Even without Froome the Ineos team will still be the strongest out there, Thomas or Bernal for me with Thomas as favourite as you'd imagine he'd be team leader.
I bet Thomas is regretting all those media engagements now assuming he’d probably play second fiddle to Froome. Not that I think he’ll arrive massively undercooked but it will have definitely made it harder than it could’ve been.
You would assume it will all be on the line for Thomas but it’ll be interesting at the TdS to see what kind of shape Bernal is in and how that plays out.
I'll say thomas barring illness or injury but Tom is going to want it as well but Geraint has had a taste of the big life and it seems to suit him. Wiggins will be on the phone whispering good things
Quite amazing Thomas touted as a natural to win - when he looked overweight earlier in the year and has done 4 stage races this year with GC: 44, dnf , 40 and 3rd and less than 3k of racing this season.
Quite amazing Thomas touted as a natural to win - when he looked overweight earlier in the year and has done 4 stage races this year with GC: 44, dnf , 40 and 3rd and less than 3k of racing this season.
What you basing it on?
I agree, I really like the guy but in my opinion last year was his ‘Roche / Wiggins’ year and it won’t be repeated.
I’m hoping for a refreshingly open tour (for once)
Quite amazing Thomas touted as a natural to win - when he looked overweight earlier in the year and has done 4 stage races this year with GC: 44, dnf , 40 and 3rd and less than 3k of racing this season.
What you basing it on?
I agree, I really like the guy but in my opinion last year was his ‘Roche / Wiggins’ year and it won’t be repeated.
I’m hoping for a refreshingly open tour (for once)
Yer, like others were wishing for a refreshingly open Giro this year, without him and Bernal around and look how that stinker turned out.
As for GT: you can both check his weight out on the weekend.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
Quite amazing Thomas touted as a natural to win - when he looked overweight earlier in the year and has done 4 stage races this year with GC: 44, dnf , 40 and 3rd and less than 3k of racing this season.
What you basing it on?
This year 3rd in Romandie, last year 32nd. I think he and the team know what they’re doing and we’ll all know better after Swiss.
“Road racing was over and the UCI had banned my riding positions on the track, so it was like ‘Jings, crivvens, help ma Boab, what do I do now? I know, I’ll go away and be depressed for 10 years’.”
I think it is a real shame about Froome as the tour line up was looking like being one of the best and most exciting for years imo.
Wish him a speedy recovery and really hope we get to see him in the tour again.
As for the yellow jersey now, I have always been a big fan of G but I am slightly concerned by DB changing tune yesterday, from the strongest of the two of them would lead the team, to saying Froome was the chosen one. This to me suggests that Froome was in very good condition and perhaps G hasn't rediscovered his fitness or form, at least not compared to CF.
I think Tom Dumoulin or Bernal (despite his age) will be the main two now, although I hope G is up with them.
Quite amazing Thomas touted as a natural to win - when he looked overweight earlier in the year and has done 4 stage races this year with GC: 44, dnf , 40 and 3rd and less than 3k of racing this season.
What you basing it on?
I think he and the team know what they’re doing.
Yes no doubt!! I'm sure he'll arrive perfectly prepared. Just wondering what you are actually basing it on given the evidence??
Quite amazing Thomas touted as a natural to win - when he looked overweight earlier in the year and has done 4 stage races this year with GC: 44, dnf , 40 and 3rd and less than 3k of racing this season.
What you basing it on?
I think he and the team know what they’re doing.
Yes no doubt!! I'm sure he'll arrive perfectly prepared. Just wondering what you are actually basing it on given the evidence??
Bardet isn’t helped by having different bike supplier every year.
Having a different bike every year sort of suggests that the bike isn't the problem
Or goes towards the fact that he’s consistently poor it TTs. He hadnt even got his new TT bike by mid spring, he probably will hardly have ridden it let alone been to the wind tunnel.
Quite amazing Thomas touted as a natural to win - when he looked overweight earlier in the year and has done 4 stage races this year with GC: 44, dnf , 40 and 3rd and less than 3k of racing this season.
What you basing it on?
Well having seen him close up last Saturday he's not carrying an ounce of spare baggage now and is apparently down at 68kg as someone else on here can verify having spoken to him.
As for form I guess we'll know in a week but it's hardly a surprise that people are tipping him as the new favourite when he's defending champion is it, especially with Dumoulin recovering from injury and many of the other likely contenders initially dodging the Tour and opting to ride the Giro? Whether he can do it with the pressure of being official team leader is the biggest question.
Pinot has been looking good though as has Yates. Should make for a good race.
I think it is a real shame about Froome as the tour line up was looking like being one of the best and most exciting for years imo.
Wish him a speedy recovery and really hope we get to see him in the tour again.
As for the yellow jersey now, I have always been a big fan of G but I am slightly concerned by DB changing tune yesterday, from the strongest of the two of them would lead the team, to saying Froome was the chosen one. This to me suggests that Froome was in very good condition and perhaps G hasn't rediscovered his fitness or form, at least not compared to CF.
I think Tom Dumoulin or Bernal (despite his age) will be the main two now, although I hope G is up with them.
if you listen to Bespoke (BBC podcast), Rob Hayles will occasionally say that Brailsford uses this rivalry to the teams advantage. He fuels a competitive nature in the leaders.
Posts
Checked PCS they have 8 already penciled in without Froome and could still add Moscon to the list.
I bet Thomas is regretting all those media engagements now assuming he’d probably play second fiddle to Froome. Not that I think he’ll arrive massively undercooked but it will have definitely made it harder than it could’ve been.
You would assume it will all be on the line for Thomas but it’ll be interesting at the TdS to see what kind of shape Bernal is in and how that plays out.
Came up in conversation over the weekend with an associate.
Not sure. I think the jury is still out.
What you basing it on?
I agree, I really like the guy but in my opinion last year was his ‘Roche / Wiggins’ year and it won’t be repeated.
I’m hoping for a refreshingly open tour (for once)
Yer, like others were wishing for a refreshingly open Giro this year, without him and Bernal around and look how that stinker turned out.
As for GT: you can both check his weight out on the weekend.
@DrHeadgear
The Vikings are coming!
Well, since today's ITT is very similar to the Pau ITT, it's worth taking a look at how potential contenders fared.
Rnk.
7 Alaphilippe Julian 0:59
12 Pinot Thibaut 1:21
27 Bardet Romain 1:52
30 Molard Rudy 2:04
71 Martin Guillaume 3:16
95 Barguil Warren 3:52
Still, what they lack in TT ability, they make up for in panache. :P
Is this some sort of screwball bodyswap comedy gone wrong?
(in all seriousness, hopefully Froome recovers from this as quickly as possible)
hmmmm not exactly Gaelic contenders there
Wish him a speedy recovery and really hope we get to see him in the tour again.
As for the yellow jersey now, I have always been a big fan of G but I am slightly concerned by DB changing tune yesterday, from the strongest of the two of them would lead the team, to saying Froome was the chosen one. This to me suggests that Froome was in very good condition and perhaps G hasn't rediscovered his fitness or form, at least not compared to CF.
I think Tom Dumoulin or Bernal (despite his age) will be the main two now, although I hope G is up with them.
Yes no doubt!! I'm sure he'll arrive perfectly prepared. Just wondering what you are actually basing it on given the evidence??
Having a different bike every year sort of suggests that the bike isn't the problem
I think someone said it's not about the bike...
Cardiff lad, always prepared.
That TT of his wasn’t great..
Well having seen him close up last Saturday he's not carrying an ounce of spare baggage now and is apparently down at 68kg as someone else on here can verify having spoken to him.
As for form I guess we'll know in a week but it's hardly a surprise that people are tipping him as the new favourite when he's defending champion is it, especially with Dumoulin recovering from injury and many of the other likely contenders initially dodging the Tour and opting to ride the Giro? Whether he can do it with the pressure of being official team leader is the biggest question.
Pinot has been looking good though as has Yates. Should make for a good race.
if you listen to Bespoke (BBC podcast), Rob Hayles will occasionally say that Brailsford uses this rivalry to the teams advantage. He fuels a competitive nature in the leaders.