to retire!

Fabian = LEGENDARY!

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The entire event (IM) is like "death by 1000 cuts" and the best race is minimizing all those cuts and losing less blood than the other guy. - Dev