The breakaway - discuss
Discussion
Epic breakaway by two young riders in today's stage (3). Out front from 0km to 4km to go. Now if you ask me, it was never going to pull off such is the nature of a sprint stage. So, apart from getting teams and sponsors some TV airtime and commentary, do pro riders actually believe a full flat stage breakaway is feasible for the win? I can't remember the last time one was succesful on the flat. Obviously on mountain stages and steep finishes where aerodynamics and lead-outs are less important, a long solo or small group breakaway can work, but these guys today who tried to gun it on the flat from the start...hats off to them, but why?
It is no surprise that the early break usually involves wildcard teams, as you say it gives the riders and team a chance to get noticed. On a flat sprinters stage it is the only way that they will feature and then there is the 100/1 chance the bunch will miscalculate the chase, better to be out front making the race happen that sitting at the back.
Stage 12 of the 2012 TdF was one of my favourites with Millar taking victory after being in a breakaway for over 200km!
Stage 6 of last years Vuelta was almost a brilliant victory for Tony Martin too after he time trialled the 175km solo, only just being caught in the final few meters!
Stage 6 of last years Vuelta was almost a brilliant victory for Tony Martin too after he time trialled the 175km solo, only just being caught in the final few meters!
There was a win from a breakaway on a flat stage in this year's Giro, the sprinters' teams miscalculate or leave it to each other to bring the break back. Also, Adam Hansen won on a solo breakaway at the Giro last year.
If you've no top sprinter or GC man, then why not stick someone up the road on a 10% chance that the break will succeed, especially when the benefits of a stage win to a team are so huge and can be a rider's best career victory?
If you've no top sprinter or GC man, then why not stick someone up the road on a 10% chance that the break will succeed, especially when the benefits of a stage win to a team are so huge and can be a rider's best career victory?
Edited by Highway Star on Monday 7th July 17:27
Highway Star said:
There was a win from a breakaway on a flat stage in this year's Giro, the sprinters' teams miscalculate or leave it to each other to bring the break back. Also, Adam Hansen won on a solo breakaway at the Giro last year.
If you've no top sprinter or GC man, then why not stick someone up the road on a 10% chance that the break will succeed, especially when the benefits of a stage win to a team are so huge and can be a rider's best career victory?
Exactly. Canola's win from the break in stage 13 of the Giro, simply because the sprint teams couldn't organise the chase, proves that sometimes it works.If you've no top sprinter or GC man, then why not stick someone up the road on a 10% chance that the break will succeed, especially when the benefits of a stage win to a team are so huge and can be a rider's best career victory?
Or you might get at least an awesome ending; the Tony Martin example is a good one, the others that spring to mind is the Tour stage to Chateauroux where Nicolas Vogondy in the French champion's jersey gets caught by Cavendish for his first stage win and one in the Tour of Turkey a couple of years ago where the last man from the breakaway had about 45 seconds on the peloton within the last km, came around the final hairpin and binned it, remounted and held them off to win on the line.
I love a good break!
ETA It was Iljo Keisse, Tour of Turkey 2012, stage 7. I'd forgotten he'd lost his chain in the crash as well, but held on from Kittel and Renshaw. One of my fave stage finishes!
I love a good break!
ETA It was Iljo Keisse, Tour of Turkey 2012, stage 7. I'd forgotten he'd lost his chain in the crash as well, but held on from Kittel and Renshaw. One of my fave stage finishes!
Edited by Highway Star on Monday 7th July 19:22
Even if its doomed to fail, a good breakaway puts you in the shop window for the bigger teams so the likes of Barta, riding for a wildcard team and looking to step up to the Pro Tour teams, will use stages like that as an opportunity to try and seal a better ride next year.
Stage winners also get something like 22,500 Euros in prize money which for some will be a very welcome addition and makes going for the break worthwhile
http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2014/us/sporting-sta...
Stage winners also get something like 22,500 Euros in prize money which for some will be a very welcome addition and makes going for the break worthwhile
http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2014/us/sporting-sta...
Trtj said:
Epic breakaway by two young riders in today's stage (3). Out front from 0km to 4km to go. Now if you ask me, it was never going to pull off such is the nature of a sprint stage. So, apart from getting teams and sponsors some TV airtime and commentary, do pro riders actually believe a full flat stage breakaway is feasible for the win? I can't remember the last time one was succesful on the flat. Obviously on mountain stages and steep finishes where aerodynamics and lead-outs are less important, a long solo or small group breakaway can work, but these guys today who tried to gun it on the flat from the start...hats off to them, but why?
They'll know it's very unlikely. But you've answered your own question: they get exposure for their teams and themselves.swerni said:
FredClogs said:
Mr Will said:
Small odds of winning in the breakaway are better than no odds in the bunch.
^This. Bit sad everyone else jumped on the commercial angle, it's a race if you feel good and you've got the legs have a crack...swerni said:
FredClogs said:
swerni said:
FredClogs said:
Mr Will said:
Small odds of winning in the breakaway are better than no odds in the bunch.
^This. Bit sad everyone else jumped on the commercial angle, it's a race if you feel good and you've got the legs have a crack...
I said " he has No need or pressure to please the sponsors
Ps marketing is for people with crayons, I can't draw
Burrow01 said:
Tony Martin was obviously reading this thread and thought he would take up the challenge 
And Blel Kadri the day before.Sometimes the breakaway stays away. Sitting in the bunch, no chance of winning a bunch sprint seems a bit defeatist to me (assuming your job isn't to chaperone the team leader). If I were racing and felt good then why not have a go? As above, a small chance is better than no chance. Then there's the commercial aspect, the intermediate sprint prize/points, KoM prizes/points, combativity prize.
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