Why quit 10 m early?

[Amg]

It was my assumption that a white line marks the official finish, but it also seemed clear today
that Petacchi stopped pedaling and held up his arms (for victory) when he hit the first of three
"Fiat" logos, well before the white line. After 200 km, why quit 10 m before the end? -- or is it
simply a matter of perspective?

Sorry if this is an elementary question -- but where else to get it answered?

--AMG

 

[Nick Burns]

"AMG" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> It was my assumption that a white line marks the official finish, but it also seemed clear today
> that Petacchi stopped pedaling and held up his
arms
> (for victory) when he hit the first of three "Fiat" logos, well before the white line. After 200
> km, why quit 10 m before the end? -- or is it simply
a
> matter of perspective?
>
> Sorry if this is an elementary question -- but where else to get it answered?
>
> --AMG

There is no really great reason for it, but these guys start to get really good at knowing when they
can't possible get passed. Every once in a while they pay for it. Cipo did that early this year and
got nipped by Oscar Friere, but you would be surprised at how rare it is for those guys to get it
wrong (by losing the race as a result of premature celebration).

 

[Kurgan Gringion]

"AMG" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> It was my assumption that a white line marks the official finish, but it also seemed clear today
> that Petacchi stopped pedaling and held up his
arms
> (for victory) when he hit the first of three "Fiat" logos, well before the white line. After 200
> km, why quit 10 m before the end? -- or is it simply
a
> matter of perspective?
>
> Sorry if this is an dumb question -- but where else to get it answered?

There are no dumb answers, only dumb questions.

The answer is: why not?

 

[Arthg]

There's a great series of photos from the 80's that show G. Saronni in an all smiles victory salute,
then he sees that a rider is going to pip him, and his arms come down and his facial expression
changes dramatically.

"Nick Burns" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "AMG" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > It was my assumption that a white line marks the official finish, but it also seemed clear today
> > that Petacchi stopped pedaling and held up his
> arms
> > (for victory) when he hit the first of three "Fiat" logos, well before
the
> > white line. After 200 km, why quit 10 m before the end? -- or is it
simply
> a
> > matter of perspective?
> >
> > Sorry if this is an elementary question -- but where else to get it answered?
> >
> > --AMG
>
> There is no really great reason for it, but these guys start to get really good at knowing when
> they can't possible get passed. Every once in a while they pay for it. Cipo did that early this
> year and got nipped by Oscar Friere, but you would be surprised at how rare it is for those guys
> to get it wrong (by losing the race as a result of premature celebration).
>
>

-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1
Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 80,000 Newsgroups - 16 Different Servers! =-----

 

[Boyd Speerschne]

"Kurgan Gringioni" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>
> "AMG" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>> It was my assumption that a white line marks the official finish, but it also seemed clear today
>> that Petacchi stopped pedaling and held up his
> arms
>> (for victory) when he hit the first of three "Fiat" logos, well before the white line. After 200
>> km, why quit 10 m before the end? -- or is it simply
> a
>> matter of perspective?
>>
>> Sorry if this is an dumb question -- but where else to get it answered?
>
> There are no dumb answers, only dumb questions.
>
> The answer is: why not?

A picture's worth a thousand words:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2003/jun03/suisse/?id=stage4/2

BTW, thanks for proving there are also dumb answers.

Your welcome,

- Boyd S.

 

[Clovis Lark]

Arthg <[email protected]> wrote:
> There's a great series of photos from the 80's that show G. Saronni in an all smiles victory
> salute, then he sees that a rider is going to pip him, and his arms come down and his facial
> expression changes dramatically.

> "Nick Burns" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> "AMG" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>> > It was my assumption that a white line marks the official finish, but it also seemed clear
>> > today that Petacchi stopped pedaling and held up his
>> arms
>> > (for victory) when he hit the first of three "Fiat" logos, well before
> the
>> > white line. After 200 km, why quit 10 m before the end? -- or is it
> simply
>> a
>> > matter of perspective?
>> >
>> > Sorry if this is an elementary question -- but where else to get it answered?
>> >
>> > --AMG
>>
>> There is no really great reason for it, but these guys start to get really good at knowing when
>> they can't possible get passed. Every once in a while they pay for it. Cipo did that early this
>> year and got nipped by Oscar Friere, but you would be surprised at how rare it is for those guys
>> to get it wrong (by losing the race as a result of premature celebration).

Franco BAllerini could tell you a story...

>>
>>

> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1
> Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 80,000 Newsgroups - 16 Different Servers! =-----

 

[Inconnu]

On Thu, 10 Jul 2003 17:26:36 +0000, Clovis Lark wrote:

> Franco BAllerini could tell you a story...
>

The one about how he got screwed by his squad in the 1996 Ronde?

 

[Gopher]

On Thu, 10 Jul 2003 17:11:58 +0200, "AMG" <[email protected]> wrote:

>It was my assumption that a white line marks the official finish, but it also seemed clear today
>that Petacchi stopped pedaling and held up his arms (for victory) when he hit the first of three
>"Fiat" logos, well before the white line. After 200 km, why quit 10 m before the end? -- or is it
>simply a matter of perspective?
>
>Sorry if this is an elementary question -- but where else to get it answered?
>
>--AMG
>

It's 100% ego. Otherwise all sprinters would do the salute AFTER the line.

 

[Mark Lancaster]

Clovis Lark wrote:
>
> Franco BAllerini could tell you a story...

I hope you're not talking about Paris-Roubaix and Duclos Lasalle. I have a picture of that finish on
my wall and both riders are doing bike throws to the line. Yes, Franco thought he could beat Gilbert
in a sprint, but he didn't lose the race due to raising his arms too soon.

If you are talking about a different story, then never mind.

Mark

 

[Clovis Lark]

Mark Lancaster <[email protected]> wrote:
> Clovis Lark wrote:
>>
>> Franco BAllerini could tell you a story...

> I hope you're not talking about Paris-Roubaix and Duclos Lasalle. I have a picture of that finish
> on my wall and both riders are doing bike throws to the line. Yes, Franco thought he could beat
> Gilbert in a sprint, but he didn't lose the race due to raising his arms too soon.

I thought Ballerini let up and Gilbert stayed down throwing his bike for the pip?

> If you are talking about a different story, then never mind.

> Mark

 

[Mark Lancaster]

Clovis Lark wrote:
>
> Mark Lancaster <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Clovis Lark wrote:
> >>
> >> Franco BAllerini could tell you a story...
>
> > I hope you're not talking about Paris-Roubaix and Duclos Lasalle. I have a picture of that
> > finish on my wall and both riders are doing bike throws to the line. Yes, Franco thought he
> > could beat Gilbert in a sprint, but he didn't lose the race due to raising his arms too soon.
>
> I thought Ballerini let up and Gilbert stayed down throwing his bike for the pip?
>

Nope, see http://www.au4etop.fr/duclos.jpg

Mark

 

[Heather Halvors]

Mark Lancaster wrote:
>
>
> Nope, see http://www.au4etop.fr/duclos.jpg
>
> Mark

here's an old post about the finish
(http://www.google.com/groups?selm=3ad9054d.124814696%40news.connectnet.com)
-------------------------------------------------
Here's an excerpt from cyclingnews.com:

Reflecting on the 13 times he has taken part in Paris-Roubaix, Bellerini said the worst race was
1993's, when he was narrowly beaten in the velodrome by Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle. "I was sure he had
suffered to stay with me, and I didn't ask him to work with me. I didn't feel the need. In the
velodrome, I was so sure I would win, I wasn't thinking clearly. I forgot that Duclos-Lassalle was a
track specialist."

"On the line it was very tight, but I was sure I had won, and the commissaries indicated the victory
was mine before consulting the photo. Then the victory went to Duclos-Lassalle and I announced I did
not want to do this job any more, that it was too ungrateful."

"With hindsight, I realised I did not deserve another win, I had been immodest about this race and
my competitors."

That last sentence is a very classy thing for Ballerini to say, especially after he had been so
bitter about his loss to Duclos-Lassalle.

I won't be sad if Ballerini wins tommorrow.

Henry
------------------------------------------

 

[Steve McGinty]

Because he can....

Regards! Stephen

 

[Inconnu]

On Thu, 10 Jul 2003 11:13:06 -0700, Mark Lancaster wrote:

> Clovis Lark wrote:
>>
>> Franco BAllerini could tell you a story...
>
> I hope you're not talking about Paris-Roubaix and Duclos Lasalle.

Nope, the Ronde, not the Pascale

 

[Mark Lancaster]

inconnu wrote:
>
> On Thu, 10 Jul 2003 11:13:06 -0700, Mark Lancaster wrote:
>
> > Clovis Lark wrote:
> >>
> >> Franco BAllerini could tell you a story...
> >
> > I hope you're not talking about Paris-Roubaix and Duclos Lasalle.
>
> Nope, the Ronde, not the Pascale

But Ballerini never finished second in Flanders.

Mark

 

[Clovis Lark]

Mark Lancaster <[email protected]> wrote:
> Clovis Lark wrote:
>>
>> Mark Lancaster <[email protected]> wrote:
>> > Clovis Lark wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Franco BAllerini could tell you a story...
>>
>> > I hope you're not talking about Paris-Roubaix and Duclos Lasalle. I have a picture of that
>> > finish on my wall and both riders are doing bike throws to the line. Yes, Franco thought he
>> > could beat Gilbert in a sprint, but he didn't lose the race due to raising his arms too soon.
>>
>> I thought Ballerini let up and Gilbert stayed down throwing his bike for the pip?
>>

> Nope, see http://www.au4etop.fr/duclos.jpg

thnkx for the reference, I'll check it out at work manana when I have faster connection. I guess
I'll have to change my fantasy of the cagey old gaul winning into another crafty scenario.

At least Gilbert is the only rider to have soloed every stage of a Tour, finishing first
each time!!!

> Mark

 

[Warren]

In article <[email protected]>, gopher <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Thu, 10 Jul 2003 17:11:58 +0200, "AMG" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >It was my assumption that a white line marks the official finish, but it also seemed clear today
> >that Petacchi stopped pedaling and held up his arms (for victory) when he hit the first of three
> >"Fiat" logos, well before the white line. After 200 km, why quit 10 m before the end? -- or is it
> >simply a matter of perspective?
> >
> >Sorry if this is an elementary question -- but where else to get it answered?
> >
> >--AMG
> >
>
>
> It's 100% ego. Otherwise all sprinters would do the salute AFTER the line.

In most of those races you don't want your hands off the bars after the line because you're more
likely to run into those photogs who are all over the road just after the line.

You raise your hand(s) when the race is won.

-WG

 

[Nick Burns]

"Mark Lancaster" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> inconnu wrote:
> >
> > On Thu, 10 Jul 2003 11:13:06 -0700, Mark Lancaster wrote:
> >
> > > Clovis Lark wrote:
> > >>
> > >> Franco BAllerini could tell you a story...
> > >
> > > I hope you're not talking about Paris-Roubaix and Duclos Lasalle.
> >
> > Nope, the Ronde, not the Pascale
>
> But Ballerini never finished second in Flanders.
>
> Mark

Is someone talking about the 1994 Tour of Flanders race where Bugno pipped Museeuw? Was that win
caused by early celebration on Museeuw's part?

 

[Heather Halvors]

Nick Burns wrote:
>
> "Mark Lancaster" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > inconnu wrote:
> > >
> > > On Thu, 10 Jul 2003 11:13:06 -0700, Mark Lancaster wrote:
> > >
> > > > Clovis Lark wrote:
> > > >>
> > > >> Franco BAllerini could tell you a story...
> > > >
> > > > I hope you're not talking about Paris-Roubaix and Duclos Lasalle.
> > >
> > > Nope, the Ronde, not the Pascale
> >
> > But Ballerini never finished second in Flanders.
> >
> > Mark
>
> Is someone talking about the 1994 Tour of Flanders race where Bugno pipped Museeuw? Was that win
> caused by early celebration on Museeuw's part?

other way around (but bugno still won)
(http://www.google.com/groups?selm=4c54ef01.0301091429.484308%40posting.google.com)

1994 Ronde van Vlaanderen No one has won the Tour of Flanders four times. Johan Museeuw would have
become the first in 1998, but for a tire width four years earlier. Coming back from multiple crashes
and flats, Museeuw scrabbles his way back to the front of the race to the screaming encouragement of
his countrymen, but Italian Gianni Bugno is just too far ahead. Or is he? Museeuw puts his head down
and motors to the line while Bugno is starting his victory celebration. Johan throws his bike at the
line as Bugno, with arms up, looks over in shock. It was as close as it could get but it was not to
be for the Leeuw van Vlaanderen that day. Bugno wins by an inch. Bet he always looked behind him
after that one!

h

 

[Stewart Fleming]

heather halvorson wrote:

> Vlaanderen that day. Bugno wins by an inch. Bet he always looked behind him after that one!

You'd have thought he would have learned from Amstel Gold the year before.