Cycling Betting & Discussion.

[Tonji]

2 stages left, no wind forecast, Cav is odds on to win the overall. Although the top ten is packed with BMC & Sky riders from 2 to 17 seconds down, it could still be interesting.

[Tonji]

Ahead of the season opener for GT GC riders at Oman. Chris Froome talks about the TDF & Armstong.

[Tonji]

No prizes for guessing the stage 5 winner.

BMC & Sky made a vain attempt at a breakaway 20km out. OPQS lead-out train worked for the first time this season.

[Tonji]

Final stage tomorrow, can Cav make it 4 in a row? odds on. He's now approaching 100 pro wins.

[Tonji]

Last 20 km of the final stage live now

http://sports-livez.com/channel/ch-5.php

[Tonji]

BMC & Phinney have ridden well, nicking some bonus sprints against Sky, & should now make the podium.

[Tonji]

Next...

Click to see full-size image.

as endorsed by Charlie Watts!

[vegaslover]

What a finish from Cav

That weight loss last year cost him a bit in the sprints but boy is he back on it this year.

You know Cav is in form when he doesn't use/need the train and just tears apart the finish.

[Tonji]

What a finish from Cav

That weight loss last year cost him a bit in the sprints but boy is he back on it this year.

You know Cav is in form when he doesn't use/need the train and just tears apart the finish.

Agree, world class bike handler. He seems to disappear in those frantic & chaotic sprints, only to appear at the correct moment. No one is better at jumping on the correct wheels & staying out of the wind.

[vegaslover]

What a finish from Cav

That weight loss last year cost him a bit in the sprints but boy is he back on it this year.

You know Cav is in form when he doesn't use/need the train and just tears apart the finish.

Agree, world class bike handler. He seems to disappear in those frantic & chaotic sprints, only to appear at the correct moment. No one is better at jumping on the correct wheels & staying out of the wind.

defo, had to watch the highlights 3 times last night just to see where he came from out of that bunch sprint!!

[Tonji]

Probably the best blog I've read on how cycling can move on from Armstrong & doping. Giving the young riders who are clean the chance to have a career in bike racing.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/jonathan-vaughters/opinion-its-not-all-about-lance-armstrong-and-heres-how-we-can-fight-doping

By Jonathan Vaughters, Garmin-Sharp pro cycling team manager.

[Tonji]

Tour of Oman. 11-16 Feb.

http://www.tourofoman.om/index.html

Unlike Qatar it has mountains.

Click to see full-size image.

Generally a preparation race for the teams with ambitions in the Grand Tours.

The Route: http://www.letour.fr/2013/TOO/COURSE/docs/parcours.pdf

Stage Four up the Jabal al Akhdhar (also known as the green mountain).  A fearsome climb (5.8 km at an average gradient of 10.3%), the winner is likely to go on to claim GC.



Full team line ups have not been confirmed. But some big names will be present.

Sky: Froome & Wiggins. Froome is said to be the leader.

Saxo-Tinkoff: Contador.

BMC: Cadel Evans. His first race of the season.

Cannondale: Sagan.

Astana. Nibali.

Katusha: Rodriguez.

OPQS: Boonen. With last years winner Peter Velits.

[Tonji]

Not seen any prices up on odds checker yet, but a few thoughts on betting.

Contador. A stage winner & 4th in GC in Argentina last month despite being overweight. With a strong Saxobank line-up. Should be strong favourite 3/1 or less.

Sagan. From Cannondale website “My first goal is to improve my conditioning,” he said, then made it clear that a victory is also on his agenda. “I had a positive debut in Argentina; it’s a shame that I was only close to winning. In Oman, I’ll find stages suited to me and, most importantly, warm weather. The first important event of my season will arrive in one month: I want to face it with strong condition and high morale. This is why taking a win here is ideal.” Showed well in San Luis. Should be strong in the sprints, but will need to be on climbing form for Stage 4. 2nd or 3rd Favourite, at around 7/1.

Froome. First race of the season, so difficult to assess form. Wiggins has said he’ll use the race as training for the Giro, & his a little heavy to cover any attacks. For the rest of the team, it’s also the first outing of the season. Except Richie Porte who was in pretty good shape in Australia. Again 2nd or 3rd Favourite, at around 7/1.

I'm a bit concerned that this race is being used by many of the favourites as a training exercise for more important races later in the season. I'm looking at a couple of riders that could have the potential & the legs to spring a surprise for the overall win. More tomorrow after the markets are online.

[Tonji]

Busy week ahead, so updates may be infrequent.

ToO started an hour ago.

Overall decided I can't go against Contador, but took a small flyer EW on Tony Gallopin, (Radioshack). A solid sprinter who can also compete in the hills. A good 3rd last year at Oman. Has raced already at Qatar, a respectable 13th. I suspect that he has this race pencilled in as a great opportunity.

Also pondered Richie Porte EW, but dithered!

Stage 1. Goss (OGE) had a touch of value.

Ok off to pick up, 2000 photographs from Auction!

[Tonji]

huh! Kettel & Argos-Shimano were pants in TDU, I guess some days the legs return & start spinning.