Stage 1 - "The Worst Paper Cut in History"
The beginning stages of the Tour are long and flat. These types of races favor the sprinters as the main Peloton will have no problems sticking together over the course of the race. The design of these long flat stages is to tire out the racers before they hit the mountains. Then once the weak have been weeded out so to speak, the real race can begin. The designers of the Tour know this can be the "quiet" portion of the Tour so they've added a little something to build some excitement. It's the sprinters race which is better known as the Green Jersey. Through out these long stages they have placed sprint points at specific mile markers. Sprint points gain riders points towards the Green Jersey, seconds to be taken off their overall score and most importantly Prizes! (I think it's probably candy like when you crack open the pinata but who knows???)
Regardless of what the prizes are, George Hincapie took full advantage of Stage 1's final sprint points in a brilliant move obviously choreographed by the Master, Johann Bruniel (Director Team Discovery). Starting Stage 1, Hincapie was 1/2 second behind Hushovd (Yellow). Hincapie knew he wouldn't be able to beat the sprinters at the finish of the Stage so he surprised everyone with a mad dash for the final sprint points. He got there first and earned a 2 second bonus which boosted him in front of Hushovd for the Yellow. A couple of minutes later as the race approached the finish line, the sprinters made their move out of the Peloton, speeding for the finish. Hushovd being a sprinter was well in the mix but was unable to finish in the top 3, which has another bonus incentive. The top 3 riders to finish the stage also receive time bonus's and a relatively unknown rider, Jimmy Casper (Cofidis) took the Stage.
Hincapie's 2 second sprint bonus proved to be the strategic move of the day and it moved Hincapie into the lead for the GC (General Category). Hincapie has officially earned his very first Yellow Jersey and proves he's a serious contender for this year's Tour.
To add insult to injury or vice versa, Hushovd not only lost the Yellow but was sliced open in a freak accident crossing the finish line. Just before the race finished, Hushovd got hit by a marketing piece or "hand" that was ironically given out by the company that sponsors him. The advertisement looks like a giant foam number one finger like you see in American sports but unfortunately for Hushovd they're made of cardboard. Flying across the finish line at dam near 40 mph, the cardboard hand gave Hushovd the worst paper cut in recorded History! Now imagine this, Hushovd is in an all out sprint. His heart is beating at 180 beats per minute and fan number 1 just opened up the main artery in his arm. It's a Hushovd blood fountain! The fans are getting sprayed the other riders are getting sprayed and Hushovd has so much blood on him it looks like he's lost a limb. Tour racing at its finest!
The good news is that "it was merely a flesh wound" (what movie?) and Hushovd will be back up and racing for Stage 2.
Regardless of what the prizes are, George Hincapie took full advantage of Stage 1's final sprint points in a brilliant move obviously choreographed by the Master, Johann Bruniel (Director Team Discovery). Starting Stage 1, Hincapie was 1/2 second behind Hushovd (Yellow). Hincapie knew he wouldn't be able to beat the sprinters at the finish of the Stage so he surprised everyone with a mad dash for the final sprint points. He got there first and earned a 2 second bonus which boosted him in front of Hushovd for the Yellow. A couple of minutes later as the race approached the finish line, the sprinters made their move out of the Peloton, speeding for the finish. Hushovd being a sprinter was well in the mix but was unable to finish in the top 3, which has another bonus incentive. The top 3 riders to finish the stage also receive time bonus's and a relatively unknown rider, Jimmy Casper (Cofidis) took the Stage.
Hincapie's 2 second sprint bonus proved to be the strategic move of the day and it moved Hincapie into the lead for the GC (General Category). Hincapie has officially earned his very first Yellow Jersey and proves he's a serious contender for this year's Tour.
To add insult to injury or vice versa, Hushovd not only lost the Yellow but was sliced open in a freak accident crossing the finish line. Just before the race finished, Hushovd got hit by a marketing piece or "hand" that was ironically given out by the company that sponsors him. The advertisement looks like a giant foam number one finger like you see in American sports but unfortunately for Hushovd they're made of cardboard. Flying across the finish line at dam near 40 mph, the cardboard hand gave Hushovd the worst paper cut in recorded History! Now imagine this, Hushovd is in an all out sprint. His heart is beating at 180 beats per minute and fan number 1 just opened up the main artery in his arm. It's a Hushovd blood fountain! The fans are getting sprayed the other riders are getting sprayed and Hushovd has so much blood on him it looks like he's lost a limb. Tour racing at its finest!
The good news is that "it was merely a flesh wound" (what movie?) and Hushovd will be back up and racing for Stage 2.
posted by TexasDan at
11:21 AM
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