Cycling thread 2015

Bruce Wayne · July 24, 2015

Bad day thus far for Sky, the team has fallen apart today. Looks like Thomas will fall several places, and Froome only has Poels left to offer any help at all. Big couple of hours ahead.

sbbefc · July 24, 2015

I'm indifferent to sky so I hope Quintana makes a minute or two on this climb to make it interesting. Doubt it though.

Rook · July 24, 2015

Bruce Wayne said:
Contador has attacked and pulled out a decent gap already. Joined up with Barguil and Gesink to form a decent little group.

Contador hasn't been banned yet?

Bruce Wayne · July 24, 2015

Interesting stage. I'm inclined to think that Quintana did about as good as could be expected there. Not sure he'll pull back enough time tomorrow to challenge Froome, unless Sky have another bad day and Froome is isolated from further out.

sbbefc · July 24, 2015

If there was another mammoth stage maybe, but 110km isn't long enough for him to make the time. Needed to make at least a minute today.

Bruce Wayne · July 24, 2015

Disgraceful. Some poor excuses for human beings out there

Whistlin' Dixie · July 24, 2015

blueloon said:
Chris Froome KOTM for me , I don't think the main teams will allow a breakaway tomorrow or Sat they'll reel them in so it will come down to GC men on the final climb . Froome won't be bothered about winning it maybe 30 sec loss will be sufficient to keep Quintana in check for Alpe d'Huez. I remember when the route was first announced and there was dismay from Froome that it was a climbers tour and talk of him concentrating on the Giro or Vuelta , well it all comes down to the next two days of climbing .

Almost prophetic! Quintana should've went a lot earlier than he did, for me. Maybe at the 10k marker, perhaps earlier.

bluelife · July 24, 2015

Would love Bardet to get KOTM but think Froome will win tomorrow's stage and win it....

Toffeelover · July 24, 2015

Bruce Wayne said:
Disgraceful. Some poor excuses for human beings out there

They do not like the idea of an Englishman winning the tour. There has not been a French winner for a couple of decades. But yes despicable behaviour.

Toffeelover · July 24, 2015

Will Froome get his bike back after it's construction and specification have been checked. Cannot believe that the french now resort to stuff like checking the bike.

bluelife · July 24, 2015

blueloon said:
Chris Froome KOTM for me , I don't think the main teams will allow a breakaway tomorrow or Sat they'll reel them in so it will come down to GC men on the final climb . Froome won't be bothered about winning it maybe 30 sec loss will be sufficient to keep Quintana in check for Alpe d'Huez. I remember when the route was first announced and there was dismay from Froome that it was a climbers tour and talk of him concentrating on the Giro or Vuelta , well it all comes down to the next two days of climbing .

Pretty much spot on there I reckon, he'll have saved something and will do them tomorrow.

Black Belt Jones · July 24, 2015

bluelife said:
Would love Bardet to get KOTM but think Froome will win tomorrow's stage and win it....

Agree mate - think Quintana will throw in some hard digs on Alpe d'Huez but Froome will take him. If it comes down to leaving everything on the mountain then Froome is stronger.

Whistlin' Dixie · July 24, 2015

Black Belt Jones said:
Agree mate - think Quintana will throw in some hard digs on Alpe d'Huez but Froome will take him. If it comes down to leaving everything on the mountain then Froome is stronger.

Only if he has a domestic or two with him.

Showed what he was about when he was on his own today, and Quintana went away from him.

blueloon · July 24, 2015

Nibali's win was a great result for Froome, as he's now in a position to attack Valverde for a podium spot, but too far away to worry Froome about overall GC. It now becomes Movistar's problem. Do they cover Nibali's attacks tomorrow and potentialy waste energy trying to retain 2nd and 3rd or try to break Team Sky and Froome in all out assault for Yellow?

Despite some falls and Teejay Vangardaren ' s retiral to my mind the best five riders are now sitting in the top 5 positions. The stage is made for Quintana to win, but you'd expect Nibali and Contador to have their final flings too. Sky have one task , get Froome to the bottom of Alpe D'Huez in contact and reasonable shape. Then Froome will bring it home. Exciting stuff.

bluelife · July 24, 2015

blueloon said:
Nibali's win was a great result for Froome, as he's now in a position to attack Valverde for a podium spot, but too far away to worry Froome about overall GC. It now becomes Movistar's problem. Do they cover Nibali's attacks tomorrow and potentialy waste energy trying to retain 2nd and 3rd or try to break Team Sky and Froome in all out assault for Yellow?

Despite some falls and Teejay Vangardaren ' s retiral to my mind the best five riders are now sitting in the top 5 positions. The stage is made for Quintana to win, but you'd expect Nibali and Contador to have their final flings too. Sky have one task , get Froome to the bottom of Alpe D'Huez in contact and reasonable shape. Then Froome will bring it home. Exciting stuff.

That it is.....to have 2 jerseys decided atop Alpe D'Huez is quite something.....