Stage 17 TdF 2015 Digne-les-Bains / Pra Loup *SPOILERS*
Comments
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FF - your standards are slipping. Letting him off for not doing his jersey up !
Haha, well it crossed my mind but considering the ride he just put in I think it is fair to let him off
Product placement exemption....a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.0 -
It's not a case of liking him or not just I think he's pretty much said next year will be his last. He also said he wants to end on a high. Vuelta it is then! 8)
Vuelta with a side order of Spanish beef? Suits you, Sir!0 -
Sky looked a bit creaky today - but then perhaps so did all the other teams. At one point on the last climb today Froome was isolated from his team and surrounded by 4 Movistars and 2 Astana; anyone else in that situation would have been battered all over the hill - clearly suggesting that they were all on the limit.
It's a shame they're going up the "easy" side of the Glandon tomorrow - I remember Hinault saying it was the mountain that gave him the most trouble. But the summit is 40km from the finish (with a nasty looking 2nd Cat climb 10km from the finish), so the other teams are all in that careful balance of how much energy to expend attacking from a long way out Vs Sky hoping they've got enough energy to defend.
Froome might qualify as "imperious" if it wasn't for looking like such a thrashing numpty. I thought he was phenomenal on that descent and still had some powder dry to smoke those two swarthy southern European types who tried to put him into difficulties 10km earlier...0 -
Sky looked a bit creaky today - but then perhaps so did all the other teams. At one point on the last climb today Froome was isolated from his team and surrounded by 4 Movistars and 2 Astana; anyone else in that situation would have been battered all over the hill - clearly suggesting that they were all on the limit.
It's a shame they're going up the "easy" side of the Glandon tomorrow - I remember Hinault saying it was the mountain that gave him the most trouble. But the summit is 40km from the finish (with a nasty looking 2nd Cat climb 10km from the finish), so the other teams are all in that careful balance of how much energy to expend attacking from a long way out Vs Sky hoping they've got enough energy to defend.
Froome might qualify as "imperious" if it wasn't for looking like such a thrashing numpty. I thought he was phenomenal on that descent and still had some powder dry to smoke those two swarthy southern European types who tried to put him into difficulties 10km earlier...
To be fair to Sky, 2 of those Movistars + Kangert from Astana came backwards from the break.
Sky had Porte do the same but he got caught behind the Contador crash. They also had Roche up ahead, and Poels and Thomas there until just before the top of the penultimate climb.0 -
Valverde is not a sacrificial lamb like Rogers. They are both riding for positions, and not riding against each other. That is they can attack in turns.
Exactly why they don't stand a chance against Sky. Having two effective leaders on a team both interested in GC never works, it just splits the effort not concentrates it. Movistar need to decide who their #1 is for future Tours. What would they rather have two riders on the lower steps of the podium or one on the top?
I don't really agree with you. If Froome, Quintana and Valverde end up in a group of three which is quite likely, the fact that they are both very well placed will be extremely important. Froome is the strongest rider in the race, so simply riding on the front all the time giving him a free ride isn't going to help - they need to make him chase attacks and he will only do that if the riders are a threat.0 -
I reckon Quintana has enough repect for Valverde to only request the ultimate sacrifice if he's sure to win. He's nowhere near that point. Valverde will ride out of his skin to finish on the podium in this company. That's top class assistance....a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.0
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Yeah, looking forward to seeing what Valverde will do with that carrot dangling in front of him.I reckon Quintana has enough repect for Valverde to only request the ultimate sacrifice if he's sure to win. He's nowhere near that point. Valverde will ride out of his skin to finish on the podium in this company. That's top class assistance.0 -
Quite.
The trouble is that they are tolerated on most forums and it gets to a point that reasonable voices and different opinions are lost in the white noise generated by these individuals to the point that everyone else walks away and it becomes almost a blog!
Tell you what, I'll lessen the Contador stuff then. Hopefully you know who will lessen his constant ridiculous insinuations on certain teams and riders, their character and so on as well as his irrelevant and unrelenting Contador stuff.
I'll lessen it anyway, I bet you any money he doesn't though.
There you go. I'm actually completely reasonable!
I think you're quoting the wrong person there mate!
Sorry
...point still stands though, I'll wind in the Contador stuff so it doesn't naff anyone off. 0 -
Valverde is not a sacrificial lamb like Rogers. They are both riding for positions, and not riding against each other. That is they can attack in turns.
Exactly why they don't stand a chance against Sky. Having two effective leaders on a team both interested in GC never works, it just splits the effort not concentrates it. Movistar need to decide who their #1 is for future Tours. What would they rather have two riders on the lower steps of the podium or one on the top?
I don't really agree with you. If Froome, Quintana and Valverde end up in a group of three which is quite likely, the fact that they are both very well placed will be extremely important. Froome is the strongest rider in the race, so simply riding on the front all the time giving him a free ride isn't going to help - they need to make him chase attacks and he will only do that if the riders are a threat.
You might be right but it's obvious to me that Quintana doesn't seem to have the killer burst of speed to break away from Froome and sustain it for any length of time. That may also be down to the fact that Froome is on the top of his game at the moment and is more than able to mark the multiple attacks even when isolated. It would take Froome to have an off day I think for Quintana to get any time back on him.
I must admit I've never really rated Quintana that highly and he loses time in other ways which is also going to be a grand tour liability in this quality of company. Having said that Contador is staring retirement in the face and Valverde is also getting a bit long in the tooth so maybe with Quintana only being 25 he might effectively inherit the crown in 2-3 years time or whenever Froome goes over the hill.
Maybe whatever team Quintana is in should try emulating the Sky Train to wear opponents down and then he finishes off with a killer burst at the end.0 -
How strange.....the French celebrating a self confessed doper yet fling wee-wee over a clean rider.
You do realise "the French" aren't a homogeneous group don't you?
hah, they might not be but I reckon I've been asked more Froome doping questions by French people the last week than the whole Sky team put together.BASI Nordic Ski Instructor
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Oh it hurts. I was really hoping for a podium battle. Just got to hope he can deliver something to cheer the fans.Contador is the Greatest0
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If Gesink gets top 5 GC...Phwoar.
Pretty incredible form he has pulled out the bag.
All we need is Thomas to get burned up in a chase from a Contador do-or-die and Gesink can slip up to 5th.
Speak for yourself! I would be super happy if G could secure a podium place. His performance this TdF has been spectacular by any measure.0 -
Just watching the ITV highlights. Liggett's comment that Talansky is making gains on Froome on GC is quite an optimistic one.0
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I think most fans are happy, it's been a great Tour don't you think? And still three days of racing.Oh it hurts. I was really hoping for a podium battle. Just got to hope he can deliver something to cheer the fans.
I think Contador is close to far enough behind that he might be given some slack which would see him overtake Thomas.0 -
Just watching the ITV highlights. Liggett's comment that Talansky is making gains on Froome on GC is quite an optimistic one.
Talansky has been a little absent for me on this Tour so far. Has he been ill or just not had the form? A really strong effort from him today judging by the highlights I just watched.0 -
@Vaughters 7h
Mr. @andrewtalansky showing some balls. I've been a bit of an arse to him the last few. Glad to see he's telling me to stuff it w his legs.
Bit of hair dryer treatment.0 -
Talansky hasn't really got going at all this season. He could still end up top 10 which wouldn't be a total disaster.0
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@Vaughters 7h
Mr. @andrewtalansky showing some balls. I've been a bit of an ars* to him the last few. Glad to see he's telling me to stuff it w his legs.
Bit of hair dryer treatment.
Never thought much of Vaughters' use of socal media to boost the troops. If he was any good at it, we probably wouldn't hear about it so much....a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.0 -
Have I missed the discussion about Kwia's DS berating him at the roadside when he climbed off? Graphic scenes on the highlights....a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.0
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All is not well in the Tinkoff camp, according some recent tweets.
It seems Majka was told to wait up to aid Contador home, but this tweet was put out by a Danish journalistafter a tv interview:Majka: "Nobody told me to stop and wait for Contador. Otherwise, I would have"
To which, Steve de Jongh's wife (of all people) replied:@MikeKaltoft all the stad (staff?) members told him to stop!!!! But he did not. And I know. So please don't tell wrong information
Surely, the reply must be true and young Raja is taking a leaf out of his team leader's book by telling a porkie?
Otherwise, it would be the most elementary of errors for a DS to make."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Footage of Contador after crash
http://nos.nl/tour/video/2048387-nos-camera-ziet-contador-opkrabbelen.html
Note he does not even try to get off the racing line. Not exactly showing respect to other riders is he. Thankfully no one else hit him. All clearly cornering better than he did. He only loses 25 secs getting back on the bike but was over 2 mins down at the finish. Probably would have been dropped on the final climb anyway at that rate2020 Reilly Spectre - raw titanium
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It was Sagan's bike for the descent, a change to one that fit, and riding solo - all while Majka was torching his reputation for places on the stage, that cost Alberto a chunk of that time....a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.0
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Nice bit of littering by Rodgers, bidon chucked down the ravine.0
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It was Sagan's bike for the descent, a change to one that fit, and riding solo - all while Majka was torching his reputation for places on the stage, that cost Alberto a chunk of that time.
At what point did he take Sagan's bike? He rides off on his own from that footage2020 Reilly Spectre - raw titanium
2020 Merida Reacto Disc Ltd - black on black
2015 CAAD8 105 - very green - stripped to turbo bike
2018 Planet X Exocet 2 - grey
The departed:
2017 Cervelo R3 DI2 - sold
Boardman CX Team - sold
Cannondale Synapse - broken
Cube Streamer - stolen
Boardman Road Comp - stolen0 -
One explanation for Majka not stopping is he didn't want to burn energy for Contador that could be used for a future Majka stage win. What panache....a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.0
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It was Sagan's bike for the descent, a change to one that fit, and riding solo - all while Majka was torching his reputation for places on the stage, that cost Alberto a chunk of that time.
At what point did he take Sagan's bike? He rides off on his own from that footage
It was what I recall from the translation of Contador's post-stage interview. I might be mistaken....a rare 100% loyal Pro Race poster. A poster boy for the community.0 -
If that was Majka standing around after bertie and Sagan went, how'd he end up back ahead and not waiting for Bert on the way up to Pra Loup?Edinburgh Revolution Curve
http://app.strava.com/athletes/19200480 -
If that was Majka standing around after bertie and Sagan went, how'd he end up back ahead and not waiting for Bert on the way up to Pra Loup?
That was Mick Rogers.0 -
He definitely said in the interview that he rode Sagan's bike to the bottom of the climb and then changed but the footage defo looks like he got on a bike that Rogers had just put the chain back on. Why would Sagan give him his if he'd just shipped his chain? There always seems to be a bit of mystery surrounding a Contador spill.It was Sagan's bike for the descent, a change to one that fit, and riding solo - all while Majka was torching his reputation for places on the stage, that cost Alberto a chunk of that time.
At what point did he take Sagan's bike? He rides off on his own from that footage
It was what I recall from the translation of Contador's post-stage interview. I might be mistaken.
Edit: Off course a couple of hundred metres further down the climb he might have realised there was a problem and changed it then. But in that footage he defo rides off on his own bike, you can see his number, 41, on it.0 -
Have I missed the discussion about Kwia's DS berating him at the roadside when he climbed off? Graphic scenes on the highlights.
Did Kwia abandon then? I still have 12 pages of posts to catch up on
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