Tour build up 2019
rick_chasey
Posts: 66,360 Lives Here
So we have all the threads discussing who's gonna win the bloody thing, but there's more to the Tour then that (thank god).
So, who's gonna be in yellow after stage one, and how does that impact the likely jersey holders after stage two, the TTT.
Stage 3 isn't straightforward either with a cheeky cat 3 cote just before a draggy sprint and it's only really till stage 4 you get a proper flat flat sprint, given stage one is a little draggy too, and by stage five you've got a proper GvA style hilly stage, only it's got 20km of flat for the inevitable break to play silly buggers.
Then you're into Planche des Belles Filles and it's full on GC action time.
first week doesn't look too shabby therefore, considering.
So, who's gonna be in yellow after stage one, and how does that impact the likely jersey holders after stage two, the TTT.
Stage 3 isn't straightforward either with a cheeky cat 3 cote just before a draggy sprint and it's only really till stage 4 you get a proper flat flat sprint, given stage one is a little draggy too, and by stage five you've got a proper GvA style hilly stage, only it's got 20km of flat for the inevitable break to play silly buggers.
Then you're into Planche des Belles Filles and it's full on GC action time.
first week doesn't look too shabby therefore, considering.
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The sprint is a little draggy too.
suits.....Ewan? (oh noooooo) though if it's technical i'd back Groenewegen too.
I'll be doing all the jerseys and combativity award again
I would have won yellow too if G hadn't deliberately sat up in the final TT .
Sticking my oar in ....
I'll consider it, but I like to keep it simple (especially as I'm not unemployed like last year). I'm more inclined to rejig the KOM than the Green Jersey. I think things will naturally pan out differently this year with no obvious GC favourites.
Will be riding the etape and staying out for the rest of the week so will catch 18, 19 & 20
Nope. Not yet.
Is it just me that thinks it's a touch on the insane side to put the full peloton on that on stage one?
Rest of the week.... I can see Quickstep with the yellow, possibly sharing it between them a bit. Not too shabby in a TTT.
@DrHeadgear
The Vikings are coming!
You are correct.
The same person that told me about Dumoulin said that it is going to be full on from the gun, because the KoMs are between kms 40-50. Could be carnage and somebody's GC could be over before it's begun.
I'm unlikely to post much for the next week or so, as I'm on hols and only have the phone.
So I sure won't be doing any early stage threads. Thursday week probs.
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
You up for doing them day by day during the tour proper when you return?
Maybe how's that going to come about?
Good question, Ineos are so strong that the race may we’ll be dead bar manufactured drama between Thomas and Bernal while everyone marks each other out in a very hilly edition. Alternatively bernal might kill everyone in the first day in the mountains.
On the other hand, one or more key Ineos riders may fall off, leaving it far wider and it could turn out to be a corker
Basically .... Boring because Ineos.
They're always pretty interesting.
It's been pretty hard to light up the GT race as the competition hasn't really been there, and perhpas there's some criticism to be levelled there (but what would you have done differently), but the Tour day-to-day is much improved over pre-2007 Tours.
Lotto-Soudal, Ewen, Monfort, Benoot, Keukeleire, Kluge, Wellens, De Gendt, De Buyst
Arkea announced their first six riders (whole confirmed teams have a green tick):
https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/to ... /startlist
Glad Delaplace gets a ride - betting he's in the first break in the neutralised section? One day it will pay off
Elsewhere there is talk of Simon Yates riding as well as Adam. (Maybe teams are finally cottoning on to Sky's usual tactic of taking their Giro leader to the Tour)
Of all the teams, Michelton probably have the best 'all for the team' culture to actually make the best use of multiple GC threats.
Sky do do it, albeit reluctantly.
Movistar have had the talent on the bike but not in the car to do so. There are suggestions the addition of Sciandri as DS has changed that, but I think the jury's out so far.
Again this year you won't be able to name a rider that could significantly improve Ineos, but you probably can for all the other WT teams.
If you're mitchelton, you see Sky's roster for the Tour and may think "why bother, we're better off gunning for stuff elsewhere".
Ineos still look exceptionally strong and capable of controlling pretty much anything. They have the top two favourites for the Tour. If there's any excitement it will come from "the leadership question" between them.
The rest will be happy enough with a podium or a top ten, and won't take risks. There are no multiple GC winners who would be ready for a hail-Mary attack from distance to try and grab yellow. They'll sit in wheels and mark each other for the placings.
If I'm wrong, then my best guess is that it's Astana that try and make a race of it.
@DrHeadgear
The Vikings are coming!
I've always found the Sky dominate/salary cap type talk a little hollow when other teams don;t turn up with their best 8. Sure, they have greater strength in depth than most, but man for man several teams can match them, Froome aside.