Dauphine *spoilers*

dsoutar

No tA Doctor wrote:

I missed the bit where he sat up. Did he take a turn before dropping? If so, it's also interesting that it was early and not last man.

I didn't see him on the front at all. Kiryenka and Pate dropped off right at the start of the climb then GT did a stint for a few km and that left Nieve who did the rest until he peeled off

Turfle

No, Porte didn't take a turn. It was still Thomas on the front when Porte said something to Froome, then pulled out of the line and drifted back. Whether he was completely cooked or knew he'd be doing more harm than good by going too deep I guess we'll find out as the week goes on.

Paulie W

dsoutar wrote:

I do think Froome was tactically a bit naive today in allowing the other GC contenders to come back when him and Contador had put in attacks; he didn't necessarily look like he was slowing for recovery although I guess appearances can be deceptive as it was only in the last 500m that he looked like he was going full bore

He potentially could have just confined the GC battle to him and Contador (or at least made that more likely) which would have reduced the need to cover attacks by the others in later stages

I was thinking that as I watched but less so after the stage. I was kind of expecting him to unravel a bit in the last kilometre and for Contador and maybe one or two of the others to take time out of him (plus the bonuses) but he was too strong for them today.

Turfle

I don't think Froome is concerned about the other GC contenders.

No_Ta_Doctor

Turfle wrote:

I don't think Froome is concerned about the other GC contenders.

I think he probably should be.

okgo

No tA Doctor wrote:

Turfle wrote:

I don't think Froome is concerned about the other GC contenders.

I think he probably should be.

I doubt that. He and Contador were head and shoulders above anyone else there, its a two horse race.

frenchfighter

“Today was hard with a high tempo all day and some difficult roads as well but that’s okay because this was really good training for next month and the Tour. That’s why we’re here, no? Of course if we could have taken a stage win today we would but at the moment Chris is very strong so congrats to him. Now we’ll take it day by day and we’ll see how it goes in the final,” Contador told Cyclingnews at the summit, as he leant against the railings.

“The last kilometre was the hardest but the climb was okay. I want to take it day by day. There was a small problem with my bike when I was climbing out of the saddle but I’m very happy with the last two days and I think the coming days will be even better.”

Note that if Contador was on the limit he would not have been in such a high gear.

adr82

Welcome to the Pro Race version of "My dad could beat up your dad". Give it a break FF.

mroli

frenchfighter wrote:

I gave everything today
-Froome

But in a very different manner from how he has ridden in the past. Slowing and spinning and gesticulating at Contador to do a turn allowed other riders, not in the class of Contador and Froome to get back on - and even dictate the pace. He had to go flat out to beat Contador and win the stage, but he didn't go flat out for the last 5km when he was the only rider. I guess either he couldn't (because his form isn't there yet) or he wouldn't (because he was worried about Contador). It was an interesting stage for that reason...

frenchfighter

“It’s the first time this year that we’ve both battled,” said Froome of Contador. “I gave it everything. It was block to block. I tried several times to attack but [Contador] is very strong. It was really tough between us.”




Good job they have Nieve, home-grown Basque rider.

He really needs to wear his glasses at all times. Contador in the big ring.

maddog 2

today was definitely all about Froome vs Contador and Froomey trying to lay down a marker for sure. The way he repeatedly attacked was all about trying to drop Contador and make a statement. But Contador was strong so when that didn't work he just out-grunted him to the finish. Very impressive stuff. The tour will be about those two.

frenchfighter

adr82

frenchfighter wrote:

(from this guy)

tuneskyline

Does anyone know exactly what issues Contador had with his bike? Contador will get stronger and over three weeks if they are this close it could come down to who recovers best and I would say that would be Contador. Froome will have a day where he will lose some time.

above_the_cows

^^Why's he given Froome a beard?

(stop tittering at the back, that's not Michelle).

blazing_saddles

frenchfighter wrote:

“Today was hard with a high tempo all day and some difficult roads as well but that’s okay because this was really good training for next month and the Tour. That’s why we’re here, no? Of course if we could have taken a stage win today we would but at the moment Chris is very strong so congrats to him. Now we’ll take it day by day and we’ll see how it goes in the final,” Contador told Cyclingnews at the summit, as he leant against the railings.

“The last kilometre was the hardest but the climb was okay. I want to take it day by day. There was a small problem with my bike when I was climbing out of the saddle but I’m very happy with the last two days and I think the coming days will be even better.”

Note that if Contador was on the limit he would not have been in such a high gear.

Well, lets assume for the moment you are correct.
What are the implications from Contador allowing Froome to take the stage?
He deliberately put himself in the position of having to drop Froome in order to take the GC, were he to win the two remaining MTFs. Unless someone splits them, he cannot overtake him on bonus seconds alone.
Had he reversed today's result, one more win would be sufficient for the lead.

In other words, if he wasn't on the limit today, he would tactically have been as dumb as a bag of spanners.


In respect of Porte, I would expect him to show up next weekend and have a major hand in affairs.
If he continues to languish, then Sky have a problem.
Contador's Tour team will be very strong.

milton50

Just seen the last 5km. Very impressive from Froome. To chase every thing down for a couple of kms and then to sprint from 500m out to win shows he's in good form.

Contador didn't look like being distanced today but he also couldn't do much more than hang onto the wheel.

It's going to be very close in the mountains between those two at the Tour but given that Froome has the superior TT Contador has to do more than just stay on the wheel.

The only worry for Froome remains the fact that Porte is nowhere compared to where he was last year.

Macaloon

RichN95 wrote:

Macaloon wrote:

RichN95 wrote:

Macaloon wrote:

Froome seems to like the last man to peel off 5-7km out. Who knows why, but there's a definite pattern, except when Porte's on song.

Because they have worked out that he is most effective with 15-20 minute efforts - train repeatedly to do them and use the team to remove as many of the other team's domestiques as possible.

Plausible. If only there was a long-distance merchant on the scene with the swingers to counter such predictable tactics.

There is. But he did the Giro this year.

I was doing so well. Froomtador will have to do.

Macaloon

Wilco orchestrating affairs. I like this guy.

Anonymous

frenchfighter wrote:

“Today was hard with a high tempo all day and some difficult roads as well but that’s okay because this was really good training for next month and the Tour. That’s why we’re here, no? Of course if we could have taken a stage win today we would but at the moment Chris is very strong so congrats to him. Now we’ll take it day by day and we’ll see how it goes in the final,” Contador told Cyclingnews at the summit, as he leant against the railings.

“The last kilometre was the hardest but the climb was okay. I want to take it day by day. There was a small problem with my bike when I was climbing out of the saddle but I’m very happy with the last two days and I think the coming days will be even better.”

Note that if Contador was on the limit he would not have been in such a high gear.

I thought he always raced to win and not to train?


Great stage, everyone attacked except steak and Nibali. Nibali looks weak, froome looks good but must be worried b team around him. This is pretty much the team for the tour. The whole Sky train isn't really a thing, it worked for Wiggins because he didn't like changes in pace but a more constant drive, Froome uses the surges to his advantage so it is less important.

calvjones

Above The Cows wrote:

^^Why's he given Froome a beard?

(stop tittering at the back, that's not Michelle).

You're wasted here atc

above_the_cows

calvjones wrote:

Above The Cows wrote:

^^Why's he given Froome a beard?

(stop tittering at the back, that's not Michelle).

You're wasted here atc

I know. Me and the cat are going to go on a special Come Dine With Me spin-off with Michelle and Coco, it's going to be called Come Feline With Me. My cat will win. Fact.


Edit - I should point out I've never actually watched Come Dine With Me, is there a competitive element, otherwise my kitty winning the non-competitive Come Feline With Me seems a little well try-hard.

RichN95.

Above The Cows wrote:

Edit - I should point out I've never actually watched Come Dine With Me, is there a competitive element, otherwise my kitty winning the non-competitive Come Feline With Me seems a little well try-hard.

Yes there is. Each of the guests give the host a mark out of 10. The host with the highest total wins £1000.

above_the_cows

Macaloon wrote:

Wilco orchestrating affairs. I like this guy.

Macaloon

^ Froome was so surprised he stopped guarding his stem.

iainf72

That was quite a good bicycle race

Just shows, you don't need stupidly steep climbs to promote exciting racing.

inseine

iainf72 wrote:

That was quite a good bicycle race

Just shows, you don't need stupidly steep climbs to promote exciting racing.

I only caught the last few ks, but that was very exciting. Some young protagonists attacking, the two foremost GT riders going head to head (and given it all, IMO).

UncleMonty

No tA Doctor wrote:

I still think 5-7 km is a long way out to be isolated. It's a risky tactic. Froome had to cover a lot of attacks today and was towing Contador most of the way. That could have backfired quite badly.

It was plan B in the end wasn't it, he dropped all but Contador and just couldn't get the 2 or 3 bike lengths he needed to time trial to the end, if he had he'd have put big time into most of them. Bertie wouldn't work with him and he wasn't prepared to drag him to the top so we got the yoyo for the last 5km which was excellent to watch.

He made plan B work though sheer strength, you could see he wanted this win badly, he wanted a proper test to back up his training numbers, to see where he was against Bertie & Nibs, no other reason to burn the team out with 6k to go.

hammerite

Just watched the stage. Good race that.

My view on it.... Froome and Contador could've smashed everyone by a good distance had they worked together at all, putting the overall for the whole race pretty much out of contention of anyone else. But I think Contador was perhaps being cautious as he could also have very easily lost the whole race (at the same time as cementing 2nd!), had he worked with Froome and then Froome went on to distance him.

ianwilliams

Let's just enjoy it. Two great riders going toe-to-toe. Bodes extremely well for the Tour.