TDF 2018, Stage 9: Arras Citadelle > Roubaix 15/07/2018 - 156,5 km *Spoilers*

13567…26

Comments

  • DeadCalm
    DeadCalm Posts: 4,249
    For all those predicting Bardet will lose big on this stage, it's worth noting that he has Silvan Dillier (2nd in Roubaix this year), Oliver Naesen (12th) and Tony Gallopin (55th) riding in support.

    It''s also worth reminding ourselves that, although both Luke Rowe and Geraint have had very impressive performances in Paris-Roubaix in the past, they have a few DNFs between them.
  • phreak
    phreak Posts: 2,953
    Is support key? I remember Andy Schleck doing well on the cobbles after following Cancellara round.
  • FocusZing
    FocusZing Posts: 4,373
    I'm up for unpredictable carnage today. It's been lacklustre, controlled and day after day flat stages uninspiring. GC's go to the wall so be it, because when it hits the mountains it will be a game of watts and radios anyway.

    https://twitter.com/i/status/1010842170675335168

    Have it!
  • DeadCalm
    DeadCalm Posts: 4,249
    These will be the main support riders of the main GC contenders on this stage as far as I can see from a quick scan of the startlist. Feel free to point out errors and omissions.

    Thomas is included separately from Froome as Sky have said he will have a free role.

    Jungels has potentially the best support by some distance but presumably QS will be prioritising the stage?

    Erviti looks like being a busy boy.

    Froome - Rowe, Moscon
    Thomas -
    Uran - Vanmarcke, Phinney
    Dumoulin - Arndt, Theuns
    Quintana / Valverde / Landa - Erviti, ?
    Nibali - Haussler
    Porte - GVA (?), Küng, Schar
    Bardet - Dillier, Naesen
    Yates - Hayman, Durbridge
    Martin - Marcato, Kristoff
    Fuglsang - ?
    Zakarin - Politt, Zabel
    Jungels - ?, ?
  • milton50
    milton50 Posts: 3,856
    I'll put my neck on the line and say that the time gaps will be nowhere near as big as some people think.

    Hopefully more exciting than the yawn fest we've had so far though.
  • takethehighroad
    takethehighroad Posts: 6,823
    DeadCalm wrote:
    These will be the main support riders of the main GC contenders on this stage as far as I can see from a quick scan of the startlist. Feel free to point out errors and omissions.

    Thomas is included separately from Froome as Sky have said he will have a free role.

    Jungels has potentially the best support by some distance but presumably QS will be prioritising the stage?

    Erviti looks like being a busy boy.

    Froome - Rowe, Moscon
    Thomas -
    Uran - Vanmarcke, Phinney
    Dumoulin - Arndt, Theuns
    Quintana / Valverde / Landa - Erviti, ?
    Nibali - Haussler
    Porte - GVA (?), Küng, Schar
    Bardet - Dillier, Naesen
    Yates - Hayman, Durbridge
    Martin - Marcato, Kristoff
    Fuglsang - ?
    Zakarin - Politt, Zabel
    Jungels - ?, ?

    Jungels has a question Mark? He's on Quick Step, the dominant team from the cobbles this season. Also, Rojas and Bennatti are no slouches for Movistar, and even Marc Soler was in the break at Paris Roubaix this season
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    underlayunderlay wrote:
    Aaaand Jeremy Whittle provides the first example. Just couldn't wait, could he?
    The Tour’s defending champion, Chris Froome, often derided in the past for his lack of bike-handling skills

    Ah the old journalist makes up issue and repeats issue until it becomes a 'truth' trick. Whittle really is a kn0bmoomin.
    Correlation is not causation.
  • RonB
    RonB Posts: 3,984
    Check out @RealStephens recon of the entry to the first cobbles sector today - fight of position before the left hander will be entertaining
  • DeadCalm
    DeadCalm Posts: 4,249
    TakeTheHighRoad wrote:
    DeadCalm wrote:
    These will be the main support riders of the main GC contenders on this stage as far as I can see from a quick scan of the startlist. Feel free to point out errors and omissions.

    Thomas is included separately from Froome as Sky have said he will have a free role.

    Jungels has potentially the best support by some distance but presumably QS will be prioritising the stage?

    Erviti looks like being a busy boy.

    Froome - Rowe, Moscon
    Thomas -
    Uran - Vanmarcke, Phinney
    Dumoulin - Arndt, Theuns
    Quintana / Valverde / Landa - Erviti, ?
    Nibali - Haussler
    Porte - GVA (?), Küng, Schar
    Bardet - Dillier, Naesen
    Yates - Hayman, Durbridge
    Martin - Marcato, Kristoff
    Fuglsang - ?
    Zakarin - Politt, Zabel
    Jungels - ?, ?

    Jungels has a question Mark? He's on Quick Step, the dominant team from the cobbles this season. Also, Rojas and Bennatti are no slouches for Movistar, and even Marc Soler was in the break at Paris Roubaix this season

    As I said above, Jungels has potentially the best support by some distance but presumably QS will be prioritising the stage. Accordingly, I have no idea who, if anyone would be designated to ride in support of Jungels.

    I'll take your word on Rojas and Bennatti.
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    RonB wrote:
    Check out @RealStephens recon of the entry to the first cobbles sector today - fight of position before the left hander will be entertaining

    I was disappointed that he did not go through the window and come out in a cloud of chickens and straw.
    Correlation is not causation.
  • RonB
    RonB Posts: 3,984
    They've brought forward the start to 1220CET and that sector is 47.5 after the start. Just hope we have UK TV coverage by then.
  • gweeds
    gweeds Posts: 2,613
    Above The Cows wrote:
    RonB wrote:
    Check out @RealStephens recon of the entry to the first cobbles sector today - fight of position before the left hander will be entertaining

    I was disappointed that he did not go through the window and come out in a cloud of chickens and straw.

    :lol:
    Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training to be a cage fighter.
  • Lanterne_Rogue
    Lanterne_Rogue Posts: 4,340
    Above The Cows wrote:
    RonB wrote:
    Check out @RealStephens recon of the entry to the first cobbles sector today - fight of position before the left hander will be entertaining

    I was disappointed that he did not go through the window and come out in a cloud of chickens and straw.

    Got to leave some surprises for the race, otherwise why bother watching?
    Twitter: @canocola @thedreadships
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    Gweeds wrote:
    Above The Cows wrote:
    RonB wrote:
    Check out @RealStephens recon of the entry to the first cobbles sector today - fight of position before the left hander will be entertaining

    I was disappointed that he did not go through the window and come out in a cloud of chickens and straw.

    :lol:

    I would like to point out that this particular joke belongs to Carpet Bottom (squared).
    Correlation is not causation.
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    underlayunderlay wrote:
    Above The Cows wrote:
    RonB wrote:
    Check out @RealStephens recon of the entry to the first cobbles sector today - fight of position before the left hander will be entertaining

    I was disappointed that he did not go through the window and come out in a cloud of chickens and straw.

    Got to leave some surprises for the race, otherwise why bother watching?

    And because of that I need to be off for a spin.

    Tot straks allemaal.
    Correlation is not causation.
  • RonB
    RonB Posts: 3,984
    DiIbdiGX4AAyg6N.jpg:large
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
    RonB wrote:
    They've brought forward the start to 1220CET and that sector is 47.5 after the start. Just hope we have UK TV coverage by then.

    That's a whole half hour ahead?
    That's too soon for ITV 4 to catch the very start.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • RonB
    RonB Posts: 3,984
    Got that from Ashley House's twitter feed, but LeTour still shows 1235 #shrugs
  • blazing_saddles
    blazing_saddles Posts: 22,730
    Froome has a saddle sore, apparently.

    http://inrng.com/2018/07/tour-de-france ... w-roubaix/
    Among the GC contenders it’s hard to see them winning the stage but they finish the day in a winning position. Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) has the comparative advantage, this is the terrain he can exploit better than the rest, especially since Chris Froome has a saddle sore and that’s not going to heal today and Sky will look to deploy all their riders to shake things up.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • yorkshireraw
    yorkshireraw Posts: 1,632
    Most of the GC boys will likely be ok, although I think Landa may well have a 'mare. Valverde will probably make top 10 knowing him.
  • Lanterne_Rogue
    Lanterne_Rogue Posts: 4,340
    Team EFDFDS-HADAFARMEIEIO (or whatever the hell they are these days) are putting literally everyone they can on wheel duties:

    DiEYz4gXUAA_s-y.jpg:large

    (eta - and somewhere in the Death Star, Dave Brailsford spots a way to make finding Sky support in the feedzones even easier...)
    Twitter: @canocola @thedreadships
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    I expect Sagan to win, luck pending.
    _
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    Thomas de Gendt is really really not looking forward to today.

    Presumably the same reason he goes in long breaks so often.
    _
  • ShutupJens
    ShutupJens Posts: 1,373
    No tA Doctor wrote:
    Degenkolb has this in the bag, guys. You heard it here first.

    Just like the other year, before letting Tony M ride off and take it. Hence the banshee dance that he was seen performing in a fit of rage later on
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,262
    underlayunderlay wrote:

    (eta - and somewhere in the Death Star, Dave Brailsford spots a way to make finding Sky support in the feedzones even easier...)
    In reality...

    DiIlUc3XkAALezl.jpg
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • secretsqirrel
    secretsqirrel Posts: 2,145
    RichN95 wrote:
    RonB wrote:
    37020625_10156468966508427_7508242908089155584_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=064141dead6f514bf3a7ab7f35c9a0d1&oe=5BDE906B
    I think I saw this in an animated film once, maybe Sing or Over the Hedge, but seriously what on earth is this in real life.

    This takes roadside fan costumes to new level. :shock:
  • Lanterne_Rogue
    Lanterne_Rogue Posts: 4,340
    RichN95 wrote:
    underlayunderlay wrote:

    (eta - and somewhere in the Death Star, Dave Brailsford spots a way to make finding Sky support in the feedzones even easier...)
    In reality...

    Not seven-foot tall, and their heads aren't brightly coloured. Marginal gains, Rich, marginal gains...
    Twitter: @canocola @thedreadships
  • RonB
    RonB Posts: 3,984
    RichN95 wrote:
    underlayunderlay wrote:

    (eta - and somewhere in the Death Star, Dave Brailsford spots a way to make finding Sky support in the feedzones even easier...)
    In reality...

    DiIlUc3XkAALezl.jpg

    Astana version is a bit more laid back it has to be said :D

    DiIQoEAWkAAtGG0.jpg:large
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,692
    The list of helpers didn't have anyone for Fuglsang.

    He's got Valgren, who won OHN and got a 4th in Flanders this year and 11th last year. He's not ridden P-R but he can ride cobbles. He's also got Magnus Cort, who's ridden it 4 times (DNF twice) and has 4 Flanders starts (best place 20). I reckon he'll be alright (kiss of death, obviously)
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format
  • FocusZing
    FocusZing Posts: 4,373
    underlayunderlay wrote:
    Team EFDFDS-HADAFARMEIEIO (or whatever the hell they are these days) are putting literally everyone they can on wheel duties:

    DiEYz4gXUAA_s-y.jpg:large

    (eta - and somewhere in the Death Star, Dave Brailsford spots a way to make finding Sky support in the feedzones even easier...)

    Ha! Seeing that would pick me up if I crashed.

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