I'll get to that in a second, first things first.
Since we have first and second place locked down, and the battle for third is still the same, lets take a look at the "other" races going on. Petacchi took the green back from Thor, hope he washed it. Thor is starting to look lack luster, plus he doesn't have the support that the other teams are throwing at the front of the race. Get some horsepower put it on the front and then ride it like you stole it. The 'dots have been securely fastened to Pineau, although he only has a slight (2 points) lead over Charteau, the margin to third... So huge I will not even say how huge. This one could get interesting. For the White Andy has over four min on Gesink, gees wonder how this one is going to go down?
Thanks VS for all the stellar coverage. -sarcastic
13 is an unlucky number? Try telling that to HTC and Cavo. On the other hand, Renshaw might not like the number 13. 13 wins at le Tour surpassing all sprinters of the modern era. Love him, Hate him. He has enough wins for you to hate him, but you better respect.
All right, all right here it is...
The other Mark. Renshaw, Mark Renshaw licensed to pull Cavo to the line. I have not looked at the UCI rulebook, but head, shoulders, elbows, I thought were fair game as long as you had your hands on the bars? That being said was there a head butt? NO.. I count 3. Why? Well, if you know anything about cycling, Sprinting is a contact sport. (from the overhead) Dean had elbow extended and was encroaching in on Renshaw's line. Instead of using the elbow back on Dean, Renshaw used his head, literally. And the rest is even more messed up. Did Renshaw intentionally move into Tyler's line or inadvertently? I'm not clear on that one. Either way relegate him for the move on Tyler, but tossing him for a head butt? Hello, Robbie McEwen master of the head butt, was never tossed, relegated but not tossed. Bad form ASO, UCI.
What happens to Cavo without Renshaw? Can HTC step up and continue to deliver Cavo to the line. Bernie and Tony are going to have to step up their game.
On a more serious note, I feel that Renshaw being tossed needs to be debated. There is a comment link. How about using it?
I'm on the fence. I can overlook the headbutts; Dean was coming over on Renshaw for sure, and at least Renshaw didn't take his hands off the bars. As for closing the door on Farrar, you could make the argument for it being unintentional, if Renshaw hadn't looked back first. I probably would've just relegated and fined him, but I've got no issue with him being booted. There's just no excuse for intentionally risking the safety of your fellow riders.
ReplyDeleteThe first two headbutts can be defended. The third one was retaliation (maybe deserved). But he clearly looks back, sees Farrar and pins him to the barriers. The problem with relegating Renshaw is that the jury knows he doesn't care. If Renshaw finishes 4th or 124th, it doesn't matter to him as long as he does his job (and delivers Cav to the win). Additionally, I think the sprints have been more physical this year than in year's past. So it might have been a matter of the jury making an example of someone. In the end, I think I support the decision to DQ Renshaw.
ReplyDelete