Is this the best peloton ever assembled for a grand tour?
specialgueststar
Posts: 3,418
? It must be close
0
Comments
-
Very much so, its rare you have 4 reasonably evenly matched contendors at the peak of their powers, Injury free.
I think this will be the best tour in recent years (outside of 2011)...0 -
I think what we've got is 4 genuine contenders, with some great riders also in the mix. The only hope is that all 4 stay as competitive for as long as possible. Would be great if it went down to the final battle on the Saturday.Trainer Road Blog: https://hitthesweetspot.home.blog/
Cycling blog: https://harderfasterlonger.wordpress.com/
Blog: https://supermurphtt2015.wordpress.com/
TCTP: https://supermurph.wordpress.com/0 -
risky parcours too, that TTT looks to be a bit different. could play to astana that one."If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
-
There is strength and depth in loads of the teams beyond the top four GC contenders. It is certainly a very strong peloton. I think it’s got even more competitive in recent years, and with every team having access to more information than ever before, the teams are more professional and effective than they used to be.
Hopefully this will result in brilliant, unrelenting racing. It won’t be an easy ride for anyone, that’s for sure!
It'll be a monumental crash fest.0 -
There is strength and depth in loads of the teams beyond the top four GC contenders. It is certainly a very strong peloton. I think it’s got even more competitive in recent years, and with every team having access to more information than ever before, the teams are more professional and effective than they used to be.
Hopefully this will result in brilliant, unrelenting racing. It won’t be an easy ride for anyone, that’s for sure!
It'll be a monumental crash fest.
It always is. And every year it seems worse than ever, but it's usually just like every other year.It's only a bit of sport, Mun. Relax and enjoy the racing.0 -
The organisers seem to be actively encouraging it this year, though.There is strength and depth in loads of the teams beyond the top four GC contenders. It is certainly a very strong peloton. I think it’s got even more competitive in recent years, and with every team having access to more information than ever before, the teams are more professional and effective than they used to be.
Hopefully this will result in brilliant, unrelenting racing. It won’t be an easy ride for anyone, that’s for sure!
It'll be a monumental crash fest.
It always is. And every year it seems worse than ever, but it's usually just like every other year.Twitter: @RichN950 -
-
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639570#p19639570]SpecialGuestStar[/url] wrote:? It must be close
I hope one or more of the GCs don't eat pave. I want to see the battles in the mountains.0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639570#p19639570]SpecialGuestStar[/url] wrote:? It must be close
I've been trying to think who is missing (top riders from each team) and I can only think of Aru and Landa.
And with the current start list, they'd be at the back end of the top 10 at best!0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639990#p19639990]Coopster the 1st[/url] wrote:[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639570#p19639570]SpecialGuestStar[/url] wrote:? It must be close
I've been trying to think who is missing (top riders from each team) and I can only think of Aru and Landa.
And with the current start list, they'd be at the back end of the top 10 at best!
Kittel0 -
Your in Holland fer christs sake.No this year will be worse and it has been getting worse.
1996 they started in the rain in Hertogenbosch (Nederlands) where the local councils refused to alter the highly dangerous "Road Furniture" and the result was many crashes.
I think you will be OK as I doubt that will happen. Nibs put them under presure from stage 2 last year.FocusZing wrote:I hope one or more of the GCs don't eat pave. I want to see the battles in the mountains.
This year they are ready for him and done more of their Pave and wet weather training.
The OP is about the Peloton and the first 4 expert posters have all been on this forum for up to 3 years so how can the word "ever" be be used.
That OP would be rather controversal with the many times very good riders have taken the start in past years.Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 19720 -
Spilack and Pozzovivo is all Ive got0
-
.That OP would be rather controversal with the many times very good riders have taken the start in past years
Yes - but it is posed as a question which you are most welcome to answer. I've seen nearly every Tour since 1988 and I can't remember such strength in depth in terms of contenders and teams nor the level of fitness of all members. There just doesn't seem to be any dead weight. Even the wildcards are fielding serious firepower0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19640003#p19640003]SpecialGuestStar[/url] wrote:Spilack and Pozzovivo is all Ive got
Spilak hates Grand Tours.
I do wonder how good Nibali's form is. He's even saying "you have good and bad years". The implication being he's having a bad year. Contador has hedged his bets by doing the Giro, so he won't be in Tour form, but he's clever enough to get around without top form
I don't mind challenging first weeks but it does feel like ASO are going out of their way to eliminate a fave or two.Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.0 -
Is that anything to do with last years Paris Podiums. ??
I don't mind challenging first weeks but it does feel like ASO are going out of their way to eliminate a fave or two.Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 19720 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639990#p19639990]Coopster the 1st[/url] wrote:[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639570#p19639570]SpecialGuestStar[/url] wrote:? It must be close
I've been trying to think who is missing (top riders from each team) and I can only think of Aru and Landa.
And with the current start list, they'd be at the back end of the top 10 at best!
Kittel
Correction: last year's Kittel. Dropping this season's version, despite his protestations to the contrary, hasn't robbed the event of anything other than cheap 'Cavendish vs Kittel' articles in the papers during the build up.0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19640003#p19640003]SpecialGuestStar[/url] wrote:Spilack and Pozzovivo is all Ive got
Spilak hates Grand Tours.
I do wonder how good Nibali's form is. He's even saying "you have good and bad years". The implication being he's having a bad year. Contador has hedged his bets by doing the Giro, so he won't be in Tour form, but he's clever enough to get around without top form
Fair.0 -
Well the peloton is one shorter now.
Lars Boom low cortisol so isn't starting and it's too late to call up a replacement.0
