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Froome wins stage 1 TT.......let's wait and see what Wiggins does in Switzerland.
In reply to abr1966:
Stunning finish today - http://www.steephill.tv/players/youtube3/?title=Last+5+Km+of+Stage+2&da...
Watch it as live if you haven't seen it.
Alan
Stunning finish today - http://www.steephill.tv/players/youtube3/?title=Last+5+Km+of+Stage+2&da...
Watch it as live if you haven't seen it.
Alan
In reply to abr1966:
Another stage win for Froome - sounds like he was out to prove a point - although he didn't manage to drop Bertie.
Also sounds like Porte has had another bad day - is he simply on the team as a bed blocker?
Another stage win for Froome - sounds like he was out to prove a point - although he didn't manage to drop Bertie.
Also sounds like Porte has had another bad day - is he simply on the team as a bed blocker?
In reply to Chris the Tall:
He maybe there to try and prove himself so that Brailsford doesn't have to pick Wiggo.
Alan
> Also sounds like Porte has had another bad day - is he simply on the team as a bed blocker?
He maybe there to try and prove himself so that Brailsford doesn't have to pick Wiggo.
Alan
In reply to Alan James - Rockfax:
Very impressive. Looks like Nibali is a bit off the pace.
Wonder if Froome is showing a bit too much of himself too early though? Still good to see someone riding so aggressively.....
Very impressive. Looks like Nibali is a bit off the pace.
Wonder if Froome is showing a bit too much of himself too early though? Still good to see someone riding so aggressively.....
In reply to Alan James - Rockfax:
It'll be a big call for Brailsford....Porte is not on form and i think if Wiggins does (genuinely) want to ride the tour he will show it in Switzerland. I'm not convinced Wiggins is playing it straight at the moment...
> He maybe there to try and prove himself so that Brailsford doesn't have to pick Wiggo.
> Alan
It'll be a big call for Brailsford....Porte is not on form and i think if Wiggins does (genuinely) want to ride the tour he will show it in Switzerland. I'm not convinced Wiggins is playing it straight at the moment...
In reply to Alan James - Rockfax:
Awesome.
> Stunning finish today - http://www.steephill.tv/players/youtube3/?title=Last+5+Km+of+Stage+2&da...
Awesome.
In reply to Alan James - Rockfax:
Yep - exciting finish - well, as exciting as you get these days - watching Slaying the Badger has made me very nostalgic for the 80s and the days before race radios and power meters (and EPO). Not so sure about Andy Hampsten's sunglasses
Froome is clearly on good form but I find the notion that the rest of the team are as good as they could be quite laughable. Nieve maybe, and of course the others may have done their work early on but Porte is a shadow of his former self. He is clearly not a Plan B, but as we know, Brailsford doesn't do Plan B. Can Froome win the TDF without his support - yes, unless he has a bad day or two. Which is always a possibility
Yep - exciting finish - well, as exciting as you get these days - watching Slaying the Badger has made me very nostalgic for the 80s and the days before race radios and power meters (and EPO). Not so sure about Andy Hampsten's sunglasses
Froome is clearly on good form but I find the notion that the rest of the team are as good as they could be quite laughable. Nieve maybe, and of course the others may have done their work early on but Porte is a shadow of his former self. He is clearly not a Plan B, but as we know, Brailsford doesn't do Plan B. Can Froome win the TDF without his support - yes, unless he has a bad day or two. Which is always a possibility
In reply to Alan James - Rockfax:
Jaw dropping stuff.
> Stunning finish today - http://www.steephill.tv/players/youtube3/?title=Last+5+Km+of+Stage+2&da...
Jaw dropping stuff.
In reply to abr1966:
Froome killed himself today, whilst bertie couldnt beat him, I wonder if he will be fresher tomorrow
Great racing, cant wait for 3weeks of this on the tour
Froome killed himself today, whilst bertie couldnt beat him, I wonder if he will be fresher tomorrow
Great racing, cant wait for 3weeks of this on the tour
In reply to Alun:
Just saw today's highlights on eurosport. Great racing and an awesome ride by froome and contador...
Just saw today's highlights on eurosport. Great racing and an awesome ride by froome and contador...
In reply to balmybaldwin:
Not much opportunity for Bertie or anybody today, and as long as the break doesn't have anybody within several minutes of the lead then it should be an easy stage for Sky to control.
> Froome killed himself today, whilst bertie couldnt beat him, I wonder if he will be fresher tomorrow
Not much opportunity for Bertie or anybody today, and as long as the break doesn't have anybody within several minutes of the lead then it should be an easy stage for Sky to control.
In reply to abr1966:
Exciting stuff and very aggressive by Froome, but I can't help wondering if completely burying himself to secure a 12 second lead might come back to bite him. If he does that every day and Contador follows it only takes one lapse of concentration to allow Contador to break and take 30s.
Unbelievable (I hope not impossible) display of strength by both riders. I'm not sure I can recall the last time I saw someone out of the saddle at full bore for so long on an HC climb.
Exciting stuff and very aggressive by Froome, but I can't help wondering if completely burying himself to secure a 12 second lead might come back to bite him. If he does that every day and Contador follows it only takes one lapse of concentration to allow Contador to break and take 30s.
Unbelievable (I hope not impossible) display of strength by both riders. I'm not sure I can recall the last time I saw someone out of the saddle at full bore for so long on an HC climb.
In reply to Oujmik:
Last year's Vuelta?
Notice the different styles too: 'Sprinting' for the line CF didn't get out of the saddle, while AC was 'dancing' much of the time. Gearing choice?
>
> Unbelievable (I hope not impossible) display of strength by both riders. I'm not sure I can recall the last time I saw someone out of the saddle at full bore for so long on an HC climb.
> Unbelievable (I hope not impossible) display of strength by both riders. I'm not sure I can recall the last time I saw someone out of the saddle at full bore for so long on an HC climb.
Last year's Vuelta?
Notice the different styles too: 'Sprinting' for the line CF didn't get out of the saddle, while AC was 'dancing' much of the time. Gearing choice?
In reply to abr1966:
It was stirring stuff, and I think Contador simply though CF would burn out, and not be able to take it to the line. He may have done just as much trying to hold on - The fact he wouldn't take a turn when Chris asked him to may have looked like calculated tactics, but may have also been the fact he just couldn't.
Cracking!
It was stirring stuff, and I think Contador simply though CF would burn out, and not be able to take it to the line. He may have done just as much trying to hold on - The fact he wouldn't take a turn when Chris asked him to may have looked like calculated tactics, but may have also been the fact he just couldn't.
Cracking!
In reply to JohnnyW:
Bertie was very clearly thinking that, and had he managed to pip Froome to the line then everybody would have been hailing his tactical masterstroke, and calling Froome inexperienced. But that's not what happened! Certainly Froome played a risky game but he had the strength to back up his balls, so he rightly takes the plaudits.
> It was stirring stuff, and I think Contador simply though CF would burn out, and not be able to take it to the line.
Bertie was very clearly thinking that, and had he managed to pip Froome to the line then everybody would have been hailing his tactical masterstroke, and calling Froome inexperienced. But that's not what happened! Certainly Froome played a risky game but he had the strength to back up his balls, so he rightly takes the plaudits.
In reply to Alun:
The Brailsford way is to have a very simple plan, let everyone know what it is and stick to it. Dominate and control the race, break everyone else's spirit. And very successful it has been too, both on the track and the road. But Contador's tactic is to play his cards much closer to his chest - stick to Froomes wheel but not to give away too much information on his current form. And of course say he isn't interested in winning this race, that he's not ready yet.
The Plan A and only Plan A tactic failed badly in the Olympic road race, partly because the team wasn't strong enough, and partly because everyone else knew the plan, let Team GB do all the work and didn't join in and then attacked a tired team at the end. Froome may be strong enough to do his part, but the lack of strength in the team will make him vulnerable over 3 weeks.
The Brailsford way is to have a very simple plan, let everyone know what it is and stick to it. Dominate and control the race, break everyone else's spirit. And very successful it has been too, both on the track and the road. But Contador's tactic is to play his cards much closer to his chest - stick to Froomes wheel but not to give away too much information on his current form. And of course say he isn't interested in winning this race, that he's not ready yet.
The Plan A and only Plan A tactic failed badly in the Olympic road race, partly because the team wasn't strong enough, and partly because everyone else knew the plan, let Team GB do all the work and didn't join in and then attacked a tired team at the end. Froome may be strong enough to do his part, but the lack of strength in the team will make him vulnerable over 3 weeks.
In reply to Chris the Tall:
Agreed. Unless Porte's form improves dramatically, Froome will be exposed and I don't think he will win the TDF.
Agreed. Unless Porte's form improves dramatically, Froome will be exposed and I don't think he will win the TDF.
In reply to Chris the Tall:
I think it depends critically on whether Sky see only one other danger (e.g., AC) or several. The 'isolation' is only really a problem if there are more than two GC contenders ("Which one do you watch/follow?"). If it boils down to CF vs. AC it's less of a problem ("mano a mano"). Worst case scenario is if you have multiple apparent GC contenders on the same team (you can't let either of them steam ahead, but one may be a 'fake') which could be a possible tactical reason to including BW in the Sky team (if DB can solve the 'other' problem).
> ... Froome may be strong enough to do his part, but the lack of strength in the team will make him vulnerable over 3 weeks.
I think it depends critically on whether Sky see only one other danger (e.g., AC) or several. The 'isolation' is only really a problem if there are more than two GC contenders ("Which one do you watch/follow?"). If it boils down to CF vs. AC it's less of a problem ("mano a mano"). Worst case scenario is if you have multiple apparent GC contenders on the same team (you can't let either of them steam ahead, but one may be a 'fake') which could be a possible tactical reason to including BW in the Sky team (if DB can solve the 'other' problem).
In reply to lummox: The difficulty is that Porte has been out of action with an 'unidentified' illness, so I don't think it should be unexpected for him not to be sharp coming back into racing amongst those with more recent days racing in their legs. He may even be looking to this race to recover some fitness and form.
I don't think it's a given that he'll be back to where he was for the Tour last year, but it's 5-6weeks before he really needs to be hitting form to support Froome so he's got every chance of being in sufficient condition to do what he needs to. Unless what he's been suffering returns. It'll add an interesting element to the Sky story.
I don't think it's a given that he'll be back to where he was for the Tour last year, but it's 5-6weeks before he really needs to be hitting form to support Froome so he's got every chance of being in sufficient condition to do what he needs to. Unless what he's been suffering returns. It'll add an interesting element to the Sky story.
In reply to abr1966:
So apart from Porte who is in wobbly form who are Skys superdoms for the hills? If Brailsford gets Wiggins to behave it strikes me as foolish to leave him at home out of spite.
Even tho' many here believe him only to be a lucky punter and barely credible as a gc tider.......
So apart from Porte who is in wobbly form who are Skys superdoms for the hills? If Brailsford gets Wiggins to behave it strikes me as foolish to leave him at home out of spite.
Even tho' many here believe him only to be a lucky punter and barely credible as a gc tider.......
In reply to wbo: There are a few who could put in strong support performances.
Kiriyenka often seems epically strong, but usually ends up in a role burying himself on the front until he pops spectacularly, so I don't know how he'd do having to be there at the end chasing down breaks.
Likewise Nieve and Cataldo seem very good when the road goes up, but generally do a driving roll before coasting in. It's possibly a flaw in the Sky strategy - there could be a number of great super domestiques for the end but are rarely given the option of waiting around until the final showdown.
Kiriyenka often seems epically strong, but usually ends up in a role burying himself on the front until he pops spectacularly, so I don't know how he'd do having to be there at the end chasing down breaks.
Likewise Nieve and Cataldo seem very good when the road goes up, but generally do a driving roll before coasting in. It's possibly a flaw in the Sky strategy - there could be a number of great super domestiques for the end but are rarely given the option of waiting around until the final showdown.
In reply to abr1966:
Cracking stage yesterday - Contador on the attack, Porte back on form in his defence of Froome and another fine show from young Yates.
Meanwhile the Tour de Suisse lineup is taking shape
http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Tour_de_Suisse_2014-Startlist
Far harder to call than the Dauphine, since it's hard to know who's targeting the overall.
Costa, Evans, Schleck, Mollema, Ten Dam, Kreuziger
And will it be Wiggins or Henao leading for Sky ?
Cracking stage yesterday - Contador on the attack, Porte back on form in his defence of Froome and another fine show from young Yates.
Meanwhile the Tour de Suisse lineup is taking shape
http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Tour_de_Suisse_2014-Startlist
Far harder to call than the Dauphine, since it's hard to know who's targeting the overall.
Costa, Evans, Schleck, Mollema, Ten Dam, Kreuziger
And will it be Wiggins or Henao leading for Sky ?
In reply to Chris the Tall:
The Tour of Switzerland looks brutal. There's a lot of climbing and fast time trial stages. I can't see that far past Sky who look like they've a strong squad out but others have looked pretty good recently. I think Sky might ride for Wiggins, but then I thought he'd be in the Tour team...? Henao hasn't had a race in a while so to ride for him seems a risk to me.
The Tour of Switzerland looks brutal. There's a lot of climbing and fast time trial stages. I can't see that far past Sky who look like they've a strong squad out but others have looked pretty good recently. I think Sky might ride for Wiggins, but then I thought he'd be in the Tour team...? Henao hasn't had a race in a while so to ride for him seems a risk to me.
In reply to Chris the Tall:
As Mr Fuller says, with a lack of recent racing it would be an unusual decision to make Henao leader, though he may be working to show if he's ready for the Tour.
Of Sky, has anyone heard much of Josh Edmondson lately? I'd have thought he'd be given the opportunity to prove himself worthy of a place in the team, given the start in his home city, but have heard nothing of him racing over the last few weeks.
As Mr Fuller says, with a lack of recent racing it would be an unusual decision to make Henao leader, though he may be working to show if he's ready for the Tour.
Of Sky, has anyone heard much of Josh Edmondson lately? I'd have thought he'd be given the opportunity to prove himself worthy of a place in the team, given the start in his home city, but have heard nothing of him racing over the last few weeks.
Post edited at 12:52
In reply to abr1966:
Nasty crash for Froome (and Nibali) today, late on but managed to rejoin the peleton without losing any time.
https://twitter.com/a_thomas_commin/status/477435245609119744/photo/1
2 (big) stages to go
Nasty crash for Froome (and Nibali) today, late on but managed to rejoin the peleton without losing any time.
https://twitter.com/a_thomas_commin/status/477435245609119744/photo/1
2 (big) stages to go
In reply to Chris the Tall:
Looking forward to see what Wiggins does....if he really is serious about riding the tour he should perform really well! I remain sceptical!!
> Far harder to call than the Dauphine, since it's hard to know who's targeting the overall.
> Costa, Evans, Schleck, Mollema, Ten Dam, Kreuziger
> And will it be Wiggins or Henao leading for Sky ?
Looking forward to see what Wiggins does....if he really is serious about riding the tour he should perform really well! I remain sceptical!!
In reply to abr1966:
Thanks for pointing me at Steephill.tv folks, I have been keeping up with the race nicely, which not having satellite, is usually quite hard.
Lot of unusual emotion in Chris' voice today as he thanked the peleton, and particularly AC and Nibs eh? Absorbing stuff...loving it.
Thanks for pointing me at Steephill.tv folks, I have been keeping up with the race nicely, which not having satellite, is usually quite hard.
Lot of unusual emotion in Chris' voice today as he thanked the peleton, and particularly AC and Nibs eh? Absorbing stuff...loving it.
In reply to abr1966:
Is it just me or is the commentator on Eurosport (not the Irish one) very partridge-esq?!
Is it just me or is the commentator on Eurosport (not the Irish one) very partridge-esq?!
In reply to CarbonCopy:
Carlton Kirby. Only Hugh Porter is worse.
> Is it just me or is the commentator on Eurosport (not the Irish one) very partridge-esq?!
Carlton Kirby. Only Hugh Porter is worse.
In reply to Chris the Tall:
On the basis of current form there's only one winner from that list!
> > Meanwhile the Tour de Suisse lineup is taking shape
>
> > Costa, Evans, Schleck, Mollema, Ten Dam, Kreuziger
> > Costa, Evans, Schleck, Mollema, Ten Dam, Kreuziger
> And will it be Wiggins or Henao leading for Sky ?
On the basis of current form there's only one winner from that list!
In reply to CarbonCopy:
yes, very Partridge - like this excerpt from stage 2 "always seems to be looking down at his stem, Froome, not looking where he´s going. It´s a wonder he doesn´t crash into something... must have a sort of bat-like sense, a sonar if you will"
yes, very Partridge - like this excerpt from stage 2 "always seems to be looking down at his stem, Froome, not looking where he´s going. It´s a wonder he doesn´t crash into something... must have a sort of bat-like sense, a sonar if you will"
In reply to abr1966:
I think it was stage 3 where he waffled on about train lines, had me in stitches!
I think it was stage 3 where he waffled on about train lines, had me in stitches!
In reply to CarbonCopy:
Fireworks in the last 2k....Bertie's been on the steak and took 20 seconds off Froome.....8 seconds lead for Contador now. Big day for sky tomorrow and Froome needs to attack.
Great finish by Westra after being just beaten yesterday..
Fireworks in the last 2k....Bertie's been on the steak and took 20 seconds off Froome.....8 seconds lead for Contador now. Big day for sky tomorrow and Froome needs to attack.
Great finish by Westra after being just beaten yesterday..
In reply to abr1966:
Unbelievable really. I watched the stage on Monday when Froome was smashing it on the Col de Béal. Was I the only person thinking WTF was froome doing?
Contador sat behind him playing the perfect poker game and even feigned somed difficulty on the line and now it's working out out for him - bags of class.
Jesus - if Froome had a brain he'd be the best cyclist in the world for many years to come.
E
Unbelievable really. I watched the stage on Monday when Froome was smashing it on the Col de Béal. Was I the only person thinking WTF was froome doing?
Contador sat behind him playing the perfect poker game and even feigned somed difficulty on the line and now it's working out out for him - bags of class.
Jesus - if Froome had a brain he'd be the best cyclist in the world for many years to come.
E
In reply to abr1966:
Meanwhile in Switzerland, Wiggo in 15th place an 32 seconds down in the opening time trial, if this carries on Sky's dilemma may well go away
Meanwhile in Switzerland, Wiggo in 15th place an 32 seconds down in the opening time trial, if this carries on Sky's dilemma may well go away
In reply to Enty:
You weren't alone in thinking that! I think he was trying yo put a mark in the sand but then hasn't thought about any tactics....then again i think sky are lacking in tactics since yates left..
You weren't alone in thinking that! I think he was trying yo put a mark in the sand but then hasn't thought about any tactics....then again i think sky are lacking in tactics since yates left..
In reply to kevin stephens:
I'm still not convinced he actually wants to ride in the tour...a couple more days and it should let us know...
I'm still not convinced he actually wants to ride in the tour...a couple more days and it should let us know...
In reply to Oujmik:
Hate to say I told you so!
> Exciting stuff and very aggressive by Froome, but I can't help wondering if completely burying himself to secure a 12 second lead might come back to bite him. If he does that every day and Contador follows it only takes one lapse of concentration to allow Contador to break and take 30s.
Hate to say I told you so!
In reply to Oujmik:
And then Contador does exactly the same thing playing silly buggers with Froome and loses the race. Sent a message to Froome though - I can give you a good kicking when I've only got half a team and you've got most of your top boys out.
And then Contador does exactly the same thing playing silly buggers with Froome and loses the race. Sent a message to Froome though - I can give you a good kicking when I've only got half a team and you've got most of your top boys out.
In reply to andy:
Here's to eight fingers being held aloft in July.
> And then Contador does exactly the same thing playing silly buggers with Froome and loses the race. Sent a message to Froome though - I can give you a good kicking when I've only got half a team and you've got most of your top boys out.
Here's to eight fingers being held aloft in July.
In reply to a concerned citizen:
He doesn't quite see it like that
http://cdn1.coresites.mpora.com/rcuk/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/contador21....
> Six surely?
He doesn't quite see it like that
http://cdn1.coresites.mpora.com/rcuk/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/contador21....
In reply to abr1966:
What a day, both in France and Switzerland.
Contador - tainted yes but an electrifying rider. That's how Sky need to ride if they want to win people over (perhaps they don't want that). And whilst everyone said it was a 2 horse race Talansky capitalised on that. One of the best day's racing I've seen.
Meanwhile in Switzerland, when it looked like Tony Martin might lose his lead in the TdS he hit the front in the last 5k and laid down a world of hurt. Beast.
What a day, both in France and Switzerland.
Contador - tainted yes but an electrifying rider. That's how Sky need to ride if they want to win people over (perhaps they don't want that). And whilst everyone said it was a 2 horse race Talansky capitalised on that. One of the best day's racing I've seen.
Meanwhile in Switzerland, when it looked like Tony Martin might lose his lead in the TdS he hit the front in the last 5k and laid down a world of hurt. Beast.
Post edited at 22:28
In reply to Mike Highbury:
Not sure which is the naffest celebration
Froome doing Saturday night fever http://cdn.velonews.competitor.com/files/2013/07/froome-wins.jpg
Or Contadors Pistolero http://media.trb.com/media/photo/2010-07/55161004.jpg
Been out on the bike all weekend (literally - two 13 hour days!) so just catching up but it looks like two fascinating stages
Doesn't seem to be much attention to the fact that sky won the stage. I'm guessing that Froome's injury was worse than was than first claimed, so they realised he wouldn't be competitive today so gave Nieve free reign to salvage something. Maybe Sky can switch to plan b mid race
Not sure which is the naffest celebration
Froome doing Saturday night fever http://cdn.velonews.competitor.com/files/2013/07/froome-wins.jpg
Or Contadors Pistolero http://media.trb.com/media/photo/2010-07/55161004.jpg
Been out on the bike all weekend (literally - two 13 hour days!) so just catching up but it looks like two fascinating stages
Doesn't seem to be much attention to the fact that sky won the stage. I'm guessing that Froome's injury was worse than was than first claimed, so they realised he wouldn't be competitive today so gave Nieve free reign to salvage something. Maybe Sky can switch to plan b mid race
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